Microsoft Azure External Certification Guide

Table of Contents Formatting Alignment Microsoft Azure Overview 3 MS Azure Certification – Updates! 4 Certification Process 6 myLearning Registration Process 7 Charging Training Time & Claiming Certification Expenses in myTE Application 8 Scheduling Certification Exams with the Vendor 9 Associating Microsoft Account with Accenture Account 13 Certification Exam Preparation 14 Learning the Azure basics 15 Preparing for the Exam 16 Important Steps to Complete Post Certification 22 Contacts 24 Appendix (Additional Reference Materials) 26 Formatting Alignment Update links to point to appropriate page.

To learn more, visit the Microsoft Azure Community Microsoft Azure Overview Microsoft Azure is the cloud for modern business. It is a growing collection of integrated cloud services - analytics, computing, database, mobile, networking, storage and web - for moving faster, achieving more and saving money. As companies incorporate cloud computing as part of their business and IT strategy, the Microsoft Azure platform is well positioned to become a leading cloud platform for enterprises. Here is what you can do with Azure…LINK. To learn more, visit the Microsoft Azure Community If you’re looking for a way to advance your career and become more marketable, Microsoft Azure certification might be the right choice for you. Since the Azure certifications are fairly new they will help you distinguish yourself and show that you’re able to offer a unique skillset. Why Certification? Microsoft Azure Microsoft Azure certification addresses a wide spectrum of fundamental technical concepts, assesses and validates your core technical knowledge, and enhances your technical credibility Get recognized for your expertise covering the full breadth of architecting, developing, and administering Azure solutions – take up the Microsoft Azure Certification Exams.

MCSA is a pre-requisite MS Azure Certification – Updates! MCSD is retiring soon! MCSD – Azure Solutions Architect will retire on March 31, 2017. When the certification retires, all individuals whose transcripts list this certification as active on or after September 26, 2016, will retain the active status. Visit this link to learn more. MCSE is the news! MCSE - Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert is a replacement for MCSD! To be MCSE: Cloud Platform and Infrastructure Solutions Expert certified, follow this link. (more on slide 5) MCSA is a pre-requisite MCSA - Certified Solutions Associate is a prerequisite to the MCSE expert-level certifications. To be MCSA : Cloud Platform certified, follow this link.

Step 2: Pass one of the elective exams during the calendar year. About MCSE Certification Microsoft recently introduced new, streamlined technical certification paths that are aligned to industry-recognized areas of competence. Thus providing flexibility to showcase your specific skills on Microsoft products and services. The image below illustrates the steps to follow to be MCSE Cloud Platform & Infrastructure certified. Step 1: Earn one of the Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA) Certifications. Step 2: Pass one of the elective exams during the calendar year.

Microsoft Azure Certification Process

myLearning Registration Process Prior to taking external certifications at Microsoft, you’ll need to register in myLearning (using the links below) to obtain approval from your local Geo/DTE training approver for your time & expenses. Please use the links below to register for the respective certification exam in myLearning. Complete the Vendor Training Request (VTR) form that opens up. In the charge code field,  enter your DTE-specific, 8-digit WBSE number. For a missing training DTE-specific WBS Element value in myLearning reach out to your local HR resource. 532: Developing Microsoft Azure Solutions 533: Implementing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions 534: Architecting Microsoft Azure Solutions LFCS: Linux foundation certified system Administrator 473: Designing and implementing cloud data platform solutions 475: Designing and implementing big data analytics solutions IMPORTANT: It is critical to complete these tasks up front as getting approvals can take time After successfully completing your exams, please ensure to mark the above assets as complete and also to follow the steps outlined on slide 22 – “Important steps to complete post certification” to be recognized in Accenture as being certified in MS Azure.

Charging Training Time & Claiming Certification Expenses in myTE Application For charging your time and to claim certification expenses, please use the WBSE as explained below. myTimeandExpenses has a system change that only allows you to submit Central Training Course Time and Expense charges against the “Central Training – Participant” Static Project number. Select the relevant “Central Training – Participant” Static Project numbers from the myTE Assignments drop down view (Figure 1). NOTE: The name of this Assignment may vary depending on the country you are based in. For assistance, please contact your Local TE Functional Support.

Scheduling Certification Exams with the Vendor After you have received approval from your local Geo/DTE training approver for your time & expenses, you’ll need to access the Microsoft site (links below) to register and schedule the exams. Exam Title: Developing Microsoft Azure Solution (532) Link to Register for the Exam - Developing Microsoft Azure Solutions Cost: $ 165 Schedule Exam Exam Title: Implementing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions (533) Link to Register for the Exam - Implementing Microsoft Infrastructure Solutions Cost: $ 165 Schedule Exam Exam Title: Architecting Microsoft Azure Solutions (534) Link to Register for the Exam - Architecting Microsoft Azure Solutions Cost: $ 165 Schedule Exam

Scheduling Certification Exams with the Vendor – Contd. Exam Title: Designing and Implementing Cloud Data Platform Solutions (473) Link to Register for the Exam - Designing and Implementing Cloud Data Platform Solutions Cost: $ 165 Schedule Exam Exam Title: Designing and Implementing Big Data Analytics Solutions (475) Link to Register for the Exam - Designing and Implementing Big Data Analytics Solutions Cost: $ 165 Schedule Exam Exam Title: Linux Foundation Certified System Administrator (LFCS) Link to Register for the Exam - Linux Foundation Certified System Administrator (LFCS) Cost: $ 300 Schedule Exam

Scheduling Certification Exams with the Vendor Next, login to the Microsoft website. If you already have a Microsoft account, use the login boxes and sign in, otherwise, click Sign up now to create a new account and continue. IMPORTANT: After successfully clearing your certification exams, ensure to associate your Microsoft Account to Accenture Account to be recognized internally as being certified in Azure – See slide 13 for steps & details on this.

Scheduling Certification Exams with the Vendor On the next page, you will be taken to the registration screen to register for the exam. Fill in the required details to register and continue. If you are already registered, you may be required to confirm your registration details. Click on the Submit button to continue. You will now be redirected to a third-party vendor site to select a booking option depending on how you would want to take up the exams. Choose your preferred mode of taking the exams from the available list of options (Test center, Online Proctored exam, etc). Next, select your preferred language. Now you will be required to select your preferred test location and date / time for taking the exam. On the screens that follow, you will be required to confirm your order and check-out to make payment. Visit the Microsoft Training and Certification help page for support options.

Associating Microsoft Account with Accenture Account To be recognized within Accenture as being certified in Azure, please make sure you associate your existing Microsoft account to your Accenture/Avanade account. This involves the following two steps: Associate/join with the Accenture/Avanade account 2013137 in MPN. Enter MCP ID in MPN profile and link it to the account Refer to the attached job aids to associate your account with Accenture/Avanade account Important: Please note that in-order to be recognized internally within Accenture, it is important that you follow the above steps to associate your existing account to your Accenture/Avanade account.

Microsoft Azure Certification Exam Preparation

Learning the Azure basics Getting started with Microsoft Azure:   New to Microsoft Azure? Start by visiting the Azure Learning board that has links to useful foundational trainings. Visit the Azure Partner Readiness Catalog! - This catalog is for technical individuals within Azure Partners to find and consume a variety of technical readiness materials. Microsoft Azure for IT Pros Content Series: Introduction to Microsoft Azure - Learn about the different GUI-based management tools for Microsoft Azure and the deployment methods for services within Microsoft Azure. Instructor Corey Hynes looks at IT building blocks in Azure, including virtual machines, networks and storage, and discusses how Azure can be managed with PowerShell. Questions: Contact Microsoft Azure Training Team. Azure Pitch Perfect – Sharpen your skills with on-demand training for the latest Microsoft technologies. Select training below according to Microsoft products, competencies, partner type or role. Competency qualifying requirements can be found here. Introduction to MS Azure – (Visit the Microsoft Partner page to view the following topics on MS Azure – click on the respective tabs) Why MS Azure Products Documentation Azure Pricing Azure partners Blogs Resources Support Visit the Microsoft Azure Training and Certification page for additional Azure trainings.

Preparing for the Exam 70- 532 Resources Links Cloud Academy 70-532: Developing Microsoft Azure Solutions To learn more on how to register for 12 months of access to Cloud Academy, including tuition costs and access terms, visit the following myLearning link. After enrolling, click here to view the course details. MVA courses Course1 Course2 Course3 Course4 Course5 Exam Prep Session MPN courses Course 1 Course 2 Practice Test EP readiness cert prep series Bootcamp for Exam 70-532 (6 sessions of 2-3 Hours each) Cloud Deployment Model & Azure Storage Azure CDN, Azure VNet & Azure VMs Creating, deploying, monitoring Azure Websites, Web Jobs Automate Continuous Integration & Continuous Delivery, Creating and managing Azure VMs, Azure SQL Database Implement an Azure Active Directory & Design, develop and deploy Cloud Services Messaging Solutions, Distributed Caching, Business Continuity & Discussing Exam Objectives Microsoft website (ILT) Course 20532: Developing Microsoft Azure Solutions Sign up for free one-month trial with $200 Azure Free Trial Sign up for free one-year trial Azure Free Trial for a Year 70-532 exam prep guide Exam Prep Book for 70-532 Practice test (2 times) (Includes Fee) Microsoft Official Practice Test 70-532 Take the exam Schedule Exam 70-532 Your source for all Azure information – https://azure.accenture.com

Preparing for the Exam 70- 533 Resources Links Cloud Academy 70-533: Implementing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions To learn more on how to register for 12 months of access to Cloud Academy, including tuition costs and access terms, visit the following myLearning link. Course details on Cloud Academy– COMING SOON! MVA courses Course 1 Course 2 Course 3 Course 4 Course 5 Exam Prep Session MPN courses Course 1 Course 2 Practice Test EP readiness cert prep series Bootcamp for Exam 70-533 (6 sessions of 2-3 Hours each) Azure VNet & Azure VMs Part 1 Azure VNet & Azure VMs Part 2 Creating, deploying and managing Azure Web Apps Implement Azure Storage & Azure SQL Database Implement an Azure Active Directory & Provisioning resources using PowerShell Implementing Cloud Services, Azure Backup, Azure Site Recovery & Discussing Exam Objectives Microsoft website (ILT) Implementing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions Sign up for free one-month trial with $200 Azure Free Trial Sign up for free one-year trial Azure Free Trial for a Year 70-533 exam prep guide Exam Prep Book for 70-533 Free eBook: Microsoft Azure Essentials Fundamentals of Azure Practice test (2 times) (Includes Fees) Microsoft Official Practice Test 70-533 Take the exam Schedule Exam 70-533

Preparing for the Exam 70- 534 Resources Links Cloud Academy 70-534: Architecting Microsoft Azure Solutions To learn more on how to register for 12 months of access to Cloud Academy, including tuition costs and access terms, visit the following myLearning link. After enrolling, click here to view the course details. MVA courses Course 1 Course 2 Course 3 Course4 Course5 Exam Prep MPN courses Course 1 Course 2 Practice Test EP readiness cert prep series Bootcamp for Exam 70-534 (6 sessions of 2-3 Hours each) Azure VMs & Vnets Cloud Services & Azure Storage Azure Active Directory, Azure SQL & Azure Mobile Services Azure Monitoring, Azure CDN & Traffic Manager HDInsight, Machine Learning, Media Services & Azure Automation DocumentDB, Architecting on Azure & Exam Discussion and Practice Sign up for free one-month trial with $200 Azure Free Trial Sign up for free one-year trial Azure Free Trial for a Year 70-534 exam prep guide Exam Prep Book for 70-534 Practice test (2 times) (Includes Fees) Microsoft Official Practice Test 70-534 Take the exam Schedule Exam 70-534

More Training Resources - COMING SOON! Preparing for Exam LFCS ( Linux foundation certified system Administrator ) Resources Links External Training Access online training content from Pluralsight (and Code School) for FY17. (To access available training resources from Pluralsight, register in myLearning here and follow the standard approval process) LFCS exam prep guide (may include Fees) Certification Preparation Guide Take the exam Schedule Exam LFCS More Training Resources - COMING SOON!

Preparing for Exam 70 - 473 Resources Links Practice test (Includes Fees) 70-473 Designing and Implementing Cloud Data Platform Solutions Microsoft Official Practice Test MVA Course Design and Implement Cloud Data Platform Services EP readiness cert prep series (6 sessions of 2-3 Hours each) Understanding Azure Fundamentals and Introduction to Azure Services like Storage, Virtual Machines and Virtual Network Microsoft Cloud Data Platform Options; Implementing SQL server on Azure VM; Scaling, Managing, High Availability and DR for SQL Server on Azure VM Introduction to Azure SQL. Scaling, Managing, High Availability, DR for Azure SQL Hybrid HA/DR Scenarios with SQL Server, Designing and Implementing Security Monitor and Manage Azure SQL and SQL Server on Azure VM; Design Considerations and Best Practices; Case Study Introduction to Azure SQL Data Warehouse; introduction to SSIS integration with data warehouse; Connecting Azure SQL Database & Data Warehouse with Power BI Sign up for free one-month trial with $200 Azure Free Trial Sign up for free one-year trial Azure Free Trial for a Year Take practice test Microsoft Official Practice Test 70-473 Take the exam Schedule Exam 70 - 473

Visit the Microsoft Azure Community to register for upcoming webinars Preparing for Exam 70 - 475 Resources Links Practice test (Includes Fees) 70-475: Designing and Implementing Big Data Analytics Solutions Microsoft Official Practice Test MVA Course Big Data Analytics EP readiness cert prep series (6 sessions of 2-3 Hours each) Introduction to Big Data, Azure Storage and Azure SQL Azure Data Lake, Introduction to Lambda Architecture, Batch Processing tools Real-Time Processing tools, Azure Event Hubs, Azure Stream Analytics Azure HDInsight Azure Machine Learning Azure Data Factory, Power BI, Data Science use cases Sign up for free one-month trial with $200 Azure Free Trial Sign up for free one-year trial Azure Free Trial for a Year Take practice test Microsoft Official Practice Test 70-475 Take the exam Schedule Exam 70 - 475 Visit the Microsoft Azure Community to register for upcoming webinars

Important Steps to Complete Post Certification Make sure you have associated your Microsoft Account with Accenture Account. Please see Slide 13 for details. Forward your exam transcript to your Supervisor/Career Counselor notifying your certification completion. For instruction on how to retrieve your Exam Transcript, please follow the steps below. After gaining your certification, you will have access to the MCP member website (http://www.microsoft.com/mcp) Sign in to MCP member website (http://www.microsoft.com/mcp) using your Microsoft Account. Visit the Transcript->View and download Select ‘Share Your Transcript’ Make a note of the ‘Transcript ID’ and ‘Access Code’ Press Submit Send the ‘Transcript ID’ and 'Access Code’ to your supervisor/career counselor Update your CV in myScheduling: After you have notified your supervisor/career counselor, follow the steps below to record your certification in myCV-Resume Visit the myCV-Resume page from this link (Please login into myScheduling first to access this link) Click on the “Certifications” tab Under “Enter Certification” – type the course name and click on “Find” (details on slide 23) Under the list of available certifications, choose the exam that you have successfully passed and click on “Add” Click on the “Accept” button to add the certification to your CV/Resume

Important Steps to Complete Post Certification – Contd. Under “Enter Certification” – type the course name and click on “Find” “Microsoft Azure” for 70-532, 70-533 & 70-534 exams “MS – LFCS” for Linux foundation certified system Administrator exam “70 – 473” for Designing and implementing cloud data platform solutions exam “70 – 475” for Designing and implementing big data analytics solutions

Contacts If you have any questions, please contact the following: Microsoft.CD.Mailbox, Microsoft Training Team Rick Rickart, Global Accenture Azure Cloud Domain Lead Kelly Burford, Cloud Adoption Enablement Lead Neelima Vaid, Accenture Microsoft & Cloud L&TD Lead

Appendix

Additional Reference Materials Microsoft Azure KX site – Your source for all information on MS Azure. Azure Activity Stream – Ask the Azure community, Collaborate and Network with colleagues. Microsoft Azure Learning Board – Short videos and training materials on Microsoft Azure. Stay current via Azure Facebook, Azure Twitter, Channel 9, Azure Fridays, MVA, Service Updates, Azure Newsletter, Azure Blogs.