1. Microsoft Azure External Certification Guide

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. MCSA is a pre-requisite
MS Azure Certification – Updates!
MCSD is retiring soon!
MCSD – Azure Solutions Architect will retire on March 31, 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.

5. 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.

6. Microsoft Azure Certification Process

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. 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 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.

14. Microsoft Azure Certification Exam Preparation

15. 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.

16. 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
(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
exam prep guide
Exam Prep Book for
Practice test (2 times) (Includes Fee)
Microsoft Official Practice Test
Take the exam
Schedule Exam
Your source for all Azure information –

17. 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
(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
exam prep guide
Exam Prep Book for
Free eBook: Microsoft Azure Essentials Fundamentals of Azure
Practice test (2 times) (Includes Fees)
Microsoft Official Practice Test
Take the exam
Schedule Exam

18. 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
(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
exam prep guide
Exam Prep Book for
Practice test (2 times) (Includes Fees)
Microsoft Official Practice Test
Take the exam
Schedule Exam

19. 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!

20. Preparing for Exam 70 - 473 Resources Links
Practice test (Includes Fees)
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
Take the exam
Schedule Exam

21. Visit the Microsoft Azure Community to register for upcoming webinars
Preparing for Exam
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
Take the exam
Schedule Exam
Visit the Microsoft Azure Community to register for upcoming webinars

22. 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 (
Sign in to MCP member website ( 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

23. Important Steps to Complete Post Certification – Contd.
Under “Enter Certification” – type the course name and click on “Find”
“Microsoft Azure” for , & 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

24. 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

25. Appendix

26. 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.