1. Microsoft Certifications – How They Know You Know Microsoft Certified Master July 30, 2008

2. 2 Agenda Microsoft Certified Master –History of the program –The program today Details –Requirements –Pricing –Timing and Registration Questions and answers Per Farny Director, Advanced Training and Certification Microsoft, Redmond, Wash. USA

3. Welcome! 3

4. Poll Do you currently hold any Microsoft Certifications? –MCSA, MCSE, or MCITP –MCAD, MCSD, or MCPD –MCTS –Other –None 4

5. Technical Certification Roadmap Master Series Professional Series Technology Series Master Different series highlight technology expertise by job function. Clear, concise way to highlight your specific skill set and validate your abilities at every stage of your professional development. Architect Series

6. Microsoft Certified Master Design | Build | Troubleshoot Provide the highest level of technical certification on the Microsoft platform that recognizes the ability of an IT Professional to meet complex business requirements using Microsoft products and technologies. “If there is a need for a complex implementation or upgrade, or for assessing existing solutions and resolving issues, the call to action is clear: get a Microsoft Certified Master on the job”.

7. Master - Tracks Available this year Microsoft Certified Master: Exchange Server 2007 Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server 2008 Microsoft Certified Master: Windows Server 2008 – Directory In development Microsoft Certified Master: Office Communications Server 2007 Microsoft Certified Master: Office SharePoint Server 2007 7

8. History – Ranger v1.0 From the depths of Building 34… September 2002 – Started in Exchange CXP – “Reactive” –Grass roots effort based on customer problems with Exchange 2000 –Built for consultants, i.e. design and architecture, yet deep knowledge in components –Lack of ability to identify experts: needed trusted experts that had "been there, done that" in both technical and consulting capacity –Format: 1-2 core instructors, PM roundtables, lab time, 4 weeks –Certification requirements Written test Qualification Lab Exam (‘Qual Lab’) Start of trusted community for the product group

9. History – Ranger v2.0 …to the ‘glory’ of Building 11 2004 – 2006: “Formalized in IT” –Exchange Center of Excellence Looking at customer problems holistically –Substantial curriculum and delivery rework: MSIT injection of knowledge, more instructors –Review Board introduced to formally assess ‘soft’ skills –November 2005 – Microsoft Certified Architect | Messaging 2007: We have other products, right? –MCA: Database –Directory efforts started

10. Keys to Success We noticed something along the way Top subject matter experts deliver content acquired via real world technology deployments Go very deep technically, then come back up for air Core instructional sessions, PM roundtables, goal based labs Real world scenarios Functional Component Concepts Architecture: Planning and Design Dependencies Validation Hands- on Experiences Product Adoption Real world examples and scenarios Documented with 400 level gaps

11. Challenges Some things didn’t work so well 4-5 weeks is a long time! Not everyone should be / wants to be an MCA The globe actually has more cities on it than just Redmond, WA ;-)

12. History – Ranger v3.0 Master v1.0 Welcome to Today! Microsoft Certified Master –3 weeks of mandatory training via top subject matter experts and 5-10 different instructors –3 ‘Written’ exams –One Qualification Lab Test Microsoft Certified Architect (Technology Programs) –Messaging, Database, Directory –Pre-requisite = Certified Master (does not apply to Infrastructure and Solutions tracks)

13. Master – Life of a candidate What’s it like at training? Mentally and physically exhausting! Microsoft IT overview of global Exchange deployment from lead MSFT engineer (4 hours) Week 1 lab assignment: build Front-end / Back-end architecture. Includes 10 virtual machines: 2 mailbox servers, 2 Client Access servers, 2 ISA servers, 2 domain controllers, 1 external SMTP host, 1 client machine… A simple Visio is your guide Configure Unified Messaging with gateways and phones for each candidate Team exercise: examine a set of requirements regarding a highly available environment and present findings to class (2-3 hours total) Deep dive into Exchange transport with member of Microsoft’s Exchange Center of Excellence (2 days). Long days of instruction Information fire hose Study every night Group study with other candidates Activities such as…

14. Master - Benefits Extension of Microsoft Direct access to Microsoft product management and engineers Information you can not get anywhere else Membership in the community of elite peers Continued Education opportunities

15. Master - Requirements Do you have what it takes? 1. Minimum 5 years hands-on experience on the respective technologies 2. Resume submission 3. Speak, understand and write in fluent English For Exchange MCITP: Enterprise Messaging Administrator MCSE 2003 + OR Exam 70-640: TS: Windows Server 2008 Active Directory, Configuring For SQL MCITP: Database Developer certification MCITP: Database Administrator certification For Directory MCSE 2000 or 2003, or MCITP: Enterprise Administrator Exam 70-219 Designing a Microsoft Windows 2000 Directory Services Infrastructure OR Exam 70-297 Designing a Windows Server 2003 Active Directory and Network Infrastructure http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/master

16. Master – Pricing Package: $18,500 –3 weeks of training –3 written tests –1 Qualification Lab Retakes –Written tests: $250 each –Lab Test: $1,500

17. Master – Roll out and Availability This next year is ‘Build Year’ – Make sure we have it right –Training in Redmond –Total number trained = 250 (40% internal, 60% external) –Increase instructor pool Starting July 2009, begin worldwide rollout –7 locations: 3 United States. 2 EMEA, 2 APAC –Total number trained = 500

18. Master - Timelines August 4, 2008: pilot for registration application September 1, 2008: public registration open Training calendar: * SharePoint and Office Communications Server dates TBD. First alpha rotations end of 2008 or early 2009. MCM: Exchange 2007MCM: SQL 2008 MCM: Windows Server 2008 - Directory October 6-25, 2008October 13 – November 1, 2008November 3-22, 2008 January 5-24, 2009January 12 – 31, 2009January 19 – February 7, 2009 March 15 - April 4, 2009March 16 – April 4, 2009May 4-23, 2009

19. Master - Application Process Bookmark http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/master and watch for exact date of open registrationhttp://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/master Ensure you have pre-requisites covered Apply –Pay $125 application fee –Receive credentials for our portal where you upload resume –Await acceptance notice (within 5 days) Upon acceptance: –Provide payment –Confirm choice of training rotation Come to training!

20. Poll Do you see the Master certification fitting in to your career plan? –Yes –No –I am not sure yet. 20

21. Questions? Master programs home: http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/masterhttp://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/master MCA: http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/architect/default.mspxhttp://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/architect/default.mspx Recording and PPT from today: http://blogs.msdn.com/trikahttp://blogs.msdn.com/trika Links and resources

22. Technical Certification Roadmap Master Series – The Microsoft Certified Master certifications identify individuals with the deepest technology skills on the Microsoft Platform. Professional Series – Professional credentials validate a comprehensive and current set of skills required to be successful on the job. Technology Series – Targeted certifications let you gain in-depth skills on specific Microsoft technologies. Master Microsoft Certifications feature succinct paths to help you become Microsoft Certified. Different series highlight technology expertise by job function. Provides a clear, concise way to highlight your specific skill set and validates your abilities at every stage of your professional development. Architect Series – The Certified Architect program makes it easy for companies to identify experienced IT architects who have completed a rigorous peer review process.