AZ-120 is a high-end professional certification in the "Azure + SAP" field, focusing on the cloud deployment, management, and optimization of complex SAP workloads.

1. Introduction to the Microsoft Azure for SAP Workload Specialty certification

Microsoft Azure for SAP Workload Specialty (AZ-120) is an advanced professional level cloud certification launched by Microsoft, focusing on verifying the end-to-end capabilities of practitioners and optimizing SAP workloads on the Microsoft Azure cloud platform.AZ-120 aims to cultivate expert level talents who can support enterprise SAP system cloud and hybrid cloud deployment.

The SAP system is a core business system for enterprises, and its migration to Azure requires addressing complex challenges such as high performance, high availability, data security, and compliance compatibility. The core positioning of AZ-120 certification is to cultivate "expert level implementers and managers of SAP workloads on Azure," rather than ordinary cloud or SAP technology practitioners.

The certificate holder must be proficient in both Azure core services and SAP system architecture, able to translate enterprise SAP business requirements into technical solutions adapted to Azure, solve key problems in the SAP cloud migration process, and ensure stable, efficient, and compliant operation of the SAP system in the Azure environment.

When deploying SAP S/4HANA for manufacturing enterprises, AZ-120 certificate holders will choose Azure virtual machines to adapt to the high memory requirements of SAP HANA; Provide high-performance storage through Azure NetApp Files to ensure database read and write speeds; design a multi regional and multi availability zone architecture, combined with Azure Site Recovery to achieve cross regional disaster recovery for SAP ystems. Configure Azure AD and SAP Weaver integration to achieve unified identity authentication; Utilize Azure Monitor in conjunction with SAP Solution Manager to monitor system performance and business processes, and quickly locate faults.

2. The Rewards of Being a Microsoft Azure for SAP Workload Specialty

AZ-120 is the only advanced professional certification for SAP workloads in the Azure system, with a small number of holders in China, and belongs to the "scarce high-end talent" certification. When companies recruit for SAP cloud related positions, they often list them as "essential requirements," which is the core distinguishing factor between ordinary technical personnel and expert level talents. The average annual salary of AZ-120 certificate holders is 60%-80% higher than that of ordinary Azure or SAP technicians.

AZ-120 certification requires dual technical depth of "Azure + SAP," which can prove the ability to solve complex SAP cloud problems end-to-end, become the core technical backbone of the enterprise, and have priority participation in major SAP migration projects, with broad career development opportunities.

AZ-120 holders can join the Microsoft Azure for SAP exclusive community to obtain official technical documentation, the latest integration solutions between SAP and Azure, and priority participation in the technical preview program; Connect with high-end project resources and networks in the Microsoft and SAP ecosystems, laying the foundation for career advancement.

3. Core Components of the AZ-120 Certification

For IT architects, consultants, or administrators who focus on cloud based enterprise critical business systems, AZ-120 certification is a highly professional, in-depth, and strategically valuable specialized certification. It marks that you are no longer an ordinary cloud expert, but have the top-notch solution capability to successfully migrate, deploy, and optimize the most core and complex SAP systems of the enterprise to the Azure platform.

AZ-120 certification focuses deeply on the specific field of "Azure + SAP," requiring you to master the full lifecycle management from early planning to later operation and maintenance, and ensure that performance, high availability, security, and cost meet enterprise level requirements.

SAP workload planning and Azure resource selection are the cornerstone of all work and the highest weighted part of the exam. You need to have a deep understanding of the unique architecture requirements of various components in SAP, and be able to accurately select certified Azure virtual machines based on SAP's official certification checklist. At the same time, you must conduct precise capacity planning and optimize ownership costs using strategies such as reserving instances.

Azure infrastructure deployment and SAP system installation module assessment will assess the ability to plan and implement. You need to design a secure and isolated network topology for SAP, and master the standardized process of installing and configuring SAP HANA and Weaver application servers on Azure virtual machines.

In addition, it is necessary to understand how to achieve hybrid connectivity with local data centers through services. You need to choose the appropriate migration strategy based on business needs, and proficiently use tools such as Azure Migration for evaluation and practical operation to ensure the accuracy and completeness of data migration, and minimize business interruption time.

Excellent operation after the system goes online is the focus of certification. You must master the design of SAP high availability and disaster recovery architecture on Azure, such as deploying HANA system replication using availability zones.

Finally, certification requires you to have the ability to achieve operational automation through tools such as Azure Automation and ARM templates, and to effectively govern and control costs in SAP environments using Azure Policy and Cost Management tools, achieving long-term efficient management.

4. What are the requirements to be a Microsoft Azure for SAP Workload Specialty?

(1) Qualification prerequisites:

Before obtaining the Microsoft Azure for SAP Workload Specialty (AZ-120) certification, it is recommended that you have 1-2 years of experience in advanced Azure operations or architecture design, proficient in deep configuration of core services.

It is recommended that you have at least 1 year of experience in SAP systems and be familiar with SAP's official certification requirements for cloud platforms. Priority can be given to obtaining Azure Intermediate certification to solidify the foundation of Azure technology. 

(2) Training and examinations:

AZ-120 has approximately 40-60 questions, including multiple-choice questions and case analysis questions. The exam lasts for 180 minutes. Full score of 1000, pass with 700 points or above.

The exam fee is approximately 165 US dollars.

(3) Qualification maintenance:

The AZ-120 certificate is valid for 3 years and must be renewed within the validity period by passing an exam focused on the latest feature updates of Azure and SAP integration or obtaining a higher-level Azure certification.

5. Comparable Certifications to Microsoft Azure for SAP Workload Specialty Certification

• SAP - Certified Technology Associate—SAP HANA on Premise and Cloud
• SAP - Certified Application Associate —SAP S/4HANA Cloud
• AWS - Certified SAP on AWS Specialty