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Introduction to Microsoft Certifications
Microsoft certifications are credentials that validate a person's skills and knowledge in using Microsoft technologies and products. They are highly regarded in the IT industry and can enhance career prospects, job opportunities, and professional credibility. Microsoft offers a wide range of certifications across various technology domains, including cloud computing, data management and analytics, software development, networking, and more.
Benefits of Obtaining Microsoft Certifications
Obtaining Microsoft certifications offers several benefits for individuals seeking to enhance their careers in the IT industry. Some of the key benefits include:
- Industry Recognition
- Skill Validation
- Expanded Knowledge
- Networking Opportunities
- Access to Exclusive Resources
- Partner and Customer Benefits
- Personal and Professional Growth
Impact of Microsoft Certifications on Career Advancement
Microsoft certifications can contribute to career advancement by showcasing your commitment to professional growth and continuous learning. As you earn higher-level certifications, you can progress to more senior roles and responsibilities within your organization.
Enhanced Salary & Career Opportunities
Microsoft certifications can open doors to new career opportunities. Many organizations prioritize candidates with relevant certifications when hiring for roles involving Microsoft technologies. Having a Microsoft certification can give you a competitive edge and increase your chances of landing a job or promotion.
Top 10 Highest Paying Microsoft Certifications
Microsoft offers a comprehensive range of certification paths that cover various technology domains. The following list highlights the top 10 highest-paying Microsoft certifications in 2021-2022, based on industry demand and salary data:
Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert
Azure Solutions Architect Expert certification is a highly sought-after credential for professionals who design and implement solutions on the Microsoft Azure cloud platform. This certification validates your skills in translating business requirements into scalable, reliable, and secure cloud solutions.
- Exam AZ-303: Microsoft Azure Architect Technologies: This exam focuses on designing and implementing Azure infrastructure, including virtual networks, storage, compute resources, and security. It covers topics such as Azure Resource Manager, virtual machines, storage accounts, networking, and identity and access management.
- Exam AZ-304: Microsoft Azure Architect Design: This exam emphasizes the design aspects of Azure solutions. It covers topics like designing for identity and security, designing data storage solutions, designing for scalability and performance, and designing for business continuity and deployment strategies.
Microsoft Certified: Azure DevOps Engineer Expert
This certification is designed for professionals who specialize in implementing DevOps practices and tools on the Microsoft Azure platform. This certification validates your skills in managing the entire DevOps lifecycle, including planning, development, testing, delivery, and monitoring.
- Exam AZ-400: Designing and Implementing Microsoft DevOps Solutions: This exam covers various aspects of implementing DevOps practices using Azure DevOps.
- Exam AZ-404: Microsoft Azure DevOps Solutions: This exam focuses on advanced topics related to Azure DevOps, including designing a release strategy, managing security and compliance, implementing infrastructure as code, and optimizing feedback mechanisms.
Microsoft Certified: Dynamics 365 Finance Functional Consultant Associate
This certification is made for professionals who specialize in implementing and configuring financial management solutions using Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance. This certification validates your skills in leveraging Dynamics 365 Finance to streamline financial processes, manage financial data, and provide insights for decision-making.
Exam MB-310: This exam covers topics related to configuring and using Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance. It includes areas such as configuring and managing financial management processes, implementing and managing accounts payable and receivable, performing financial analysis, managing budgeting and fixed assets, and more.
Microsoft Certified: Dynamics 365 Commerce Functional Consultant Associate
Completing the Dynamics 365 Commerce Functional Consultant Associate certification affirms the skills and understanding to configure, deploy, and sustain Dynamics 365 Commerce applications. This includes:
- Configuring Dynamics 365 Commerce headquarters
- Configuring and managing Commerce call centres
- Commanding Point of Sale (POS) in Commerce
- Managing E-commerce, and configuring prices, loyalty, products, discounts, and affiliations.
Microsoft Certified: Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management Functional Consultant Associate
Associate certification is for professionals who are trained in implementing and configuring supply chain management solutions using Microsoft Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management.
Exam MB-330: This exam covers topics related to implementing and using Microsoft Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management. It includes areas such as configuring and managing inventory, implementing and managing warehouse and transportation management, performing procurement and sourcing, managing sales and marketing, and more.
Microsoft Certified: Power Platform Developer Associate
This certification validates your skills in building and implementing Power Apps canvas and model-driven apps, creating Power Automate workflows, and integrating Power Apps and Power Automate with other services.
Exam PL-400: This exam covers various aspects of developing solutions using the Microsoft Power Platform. It includes topics such as designing and developing Power Apps, creating and configuring Power Automate workflows, implementing business logic using Power Automate and Power Apps, creating and managing data models and entities, and more.
Microsoft Certified: Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management, Manufacturing Functional Consultant Associate
Exams:
- Exam MB-300
- Exam MB-320
Skills measured:
- Report operations and finance apps, and expand apps by utilizing Microsoft Power Platform technologies
- Managing process of manufacturing
- Configuring administrative factors and workflows
- Implementing master planning for production
- Managing data related to finance and operations
- Validation and support of solutions
- Configuring Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management
Microsoft Certified: Security Operations Analyst Associate
This certification is for professionals who have a strong grip in monitoring and responding to security incidents and threats within an organization's security operations center (SOC) using Microsoft security technologies.
Exam SC-200: This exam covers various aspects of security operations analysis using Microsoft Defender for Endpoint and other Microsoft security technologies. It includes topics such as configuring and using Microsoft Defender for Endpoint, analyzing security alerts, conducting investigations, implementing threat intelligence, and more.
Microsoft Certified: Identity and Access Administrator Associate
This certification validates your skills in designing, implementing, and managing identity and access solutions.
Exam SC-300: This exam covers various aspects of identity and access management using Microsoft Azure Active Directory and other Microsoft technologies. It includes topics such as designing and implementing an identity strategy, managing user roles and access, securing privileged identities, implementing authentication and authorization, and monitoring identity-related activities.
Microsoft 365 Certified: Messaging Administrator Associate
This certification is for managing messaging infrastructure, implementing and managing Microsoft 365 messaging services.
Exams:
- Exam MS-203: This exam covers topics related to managing and deploying Microsoft 365 messaging infrastructure. It includes areas such as managing mail flow, managing recipients and devices, implementing and managing email security, and managing messaging hygiene.
- Exam MS-200: This exam focuses on planning and configuring messaging platforms using Microsoft 365 technologies. It covers topics such as deploying and managing Exchange Online, configuring mail flow, managing recipients and public folders, and implementing hybrid mail flow.
Concluding Remarks
The future of Microsoft certifications in the IT industry looks promising. Microsoft has a strong presence in various technology domains, and their certifications are widely recognized and respected by employers and professionals alike.
