What is a MCTS?

The Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist certifications enable professionals to target specific technologies and to distinguish themselves by demonstrating in-depth knowledge and expertise in their specialized technologies.  Microsoft Technology Specialists are consistently capable of implementing, building, troubleshooting, and debugging a particular Microsoft technology.

There are currently 19 Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) certifications.  More will become available as new technologies are introduced.  The certifications are as follows:

• Technology Specialist: .NET Framework 2.0 Web Applications

• Technology Specialist: .NET Framework 2.0 Windows Applications

• Technology Specialist: .NET Framework 2.0 Distributed Applications

• Technology Specialist: SQL Server 2005

• Technology Specialist: SQL Server 2005 Business Intelligence

• Technology Specialist: BizTalk Server 2006

• Technology Specialist: Microsoft Exchange Server 2007, Configuration

• Technology Specialist: Windows Vista, Configuration

• Technology Specialist: Windows Vista and 2007 Microsoft Office System Desktops, Deploying and Maintaining

• Technology Specialist: Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007, Configuration

• Technology Specialist: Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007, Application Development

• Technology Specialist: Windows SharePoint Services 3.0, Configuration

• Technology Specialist: Windows SharePoint Services 3.0, Application Development

• Technology Specialist: Managing Projects with Microsoft Office Project 2007

• Technology Specialist: Enterprise Project Management with Microsoft Office Project Server 2007

• Technology Specialist: Microsoft Office Live Communications Server 2005

• Technology Specialist: Windows Mobile 5.0, Applications

• Technology Specialist: Windows Mobile 5.0, Implementing and Managing

• Technology Specialist: Windows Server 2003 Hosted Environments, Configuration and Management

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The Benefits of Using F1 to Certify

F1 Computing is one of the leading development companies in its field and uses this expertise to ensure that its training clients have both the theoretical knowledge supplied by Microsoft curriculum and the practical knowledge that only a development company can give.

• Save up to 50% on the cost of courses when you book F1's Path to MCTS Accreditation package.  Call 0800 169 1890 for a detailed quotation customised to your specific requirements.

• F1 knows that sometimes some of the material on a course is difficult to get to grips with. To help delegates pass MCP exams, F1 allows MCTS package delegates to re-sit any course if they feel it will help them pass their MCP. Call for more details. 

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How to Obtain a MCTS Certification

Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: .NET Framework 2.0 Web Applications certification shows that the developer has demonstrated breadth and depth of skills and knowledge of Web application technology and data access in Web applications.

Candidates for this certification must pass two exams, one focusing on .NET Framework 2.0 foundational skills and one focusing on Web-based client development.

Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: .NET Framework 2.0 Windows Applications certification shows that the developer has demonstrated breadth and depth of skills and knowledge of Windows Forms technology, in addition to expertise in data access in Microsoft Windows applications.

Candidates for this certification must pass two exams, one focusing on .NET Framework 2.0 foundational skills and one focusing on Windows-based client development.

Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: .NET Framework 2.0 Distributed Applications certification shows that the developer has demonstrated breadth and depth of skills and knowledge of Web services, .NET Framework remoting, Enterprise Services, and Message Queuing technology.

Candidates for this certification must pass two exams, one focusing on .NET Framework 2.0 foundational skills and one that focuses on developing distributed applications.

Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: SQL Server 2005 certification shows that the professional can implement and maintain databases using specific instructions and specifications.  They have thorough knowledge of the product, understand how to use the tools and Transact-SQL language, and know how to navigate the user interface.

Candidates for this certification must pass one exam that focuses on the implementation and maintenance of SQL Server 2005.

Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: SQL Server 2005 Business Intelligence certification shows that the professional can implement and maintain business intelligence solutions. They have thorough knowledge of the Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Business Intelligence Development tool suite. This includes knowledge of database schemas, debugging, monitoring, and troubleshooting Business Intelligence solutions, and working with the Microsoft .NET Framework. They can write database queries, use SSAS data mining algorithms, and create and deploy SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) reports. Additionally, they author and deploy SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) packages.

Candidates for this certification must pass one exam that focuses on the implementation and maintenance of SQL Server 2005.

Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: BizTalk Server 2006 certification shows that the professional possesses a deep and broad understanding of the design and development of distributed applications that use BizTalk Server 2006.  The credential holder has also demonstrated expertise in deploying and managing a BizTalk Server 2006 solution and can create a BizTalk orchestration, integrate business rules and human workflow services, manage business processes, troubleshoot BizTalk solutions, and consume and publish Web services.

Candidates for this certification must pass one exam that focuses on the design and development  of distributed applications that use BizTalk Server 2006 in addition to the deployment and management of BizTalk Server 2006.

Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: Microsoft Exchange Server 2007, Configuration certification shows that the professional possesses the knowledge and skills to operate as the second tier of support between the mailbox operator and the messaging administrator.  They are also able to install, configure and administer an enterprise messaging environment that includes managing messaging security with Microsoft Exchange Server 2007.

Candidates for this certification must pass one exam that focuses on installing and configuring Exchange servers, creating and modifying recipients and public folders, maintaining and optimizing the messaging system, monitoring and reporting on the messaging system, troubleshooting messaging issues, and managing data recovery and disaster recovery of a messaging environment.

Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: Windows Vista, Configuration certification shows that the professional possesses the knowledge and skills to configure Windows Vista for optimal performance on the desktop, including installing, managing, and configuring the new security, network, and application features in Windows Vista.

Candidates for this certification must pass one exam that focuses on supporting end-user issues about network connectivity, security, and applications installation and compatibility, and logon problems that include account issues and password resets.

Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: Windows Vista Client and 2007 Microsoft Office System Desktops, Deploying and Maintaining certification shows that the professional possesses the knowledge and skills to successfully deploy and maintain client desktops using the appropriate Microsoft tools during the various stages of the deployment lifecycle.

Candidates for this certification must pass one exam that focuses on the knowledge and skills that are associated with deploying the 2007 Office system, deploying Windows Vista, using the Business Desktop Deployment Workbench, deploying applications by using the Application Compatibility Toolkit, managing user state migration, and managing Windows Vista and the 2007 Office system deployments by using System Management Server (SMS) 2003.

Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007, Configuration certification shows that the professional possesses a deep and broad understanding about properly configuring Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 in a corporate environment. The professional typically has a general understanding of Office SharePoint  Server 2007 and how to administer Microsoft SQL Server 2000 or 2005 ad well as knowledge about security and Microsoft .NET 2.0 as they relate to SharePoint Server 2007. 

Candidates for this certification must pass one exam that focuses on configuring Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 Portal, managing Search, configuring Content Management, configuring Business forms, managing business Intelligence, managing Administration and deploying/upgrading Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007.

Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007, Application Development certification shows that the professional possesses a deep and broad understanding of developing applications utilizing Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007. This certification verifies the abilities of a corporate developer or consultant to build Web portals and integrate business applications using Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007, including building business intelligence solutions, targeting content based on membership, and customizing functionality. 

Candidates for this certification must pass one exam that focuses on managing enterprise content, creating business intelligence solutions by using Office SharePoint Server 2007, integrating business data with Office SharePoint Server 2007 by using the Business Data Catalog (BDC), accessing Office SharePoint Server 2007 Application Platform Services, searching data by using the Search Service, targeting content based on audience membership, and customizing functionality by using profiles.

Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: Windows SharePoint Services 3.0, Configuration certification shows that the professional possesses the knowledge and skills to successfully configure Microsoft Windows SharePoint Services 3.0. A typical candidate will already have a general understanding of Microsoft technologies, such as Internet Security and Acceleration Server, network load-balancing for applications, and general security and authentication practices, as well as a general knowledge of Windows SharePoint Server 2007 and networking
infrastructure. 

Candidates for this certification must pass one exam that focuses on the knowledge and skills that are associated with deploying Windows SharePoint Services 3.0, including monitoring and configuring security settings, administering Windows SharePoint Services, managing customization, and configuring network infrastructure for Windows SharePoint Services.

Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: Windows SharePoint Services 3.0, Application Development certification shows that the professional possesses a deep and broad understanding about properly configuring Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 in a corporate environment. The professional typically has a general understanding of Office SharePoint  Server 2007 and how to administer Microsoft SQL Server 200 or 2005 ad well as knowledge about security and Microsoft .NET 2.0 as they relate to SharePoint Server 2007. 

Candidates for this certification must pass one exam that focuses on configuring Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 Portal, managing Search, configuring Content Management, configuring Business forms, managing business Intelligence, managing Administration and deploying/upgrading Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007.

Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: Microsoft Office Live Communications Server 2005 certification shows that the professional possesses a deep and broad understanding of all aspects of the Live Communications Server infrastructure, including deployment of additional Active Directory and network infrastructure components and services to support the deployment and ongoing management and operations of Microsoft Office Live Communications Server.

Candidates for this certification must pass one exam that measures their ability to plan, implement, configure, and manage, a Microsoft Office Live Communications Server 2005 environment.

Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: Managing Projects with Microsoft Office Project 2007 certification validates the skills of project managers who use Office Project 2007.  It is designed specifically to help project managers apply the leading project management best practices and methodologies as established by the Project Management Institute (PMI), resulting in better project outcomes, greater efficiency and optimal resource management.  Professionals may work on projects as a team member, project lead, project manager, scheduler or other role that requires the ability to formulate well thought-out project plans and to manage projects effectively.

Candidates for this certification must pass one exam that focuses on configuring tools and options; setting up a project; estimating, scheduling and budgeting a project.

Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: Enterprise Project Management with Microsoft Office Project Server 2007 certification provides industry recognition to project managers and other professionals who use Microsoft Office Project Professional 2007 and Office Project Server 2007 to manage and support projects in an enterprise environment.  It is designed specifically to help project managers apply the leading project management best practices and methodologies as established by the Project Management Institute (PMI), resulting in better project outcomes, greater efficiency and optimal resource management.  Professionals may use Office Project 2007 or Office Project Server 2007 to manage project and non-project efforts, risks, issues, documents, tasks progress and timesheets.

Candidates for this certification must pass one exam that measures their ability on initiating projects, executing projects, monitoring and controlling projects, and managing project professional  and Microsoft Project Web Access (PWA) environments.

This route will not be available until late 2007, when the course is due for release.

Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: Windows Mobile 5.0, Applications certification shows that the professional possesses a deep and broad understanding of developing applications for Windows-based mobile devices that integrate with enterprise systems. The successful candidate will have hands-on experience using the .NET Framework, the .NET Compact Framework, Visual Basic .NET or Visual C#, SQL Server 2005 Mobile Edition, and a working knowledge of SQL Server 2000/2005.

Candidates for this certification must pass one exam that measures their ability to build data-driven mobile applications using the .NET Compact Framework, SQL Server 2005 Mobile Edition, and Windows Mobile 5.0.

Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: Windows Mobile 5.0, Implementing and Managing certification shows that the professional possesses a deep and broad understanding of the design and development of distributed applications that use BizTalk Server 2006.  The credential holder has also demonstrated expertise in deploying and managing a BizTalk Server 2006 solution and can create a BizTalk orchestration, integrate business rules and human workflow services, manage business processes, troubleshoot BizTalk solutions, and consume and publish Web services.

Candidates for this certification must pass one exam that focuses on the design and development  of distributed applications that use BizTalk Server 2006 in addition to the deployment and management of BizTalk Server 2006.

Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: Windows Server 2003 Hosted Environments, Configuration and Management certification shows that the professional possesses a deep and broad understanding of the design and development of distributed applications that use BizTalk Server 2006.  The credential holder has also demonstrated expertise in deploying and managing a BizTalk Server 2006 solution and can create a BizTalk orchestration, integrate business rules and human workflow services, manage business processes, troubleshoot BizTalk solutions, and consume and publish Web services.

Candidates for this certification must pass one exam that focuses on the design and development  of distributed applications that use BizTalk Server 2006 in addition to the deployment and management of BizTalk Server 2006.

To get more information about how to prepare for each exam, please visit the Microsoft web section for a list of links to suggested courses, preparation guides, exam study guides and practice exams.

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What's Included in F1's MCTS Certification Packages?

As a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner for Learning Solutions, F1 is well placed to train its clients on new technologies such as SQL Server 2005, and the new certification routes. 

Our MCTS Certification packages include the following:

1. Microsoft Official Curriculum manual for each course.

2. Microsoft Exams stated in the route.

3. Refreshments and Lunches whilst at our training centres.

4. Ongoing support from a qualified Microsoft Certified Trainer.

5. FREE re-sits on any courses you have attended.

6. SPECIAL OFFER!  Until 31/12/07, F1 prices will also include award-winning Transcender exam preparation software for the exams on the route, where available.

7. SPECIAL OFFER!  Until 31/12/07, we will include the e-Learning Collection 2778: Writing Queries Using Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Transact-SQL (available on SQL Server 2005 route only).

8. Most courses are also available as e-Learning.  Please call for a price if you wish to take this option.

9. All e-Learning courses are stated with basic support.  If you wish to upgrade to comprehensive support, please call for details.

10. All F1 Certification Routes are valid for a period of 18 months from the date of order.

11. All prices are subject to VAT, if applicable.

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