Why a lot of companies still need IT pros with an MCTS certification

Microsoft has apparently eliminated the MCTS certification program, and hasn’t made any moves or announcements in the way of declaring a replacement for it

Well, the official word is in now, the MCTS (or Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist) program has been phased out. Don’t believe it?  Just ride on over to their cert page, scroll down to the bottom and see for yourself.

In their own words:

“Note* MCTS certifications are no longer in development. However, your MCTS certification will remain valuable as long as companies are using the technology on which it certifies.”

In other words, those who actually have an active MCTS specialization might very well find themselves in greater demand from companies who still utilize the corresponding MS products and technologies. While it would be easy to say that there aren’t very many businesses that are still using older software / hardware, the truth is that not everyone is riding on the cutting edge.

According to commonly known and understood statistics, around 40% of the world’s 1.5 billion PCs are still running Win XP. Basically, a significant chunk of individuals and businesses have yet to even upgrade to Windows 7. This brings an interesting question to light; if Microsoft is looking to eliminate older certification programs, are they anticipating a dramatic shift toward newer OS’s / software like Windows 8 and Server 2012? It certainly seems that this is the case; however, research organizations like Gartner are not as positive:

“80% of Businesses Will Never Adopt Windows 8”- Gartner

To get right to the point, it seems that a great portion of businesses are apt to keep on using older software while others are moving toward newer technologies, like the cloud. The question is, where does this leave all those businesses who are still plugging away with out-of-date software? In some ways this points toward an inevitable and dramatic shift in terms of software and cloud service purchases, but it’s difficult to tell at what point such a shift might occur. In general, organizations and individuals who are not eager to upgrade are usually forced to as their software loses support from its manufacturer. Furthermore, the exact same thing can be said about every other software / app development company; for example, if the newer releases of basic and critical apps stop offering support for older OS’s, the only option is to upgrade.

Once again however, one must ask the question, what are companies who are dependent on older software setups supposed to do in the meantime? Arguably, the statistics above point toward a need for MCTS specialists who understand and can service older Operating Systems and Software. While Microsoft has phased-out the MCTS program and have rearranged their training tiers to get rid of entry-level programs, they seem to be positioning MSCE and MSCA to replace it.

For those that have previously received an MCTS certification, perhaps the best thing to do is refresh your knowledge base with some learning materials. Not only will this reorient you with some concepts you might have forgotten about, it will also help you to re-familiarize yourself with the ins-and-outs of older software. Given that both the MCTS certification exams as well as the software(s) it supports are on the way out, there’s absolutely no reason why someone who is completely unfamiliar with the cert program couldn’t use these study materials to enhance their understanding of older systems. In other words, once the certification “goes off the market” all bets are off and companies might feel that it is prudent to hire those that can demonstrate their knowledge of specific systems and setups.

In the near future we may very well see a dramatic increase in businesses moving toward cloud computing, but it’s unclear when the big shift might take place. In the mean time, there are plenty of organizations out there who are probably very eager to find employees who can deal with their current infrastructure and its related software versions. Some of Microsoft’s newer products like Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012, which are largely set up to take advantage of cloud computing, have created a bit of a “vacuum” when it comes to support and training for their older products. If you are a clever, intrepid IT professional, you might very well want to take advantage of this lopsided situation while there’s still time.

Click here for an MCTS study guide “100 success secrets”

The VCP certification is a solid choice for aspiring Cloud computing engineers…

Whenever the topic of cloud computing comes up, virtualization is often not far behind. This is because virtualization is an integral cloud-based technology, of course. Among those organizations specializing in virtualization, VMware is a major contender. In fact, the technological moves that VMware is making are having a very (positive and) widespread effect on cloud computing as a whole. The bottom line is that VMware is a market leader, and receiving a certification from one of the chief companies that’s driving the entire (cloud computing) industry is certainly a good thing.

Getting a VCP certification (VMware Certified Professional) essentially means that a person knows how to use vCloud Director to establish, set up, and deploy cloud infrastructure/environment. Naturally, there are other, finer points to the VCP cert, but “the big takeaway” is without a doubt, the ability to effectively utilize vCloud director and vSphere in a professional capacity.

Behind the VCP certification however, there is the notion of the Cloud Engineer. What constitutes a Cloud Engineer, you ask? Simply put, a CE is a person who specializes in envisioning, developing, operating and maintaining cloud computing systems. Likewise, there is a great deal of focus placed on the different types of cloud service models as well; those being IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS. In a nutshell, a cloud engineer oversees aspects of governance, standardization and commercialization as well; it’s truly a versatile and highly involved career choice with loads of potential. VCP VMware Certified Professional

When a person decides to go down the path toward becoming a cloud engineer, they are essentially latching onto the idea that there is a bright future in the cloud. Given the statistical reports being released by research groups like Gartner (among others) over the last couple of years, perhaps it’s not such a bad idea? The facts are indisputable, individuals, small businesses and large companies are waking up to cloud computing. Every single day some new organization moves toward either adopting the cloud or some individual cloud service. In other words, there’s a blossoming market for anything ‘cloud’ which of course means plenty of employment opportunities for IT personnel. Cloud engineers are becoming increasingly sought after for these very reasons, as they have the training and abilities needed to bring functionality to cloud infrastructure(s).

The great thing about the VCP certification is that it can provide the aspiring cloud engineer a direct path toward greater understanding in their particular field. Employers are on the lookout for those with the VCP cert for various reasons. You see, once a company begins to incorporate a VMware platform, it becomes increasingly difficult to ‘go back to the way things were’. Although this isn’t a perfect comparison, but it’s a bit like upgrading from one OS to another; older components tend to be more compatible with newer OS’s / environments, by the same measure, newer components are often not recognized by older environments. To put it another simpler way; “once you go cloud, you won’t want to run with the grid computing crowd”. This, along with the dizzying number of possibilities that exist in cloud computing, makes certifications like those offered by VMware very attractive to those who are seeking career opportunities. Still not convinced? Just go to any major employment or job hunting site and look under IT, cloud and/or technology. Now, count how many times you see the term “VMware”.

Becoming certified with a VCP is a very intelligent move for those with larger aspirations, certainly, there’s no disputing that. But it shouldn’t be forgotten that one can also land a great career this certification either. Some very big companies are always on the lookout for individuals who truly understand VMware products / concepts and know how to implement them. Likewise, if you’re the type of person that is interested in completely mastering cloud computing and/or greatly increasing your knowledge base, you really can’t go wrong with the VCP certification. Having a VCP will help you not only build a career, but also help to ensure that you maintain it during these tough economic times. Aside from these considerations, anyone who actually attains a VCP certification will be prepared for any dramatic shifts in cloud computing that might be on the horizon.

Learning about VMware?  Check out this paperback/e-book “VMware 100 Success Secrets – 100 Most Asked Questions”

Healthcare has become a big growth sector in IT; enhance your career potential with CompTIA certification(s)

Among the many predictions being touted by leading trends experts is the notion that the entire healthcare industry is due for a boom. This is not a ‘boom’ in a destructive sense of course, but rather one of intense growth over a relatively short period of time. If you’re the type of professional who likes to stay informed about what’s going on throughout your own industry (or perhaps the global economy at large) you’re probably already aware of the various forces which are active in healthcare. The fact of the matter is that the entire global healthcare industry is starting to improve upon their IT operations (in various ways). Needless to say, this will create a number of opportunities for IT workers.

According to a Gartner prediction:

“By 2014, 30% of U.S. private healthcare payers will acquire providers, forcing integration of application suites as delivery and finance merge.”

Likewise, Gartner’s Vice President, David Willis, had this to say:

“Security investments are going to dramatically increase…..An already large security market is about to get much bigger, growing by 56% from current levels in five years time, while cloud security will almost triple….some companies are already doubling or tripling their security budgets, for example in the health care industry”

The point here is that there are enormous moves being made right now which are going to necessitate increases focus and energy in the IT industry as it pertains to healthcare. If, for example, you live and/or work in the US, you’re probably already aware of the looming “baby boomer” retirement window. In case you’re not; the baby boomers are the generation born in the US after WW2; currently, they represent about 26% of the entire US population. Needless to say, it’s a given that these individuals are going to challenge the healthcare industry, it’s fairly obvious. Moreover, other countries are facing similar problems as is most of the developing world.

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Simply put, IT in healthcare is yet another one of the areas in which vast improvements can be made (and are). Here’s yet another Gartner prediction that demonstrates this move toward increased healthcare IT investment:

“By 2015, 20% of integrated delivery systems will be investing in new healthcare-targeted customer relationship management (CRM) systems.”

At the same time, it would seem that the entire healthcare industry is moving toward increased use of both personal devices like iPads as well as increased use of social networking to treat, diagnose or engage patients / customers. Once again, here are some Gartner statements which seem to sum up this situation:

“By 2014, the five largest product life cycle management software providers will make social networking an integral part of their solution.”

“By 2013, iPad penetration among pharma sales reps will reach 85 percent, then shift to applications that improve delivery and interaction tracking.”

What does this have to do with CompTIA certification again?!

Well, CompTIA created and released their “healthcare IT technician” certification recently. In a nutshell, this cert is designed to train IT professionals to work with healthcare-related IT systems and infrastructure. More specifically, it imbues individuals with the understanding and proficiency to establish and maintain these specialized types of IT systems. If you’re the type of person that is interested in working in an IT setting via healthcare, or simply looking to take advantage of this momentous opportunity, this CompTIA certification is definitely worth looking into. Certainly healthcare-based employers will look upon such qualifications with esteem, and it would make an excellent addition to one’s cert list (especially if you’ve already added CompTIA credits to your name).

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The CompTIA Healthcare IT Technician program covers a lot of different areas within the field as well. For instance, all facets of the IT operation are covered, but time is also spent on examining regulations as well as the finer points of how a medical business “operates” (please pardon the pun). Security is another area of concern and study, as is examining organizational behavior. All-in-all, it’s a very thorough certification that’s well worth the time and effort.

Before attempting this certification, it is recommended that you have either hundreds of hours of direct experience with IT in healthcare and/or already possess a CompTIA A+ certification. Understandably, most individuals who are just starting out will likely want to take the shorter, more direct route and investigate A+ certification more closely. If this route interests you, be sure to check out this helpful text which will help you pass your CompTIA A+ exam on your first attempt.  

The Top Success Secrets & Best Practices of CompTIA Experts are yours, just click here…

Is having a CompTIA Security+ certification one of the better ways to get attention from prospective employers?

Certainly no one would argue that when it comes to IT, Security is one of the fastest growing sectors. Prospective employers are always on the lookout for talented IT professionals who have a masterful grasp on security (and its many protocols / tools). For those who have decided to make IT security their career priority, CompTIA Security+ certification is an excellent choice.

It’s important (especially in today’s world of outsourcing) that certain types of IT workers have certifications which are internationally recognized. After all, we are living in a very connected world, at least from a technical standpoint, anyway. The CompTIA Security+ cert, unlike other qualifications, is considered to be something of a global standard, a way of quickly measuring IT workers’ knowledge and experience (it’s certified by both ANSI and ISO).

What does the certification prove, you ask?  In a nutshell, a CompTIA S+ cert proves that a person is competent when it comes to running or participating in an up-to-date IT security operation. For instance, individuals with this certification not only understand how to ensure security protocols from an operational standpoint, they also keep their organization in check as far as compliance issues are concerned. Of course network security is always a top priority, this is why programs like the CompTIA Security+ emphasize having students familiarize themselves with all manner of threat and vulnerability from outside forces. On the ‘heavier’ side this would include things like Cryptography (which is vital for hiding critical components from would-be attackers) as well as more accessible items like application / host security and data integrity.

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Naturally, given the level of involvement and expertise required to hold a CompTIA certification, employers are quick to hire those who have them. IT security has become one of the most important areas of activity over the course of the last several years. As more people and businesses begin turning toward IT, cloud, and internet-based services and solutions the total number of threats increases.

Sometimes it’s malicious hackers or competing business interests that bring systems down, but often times it is employee neglect or ignorance. These days, security isn’t just about protecting oneself from outside forces; it’s also about making sure that those with internal access cannot inadvertently bring down the entire operation (knowingly or unknowingly).

Those with the CompTIA Security+ certification should be able to easily find employment with a wide array of different companies, but such qualifications also open the door to other possibilities. For example, you might want to go to work for an organization as a network or security admin, but you could also become an independent security consultant if you really wanted to. The point is, with this type of certification there are quite a lot of active groups who would definitely be in the market for your skills.

Some of the world’s top manufacturers / producers in various areas seek out those with CompTIA certifications. But it’s not just computer companies and avionics companies that are eager to hire people with these qualifications, governments are also on board (and this includes the US state department).

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Whether you’re on the lookout for a fertile career area, keeping up with the times, or just perhaps looking to protect your job from a long-term perspective, a CompTIA Security+ certification can help you accomplish these goals (and more). The exam itself is relatively short (90 mins, 100 questions), but don’t get the wrong idea, it’s fairly intense. In order to pass you’ll need to absorb quite a bit of information, this is why it is recommended that you employ the help of some companies offering formalized training materials.