Microsoft - MCTS SQL Server 2005 Certification

Benefits

So what makes SQL Server 2005 compelling? The following short list highlights some

Enhanced features

• T-SQL enhancement
• Performance improvements
• Backup enhancements
• Online-maintenance operations
• Business-intelligence enhancements
• Management-GUI enhancements
• Security enhancements
• Increased memory usage with
• Standard Edition
• XML enhancements
• SSIS enhancements (formerly DTS)
• Better e-mail handling
• 64-bit support

New features

• Common Language Runtime (CLR)
• Service Broker
• New product versions
• High-availability features
• Data encryption
• Database Tuning Advisor
• Dedicated administrator connection

So now that you have decided to upgrade to or deploy SQL Server 2005 - why educate?

As SQL Server continues to mature, more and more features are added to the base product. This is both good and bad. The plus side is that you get more than just a database engine. The down side is that you have a lot more to learn. The days of being of being an expert on every aspect of SQL Server are over -- but this doesn't mean that you can't still use these new features. If you are only using the product's base functionality you are missing out on a wealth of functions. Case in point: Analysis Services, SQL Server's business analysis tools. This product has been available for several years and most people that use SQL Server have never taken advantage or know little about it.

What are the benefits of certification?

For IT managers, certification is particularly important because it allows them to more easily identify the skills that an individual possesses. When a company has employees that possess certain skills, it can garner a competitive advantage when seeking to attract customers. Certification can also contribute to increased productivity, because studies have shown that certified individuals are generally quicker to implement and design new technologies. And of course by knowing that their employees are certified, IT managers can feel more confident about their ability to implement and support a network infrastructure.

Individuals

• Overwhelmingly, individuals with Microsoft certifications have an advanced level of knowledge, expertise and skill, and command more professional credibility.
• The MCDBA certification is recognized as a particularly elite indication of an database administrator's prowess and skill level, and these professionals are highly sought by employers.
• Individual students may receive college credits to utilize tuition reimbursement programs for their IT training or to complete college coursework.

Human Resources

• Employer-funded training and certification programs are a key to retaining skilled IT staff. Career development and advancement opportunities are shown to significantly reduce rates of employee turnover.
• Certification Training Programs provide benchmarks for hiring and promotion decisions by accurately assessing technical skills.
• For-certification training programs maximize educational investments through immediate validation of skills.

 Microsoft certification affords special membership benefits

• Technical information, product information and exclusive discounts on products and services through a secured section of the Microsoft website.
• Microsoft logos and certificate for your personal promotion to clients or potential employers.
• Invitations to Microsoft conferences and other educational opportunities.
• Access to the secure Microsoft Certified Professional Magazine Online website.

Other accelerated training providers rely heavily on lecture and independent self-testing and study.

Effective technical instruction must be highly varied and interactive to keep attention levels high, promote camaraderie and teamwork between the students and instructor, and solidify knowledge through hands-on learning.

Firebrand Training provides instruction to meet every learning need:

• Intensive group instruction
• One-on-one instruction attention
• Hands-on labs
• Lab partner and group exercises
• Question and answer drills
• Independent study