Microsoft Corporation has launched its premier certification for database administrators (DBAs), Microsoft Certified Database Administrator (MCDBA), to augment the existing Microsoft Certified Professional Programme. This new certification has been introduced by the growing industry demand for skilled DBAs combined with the availability of SQL Server 7.0.Says Amit Srivastav, manager, Education and Certification, Microsoft India Subcontinent Region, ``With SQL Server 7.0, industry now has need for a specialised DBA that will be able to integrate Windows and SQL 7, among other things.''
The MCDBA has been designed for professionals seeking advanced expertise in SQL Server and will benefit companies demanding a highly qualified DBA to manage a SQL Server-based platform that will run line-of-business applications, data warehousing, electronic commerce and mobile computing applications. Professionals with MCDBA certification will be able to design and implement databases using Microsoft SQL Server 7.0 as wellhelp their businesses take advantage of the new features of SQL 7.
A Microsoft survey conducted in July 1998 of Microsoft Certified Solution Providers, mid-sized organisations and enterprise organisations revealed that DBA was one of the five jobs most in demand, with more than 50,000 openings in the US and Canada alone projected in the next 12 months.
The MCDBA certification is aimed at those responsible for the logical and physical design, implementation, maintenance and administration of databases. The new certification requires candidates to pass four core exams and one elective exam. The core modules include:
Administering Microsoft SQL Server 7.0 (to be available in Spring 1999)
Designing and implementing databases with Microsoft SQL 7
Implementing and supporting Windows NT 4.0
Implementing and supporting Windows NT 4.0 in the EnterpriseThe elective modules include:
Internetworking with Microsoft TCP/IP on Windows NT
Implementing and supporting MicrosoftInternet Information Services
Designing and implementing data warehousing with SQL 7
Designing and implementing distributed application with Visual Basic 6.0 (coming soon)
Designing and implementing distributed applications with Visual C++ 6.0 (coming soon)At the same time, Microsoft is re-branding it's Authorised Technical Education Center (ATEC) programme. The programme will be known as MTEC (Microsoft Certified Technical Education Center) in its new avatar. This, according to Srivastav, is being done to have a more integrated MS certified programme family.
``The course contents remains the same, but certain parameters are being changed for our training partners,'' says Srivastav. For instance, the levels of hardware required by the training centres are being upgraded. So are some programme requirements such as the level of skills and certification required for the trainers.
Certain other parameters are also being changed. Earlier, for the minimum requirement to qualify as atraining centre, a partner had to certify at least 50 students per quarter. This is being upgraded to 100 students per quarter. Clarifies Srivastav, ``We are tightening down on control for the programme.''
The re-branding exercise also involves consolidating with more established partners such as NIIT and Aptech. The expansion in the coming months will be mainly with those centres that have established their credentials with Microsoft.
How is the student affected by these changes? ``Our product quality remains the same and the changes do not affect the students in any way. The Microsoft Official Curriculum is designed by the product development teams in the US, and this ensures that a Microsoft Certified Professional in India or anywhere else in the world has the same skill set, and the same career opportunities.
Both fresh graduates and professionals with some prior work experience have been able to upgrade their skills and enter the workforce at higher levels and close the existing skills gap in themarket,'' assures Srivastav. ``In India, we have been specially careful in choosing our training channels, but Microsoft wants to tighten controls worldwide,'' he adds.
Srivastav cites the experience of Microsoft regarding the ATEC programme at Hyderabad to drive home his point. ``Although Hyderabad sported scores of organisations training IT professionals, none were taken into the ambit of the ATEC programme as we felt the credibility of these firms were dubious,'' he points out.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
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