If you would enjoy being a good user to help you as part of your job, or train for a professional career in a support position, there are lots of training programs to help you get there. For in depth information concerning how to get the most from Office yourself, consider the Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) or the Microsoft Certified Application Specialist ('MCAS'). For a certification to support others, look into the Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician, or 'MCDST' as its known.

There are many rather more specialised and advanced certification tracks if you are aiming to become a more senior I.T. skilled professional. The examination structure at Microsoft has experienced a significant over-haul. A lot of career training tracks still lead to MCP certifications, however the trend is steadily shifting towards 'MCITP' & MCTS programs (Microsoft Certified IT Professional and 'Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist' respectively). 'MCTS' learning packages are generally worked on as building blocks towards the 'MCITP'.

Databases have got their own unique 'language' called 'SQL' ('Structured Query Language') which is used to interrogate a 'standardised' database. Understanding this 'language' is very important for anyone looking at getting into databases, as it determines how information is stored & extracted. 'Developers' ('DBDs') create and design 'databases' for 'Administrators' (DBAs) to manage, interrogate and create reports about the data. DB Developers generally also acquire programming-skills in order to create database software - this means an additional certification in VB or C#.

Commercial communications internationally have been taken over by MS Network and Server Operating Systems. Windows Server is utilised as the standard operating platform in at least 80 - 90 percent of networked offices. It started off as 'NT' Server but it has been enhanced through the years to 'Server 2000', 'Server 2003' & most recently 'Server 2008'. In a commercial sense, Server 2003 continues to be the more popular, and it's probable that many organisations using this platform won't upgrade to Server 2008. Typically, its those previous platforms that will update ('NT' Server or '2000') - essentially bypassing a generation. If you read our MCSA and 'MCSE' pages, you'll find out much more about Networking, Servers & the subject of Server 2003 verses '2008'.

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