The Harlow Report - GIS

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Will you get advantages from the new easy to get SQL server professional certification?

by: Michele P. Rouse

In my experience the top DB platforms are Microsoft and Oracle. I have come to learn that MySQL is popular in start-up companies and DB people who know this platform will make higher salaries, but I honestly rarely ever run into MySQL in job searches.

One reason I like MS SQL Server is because it also includes the SSRS BI platform that is powerful and popular. DB people who know SSRS (SQL Server Reporting Services) have become very sought-after candidates in several companies. In many instances, companies end up having to buy licenses for third-party BI (Business Intelligence) applications which could cost a lot of extra money.

With SQL Server, BI and ETL (extract, transform, load) tools come with the original license. I understand that maybe the eye in databases is especially to understand DB construction, however , you never know when or if you opt to branch out and get more information.

The great thing about SQL would be that the language itself is fairly universal. I say fairly because each vendor has added their particular functions and syntax. Microsoft and Sybase both use T-SQL, Oracle uses PL/SQL and MySQL uses ANSI-SQL. Ultimately what you start learning on one platform might be put on other platforms.

To become a SQL Server Microsoft Certified Master (MCM) is a small task now. Less than 1 percent of certified professionals hold a Master certification, and for good reason: In addition to having difficult minimum competencies (5 years SQL Server experience and deep knowledge in most issues with SQL Server), practicing a SQL Server MCM has always come at a significant cost. In fact, that cost have been about $18,500, when you accumulate the required three week training and four exams.

The SQL Server MCM certification is the highest technical certification that Microsoft offers to SQL Server professionals. It's suitable for those with five years of hands-on SQL Server experience in critical environments. Competencies include designing and implementing high-performance, scalable enterprise environments and troubleshooting the most challenging SQL Server issues.

Well, at PASS (The Professional Association for SQL Server) this week, Microsoft announced all of that has been evolving. Based on the company, the changes are in reaction to requests from experienced SQL Server professionals who want to earn MCM's but (go figure) do not have $18,500.

Now, candidates can earn the certification by passing just two exams: the four-hour Knowledge Exam, and also a six-hour hands-on Lab Exam, that is available in early 2011.

Fortunately, Microsoft has made some significant changes to the program, including: