This year the 2015 Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference was held in Orlando, from the 12th July until the 16th.
Whilst we were expecting news on SQL Server 2016, Windows Server 2016 and SharePoint
2016, Microsoft also unveiled new MOC titles.
In this blog we’ve compiled a list of the newly announced MOC’s, including discussion and speculation. Microsoft has not yet stated which certification, if any, each MOC is relevant to.
Windows 10
Windows 10, Microsoft’s new multi-platform operating system,
is planned for release on 29th July. Microsoft revealed new MOC
titles to accompany the launch of Windows 10, which should align to MCSA, MCSE and MCSD certifications.
Expected to be released around September this year, Microsoft revealed these new MOC titles:
Expected to be released around September this year, Microsoft revealed these new MOC titles:
- Installing and configuring Windows 10
- Deploying and Managing Windows 10 in the Enterprise
- Partner Applied Workshop: What’s new in Windows 10
- Supporting and Troubleshooting Windows 10 in the Enterprise
- Deploying Windows Desktops and Enterprise Applications
- Administering System Center Configuration Manager and Intune
As Windows 10 is an upgrade for Windows 8.1, one would
assume that certifications like MCSA: Windows 8.1 would be updated too. The first
two MOCs in the above list are similar to those in MCSA: Windows 8.1 titled “Configuring
Windows 8.1” and “Supporting Windows 8.1”. This supports the thinking that
these new MOCs are direct upgrades.
Plus, the “Supporting and Troubleshooting Windows 10 in the
Enterprise” could be an addition to the MCSA: Windows 10, whilst the “Partner
Applied Workshop: What’s new in Windows 10” MOC appears completely new.
The current version of “Deploying Windows Desktops and
Enterprise Applications” is included in MCSE: Enterprise Devices and Apps certification.
It looks likely that we will now see an update of this certification that
includes these new MOCs.
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Windows Server/System Center
These MOCs apply to another new release for Microsoft,
Windows Server 2016, as well as System Center:
- Fundamentals of a Windows Server Infrastructure
- Fundamentals of Windows Server Storage and Virtualisation
- Configuring and Managing Windows 10 Devices (ecm)
- Planning and Implementing a Microsoft Infrastructure
- Planning and Implementing an Advanced Microsoft Infrastructure
- Planning and Implementing an Enterprise Windows Infrastructure
- Managing and Maintaining a Windows Cloud Infrastructure
- Upgrading your MCSA/MCSE to Windows Server Vnext
We can only assume that the first three courses in the list
apply to the new MCSA: Windows Server 2012 R2 course because the current MOC
titles are worded slightly differently; “Configuring Advanced Windows Server
2012 Services” and “Administering Windows Server 2012” for example.
The new Windows Server 2016 (WS2016) is expected
September/October and the new MOCS normally
arrive 3-6 months after the technology, so expect these in 2016. These could
possibly be upgrades to the curriculum for “MCSA Windows Server 2012 R2”, “MCSE:Server Infrastructure”, “MCSE: Desktop Infrastructure” and “MCSE: Private Cloud”.
However the names are so far removed, it is hard to tell what Microsoft has
planned.
“Upgrading your MCSA/MCSE to Windows Server Vnext” is an upgrade path from Windows Server 2012 to Windows
Server 2016. If you have an existing MCSA or MCSE relating to Windows Server
2016 (could also be related to Windows Server 2008), this will be the course
for upgrading your certification.
Data Platform
SQL Server 2016 is scheduled for released in September
or October this year. This means certifications like MCSA: SQL Server, MCSE:Business Intelligence (SQL Server) and MCSE: Data Platform (SQL Server) will be
updated. The newly unveiled MOC titles are:
- Updating your MCSD to SQL Server 2016 (this is an upgrade path)
- Install and Configure SQL Databases
- Query Data with Transact-SQL
- Analyze and Visualize Data with Power BI
- Developing SQL Databases
- Developing Data Clients with MVC and LINQ
- Performance Tuning and Optimizing SQL Databases
- Developing Non-Relational Databases
- Provisioning a SQL Database Infrastructure
- Operating a SQL Database Infrastructure
- Implementing SQL Server High Availability
- Implementing a SQL Data Warehouse
- Implementing Data Models and Reports
- Delivering Dashboards and Self-Service BI
Again, we are likely to see the new MOCs arrive in early
2016, 3-6 months after SQL Server 2016’s release. Many of these titles are
similar to those in current SQL Server certifications - e.g. “Querying
Microsoft SQL Server” and “Implementing Data Warehouse with Microsoft SQL
Server” in the MCSA: SQL Server certification.
Expect some to be added to other certifications, but it is difficult to predict exactly how and where. In addition, “Updating your MCSD to SQL Server 2016” is clearly an upgrade path for the new technology.
Expect some to be added to other certifications, but it is difficult to predict exactly how and where. In addition, “Updating your MCSD to SQL Server 2016” is clearly an upgrade path for the new technology.
Messaging
Lync Server began the transition to Skype for Business
Server on April 14th 2015. Businesses now benefit from a familiar
Skype interface, a more global reach and continuity from existing Lync
features. At WPC Microsoft revealed these new Messaging MOCs:
- Core Solutions of Microsoft Skype for Business 2015
- Managing Office 365 Identities and Services
- Core Solutions of Microsoft Exchange Server 2016
- Advanced Solutions of Microsoft Exchange Server 2016 (no exam)
- Core solutions of Microsoft SharePoint Server 2016
- Advanced Solutions of Microsoft SharePoint Server 2016 (no exam)
In line with this, the MCSE: Communication certification
will be updated, probably with “Core Solutions of Microsoft Skype for Business
2015.”
The second MOC on the list, “Managing Office 365 Identities
and Services” is included within the current MCSA: Office 365 certification. It’s
safe to assume that there is a direct update on the way for this certification.
“Core Solutions of Microsoft Exchange Server 2016” and
“Advanced Solutions of Microsoft Exchange Server 2016”, are directly linked to
the MOCs within the existing MCSE: Messaging. Finally, the
last two MOCs are part of the MCSE: SharePoint course. We can be
confident that this is a direct curriculum update for the existing MCSE
SharePoint certification.
It’s worth noting that currently, both the “Advanced Solutions”
of Microsoft Exchange/SharePoint Server MOCs, align to an exam. Whereas, the versions revealed at WPC the 2016 technologies do not align to an exam. Perhaps this will become
clearer when Microsoft Exchange Server is released around September or October.
We’ll keep you updated with anymore MOC news coming out of
WPC and beyond. As always, expect
accelerated Firebrand courses for Microsoft’s newest technologies.
About the Author:
Sarah writes for Firebrand Training on a number of IT related topics. This includes exams, training, certification trends, project management, certification, careers advice and the industry itself. Sarah has 11 years of experience in the IT industry.