Internet and Technology

by: David R. Wetzel

Computer technology schools offer a range of degrees and programs. Schools that teach computer technology include technical schools, colleges and universities. Degrees in computer technology are offered at three levels for beginning students; bachelor’s degree, associate’s degree and specialized computer certifications.

Technical schools offer computer technology degree programs year round, while colleges and universities offer summer courses for earning a degree quicker or part-time programs for busy students.

Typical programs offered by computer technology schools such as ITT Technical Institute include information security systems, data communication systems management, computer science, software engineering, web development, networking and software applications. Degrees from other schools of computer technology include computer gaming design, interactive media develop, web development, and systems administrator.

Computer technology schools offer courses focused on the architectures of operating systems, network systems, user interface construction, C + + language, data bases types and formats, programming standards, etc. These courses are designed for those who wish to earn degrees in computer software and computer information systems. Courses focused on web design and development includes Internet hierarchy, authoring tools, scripting designs and more.

Bachelor’s degree computer technology upper-division courses focus on data storage advanced warehousing techniques, management of technology projects, multiple computer programming languages, graphical interface design, software development methods and more. The advantage of a bachelor’s degree in computer technology is a wider selection of employment opportunities.

Computer degrees lead to earning certifications in computer technology. Many courses in computer programs prepare students to pass tests for computer technology certifications. According to About.com’s article Computer Certification’s Top 10 Certifications for 2009, the top two certifications are Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert and Certified Information Systems Auditor. Their pass rates are low; however, average annual salaries are high.

Someone considering a computer technology education needs to first determine the type of degree they want to pursue. This decision helps narrow the search for a computer technology school. Computer technology bachelor’s degree can be completed in four years, associate’s degree programs can be completed in two years and certification programs range from few months to a year.

Non users know it might be handy for drawing project schedules – but make do with an Excel imitation and fail to appreciate the powerful planning and tracking functionality.

As project management becomes a core methodology underpinning most modern organisations it is time for companies and individuals to learn just how much more effective they could be by using Microsoft Project, alongside other everyday tools such as Word and PowerPoint.

This Guide explains the range of training options that are available.

1. Microsoft Project Training – Where do I Start?

There is no simple answer! It depends very much on your current familiarity with projects and project management software tools. You also need to take into account the skill sets that you are looking to achieve. Visit the MS Project Training Page on the Focus website for more information.

Basic Awareness – You want to be able to set up project timelines using Microsoft Project and understand the basic tracking and reporting functionality – If you are starting from scratch we would recommend a 2 day Introductory (Level 1) course. – If you already have some familiarity with the software (perhaps from an earlier release) then a 1 day course would be appropriate – If you are totally new to a project environment then introductory project management training may be a useful start point. This will help you to understand project organisation and timelines

Advanced User



 Certified Professional

The content of these courses is explained in the following sections.

 2. Introductory Courses – Level 1

If you need to understand how to build and manage project plans, an Introduction, or “Level 1″, course in Microsoft Project will get you started. Courses cover the essential skills necessary to create and modify a project plan including tasks and resources. The emphasis will be on creating the initial plan. There are versions of these training courses tailored to align with both 2003 and 2007 releases of Microsoft Project. • Build and edit a project plan • Create and assign resources • Manage project costs • Track progress • Filter and print project plans • Communicate your plans • Produce reports

There are options of one or two day courses depending upon your previous knowledge and experience. The one day course assumes basic awareness of projects and project planning – perhaps from an earlier version of Microsoft Project.

If you are completely new to project management you will find it beneficial to attend a general project management introduction course first.

Please check the different training course outlines which may have a slightly different content. The Level 1 training is not accredited by Microsoft or associated with an exam. However, all Focus courses are developed and delivered by Microsoft partner companies with a deep knowledge of the subject.

 3. Advanced Courses – Level 2

Advanced or “Level 2″ Microsoft Project training courses are designed for existing MS Project users who want to add to their basic skills. They will also benefit Project Managers wishing to learn how to customise Microsoft Project to their own specific requirements. You will learn to use advanced features to plan, track and analyse variances from plan. The emphasis is on how you work with a plan in the implementation phase.

• Resolve resource over-allocations • Manage multiple projects • Integrate MS Project with other Office applications • Customise the MS Project interface (fields, tables, views, filters and reports) • Record and run simple macros • Exchange project plan data with other applications including Excel & Word • Create and print custom reports • Import data • Track project progress

There are versions of these training courses tailored to align with both 2003 and 2007 releases of Microsoft Project. There are also options of one or two day courses depending upon your previous knowledge and experience.

Please check the different training course outlines which may have slightly different course content.

The Level 2 training is not accredited by Microsoft or associated with an exam. However, all Focus courses are developed and delivered by Microsoft partner companies with a deep knowledge of the subject.

 4. Microsoft Certified Training & Qualifications

Microsoft operates a comprehensive structure of internationally recognised certifications. Project 2007 skills have recently been incorporated into the MCTS (Certified Technology Specialist) and MCITP (Certified IT Professional) framework.

The MS5927 “Managing Projects” course is a 3 day course which provides the entry point for the other Project 2007 training. A basic knowledge of project management and experience of using MS Project to create project schedules are pre-requisites.

5. Specialist Courses

For those looking to apply Microsoft Project to specific environments there are other specialist courses available. Amongst them is one which relates specially to use of Microsoft Project to manage PRINCE2TM projects. This covers similar topics to the Level 1 course but includes guidance on how to model PRINCE2 TM processes within MS Project.

Microsoft training courses give you the differentiation that is required to speed up your career. Business today is unthinkable without computers. No matter which sector you go to and which business function you cater to, you, IT is omnipresent. So if you want to be a part of the revolution, you need to be computer literate. There are so many courses available – starting from basic computer knowledge to Microsoft training courses to Cisco certifications. Among them, Microsoft training is the most sought after IT certification. The environment is ever changing. Any technology that was at a peak two years ago is nearly obsolete today. So even if you have done Microsoft training courses some time back, it makes sense to upgrade your knowledge now. You need to enrol yourself into proper classes and do the training seriously.
An Overview Of Microsoft Training
Microsoft is considered to be the leader in software technology as a majority of the computers run on its programs. A Microsoft Certification is the only certificate that is recognised all over the world. There are a variety of Microsoft training courses. Almost all of them teach you the basics like MS Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Access, Windows XP, Outlook, and Server Windows Vista. By learning these programs, you can customise your database and enhance your efficiency. You can present any information in a professional manner. With a Microsoft certification, you can also expect a salary and position hike as you will have an edge over your peers.
Nowadays, most companies encourage their employees to take up Microsoft training courses. They are even ready to pay for the courses. The employers have realised that if their employees are Microsoft certified, it will be mutually beneficial. The Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) Certification validates your capabilities with the Microsoft Office suite. If you have the certification, employers will give you special preference. They ensure enhancement of your capabilities as this certification is honoured all over the world. It is not too difficult to get this certification. You need to put in a little bit of dedication to your studies. It is better if you join some classes where professional instructors can guide you. These are specialised courses that need professional guidance.
Apart from the simple ones, there are other Microsoft training courses that are for people looking for advanced training. If you are into application development, you might want to do Microsoft Software Application Developer courses. These courses give a better understanding of the Microsoft .NET Framework. The Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) course provides a better understanding of the main software operating systems and networking protocols. The Microsoft Certified Application Developer (MCAD) trains professionals on various aspects of design, development, and testing. The best course for network administrators is MCSE certifications. MCSE exams deal with networking technologies and software development. It imparts knowledge on various network protocols. With Microsoft training courses you can kick start your career and go far ahead of your peers.

Microsoft being the giant of IT world commands more than 80% of the markets share. So, IT professionals trained in Microsoft technologies can never cease to be in demand. All the successful and growing companies value Microsoft training of their employees as the success barometer. Microsoft training gives them that extra edge of efficiency and credibility in terms of performance and confidence of the clients.

Why Microsoft Training?

You prefer an expert mechanic to an amateur when it comes to fixing your car. You look for a specialist when your child needs medical help. Expert and professional services are the order of the day and IT is no different where trained and certified professionals are a preferred choice too. Microsoft training is the only and the last word when it comes to success mantra for aspiring IT professionals. It is the premier training – endorsed and preferred by the IT companies the world over.

Career Growth: In today’s dog eat dog world, certification is the only way to stand out. No regular chip on the block can survive the deep waters of competition and performance driven business models where precision and accuracy are the norm. Microsoft Training equips you with the desired expertise of Microsoft products and platforms and validates your real life skills. Microsoft training can be the stepping stone of your career if you are a beginner or give your career the much needed boost of quality and competency. Microsoft training shapes your career path by adding market value to your current or future employment.

Organisation’s Strength: Microsoft training builds your confidence as it helps you to be productive, deliver on time and develop your strength in core areas of a technology. And an organisation always retains or hires professionals who are competent and exude confidence.

A Microsoft certified team member is an asset for the whole team, someone they can look up to and follow. Your Microsoft Training ensures to reserve a specialist or an expert’s functional role in a team. Your ability to fight situations head on, being the first one to point out gaps and provide expert solutions are the distinct attributes of Microsoft Training.

And ultimately the end user or the client, who gets the desired service, takes pride in hiring a Microsoft Certified team.

Keeps you Updated: Microsoft training and certification is continually updated to ensure relevancy. Earning a latest Microsoft training certificate demonstrates your hand on skills and matches up with the latest advancement in technologies. Microsoft training increases your efficiency and validates the competency to work with the state-of-art technologies.

Choosing a trainer for your Microsoft training is very critical. Out there is a huge base of training institutes who claim to give you the best but the one who takes the best out of you are few. So, before you go for shopping a certification, make a checklist of your requirements and go in for the best deal.

Microsoft has well become an integral part of an information technology professional’s knowledge. If you work in the industry, you are sure to come across a server or computer that has some kind of Microsoft technology embedded in the architecture. Microsoft training certifications offer several different tracks to advance your knowledge in the different software programs, and it also gives you and the organization a better understanding for configuration, installation, troubleshooting, and security solutions to implement within a Microsoft based network.

Choosing a Microsoft training certification track can be difficult since many of the exams overlap in technology.

Software Application Developer If your main job function is application development, design, or support than a MCAD (Microsoft Certified Application Developer) and MCPD (Microsoft Certified Professional Developer) are perfect for your career advancement. Microsoft training for these certifications give the information technology professional a better understanding of the Microsoft .NET Framework. As any developer knows, the .NET Framework is the main substance that makes a programmer’s application backbone.

Systems Engineer System Engineers such as desktop support, server administrators, or network administrators can benefit from Microsoft training for the Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) course. The MCSE gives professionals a better understanding of the main software operating systems, corporate networking infrastructure, and networking protocols.

Systems Analyst System Analysts familiar with the overall lifecycle of software development will appreciate a Microsoft Certified Application Developer (MCAD). This form of Microsoft training gives analysts a better understanding for proper design, development, testing and maintenance. Even project managers engaged with working with software developers can benefit from this type of Microsoft training to create a better way to work with software management and design.

IT Business Analyst Microsoft training includes certifications for simple Office application professionals. For Business Analysts, understanding all the functions, macros, and sharing techniques for Office business products can be done with Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) exams. Not only are MCP exams great for Office applications, but it is a step up for further Microsoft training for such certifications such as an MCSD.

Software Engineer Software engineers have the benefit of being able to go two ways in their Microsoft training certifications. Both the MCSD and the MCSE can benefit a software engineer depending on the topics on which you want to focus. An MCSD will give you a better understanding from a project management perspective such as the software development lifecycle. Conversely, the MCSE will give a professional who is stronger in programming development and languages a better understanding of development tools, technologies, and platforms.

Network Administrators Network administrators can best advance their knowledge through Microsoft training and MCSE certifications. MCSE exams focus on networking technologies, software development, and operating systems for both servers and desktops. It also tests your knowledge on the different networking protocols.

If you are a professional in an organization that is mainly Microsoft technologies, certifications in any of the above categories can greatly increase your personal worth as well as bring your organization a more qualified professional.