Microsoft Certified Business Management Solutions Specialist

Microsoft Business Management Solutions Specialist and Professional Certification

(This article covers two certifications according to the list of certifications. Microsoft certified business management solution specialist & microsoft certified management solution professional.)

(Please note that this certification is part of a series launched by Microsoft primary for Information Technology professionals or as Microsoft classifies it – IT Professionals – for those who are Information Technology (IT) specialists in that this is there career (there are also additional certifications for Developers and Trainers). Please do also not that people whose careers lie in Computer Science, Software Engineering and Information Systems are also classified as IT Professionals in this manner.)

What is this Microsoft Business Management Solutions Specialist and Professional Certification all about?

First and foremost, kindly keep in mind that this is a completely different ‘certification’ compared to other Microsoft certifications – for a number of reasons. These reasons will be discussed comprehensively in this article. This certification deals with skills revolving around the Microsoft Dynamics group of products (as mentioned in a following list). The certifications deal with how you, as an IT Professional, have “market relevant skills” in terms of specific products in the Microsoft Dynamics products or in terms of the applications of these products. Additionally, you can choose which certification to pursue based on your career. Thus, this certification or group of certification now deals with a specific group of Microsoft products known as ‘Microsoft Dynamics’.

Microsoft Dynamics products are used by over 11, 000 organizations worldwide and 500, 000 users, as stated on the Microsoft Website. Certified professionals are in demand in these areas. Therefore getting certified is highly essential if you want to expand your career. Additionally, you can also get a good chance of polishing your skills.

Microsoft Dynamics products are:

Microsoft Dynamics CRM: A solution that helps large and small businesses across every industry improve their business process management to become more responsive, productive, and focused on customers.
Microsoft Dynamics AX: A comprehensive business management solution for medium-sized and large organizations. Microsoft Dynamics AX resembles and works with familiar Microsoft software to help improve productivity.
Microsoft Dynamics GP: A business management solution that offers companies an operating system, a database, personal productivity tools, and an e-mail system that work together.
Microsoft Dynamics NAV: A comprehensive business management solution that is ideal for small and medium-sized organizations. Microsoft Dynamics NAV simplifies access to information, improves organizational agility, streamlines integration with a wide range of applications, and enhances reporting capabilities.
Microsoft Dynamics SL: A solution for automating everyday processes and improving business operations for small and medium-sized companies that need to integrate with other systems and improve customer service.
Microsoft Dynamics Retail Management System (RMS): A solution that helps small and medium-sized retail organizations run operations more efficiently, improve service levels, and make confident business decisions that stimulate growth.
Microsoft Dynamics Point of Sale (POS): A solution that makes it easier for organizations to manage and track sales, inventory, and customer information.

What are the Pre-requisites of Microsoft Business Management Solutions Specialist and Professional Certification?

Microsoft has not, as such, mentioned any general pre-requisites with regards to the usage of Microsoft Dynamics products or otherwise. However, it is recommended that an individual who is interested in certification have substantial experience in the specific product he/she would like certification in.Sufficient preparation for the exams is also essential.

Additionally depending upon the exam and location, several pre-requisites may be required. This certification is divided into two further sub-certifications. It is also essential that you check the exams carefully for any pre-requisites.

Who is the Microsoft Business Management Solutions Specialist and Professional Certification for?

This certification is for ‘IT Professionals’ – for those who use software and technologies other than Microsoft Office or Windows Vista/XP/7 in their work. This covers fields in information technology, computer science, software engineering and information systems. Additionally, those professionals who use ‘Microsoft Dynamics’ products as part of their job and would like certification in any one of these products should look into this certification.

Why should I get certified? What benefits are there?

The quote below, taken from the Microsoft website should be more than enough.
“Forty-three percent of survey respondents report salary increases as a result of Microsoft Certification.”
– Redmond magazine 2006 survey of Microsoft IT professional’s compensation

These certifications allow an IT professional to keep up with a dynamic marketplace and gain an ‘edge’ – which will at times be the only thing that will differentiate you from a number of candidates. It also provides you technical problem-solving skills and experience that is useful in real world problems one encounters in the workplace.

Additionally, and as is the case in many jobs, Microsoft technologies are being used.. Having certification in Microsoft Dynamics products may be a requirement or an added advantage for you if your job description involves the usage of these products. In terms of jobs, the above job roles and the individuals who would like to perform such jobs may be required to take this certification.

This also provides access to several online resources on the Microsoft website that are specifically for Microsoft Certified Professionals (MCP’s)

Individuals who are certified with the Microsoft Business Management Solutions Specialist and Professional Certification are generally capable of any job roles that are related to the Microsoft Dynamics suite of technologies and software developed by Microsoft.

How do I take the exams?

Exams are conducted by Prometric (www.prometric.com) and are conducted in various locations – and possibly online. However, you have to check the website since this depends on your location and time of registration.

How do I prepare for the exams?

There are several options in terms of preparing yourself. Please note that some such as the books and practice tests can be used together whereas the practice tests cannot be used alone to prepare yourself. These are:

Practice tests: Provided by several websites, which are Microsoft Certified Practice Test Providers, these allow you to get a feel of your current level and in the case where you are pursuing independent study, these tests will prove useful. These cannot be used alone as preparation methods.
Instructor-led training in centers worldwide: various centers worldwide have Microsoft Certified Trainers who provide a superior learning experience by using in-depth knowledge that they possess as well as by using Microsoft Learning Products. However, please check that your trainer or training centre is certified by Microsoft or not before starting preparation. This is the recommended method.
E-Learning Self-paced training: another option provided by Microsoft; this allows those who use Microsoft technologies in the workplace and want to enhance their skills,. “Microsoft E-Learning self-paced training offers you the flexibility to learn at a time and place that is convenient for you” – ideal for those whose schedule cannot allow fixed classes. However please note that this is for those who have the ability to grasp concepts easily and have experience in independent study, in for example, university during the time when they were preparing for their degree.
Microsoft Official Distance Learning: Distance learning is a sort of system whereby the classroom is ‘virtualized’ – in essence you learn exactly as though you were in a classroom. This is also a recommended method since it is conducted by Microsoft Professionals and is also cost effective. Additionally, it can also fit into your busy schedule easily. It is also a combination, sort of, of the E-Learning Self Paced Training and Instructor led training – the best combination by far.
Microsoft Press books: Microsoft has published various books on nearly all of its certifications. Using these hand in hand with several other options and as a reference is suitable. Studying through these alone is not recommended – although it depends on the person.
Self-paced training kits: these are complete, DIY type, kits that combine a number of items that allow you to study independently. These have been developed by Microsoft specialists and are also a suitable mode of learning. These kits include the following items (as per Microsoft’s website):

A 15 percent exam discount voucher from Microsoft
Official, self-paced study guide, including a fully searchable e-book version
Practice tests with multiple, customizable testing options and a learning roadmap based on your results
More than 200 practice and review questions
Case scenarios, practice exercises, and best practices
A 180-day evaluation version of the product that is covered by the kit

Microsoft online resources: Microsoft has included various resources on its own website that provide you with information, allow you to create your own study guides, interact with professionals and students alike and much more

How am I certified?

This certification or group of certifications is, as mentioned above, slightly different. There isn’t a clear cut requirement – such as number of exams. Individual certifications have different requirements that cannot be summed up to give an overall picture. Therefore it is essential that interested individuals use the Microsoft website for more information on the specific certifications. For this certification no other requirements – such as interviews or experience proof is required. Additionally, please note that this is a difficult certification – as seen from the aforementioned table – you are required to a number of exams. That is why having experience, as mentioned earlier, is essential.

What certifications and exams come under Microsoft Business Management Solutions Specialist and Professional Certification?

The Microsoft Business Management Solutions Specialist and Professional Certification is divided into two categories: Solutions Specialist and Solutions Professional. Solutions Specialist certifications have been developed for candidates who are interested in a specific Microsoft Dynamics product, an example being the Customization module in Microsoft Dynamics CRM or the Financials module in Microsoft Dynamics GP. The Solutions Professional certifications, on the other hand, involve what Microsoft terms ‘knowledge areas’ of the Microsoft Dynamics products/ these areas are Applications, Developer, or Installation and Configuration.

Here is a complete list of the two certification categories and various exams that come under this specific certification category – since as mentioned above, even this certification is divided into further certifications.

Solutions Specialist certifications

Microsoft Dynamics CRM Solutions Specialist certifications