Have you heard of the recent Tech Ed North America 2014 conference? This is one of the major events on the IT certification landscape that concluded a week ago at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, and won’t return until 2015. Yet, for those of us who thrive on free training and miscellaneous Internet freebies, the great things are just starting as Microsoft has made exam prep sessions from Tech Ed available online for FREE! Gotta love them, right? You can also view the TechEd keynote address by Microsoft VIP Brad Anderson, Corporate Vice President, Windows Server and System Center Program Management – go to the Microsoft Learning website.

70-410 and 70-417 – MCSA: Windows Server 2012 Exam Prep

Let’s take a closer look at exam training that took part at Tech Ed North America. Among over a dozen of exam prep workshops, this one turned out to be the most watched and rated: Exam Prep: 70-410 and 70-417 – MCSA: Windows Server 2012.

This intermediate-level exam prep session fits well within the Datacenter and Infrastructure Management Track, and has been designed for individuals experienced with Windows Server 2012 who are interested in taking the 70-410 (Installing and Configuring Windows Server 2012) exam or the 70-417 (Upgrading Your Skills to MCSA Windows Server 2012) exam.

Both 70-410 and 40-417 exams are required for the new MCSA: Windows Server 2012 credential. The sessions reviews the topics covered in these exams in a fast-paced format, as well as receive some valuable test taking techniques. The session is led by a Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT), experienced in delivering sessions on these topics. If you have an MCSA on Windows Server 2008, or are new to Certification, this is the best first step to getting certified on Windows Server 2012.

HP Sales Certified – DesignJet Large Format Printing [2014] credential validates the knowledge and competency needed to sell HP Designjet Large Format Printing solutions to customers. Passing the related exam and obtaining this credential means that the candidate has the knowledge of the complete Designjet T-Series and Z-Series portfolio. This certification covers product positioning, target markets, key values of each printer and product benefits.

Having acquired this certification, the sales professional should  be able to grow their business by recommending HP Designjet Large Format Printing solutions within their customers’ environment. While the certification does not have any prerequisites and is open for everyone, it primarily targets

Typical candidates for this certification are sales professionals seeking to increase their knowledge of HP Designjet Large Format Printing Solutions.

HP Sales Certified – Designjet Large Format Printing [2014] helps candidates achieve the following goals:

• Grow their confidence in recommending and selling HP Desginjet Large Format Printing solutions
• Understand each Designjet T-Series and Z-Series printer, their target markets and key values
• Increase revenue by  providing the best HP Designjet Large Format Printing solution for your customer

To obtain the credential, candidates need to pass HP2-B113 Exam (Selling HP Designjet Large Format Printing). This is an hour-long web based exam that contains 40 questions (multiple choice – single response and multiple response). The minimum passing score is 70%.

Here’s the objectives/sections breakdown for the HP2-B113 Exam:

• 32% T- Series Deep Dive
• 10% – Z2100 Deep Dive
• 10 % – Z3200ps Deep Dive
• 10% – Z5200 Deep Dive
• 25% – Product Highlights
• 5% – HP Software Solutions
• 8% – Target Customers

Would you consider gaining this certification? Why? Feel free to comment and tell us!

1.      PMI Risk Management Professional

Project management has grown into an independent industry, with its own professional standards. For risk management professionals, the PMI Risk Management Professional certification is one of the most recognized. It “fills the need for a specialist role in project risk management,” according to the Project Management Institute.

2.      Information Systems Security Engineering Professional (ISSEP/CISSP)

With ISSEP-CISSP being on the list of top paid IT certifications, this one shouldn’t be ignored. According to the (ISC)2 organization, the ISSEP-CISSP concentration was developed with the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA). The Information Systems Security Engineering Professional concentration “is the guide for incorporating security into projects, applications, business processes, and all information systems.” To earn the ISSEP, you must successfully pass one exam while holding a CISSP credential in good standing.

3.   MCPD: Windows Phone Developer

No IT Certification list can be complete without Microsoft, right? With the Windows Phone share in mobile market projected to grow tremendously in 2014, this is the place to grow for those interested in Mobile Development for a platform with the highest growth potential in 2014.

4. Program Management Professional (PgMP)

This is another certification from PMI with a great earnings and career development potential. Experienced project managers often pursue the Program Management Professional (PgMP) certification. “Credential holders,” says the Project Management Institute, “oversee the success of a program, grouping related projects together to realize organizational benefits not available if they were managed separately. It’s the perfect fit if you define projects, assign project managers and oversee programs.” The requirements for application include four years of project management experience and four years of program management experience.

5. Red Hat Certified Architect (RHCA)

A Red Hat Certified Architect (RHCA) has attained the highest level in Red Hat’s certification program. In order to earn the cert, applicants must successfully complete a number of other Red Hat certifications.

Now, what are you certification plans for 2014?