MPN Competency Training News

Enclosed is our latest training news by competency. It is designed to give you the latest news on required assessments, trainings and technical certification. Also keep up to date with the latest training relevant to your solutions. Enjoy!

Microsoft Partner Network Retired Competency Exams

Maintain the value of your Microsoft Certified Professionals (MCPs) and meet your competency requirements. View this list of retired exams and compare with your specific Microsoft Partner Network competency requirements to make sure you are compliant.

Competency Specific Information

APPLICATION LIFECYCLE MANAGEMENT

Be Ready for Sales Conversations about Visual Studio Team Foundation Server 2010 This 30-minute course prepares sales and technical support professionals to convey the benefits of Visual Studio Team Foundation Server 2010.

CONTENT MANAGEMENT

For Sales: Updated Cloud Training and Assessments The Content Management competency-attainment training guide and corresponding Sales and Marketing assessment has been updated with cloud technology and Office 365 courses. Even if you’ve passed the old assessment, take the new training to deepen your skills.

CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT

BDMs: Contemplating a Move to the Cloud? Learn how to get there with Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online.

DATA PLATFORM

What Do You Know About SQL Azure? New role-based learning path covers training for business decisions makers, technical presales roles, and developers.

DESKTOP

New Training for Exam: 70-681: TS: Windows 7 and Office 2010, Deploying This exam validates your ability to deploy and upgrade to Windows 7 and Microsoft Office 2010. Completion of this exam satisfies the requirements for Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS). Prepare for this exam using the Desktop competency attainment training guide . Think you’re ready for the test? Use this one-hour, on-demand Exam Cram for one last walk-through of exam topics.

DIGITAL MARKETING

New Sales and Marketing Assessment Updated competency-attainment training guide features new assessment and other required and recommended training. Build Rich Sites with SharePoint Server Learn to build robust internet sites and develop secure, engaging extranet sites.

ENTERPRISE RESOURCE PLANNING

Attain or Renew the ERP Competency with a Microsoft Dynamics SL Emphasis New competency attainment training guide shows required and recommended training. Also, transition your business to the cloud ; learn more about Dynamics ERP through this six-part series that covers acquiring customers, selling in the cloud, and business model impact. Explore Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 Features New items added frequently to this training bundle. Get Technical: Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 Twelve-part series covers ERP-focused technical aspects of Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012, including expense management, employee procurement, editing budgets, and more.

HOSTING

Backup and Recover Data in Windows Environments Microsoft System Center Data Protection Manager labcast covers features for disk, tape, and cloud scenarios.

IDENTITY AND SECURITY

For Sales: Updated Cloud Training and Assessments The Identity and Security competency-attainment training guide and corresponding Sales and Marketing assessment has been updated with cloud technology and Windows Intune courses. Even if you’ve passed the old assessment, take the new training to deepen your skills. New Identity and Security Competency Exam Security issues, privacy concerns, and regulatory compliance make security solutions a top priority for organizations of all sizes and across all industries. This creates a tremendous opportunity for you to design, sell, deploy, or consult on security solutions for customers. And you can showcase your expertise with the Identity and Security Competency. Learn what it takes to attain or renew the Identity and Security competency – including new Exam 70-162: TS: Forefront Protection for Endpoints and Applications, Configuring . A new labcast will soon be availableto help you prepare for the exam. Follow @mpntraining on Twitter for news on availability.

ISV/SOFTWARE

What Do You Know About SQL Azure? New role-based learning path covers training for business decisions makers, technical presales roles, and developers.

MIDMARKET SOLUTION PROVIDER

Prepare for Microsoft Office 365 Conversations Get an overview from the learning path , and access the latest sales training courses .

OEM HARDWARE

New Exam Available: Exam 70-169: TS: Windows Small Business Server 2011 Standard, Configuring Do you work in or consult with small businesses that use Windows Small Business Server Standard 2011? Completing this new exam satisfies the requirements for Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS). Prepare for the exam with in-depth Windows SBS 2011 Standard Product Features labcast .

PORTALS AND COLLABORATION

For Sales: Updated Cloud Training and Assessments The Portals and Collaboration competency-attainment training guide and corresponding Sales and Marketing assessment has been updated with cloud technology and Office 365 courses. Even if you’ve passed the old assessment, take the new training to deepen your skills. Miss TechEd? Learn about SharePoint ProductivityCheck out this video: Collaboration in the Cloud with SharePoint: A New World of Productivity .

PROJECT AND PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT

New Exam Available: Exam 70-178: Microsoft Project 2010, Managing Projects Test your skills about Microsoft Project 2010 features. Completing this exam satisfies the requirements for Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS). Also prepare to earn the Project and Portfolio Management competency – see required and recommended training . Note that exams 70-632, 70-633, 70-634, and 70-639 will no longer qualify for the silver or gold competency starting in October 2011.

SERVER PLATFORM

How to Sell Windows Server 2008 R2 and Server Virtualization with Hyper-V Distributors: This course highlights how you can maximize product sales to your channel. Also learn about key enhancements found in Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1.

SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT

What Do You Know About SQL Azure? New role-based learning path covers training for business decisions makers, technical presales roles, and developers. Offering Windows Azure Platform Solutions? Prepare for Competitive Situations Learn how to talk to customers about your Windows Azure Platform solutions as compared with the competition, including Amazon Web Services and Force.com.

SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT

For Sales: Updated Cloud Training and Assessments The Systems Management competency-attainment training guide and corresponding Sales and Marketing assessment has been updated with cloud technology and Windows Intune courses. Even if you’ve passed the old assessment, take the new training to deepen your skills. Labcast: Prep for Exam 70-401: System Center Configuration Manager 2007 Certification Comprehensive labcast covers configuration, security, maintenance, managing resources, distributing apps, and setting up client monitoring.

UNIFIED COMMUNICATIONS

Build Rich Sites with SharePoint Server Learn to build robust internet sites and develop secure, engaging extranet sites.

VIRTUALIZATION

Microsoft Virtualization for VMware Professionals In-depth, 12-part series covers platform, management, and virtual desktop infrastructure.