14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft has announced the debut of an initiative designed to improve your skills associated with its productivity suite via the new 2007 Microsoft Office system certifications program. Regarding Office 2007 as a mere tool of the trade, Microsoft is inviting users to not only increase their skills but also validate them with the new certification initiative. However, Windows Vista was by no means left out of the equation and Microsoft is also offering certification for its latest operating system.
"Technology has expanded the definition of productivity beyond a one-dimensional measurement of inputs and outputs to include the intangible value of information and its effects on business processes and practices," says Andrew Hazen, director for Centriq Foss, a Microsoft Gold Certified Learning Solutions Partner. "Measuring productivity for the information worker can be demonstrated through achieving certification because it firmly establishes an achievement of competencies and knowledge, otherwise unknown and unmeasured."
With the introduction of the new 2007 Microsoft Office system certifications program, the Redmond Company is offering users two variants of certification, the Certified Application Specialist and the Certified Application Professional.
The Microsoft Certified Application Specialist is a program designed as an evolution of its predecessor, the Microsoft Office Specialist credential. Through this program, skill validation is limited to a single application, including: Office Word 2007, Office Excel 2007, Office Outlook 2007, Office PowerPoint 2007, Office Access 2007 and Windows Vista.
Via the Microsoft Certified Application Professional, program is addressed to advanced users and will attest professional level skills across a variety of Office 2007 products.
"The Microsoft Certified Application Professional credential validates the wide range of skills it takes to work in a collaborative business environment," says Lutz Ziob, general manager of Microsoft Learning. "It recognizes the advanced skills experienced business professionals have gained and offers them a way to earn certifications that are recognized by their managers and peers."