Helmers Blog

Robbert Verbeek pointed me to the latest Microsoft Credential : Microsoft Certified Non-Professional. To achieve this credential you have to pass both the 70-401 (SCCM,Configuring) and the 70-656 (MDOP, Configuring). I’m not sure why Microsoft should name it Non-Professional, but as you can see below…it does exist!  

I already forwarded this screenshot to the guys over at @MSLearning, when I receive a respsonse I’ll let you know

ps. Back in September 2009 Eric Denekamp also received the ‘Non-Professional’ Certification

Next week there will be two interesting TechNet WebCasts about System Center. Live participation features interactive technical presentations and the ability to participate in real-time question-and-answer sessions.

• Software Distribution with System Center Configuration Manager Thursday, December 13, 2007 11:30 AM Pacific Time (What time is this in my region?)
• Optimizing Desktop Management with System Center Configuration Manager and Microsoft SoftGrid Application Virtualization Tuesday, January 15, 2008 1:00 PM Pacific Time (What time is this in my region?)

If you missed out some of the latest webcasts you can view them via the links below :

• Microsoft System Center for Server Infrastructure Optimization The Microsoft System Center family of products enables IT managers to deploy and manage servers quickly and easily to reduce total cost of ownership (TCO), improve service levels, and increase organizational agility. In this webcast, Microsoft discusses how they are addressing your management needs to optimize server infrastructure.
• Optimizing Your Remote and Branch Office Infrastructure with Microsoft System Center Organizations are increasingly adapting their remote and branch office IT infrastructure with the same focus on reducing costs, ensuring security and compliance, and the business need to be more agile. In this webcast, Microsoft discusses how Microsoft System Center supports customers’ efforts to meet the unique challenges of accomplishing these tasks at the very frontline of your organization.
• System Center Data Protection Manager 2007 Overview Download this webcast to be among the first to see the new features in System Center Data Protection Manager 2007, including protection of virtual servers, Microsoft SharePoint Products and Technologies, and Windows desktops, along with disaster recovery capabilities.
• Software Update Management with System Center Configuration Manager In this session, Microsoft highlights and demonstrate key software update management improvements, including: deep integration with Windows Server Update Services; using a policy-based infrastructure to deploy software updates; better performance on clients; managing non-Microsoft software updates with the System Center Update Publisher tool; and simplifying the administrative experience of managing updates.

Trika announced the SCCM Beta exam today on her blog :

If you fancy System Center Configuration Manager, you might like to take the beta for 70-401: TS: Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2007, Configuring. Feel free to share with colleagues. If you don’t know much about betas, read this or this first.

Invitation

You are invited to take beta exam 70-401: TS: Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2007, Configuring. If you pass the beta exam, the exam credit will be added to your transcript and you will not need to take the exam in its released form.

By participating in beta exams, you have the opportunity to provide the Microsoft Certification program with feedback about exam content, which is integral to development of exams in their released version. We depend on the contributions of experienced IT professionals and developers as we continually improve exam content and maintain the value of Microsoft certifications.

71-401: TS: Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2007, Configuring counts as credit towards the following certification(s).

•  Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS): System Center Configuration Manager 2007, Configuration

Availability

• Registration begins: November 21, 2007
• Beta exam period runs: November 28, 2007– December 18, 2007
• Receiving this invitation does not guarantee you a seat in the beta; we recommend that you register immediately. Beta exams have limited availability and are operated under a first-come-first-served basis. Once all beta slots are filled, no additional seats will be offered.
• Testing is held at Prometric testing centers worldwide, although this exam may not be available in all countries (see Regional Restrictions). All testing centers will have the capability to offer this exam in its live version.
• Regional Restrictions: India, Pakistan, China

Registration Information

• You must register at least 24 hours prior to taking the exam.
• Please use the following promotional code when registering for the exam: B401
• Receiving this invitation does not guarantee you a seat in the beta; we recommend that you register immediately.

To register in North America, please call:

•  Prometric: (800) 755-EXAM (800-755-3926)

Outside the U.S./Canada, please contact:

•  Prometric: http://www.register.prometric.com/ClientInformation.asp