In This Issue:
Do you know what you want to be when you grow up? Browsing the list of the new specializations for Microsoft Partners might spark your imagination.
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December 7, 2006
1. Perspectives
- Specializations for Microsoft Partners
2. SQL Server Watch
- IT Pro of the Month—November 2006 Winner
- This Month’s Focus—Gifts for the DBA
Database Development Teams: The Great Divide
- Product Watch: SoftTree Technologies and SQL Minds
3. Hot Articles
- Reader to Reader: Compare Databases’ Structural Differences
- Feature: Using Reporting Services in an Internet/Extranet Environment
- Puzzled by T-SQL: Solution to November’s Logical Puzzle: Then There Were Five?
- In a Nutshell: Better Logging Tool for DTS
- Hot Threads: Performance and OLAP/Data Warehousing
4. Events and Resources
- Transfer Oracle Skills to SQL Server
- Are you who you say you are? Even on Linux?
- Reduce SQL Server Operational Costs, Simplify Management, and Increase Availability
- Get the Latest Tips on Safeguarding Your System
- Streamline and Automate Upgrades to SQL Server 2005
5. Featured White Paper
6. Announcements
- Uncover Essential Windows Knowledge Through Excavator
- Vote for the Next “IT Pro of the Month!”
7. Web Community
Sponsor: Double-Take Software
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1. Perspectives
Specializations for Microsoft Partners
by Brian Moran, brian@solidqualitylearning.com
Most readers are probably familiar with the Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) program, which includes the Microsoft Certified Database Administrator (MCDBA) certification plus many other major and minor certifications. The MCP program tends to be tightly coupled with Microsoft Learning courses, with final certification tied to passing certain tests that are based on core competencies and skills covered in various classes offered through Microsoft Certified Partners for Learning Solutions or other training resources.
But not as many readers are familiar with the various specializations that exist for Microsoft Partners. Microsoft is in the process of launching some new partner-level specializations, several of which are directly related to the SQL Server community, so I wanted to give you a quick heads-up on this program. Readers who work for or own a Microsoft Solution Provider company might be interested in pursuing these specializations. Even if you aren’t connected with a Microsoft Solution Provider company, you should still be aware of the specializations so that you know what they mean if some fancy-pants consultant shows up on your doorstep offering to help.
Partner-level specializations are managed at the “partner competency level,” which is the term that Microsoft uses to classify which areas their partners have expertise in. You can find detailed descriptions of all 13 of the partner competency levels at https://partner.microsoft.com/global/program/competencies. Although many of the competencies are related to SQL Server in some way, the three competencies that are most applicable to the SQL Server community are Advanced Infrastructure Solutions, Data Management Solutions, and Information Worker Solutions.
You can read about the new specializations that Microsoft is preparing to release at https://partner.microsoft.com/US/program/competencies/upcomingspecializationinitiatives. The company is releasing nine new Microsoft Partner specializations:
- Data Visualization
- Enterprise Content Management (ECM) and Forms
- Enterprise Project Management
- Office Solutions Development
- Office Systems Deployment
- Performance Management
- Portals and Collaboration
- Search
- Unified Communications
Directly related to the SQL Server BI world are two new specializations: Data Visualization and Performance Management. However, if you read through the list, you’ll see that many of the new offerings touch on SQL Server topics in one way or another, which makes sense because a database touches so many aspects of a company’s business and technical initiatives.
I often find myself writing editorials that offer ideas and suggestions related to career planning and management as the end of the year approaches and people are thinking about the coming new year. I generally think of these topics as “What do I want to be when I grow up?” The big 40 is looming closer for me, and you’d think that I’d have the answer to that question by now. Alas, like many of you, I sometimes have a hard time making up my mind. I’m short enough to be an astronaut, but my eyesight isn’t good enough, so that’s out. But everything else is on the table. I’m sure that I’ll have more thoughts to share on the topic of career planning over the next several weeks. For now, I encourage you to check out the new specializations. Perhaps one of them will help you decide what you want to be when you grow up.
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2. SQL Server Watch
IT Pro of the Month—November 2006 Winner
Congratulations to Simon Zeltser, who was voted the November 2006 "IT Pro of the Month." Adapting a solution he found in Windows Scripting Solutions, Simon developed what he calls a ProfileBackup solution, which executes in two phases: backup and restore. He was able to use his solution to remotely upgrade more than 1500 PCs, saving the IT staff time and the company money. To learn more about Simon's solution and to find out how you can become the next “IT Pro of the Month,” please visit: http://www.windowsitpro.com/go/itpromonth.
This Month’s Focus—Gifts for the DBA
Database Development Teams: The Great Divide
Microsoft Visual Studio Team Edition for Database Professionals (Team Data) could help break down walls between database development teams, but teams won't find common ground until they make an effort to understand each other. Read this article today at: http://www.sqlmag.com/Articles/ArticleID/92843/92843.html.
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