Choosing a Microsoft Certifcation Track Around Data
Microsoft have revamped their certification tracks again, doing away with the MCSA and MCSE certifications that we have become used to and introducing fundamentals, role-based and specialist certifications in their place. Here is a summary of the new certifications that relate to Azure Databases, Business Intelligence, Artificial Intelligence, Power BI and the Power Platform.
Although from February 2021 there will be no exams associated with curriculum areas such as SQL Database Querying and TSQL Programming they are very much pre-requisited for many of the new tracks. SQL remains a vital language for data extraction from operational relational databases and data warehouses.
The PTR Training portfolio offers a full range of SQL and TSQL training courses to help you prepare for an Azure Data journey.
| Certification | Certification Type | Exams Needed | Certification Technologies/Topics |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Fundamentals |
Fundamentals |
Azure core data concepts, Working with relational and non-relational data on Azure, Analytics workloads on Azure. Target Job Roles: Anyone wishing to learn about database concepts in an Azure environment |
|
|
Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Fundamentals |
Fundamentals |
AI Workloads & considerations, Principles of ML on Azure, Computer Vision workloads on Azure, Natural Language Processing (NLP) on Azure, Conversational AI workloads on Azure Target Job Roles: Anyone interested in learning about Azure AI and services. |
|
|
Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals |
Fundamentals |
Cloud concepts, Core Azure Services, Core Azure Solutions & Management Tools, security & Network Features, Identity, Governance, Privacy & Compliance Features, Azure Cost Management & SLAs Target Job Roles: Anyone wishing to learn more about Microsoft Azure |
|
|
Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate |
Role-based |
Azure AD, Azure Storage, Azure Compute Resource, Virtual Networking, Monitoring & Backup Target Job Roles: Azure Administrators |
|
|
Microsoft Certified: Azure Database Administrator Associate |
Role-based |
Data Platform Resources, AD Authentication & Security, Monitoring Activity & Performance, Query Optimization, Task Automation, HA/DR, Admin with TSQL Target Job Roles: Experienced DBAs, data architects, application developers. |
|
|
Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Engineer Associate |
Role-based |
Azure storage, Data Factory, Data Bricks, Data Lake, Synapse Analytics Target Job Roles: Data Engineers |
|
|
Microsoft Certified: Azure Developer Associate |
Role-based |
Azure compute solutions, Azure storage, Azure security, monitoring, troubleshooting and optimizing azure solutions, connecting to and consuming Azure services & 3rd party services. Target Job Roles: Azure Developers |
|
|
Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Scientist Associate |
Role-based |
Azure Machine Learning workspace, running experiments and training models, Optimising & managing models, Deploying & consuming models. Target Job Roles: Data Scientists |
|
|
Microsoft Certified: Data Analyst Associate |
Role-based |
Preparing Data, Modelling Data, Visualising Data, Analysing Data, Deploying & Maintaining deliverables. Target Job Roles: Data Analysts |
|
|
Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer Associate |
Role-based |
Analyse solution requirements, Design AI solutions, Implement & Monitor AI solutions. Target Job Roles: Azure AI Engineer, Software Engineer |
|
|
Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert |
Role-based |
Implement & Monitor Azure Infrastructure, Implement Management & Security Solutions, Implement solutions for Apps, Implement & Manage Data Platforms. Design for Cost Optimisation, Design Monitoring, Design Identity & security, Design Data Storage, Design Business Continuity, Design Infrastructure. Target Job Roles: Solution Architects |
|
|
Microsoft Certified: Microsoft Power Platform App Maker Associate |
Role-based |
Design Power Platform Solutions, Create Power Platform Solutions, Analyse & visualise data, Implement & manage solutions. Target Job Roles: Anyone wishing to build solutions to simplify, automate, and transform tasks and processes for themselves and their team where they have deep expertise in the solution business domain. |
|
|
Microsoft Certified: Power Platform Developer Associate |
Role-based |
Create a technical design, Configure Common Data Service, Create & configure Power Apps, Configure business process automation, Extend the user experience, Extend the platform, Develop integrations. Target Job Roles: Power Platform Developers |
|
|
Microsoft Certified: Power Platform Functional Consultant Associate |
Role-based |
Configure Common Data Service, Create apps using Power Apps, Create & Manage Power Automate, Implement Power Virtual Agents chatbots, Integrate Power Apps with other apps and services. Target Job Roles: Power Platform Design & Implementation Consultants |
You can see the full view of available certifications in this Microsoft poster.