Why YOU Need to Get a Microsoft SharePoint Certification

85% of Fortune 500 companies use SharePoint in their daily business operations. This is a clear indicator of how efficient and effective SharePoint really is and explains why the demand for it is constantly on the rise. Microsoft certifications, including SharePoint certifications, can help you create a competitive advantage and provide you with advanced skills. These certifications are not only very advantageous for you, but for the company you work for as well.  

Benefits for Specialists 

• Verification of Skill Possession: Employers can recognize that by you having this certificate you are well trained in SharePoint and know about the software at a more advanced level than if you just mentioned that you are proficient in SharePoint in your resume. 

• Competitive Advantage: According to Microsoft, 86% of hiring managers prefer job applicants with an IT certificate, and 64% of IT managers prefer Microsoft certifications to certifications from other training institutions. This statistic shows that with the possession of this certificate you have a better chance of being hired than if you did not have a certificate. This can also potentially lead to a higher salary. 

Benefits for Businesses

• Increases Credibility: If an HR manager or an employer needs to validate and verify the legitimacy of your certificate, it is very easy to do so. Hence, the possession of a certificate holds a high value.

• High Productivity: 63% of hiring managers say certified individuals are more productive than their non-certified counterparts. And Microsoft-certified developers are 90% more productive.

3 Levels of SharePoint Certifications 

1.Fundamental 

The first level is aimed at individuals who are making their initial steps in SharePoint Server or SharePoint Online or even thinking about changing their career path.

2.Associate

This level assumes 2 years of comprehensive working experience with the platform. The Fundamental level is optional for individuals who opt for the Associate level.

3.Expert

This third level assumes 2-5 years of deep technical experience in SharePoint. And it is obligatory to gain the Associate level prior to getting the Expert level.

Microsoft 365 Fundamentals Certification Path 

Exam MS-900 (Microsoft 365 Fundamentals): This certificate measures the understanding of various cloud concepts, core Microsoft 365 services and concepts, security, compliance, privacy in Microsoft 365, and Microsoft 365 pricing and support. 

Microsoft Certified Associate Certification Path 

Exam MS-300 (Deploying Microsoft 365 Teamwork): Measure Exam MS-301 (Deploying SharePoint Server Hybrid): Configuring and managing SharePoint on-premises, hybrid scenarios, and Migrating to SharePoint Online.

Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert Certification Path 

Exam MS-100 (Microsoft 365 Identity and Services): Measures designing and implementing Microsoft 365 services, Managing user identity and roles, Managing access and authentication, and Planning Office 365 workloads and applications.

Exam MS-101 (Microsoft 365 Mobility and Security): Assess skills in implementing modern device services, Microsoft 365 security and threat management, managing Microsoft 365 governance and compliance.es skills related to SharePoint Online, OneDrive for Business, Teams, and Workload integrations. 

Exam MS-301 (Deploying SharePoint Server Hybrid): Configuring and managing SharePoint on-premises, hybrid scenarios, and Migrating to SharePoint Online.

Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert Certification Path 

Exam MS-100 (Microsoft 365 Identity and Services): Measures designing and implementing Microsoft 365 services, Managing user identity and roles, Managing access and authentication, and Planning Office 365 workloads and applications.

Exam MS-101 (Microsoft 365 Mobility and Security): Assess skills in implementing modern device services, Microsoft 365 security and threat management, managing Microsoft 365 governance and compliance.

Conclusion 

To aid in the preparation of these exams, there are free micro training modules available for Microsoft Learn. Even if you do not plan on completing the certifications and paying $165 to take each exam, you are still able to learn the same material through these numerous helpful and detailed modules. Overall, there are many benefits to earning these certifications and can help to differentiate yourself from others. To get more familiar with software, visit ISU Corp.

The Top Reasons You Should Start Developing for Windows Phone

Developing smartphone technology with the largest variety of devices demands targeting the right platforms. Windows Phone, Microsoft’s smartphone platform is rising steadily in popularity, market share, and support for features. Businesses looking for new audiences, promising prospects, and the opportunity to support all common platforms will want to start developing for Windows Phone applications now. 

Windows Phone Advantages 

Market Opportunities 

The most noticeable benefit of Microsoft’s Windows Phone platform is the steady and sustainable growth of its market share across the world. Market research evidence shows that Windows Phone is now the second-largest smartphone app in many markets and is also gaining in popularity. From a business point of view, it is important to support Windows Phone if you are going for any of the markets where it already has a large share, or if the target is truly global. 

Windows 8

As an integral part of Microsoft’s application community, Windows Phone benefits from a close alignment of Microsoft’s new operating systems. Starting with Windows 8, the user interface and functionality of the operating system are web-first, and the Windows Mobile “metro-style” architecture is also extended to the desktop version. This enables much greater synergy between mobile development and desktop or web development, as similar solutions can work in all environments. The combination of the Windows Desktop app and the Windows Smartphone app is very successful as opposed to the combination of other platforms and offers a great benefit, as with the success of Windows desktops, the demand can be high. 

Development Options

Windows Phone is a fascinating platform from a software point of view, as it has very robust tools available for the development of applications. Natively it is C++ which means that the native code written for it is usually very fast, giving you the advantage of speed. More specifically, it enables the use of common C and C++ libraries for Windows and other operating systems. 

Innovative Features

The advanced technological features of Windows Phone could be crucial to choosing the framework for your applications. To display the strength of only one function, consider Windows Phone’s Live Tiles home screen. These tiles reflect the feature that is actually icons or bookmarks for applications on other mobile devices, except in the Windows Phone, the home screen is built to place the user at the center of the experience. One way your applications will take advantage of this is to view interactive content from your app directly on the user’s home screen live tile. Through well-thought-out architecture and features, this provides a range of ways to enhance user engagement and value of your product.

If you are interested in learning more, reach out to one of our experts at ISU Corp!

THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO MICROSOFT TEAMS FOR PROJECT MANAGERS

This year has changed a lot of major components of daily life, especially when it comes to work-life shifting to being remote. A good portion of the world has had to make this new change.

With that being said, there have been multiple questions brought to light about whether or not Microsoft Teams is suitable for project managers.

But first, why is Microsoft Teams so beneficial for Project Management?

Microsoft Teams is commonly known for their communication features including chat, or video calling.  Unfortunately, this is where most Microsoft Teams users’ knowledge ends. However, Microsoft Teams is much more than just a method of communication.

Microsoft Teams is notorious for being a remarkable tool for communication and collaboration with the ability for document, presentation, and whiteboard capabilities integrated into their already awesome system.

Now, here are the top 5 tips for using Teams for Project Management

1. Ability to efficiently keep everyone alert with Teams and Channels

In order to be a great project manager, you need to allow for open and transparent communication for every stage of each project they’re overseeing. With Microsoft Teams you have the ability to do that efficiently.

2. Easy to keep track of deadlines, so you don’t miss one!

Deadlines can often be hard to keep track of especially if you’re managing more than one project at a time. No matter what the project, they are vitally important to keep your project on track.

Having access to Microsoft Teams, it allows you and your team to have a shared Microsoft Outlook group calendar, which displays the important deadlines for each piece of a project.

3. Easy to use planner capabilities to assign tasks and manage what’s important

Another component to help with keeping track of your deadlines, is to integrate the use of Microsoft Planner to help keep your projects organized.

Microsoft Planner can be easily incorporated to Teams in four easy steps:

• Navigate to the team you want to add Microsoft Planner too

• Click the + sign to add a tab to the group

• Click on “Planner”

• Either create a new plan, or choose an existing plan that you’ve already saved (choose from the drop-down menu) and click “save”

4. Keep work accessible for everyone involved

It’s important to make sure that everyone on the project has access to every component of the project and knows how to do everything. This way, tasks can get completed in an efficient manner and no time is wasted searching for a file.

5. Don’t be afraid to customize your Teams

With Microsoft Teams, you have the ability to customize many features to make completing your project even more efficient. Especially since you can tailor it to your own team's needs.

Without a doubt, with the right integrations and a little customization Microsoft Teams could be your primary source for project management and organization. Having access to so many great features like tracking tasks, document collaboration, and more.

Reach out to our experts at ISU Corp, to help integrate it into your next project!