News

Microsoft Branches Off Architect Cert for DBAs

The company develops MCA title for DBAs who want to showcase their database architecting skills.

Microsoft this week announced a new title for its high-level architect series of certifications: Microsoft Certified Architect: Database. The title is now among two "Technology architecture skills" that the company offers; the other is MCA: Messaging, which was released June of last year.

In much the same way that the MCA: Messaging focuses on an architect's ability to provide well planned networks that might incorporate a myriad number of messaging services, the MCA: Database focuses on a database architect's skills to plan, develop and program against a number of database languages and technologies, with emphasis on Microsoft SQL Server.

Enrollment into the MCA: Database program is limited to candidates who work for Microsoft or a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner member and who've received a nomination from an MCA: Database holder, a member of the SQL Server team or Microsoft employee. And enrollment isn't cheap -- $25,000 -- and paying that doesn't guarantee that the candidate will pass the program.

Because the title is specialized, it also comes with a few other rigorous requirements. Candidates must have passes either exams 70-290: Managing and Maintaining Windows Server 2003 or 70-292: Managing Windows 2003 for an MCSA-Win2K, and then have already attained MCITP status as either a Database Developer or Database Administrator. Microsoft also recommends that candidates also have extensive experience with MSF and ITIL.

Attaining MCA: Database status also requires a major time commitment. According to the press release issued on the program, candidates must attend four weeks of training in Redmond, led by instructors comprised of SQL Server team members, as well as complete written exams each week. Much like the rest of the MCA program, candidates will have to complete a lab-based skills exam and appear before a peer review board.

For more about the MCA: Database, click here. To read about the MCA program from MCPmag.com, click here.

About the Author

Michael Domingo has held several positions at 1105 Media, and is currently the editor in chief of Visual Studio Magazine.

Featured

  • Microsoft Appoints Althoff as New CEO for Commercial Business

    Microsoft CEO and chairman Satya Nadella on Wednesday announced the promotion of Judson Althoff to CEO of the company's commercial business, presenting the move as a response to the dramatic industrywide shifts caused by AI.

  • Broadcom Revamps VMware Partner Program Again

    Broadcom recently announced a significant update regarding its VMware Cloud Service Provider (VCSP) program, coinciding with the release of VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) 9.0, a key component in Broadcom’s private cloud strategy.

  • Closeup of the new Copilot keyboard key

    Microsoft Updates Copilot To Add Context-Sensitive Agents to Teams, SharePoint

    Microsoft has rolled out a new public preview for collaborative "always on" agents in Microsoft 365 Copilot, bringing enhanced, context-aware tools into Teams channels, meetings, SharePoint sites, Planner workstreams and Viva Engage communities.

  • Windows 365 Cloud Apps Now Available for Public Preview

    Microsoft announced this week that Windows 365 Cloud Apps are now available for public preview. This aims to allow IT administrators to stream individual Windows applications from the cloud, removing the need to assign Cloud PCs to every user.