MCITP: Windows 7 Enterprise Desktop Support Technitian. SHOULD I START NOW?

Weeber

Hey guys,

It's quite urgent as I have a deal that I have to decide on by tomorrow.

I know the course will be retired in Jan 2014 but would you say it is still worth getting the course? I have not professional background in IT and want a IT help-desk support job.

From what I know not many computers will run Windows 8 as it more of a laptop/portable device platform.

If it will at least make obtaining the next certification easier I would pull the trigger,

what are your suggestions? Greatly appreciated!

EDIT: it is the 70-680 and 70-685 tests.

srabiee

The Enterprise Desktop Administrator cert has shortcut pathways to some of the new MCSE stuff that the Enterprise Desktop Support Technician doesn't. Do the 70-680 and 70-686 if you are able to before it retires. If not, then just focus on the easiest path to MCSA: Windows 7 or MCSA: Windows 8, and then start focusing on the new MCSE material.

Weeber

Thanks for your reply!

But what is the difference between MCIPT and MCSE? I am a total noob about these programs only found out about them yesterday.

I want a certification to set my foot in the door so that I can find a entry level job before I graduate from uni.

EDIT: sorry and also what is the difference between Enterprise Desktop Administrator and Technician? Is the Administrator cert much harder?

Thanks again

srabiee

MCITP is being permanently retired and replaced with the new MCSA (Tier 1) and MCSE (Tier 2) stuff. MCITP is being done away with for good.

MCITP: Enterprise Desktop Administrator is obtained by passing both the 70-680 and 70-686 exams. The 70-686 is more difficult than the 70-685 exam, but keep in mind they are both very difficult tests.

At this point the only real reason to try to obtain the MCITP before January is to get the MCITP: EDA in order to be eligible for the upgrade shortcut pathways that I mentioned above. The MCITP: EDST doesn't allow for those shortcut pathways, making it much less useful than the MCITP: EDA.

Weeber

srabiee wrote: »

MCITP is being permanently retired and replaced with the new MCSA (Tier 1) and MCSE (Tier 2) stuff. MCITP is being done away with for good.

MCITP: Enterprise Desktop Administrator is obtained by passing both the 70-680 and 70-686 exams. The 70-686 is more difficult than the 70-685 exam, but keep in mind they are both very difficult tests.

At this point the only real reason to try to obtain the MCITP before January is to get the MCITP: EDA in order to be eligible for the upgrade shortcut pathways that I mentioned above. The MCITP: EDST doesn't allow for those shortcut pathways, making it much less useful than the MCITP: EDA.

Thank you so much again for your reply,

So I understand that MCIPT is being permanently replaced with MCSA, you mentioned that I should choose the easiest path to MCSA but from my knowledge there are no per-requisites to MCSA? I am terribly sorry as I said I don't know much at all about these certificates.

I have been doing some research but am still very confused, correct me if i'm wrong so MCIPT is being retired with MCSA in Jan 2014, and so the MCSA will not be retiring for a while?

Weeber

Where I'm confused is that on the icrosoft website it mentioned both MCIPT:EDA and EDST gives you the MCSA: Windows 7 Cert?

Weeber

I'm sorry I must be confusing you, what pathway would you recommend if I want to get a entry level desktop helpdesk job while I finish off university/college?

btw im in australia

srabiee

Yes, meeting the requirements to obtain the MCITP: EDST or MCITP: EDA will also grant you the MCSA: Windows 7.

When I mentioned easiest path to MCSA, I meant to either choose the MCSA: Windows 7 or MCSA: Windows 8, whichever would be easier for you to study for. I personally hate Windows 8 and refuse to use it, but some of my co-workers love it and use it everyday. It's your choice which route to go.

After you obtain the MCSA: 7 or 8, you will probably want to work on MCSA: Server 2008 or MCSA: Server 2012. Once you obtain that, you can move onto the MCSE stuff.

MCTS and MCITP are the old programs being retired in favor of the new MCSA (tier 1) and MCSE (tier 2). Forget about the old programs and focus on the new programs. The new stuff is going to be around for several years minimum.

I personally started with the CompTIA stuff before I went the Microsoft route. I obtained the A+, Server+, Network+, Security+, and Storage+ in that order. I then got the 70-680 and then the 70-686. The CompTIA exams are MUCH easier to study for and pass than the Microsoft exams. Depending on your level of knowledge, you may want to look into doing something like that. A lot of the guys on this forum don't see any value in CompTIA certs, but I don't have any regrets studying for those 5 CompTIA certs. I learned a lot and it added to my resume.

Weeber

I really don't know how to tank you!

Now I slightly understand, so I agree with you that windows 8 is rubbish (have it) so I am going to go for the Windows 7.

When you say 70-680 and 70-686 these are the test codes is that correct? But why does the exam code remain the same even though the actual programs/content is changing?

Weeber

I am confused once again :S

"Until January 31, 2014, when you earn your MCSA: Windows 7 certification you also earn your MCTS: Windows 7, Configuration certification and either your MCITP: Enterprise Desktop Administrator on Windows 7 certification (Exams 680 and 686) or your MCITP: Enterprise Desktop Support Technician on Windows 7 certification (Exams 680 and 685)."

Doesn't this mean that I HAVE to focus on the old programs to get a MCSA?

srabiee

The test codes stay the same because they are being used for the new MCSA program.

No, the MCSA is essentially replacing the MCTS and MCITP. Microsoft lists them there to let people know that the old certification titles are still obtainable until Jan 31, 2014, but it's the MCSA that's important, as that is the new cert program.

I was confused at first too, and spent a few days browsing and playing around with the Microsoft cert website. There's some good FAQ on there too that answers some of these questions. Believe me, you aren't the only one that is frustrated by these changes. Every time Microsoft completely revamps their cert program, it causes a lot of problems and confusion.

IT Certifications | MCP | Microsoft Learning

Weeber

srabiee wrote: »

At this point the only real reason to try to obtain the MCITP before January is to get the MCITP: EDA in order to be eligible for the upgrade shortcut pathways that I mentioned above. The MCITP: EDST doesn't allow for those shortcut pathways, making it much less useful than the MCITP: EDA.

I don't understand how MCIPT: EDST is less useful than the EDA. Don't both certs give you MCSA certs as mentioned in my previous post and from there you can go on to do MCSE as you already have the pre-reqs ?

Do you mean that it will take longer to complete the MCSE with the technician as opposed to the administrator? What do you mean by shortcuts ?

I'm sorry to bombard you with questions but I need to make a decision by tomorrow.

srabiee

No, that is actually a separate issue altogether. The MCITP: EDA offers shortcut pathways to some of the MCSE stuff that the MCITP: EDST doesn't offer. I think it was a dumb decision on Microsoft's part to do it that way, but they have decided that the EDA is more important and more useful to have than the EDST, even though they are both being replaced by the same MCSA: Windows 7 cert.

Check out the desktop and server MCSE certs on the Microsoft website I linked you to, and then look at the upgrade options. You will often see MCITP: EDA listed there, but not the MCITP: EDST.

Weeber

srabiee wrote: »

No, that is actually a separate issue altogether. The MCITP: EDA offers shortcut pathways to some of the MCSE stuff that the MCITP: EDST doesn't offer. I think it was a dumb decision on Microsoft's part to do it that way, but they have decided that the EDA is more important and more useful to have than the EDST, even though they are both being replaced by the same MCSA: Windows 7 cert.

Check out the desktop and server MCSE certs on the Microsoft website I linked you to, and then look at the upgrade options. You will often see MCITP: EDA listed there, but not the MCITP: EDST.

So what exactly is a shortcut and upgrade?

does it mean MCIPT:EDA will reward you both MCSA Windows 7 and some MCSE certs?

I tried finding the info on the link but couldn't,

srabiee

MCSE: Desktop Infrastructure | Microsoft Learning

Scroll down a bit on that page and then click on the section that says "How to upgrade to the MCSE: Desktop Infrastructure certification" That will show you the requirements for taking the upgrade exams to obtain the MCSE: Desktop Infrastructure certification. It's a shorter, easier pathway to MCSE certs.

Weeber

Right, now i kind of see how it works (found the upgrade paths btw)

So if I get the MCIPT:EDA I can upgrade this certification into the MCSE: Desktop Infrastructure Cert by undertaking more studies?

But what I don;t get is if I choose to do the MCIPT:EDST, I'll get the MCSA anyway and I could get the MCSE through the MCSA can't I?

EDIT: Just saw your post ^


So the only benefit to doing EDA is that it is easier to get a MCSE than through MCSA.

And upgrades can be done after the program is phased out?

Weeber

btw I ask this because I plan to do online training and there seems to be none for the new MCSA only MCIPT.

srabiee

Yes, basically the EDA will allow you some upgrade paths to the MCSE stuff. The EDST won't unfortunately. That's the only difference.

Upgrades should still be allowed using the EDA even after it is officially retired. (at least for awhile anyway)

Weeber

If I want an entry level job as a helpdesk should I just go with the MCIPT:EDST ?

Just to clarify if I take the tests 70-680 and 70-685 I get MCSA: Windows 7 cert, MCIPT:EDST Cert and MCTS: Windows 7, Configuration certification?

And if I want to get a MCSE I can still undertake more study on my MCSA sinc I don;t have a EDA to upgrade?

Also I really couldn't;t thank you enough for your time.

srabiee

Yes that is correct.

Entry-level helpdesk usually looks for A+ and similar certs (if it is truly entry-level)

Having your MCSA is a good idea though, especially if you want to move up and become a systems tech or sys admin, working with Microsoft desktops and servers.

Good luck!

Weeber

So essentially the only changes in this revamp is the name of the certificate, from MCIPT:EDST to MCSA?

The test itself does not change?

Then would studying for MCIPT:EDST be the same as studying for MCSA?

So what are the disadvantages for a person like me getting a certification before it is about to be phased out? I personally don't see any since I get the MCSA cert anyway?

Thanks

srabiee

Yes.

You get MCSA anyway so nothing to worry about.