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Microsoft is expanding its available software to fast track its cloud benefits. In fact, the company’s plan is to offer the most cloud applications of any software company. Individuals who desire to become a Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate will find a curriculum based heavily around the cloud, as the company moves to become the authority in the cloud computing industry. As a result, individuals and businesses will gain access to Microsoft’s new software programs, which include:

Microsoft has retooled its MCSE certification for IT professionals to include a major focus on the cloud. The company made the changes in response to the growing movement of IT resources to cloud-based solutions. According to Microsoft-sponsored research, cloud computing may create 14 million jobs and generate 1.1 trillion in revenue by 2015. The new MCSE certificate holder is expected to have more comprehensive knowledge of both on-premises and cloud resource technologies.

Microsoft recently announced its plan to reintroduce the MCSE and MCSA certifications, which address the evolution of technology toward cloud computing. Many IT professionals are already aware of the MCITP certification that resulted from the Microsoft Server 2008 upgrade, but it appears the company tossed the four-year-old certification. With the reintroduction of the old but new MCSE and MCSA certifications, Microsoft also detailed that each one is not necessarily the same as it used to be.

The expanding role of cloud computing in the IT and software development fields has Microsoft sitting up and taking notice: the company announced recently that it will be reorganizing its Microsoft certification program to address the evolving impact of the cloud. In the process, the MCSA, MCSD and MCSE certification designations will also be returned to duty, with two small changes – the “A” will now stand for “associate” instead of “administrator,” and the “E” will now stand for “expert” rather than “engineer.”