How To Get Microsoft Azure Certification: A Step-by-Step Guide
Most people ask the question, “can I get Microsoft certification without having any programming skills?” Well, the simple answer is Yes.
You can actually learn Microsoft Azure without any prior programming knowledge. However, it is important to note that you will need write some deployment script or configuration code when launching your project.
The world of technology has witnessed major shifts in recent times – mostly towards cloud computing. Also known as web-based computing, cloud computing allows users to instantly share information with other devices. This makes it possible for multiple people to access the same data and files with minimal effort. It also makes it possible for users to store large amounts of data.
Cloud computing comes with a lot of conveniences, and businesses are keen to take advantage of these. Some of the top cloud computing providers include Microsoft Azure and Amazon Web Services. If you are looking to start a new and exciting career and learn more about cloud computing, then you need to learn how to get Microsoft Azure certification. And the good news is, you can sign up for an online Microsoft Azure certification and learn at your convenience from the comfort of your home.
So, how does Microsoft Azure work?
Microsoft Azure is currently the second-largest cloud computing service provider after Amazon Web Services. It functions both as a computing platform as well as an online portal where users can access and manage various services offered by Microsoft.
Microsoft Azure aims to help businesses manage challenges while meeting their organizational goals by offering tools and support for industries. Microsoft Azure solutions are also compatible with open source technologies, thus according users the flexibility to use preferred tools and technologies. Additionally, Microsoft Azure offers four different forms of cloud computing:
- Infrastructure as a service (IaaS)
- Platform as a service (PaaS)
- Software as a service (SaaS)
- Serverless
Microsoft Azure services are charged on a pay-as-you-go basis, meaning businesses are billed each month for specific resources that they use.
How Microsoft Azure Works
Once a user subscribes to Microsoft Azure, they are granted access to all the services available within the Azure portal. Users can then use these services to create cloud-computing resources such as databases and virtual machines.
Alongside the services offered by Microsoft Azure Portal, third-party vendors can also avail applications directly through Azure. The cost billed for these third-party applications vary.
Here are five different customer support options available on Azure:
- Basic
- Developer
- Standard
- Professional direct
- Premier
These customer support plans vary in scope and price. While basic support is available in all Azure accounts, it is important to understand that Microsoft charges a fee for other support offerings. Developer support costs $29 per month, while standard support costs $100 per month and Professional Direct support costs $1000 per month. Microsoft has not disclosed the cost of Premier Support.
So, how do you get Microsoft Azure Certification?
Microsoft Azure courses can help you master various aspects of Azure, upon which you will be awarded with a certification on completion of the program. Depending on your learning goals, level of experience, and the specifics of what you want to learn, several Microsoft Azure options are available. To help you maximize on flexibility, these Microsoft Azure courses are offered online.
Here are the three top Microsoft Azure certifications for beginners
Azure Solution Architect (AZ-300 and AZ-301) Training Certification
This course is designed to teach learners how to create and deploy applications, implement security and workloads, secure data, configure infrastructure, create continuity and infrastructure strategies, cloud solutions, architect data platform, and much more. This course is suited for IT professionals, solution architects, and DevOps professionals.
Azure Developer Associate (AZ-203) Training Certification
This course prepares learners for the latest edition of Microsoft Developer Certified Associate Exam (AZ-203), which is a combination of AZ-200 and AZ-201 that were recently announced by Microsoft. This course will help you build skills in cloud storage, cloud security, Azure Cognitive Services, and other skills. It is perfect for programmers looking to expand their knowledge on Azure. One of the prerequisites of this course is the knowledge to design and build cloud solutions.
Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-100 and AZ-101) Training Certification
This course is ideal for learners who are preparing for either AZ-100: Microsoft Infrastructure Deployment and AZ-101: MS Azure Integration and Security exams. You will learn all the skills you need to be a successful Microsoft Azure Administration, such as migrating services to Microsoft Azure, implementing storage, managing subscriptions and resources, and more.
Why sign up for Microsoft Azure Certification Programs?
With Microsoft Azure certification, you will stand out from competition when it comes to getting hired in the cloud computing industry. Thanks to growing demand for cloud computing services, there has been a huge rise in the demand for Microsoft Azure experts.
In fact, according to Microsoft, more than 1,000 new subscriptions each day, which translates to approximately to 365,000 new annual subscriptions. Additionally, nearly 60% of Fortune 500 companies use Microsoft Azure. These statistics clearly show that Microsoft Azure is highly in demand. Obtaining this certification is definitely the first step realizing your career goals.
Here are some of the benefits of Microsoft Azure Certification courses.
Career growth
By getting Azure certified, you will definitely grow your earning potential, as most employers and clients are looking to hire Azure experts. After all, it shows that you are an expert in this field, and offering a higher salary to professionals with this expertise. According to a recent Business Wise survey, taking an online course can increase your salary by 20%- 40%. Payscale.com also reports that those individuals with Microsoft Azure certification can potentially earn as much as $128,000 depending on their location, years of experience, and job title. And if you have ever wanted to work for a Fortune 500 company, getting a Microsoft Azure Certification can greatly boost your chance as several Fortune 500 companies like Facebook and Wipro are actively hiring professionals with this certification.
Flexibility
If flexibility is what you are looking for in a career, then Microsoft Azure certification offers just this. With this certification, you enjoy the flexibility to take on different roles in the tech field, such as a developer, solution architect, and cloud architect.
Microsoft Azure certification not only offers flexibility in the role you will be working on, but also industry as well. These days, just about every industry is leveraging the power of cloud computing, so with Microsoft Azure, you will find yourself working in exciting fields like finance, healthcare, and entertainment, just to mention a few.
With Microsoft Azure certification, you can be certain that your career will not be tied to location. As a certified Azure professional, you will find yourself working all around the world.
Conclusion
Microsoft Azure, formerly known as Windows Azure, is Microsoft’s cloud computing platform that provides a wide range of services include storage, networking, computation, and analytics. Users pick from these services to develop and scale new applications, or run existing applications in the cloud. Earning a Microsoft Azure certification can position you for a lucrative career in the ever growing cloud computing industry. Get started with Microsoft Azure today and take your career to a new level.