Microsoft is one of the biggest players in the business solutions market today. Dynamics 365 continues to grow to cover more areas while satisfying more requirements. That’s great for Microsoft as well as for the customers. Businesses will not need five separate software licenses and different integrations to cover their business processes; one product will soon be able to cover most (if not all) of them.
While all of this is indeed good news, the greater the product gets, the more complex it is to set up, configure and customize. Thankfully, Microsoft partners handle this. Every Microsoft dynamics partner employs many Microsoft Dynamics Specialists (consultants, developers, solution architects, business analysts, etc.) that will take care of the system for you
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When a project delivers, there are usually two options:
- Let one Dynamics 365 consultant/developer from the Microsoft partner give you support for your solution for an agreed period.
- Give one of your employees Dynamics 365 training and let them administer the system.
Microsoft offers certifications specific to each Dynamics 365 area to help the Dynamics 365 specialist gain credibility and increase the customer’s confidence in them. Today, most customers (and even Microsoft partners) ask for professionals with Dynamics 365 certifications to ensure people working on their systems are capable and certified to do so.
What are Dynamics 365 certifications?
Microsoft gives exams for different areas of Dynamics 365 that people can take depending on their role. Customers and partners widely acknowledge the Dynamics 365 certifications. They include a series of multiple-choice questions (usually between 40-60, but this is subject to change) covering a broad range of functionalities and features.
When passed, you become a Certified Dynamics Professional.
What exams are available for the current Dynamics 365 version (v9.0)?
Microsoft has the following list of exams:
1. MB2-715: Microsoft Dynamics 365 customer engagement Online Deployment
2. MB2-716: Microsoft Dynamics 365 Customization and Configuration
3. MB2-717: Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Sales
4. MB2-718: Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Customer Service
5. MB2-877: Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Field Service
6. MB6-894: Development, Extensions and Deployment for Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations
7. MB6-895: Financial Management in Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations
8. MB6-896: Distribution and Trade in Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations
9. MB6-897: Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Retail
How to prepare for the exam?
Preparation for an exam can be a bit tricky as most of the time, the exams try to test your skills and measure competency rather than “knowledge” in a specific area.
While it is beneficial to read and research, it is good to have some hands-on experience with the product before applying for any of the certificates.
1. Microsoft Dynamics Learning Portal
This is the most popular way for preparation. Usually, if your company is enrolled in the Premier Support for Partners or Advanced Support for Partners (ASfP) or has purchased the Microsoft Dynamics Training Pack, they can give you access to PartnerSource. From there, you get access to loads of videos and preparation guides to help you get ready for your exam.
2. Online research
If you don’t have access to the Dynamics Learning Portal, don’t worry. There are other ways to study for your exam. When you go to the exam page on the Microsoft website, there’s a section called ‘Skills Measured’. This section details what areas will be covered in that exam.
This is an example from the current MB2-715: Microsoft Dynamics 365 customer engagement Online Deployment
You can divide this into tasks and learn them yourself from online tutorials and hands-on application.
3. Take our online training
We’ve tailored a 24 parts course to help you get certified at no cost.
4. Purchase training material
When you’re booking your exam, you can purchase Official Microsoft Training Material before checking out your order
What are the benefits of having a Dynamics 365 Certification?
1. More credibility
Would you go to a doctor without a diploma? Exactly. Certificates add much to your credibility as a Microsoft Dynamics Professional.
2. More Jobs
If you browse jobs on Nigel Frank (probably the largest recruitment company for Dynamics professionals), you will see that most job descriptions ask for Microsoft certificates. According to a study by Microsoft, 91% of hiring managers consider certification as part of their hiring criteria.
3. Pay increase
According to a salary survey by Nigel Frank, a third of IT professionals that earned Microsoft Certificates reported that they got a pay increase.
4. No expiry date
Microsoft certifications are valid and valuable as long as the product covered in the certification is still used in the market.
5. Easy to verify
While there are thousands of certificates for IT professionals, Microsoft certificates are easy to verify their validity.
How to schedule an exam
1. Go to the exam page (i.e., MB2-716: Microsoft Dynamics 365 Customization and Configuration)
2. Click on ‘Schedule Exam’
3. Sign in with your Microsoft account
4. Edit your details
5. Make sure the right exam is selected
6. Click Submit
7. You will be redirected to Pearson VUE to complete the registration
8. Choose your booking option (You can choose a future date for a test center)
9. Choose the language
10. You will find Test centers near you (depending on the address specified in your details)
11. Choose a Test center
12. Select the date and time
13. Pay for the exam
14. Good luck 😊
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Conclusion
As Dynamics 365 is growing at an exponential rate, its demand in the market is also growing extremely fast. People are continually looking for Dynamics 365 professionals to set up and maintain their deployments. Of course, when job opportunities increase, more people will be looking to work with Dynamics 365 to meet the demand. After all, the technology industry is shaping our future in front of our eyes, and the number of people showing interest in the field is rapidly increasing every year.
Microsoft certifications will help separate yourself from the bunch by adding official skills endorsement from the product’s creator. By getting certified, you’ll be opening new doors to push your career further and explore new opportunities.
