IBM DB2 Certification

Overview
As database administrator is a big post & a certification is like a star coin in your IT career. So today giving a overview about IBM DB2 certification. DB2 again a big database product used in industry , its certification categorize, as other of , at three levels:

Step	Exam number	Exam title	Certification
1.	730	DB2 Family Fundamentals	Database Associate
2.	731	DB2 Database Administration	Database Administrator
3.	734	DB2 Advanced Database Administration	Advanced Database Administrator

Certification Path   
With a entry level certification to advance level certification there is a whole road map or path discovering how you can evaluate your preparation for DB2 9 certification.  

• Professional certification
• Certifications
• Test information

Test 000-730: DB2 9 Family Fundamentals

The database associate should have an in-depth knowledge of the basic to intermediate tasks required in day-to-day administration, basic SQL (Structured Query Language), understand how DB2 9 is packaged and installed, understand how to create databases and database objects, and have a basic knowledge of database security and transaction isolation.

Test 000-731

• Number of questions: 69
• Time allowed in minutes: 90
• Required passing score: 59%

Test 000-734

• Number of questions: 51
• Time allowed in minutes: 90
• Required passing score: 64%

Test information 

Register for an IBM Certification test at Prometric and take a step into your future.

IBM at Prometric

Microsoft Server Sql certification

Overview
Certification for SQL server 2008 have a very longpath to become DBA . There are bacically three level which are following named as :
Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist
Microsoft Certified IT Professional
Advanced Microsoft Certifications

I am talking about all of the above in details but a important announcement by Microsoft which helps you to schedule your certification.

Announcements 

#  Microsoft SQL Server 2012 exams are currently in development. Candidates who earn the new Professional-level certifications for SQL Server will be required to recertify every three years.

#  Certification exams specific to SQL Server 2005 were retired on June 30, 2011. Upgrade exams to transition your skills and certifications from SQL Server 2005 to SQL Server 2008 are scheduled to retire on July 31, 2012.

  
Sql server Microsoft Certification again categorized by three manner at each level :
1. Database admistrator
2. Database development
3. Database business intelligence 

MCTS  
Microsoft certified technology specialist  is lowest & initial level of certification if you started your certification path in Microsoft. Choose carefully from above three because it decides your way to MCITP , be aware of that. providing with some links helps you a lot
Exam 70-432 

Exam 70-433
Exam 70-448

MCITP 

There is prerequisite for that exam is MCTS so if you have then think about it.I suggest you to take a training center specified or partner of Microsoft & then try to take certification exam because as you go ahead it become more tough in every aspect


Exam 70-450 
Exam 70-451 
Exam 70-452   

Version     
As  announcements above sql certification retired on 31 july 2012 then you can also think of certification of 2012 sql server because there is some small changes which can be studied by any internet reference .My suggestion for that go with your requirements of certification because there is always present a upgrade certification to every certification so be aware of that Microsoft can change any rule or specification at any time without notification.
So continue with Microsoft links.

Oracle

Oracle Certification Program Categories

According to  terminology there are basically five categories in which we can divide the whole Oracle certification Program :-

• Oracle Certified Associate
• Oracle Certified Professional
• Oracle Certified Master
• Oracle Certified Expert Program
• Oracle Certified Specialist  

Oracle Certified Associate 

The Oracle Certified Associate (OCA) credential is typically the first step toward achieving the flagship Oracle Certified Professional certification. The OCA credential ensures that the individual is equipped with fundamental skills, providing a strong foundation for supporting Oracle products. An OCA credential is available for several of today's most in-demand technology job roles.

Oracle Certified Professional

The Oracle Certified Professional (OCP) credential is the benchmark of professional skill and technical expertise required to manage, develop, or implement enterprise-wide databases, middleware, or applications. Increasingly, IT managers use the OCP credential to evaluate the qualifications of employees and job candidates.

Oracle Certified Master

The Oracle Certified Master (OCM) credential recognizes the ultimate advanced level of skills, knowledge, and proven ability. These professionals are qualified to answer the most difficult questions and solve the most complex problems

Oracle certified Expert

 The Certified Expert program is a part of Oracle's Certification Program which grants credentials that recognize competency in specific technologies, architectures or domains not currently covered in the path-based Certified Associate and Certified Professional certifications.
Some of the key features of Expert certifications are:

1. Niche oriented – based upon specific products or technologies rather than broad job roles.
2. Credentials are independent of the current OCA, OCP, OCM hierarchy.
3. Typically comprises a single comprehensive exam, rather than a series of exams.
4. Competencies falling under the umbrella of the Expert program may range from foundational skills to mastery of advanced technologies.
5. May have prerequisites such as an online exam, previous certification or training course attendance. 

Oracle certified specialist

The Oracle Certified Specialist branded credentials are typically foundation-level implementation-oriented certifications targeted at employees of current Oracle partners, employees of integrators seeking to become Oracle partners and individuals who plan to apply for work with Oracle-authorized partners. Additionally these certifications would be applicable to anyone who wishes to add credibility and broaden their skill sets on specific Oracle products. 

MICROSOFT CERTIFIED SYSTEM ENGINEER-MCSE

MCSE or Microsoft Certified System Engineer is a global certification from Microsoft. It is one of the required global certification for Hardware and Networking Engineer to get the advantage than people without MCSE and to get the good position in the field of Information Technology.

A person who is interested in becoming an MCSE has to pass a credit-by-exam test. This allows a person to work within the latest system. With each new system that comes out, however, there are other certified exams that an MCSE must take and pass in order to maintain certification. For instance, if an MCSE is certified for the year 2002 and 2000, he or she must take at least two certification exams – one for each year of certification.

This upgrading of certification continues as long as the person wishes to continue to be an MCSE. The reason for the testing, and for proving proficiency for each year, is that Microsoft is changing constantly, and the information for earlier operating and networking systems changes with each new application.

To become certified by Microsoft, one must take the Microsoft Certification Exam at a designated Testing Center. Microsoft offers courses to help students pass the MCSE exams. There is, however, limited seating for the courses. At the same time, the training centers run courses constantly in order to serve as many of those who want to become an MCSE as possible.
It takes time and commitment to get through the courses necessary to become an MCSE. Depending on how much time a student devotes to the process, however, it can take as little as a year. On the other hand, the courses can take as long as two years. A student who already has an Associate in Science degree and has applied computer knowledge can often make it through the program even faster.

There is a very high demand for MCSE qualified individuals. Employers see the certification as a plus when hiring a new employee, especially in the field of computers or communications. Although potential employers also consider experience, the certification shows that the potential employee has a defined knowledge of how Microsoft systems work. 

Java 7 Certification

Java 7 Release
After the take over of Sun Micro system by Oracle , release of Java 7 comes with new style of certification in oracle flavor. Actually its just in start phase of Java 7 certification called as 'Beta version' . It have some benefits or also some difficulties.Evaluated below :

Beta Certification
Actual price of a oracle certification is $125 but in case of Beta its become about $50.Beta version of certification comes only when there is new release of any product , to configure what suitable & appropriate question and format asked to student So Oracle use initial phase of analysis of certification questions.We will get after 11 weeks of finishing Beta exam, only those question will be considered for marks which are selected for non Beta exam .So take it on your risk if you are a expert then no problem at all.

Certification Path 
At the time of writing this blog Oracle introduce two level of certification given As:
1. OCA 7 - Java 7 programmer I
2. OCP 7 - Java 7 programmer II
Until now there is no release of of Java 7 OCM certification..Let us take a brief introduction  of both exams.

OCA 7 - Java 7 programmer I
The OCA, Java SE 7 Programmer certification is designed for individuals who possess a strong foundation in the Java Programming language. This certification covers the fundamentals of Java SE 7 programming, such as the significance of object-oriented programming and the steps to create simple Java technology programs. This certification provides a solid foundation on which to base continued learning.
study material Associate-Study-Guide-Oracle-Press

OCP 7 - Java 7 programmer II 

It's just under construction at the time of writing that blog ,course will be displayed after a month ago.As best of my knowledge there is not so much change between Java 6 & java 7 rather than project coin with some changes in API's .I suggest that not take that exam under Beta version. If you want to clear Java certification as early as then old version exam are also available.

Java 7 Certification 'A View '

 

Why Get Certified

In today time that's a big question Why you certified at all ? Just think about it you have knowledge but who identified at what level you are ? In recruitment point of view there is no so much need to recruit a seeker if he/she have oracle/ microsoft/IBM certified or any other global certification .
Recession in IT industry is another a big reason for that &  market have a lot of competition also. Global vendors have there own & specific reason to get certified so if need to choose them then visit the benefits links says
oracle
http://education.oracle.com/pls/web_prod-plq-dad/db_pages.getpage?page_id=73

IBM Technology
http://www-03.ibm.com/certify/process/seethevalue.shtml

Microsoft
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/certification/cert-program-membership.aspx

So there are lot of vendors some of them are above, knowledge in a specific area tested by a chain of exam path on testing centers one of them i m discussing here named ' Pearson VUE ' helps you to get certified .

pearson VUE here is a link to it for finding & selecting a list of vendors exam with their pricing.