Print - New MCSEs Lose TechNet

In my column on September 30, I wrote about Microsoft's decision to terminate free access to the Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) site for Microsoft Certified Professionals (MCPs). Elimination of this benefit, while significant, might not affect those of you who don't work directly in applications development. I jokingly told some of my students the week I wrote the article that TechNet would be the next benefit that Microsoft would eliminate.

Well folks, until last week, I had no idea of my clairvoyant abilities. On October 22, Microsoft posted a notice on its MCP Web site declaring that it would no longer provide the free 1-year subscription to TechNet for newly knighted MCSEs. Instead, Microsoft is giving new MCSEs the chance to purchase a 1-year subscription of TechNet and get a 50 percent "rebate or discount off the estimated retail price of a 1-year subscription during their first year of certification."

I love the way Microsoft makes these announcements. First, it titles the announcement "New MCP Benefits." Then, it spends the first couple paragraphs of the announcement describing, in poetic prose, how the company is "committed to ensuring that membership in the MCP program is a valuable and enduring experience." Recognizing that people rarely read beyond the first few paragraphs of press announcements, Microsoft usually buries the bad news somewhere beyond the first page of the announcement (in this case, in the 10th paragraph).

Left untouched in this list of valued benefits is the Welcome Kit's lapel pin, certificate, and wallet card, which together identify you as an MCSE. I know that whenever I have difficulties troubleshooting Windows NT, I simply dig my MCSE lapel pin out of my wife's jewelry box and attach it to my shirt collar, and, as though by magic, I instantly recognize the problem and propose a solution that works.

I should point out that Microsoft has made some changes to its benefits package that might provide benefit to MCSEs. The first is a commitment to offer discounts on products and services from selected companies to MCPs. The second is a plan to offer easier access to online benefits, including exclusive offers, on the MCP secure Web site. However, having visited what the site refers to as the "premium benefits" page, I can tell you that I didn't find any benefits that come close to a free year of TechNet.

An additional "benefit" announced by Microsoft is the potential for special promotions for selected certification exams. Apparently, Microsoft will offer the first of these promotions to MCSEs working toward the new Windows 2000 (Win2K) MCSE certifications. The company promises more information about this benefit as the release date for the exams nears. Using my trusted Outlook calendar, I've scheduled a reminder for March 15, when I'll check to see whether this benefit has materialized. Yes, I'm being optimistic—we won't likely see the release of the first Win2K exam until the third quarter of 2000.

For MCSE candidates close to achieving MCSE status, December 31, 1999, is an important date. If you pass your sixth qualifying exam by that date, Microsoft will apparently honor your entitlement under the existing benefits package and give you a free 1-year subscription to TechNet. Believe me, it'd be well worth the extra effort to complete your certification by that date.

A New Advanced Exam from Microsoft?
From what I hear, Microsoft is considering creating an advanced certification, following the lead Cisco established with its Cisco Certified Internetworking Expert (CCIE) certification. The company might call the proposed certification Microsoft Certified Network Architect (MCNA). The level of sophistication expected of the network architect would be orders of magnitude higher than that of the network engineer. The focus would not be on how to do things, but why, when, and in what situations you would do such things. This would be a Design certification.

I understand that the Certification people at Microsoft have considered a hands-on, lab-based exam (similar to the CCIE practical exam), but have put that on the back burner for now—perhaps because it's spending a lot of time and resources getting the Win2K exams ready and out the door before the announced retirement dates for the NT 3.51 and 4.0 exams. And Microsoft is apparently concerned that a hands-on, lab-based exam wouldn't be cost effective for widespread delivery. If the company follows the Cisco model and establishes regional lab testing centers that charge examinees somewhere around $1000 for the privilege of taking the exam, the issue of cost effectiveness might be moot.

Microsoft shows very little consideration for its MCSEs. Microsoft is only interested in the money that the certification program may generate for the company. I do agree that they need a premium certification, similar to the CCIE. I'd be the first one to sign up.

As I try to complete the certification process I am finding it more and more frustrating to keep up with myriad of senseless changes from You Know Who. At some point someone is going to have to say enough. The mindset seems wrong-The object is to have America compete globally by making it (NT more in demand) by making it more efficient for businesses to use, Techies implementing NT as professionals accomplish this. The changes abuse the people that want to see America win. So please quite raping the only people that really appreciate NT and its possibilities.

I is amazing the wealthier Microsoft and Bill get, the less they are willing to give anything away. With the great value (in sales) that the MCP and MCSE certificaiton contribute to Microsoft, you would think they would treat their certified people with more respect. But this is the same company that CHARGES their users to TEST their Beta software, then charges them more when the product is completed! I guess it's good to be king.

As an MCSE candidate (passed 4, 5th to be during early December, I dont think its appropriate for Microsoft to change the benefits package midstream. I dont have the option of getting my money back from the ATEC... a contract is a contract. During the 12-18 month time frame or some timeframe after your first exam pass etc would be appropriate. I agree that I will now see if there is any way I can take the 6th exam prior to Dec 31st....not an easy task. Do you know of a contact at Microsoft that I could send this to? Thanks for all your information and help Roger Fairchild

I am sure MS bean counters had a hand in that decision. New MCSEs can’t be such a tremendous revenue stream that MS would risk alienating them and causing bad blood among the rest. Have you taken a look at the competition? RedHat 6.1. Complete GUI install. Secure Web server. They are getting there. Will there be a Red Hat CSE or Linux CSE? Is it any wonder corporate types are interested in an alternative? If you want your MCSE to be of value next year or the year after someone needs to contact Bill and bring him down to earth.

What are the marketing guys at Microsoft thinking dropping TechNet for free? Are they wanting to encourage loyalty or what? I feel betrayed and angry. Techies are getting a shafting!

You just made my day. I'm really delighted to hear that Microsoft is taking away the Technet subscription. I'm one exam away from the MCSE. Guess I better get to studying right now so I can make the Dec. deadline. I also have a hard time believing that Microsoft is going to do away with the NT 4.0 MCSE cert so soon. I'm currently working at a Fortune 500 company that is a mixed Novell, NT, Win 98 environment. Eighteen months ago they were still using Win 3.1! With big companies moving a glacial speed, I think the retirment of NT 4 in two years is a bit premature. I doubt that this particular company will have made the full migration to NT 4 by then. I sure wouldn't expect them to move to Win 2000 anytime in the near future. Oh and thanks for the great idea....When I get my MCSE I'll be sure to keep the pin handy so I can absorb its magical powers. Let's see, what are the benefits I get for busting my ass for the MCSE???? hmmmm

I strongly recomend to Microsoft the adoption of MCNA (Network Architect), and quickly!! I'm bored of be called "paper MCSE", because the exams are purely theoric. I think the Cisco way to prove your professionals is the form that Microsoft professionals will gain respect from the network community, mainly the UNIX people, who scares us.

Screw Microsoft. So we spend not hundreds, but thousands of dollars training and retraining and for what? Oh we get all these magnificent job befits we have to share with the torrent of paper MCSE's. We train, and Microsoft make big bucks off of the taining materials. Redmond charges ATEC's almost 1200 bucks for a set of those lovely, but gbadly written training manuals. Then we sell and resell Microsoft products and they want to contribute NOTHING . Oh gosh, I forgot that tacky pin and useless card.

So Big Bill is not making enough money so he has to cut some costs. Way too go Bill. Nothing like shooting yourself in the foot. I think this is the begining of the end for M$ as we know it. I for one think that woiuld be a good thing!!

The discontinuation of the free TechNet subscription is truly a sad state of affairs. My MCSE is almost a year old now, so at least _I've_ enjoyed the benefit of the free TechNet subscription. Not a week goes by that I don't think, after answering someone's more obscure question, "once again, TechNet is our friend..." I also think that Microsoft runs the risk of losing a great group of NT advocates--who is going to be more willing to push the technology than recent certificate holders? The cost savings versus the unofficial sales force is a poor comparison, in my opinion. The ability to quickly resolve common problems cannot be understated either. The bean counters are doing Microsoft, and MCSEs, a disservice....

"If you pass your sixth qualifying exam by that date, Microsoft will apparently honor your entitlement under the existing benefits package and give you a free 1-year subscription to TechNet. Believe me, it'd be well worth the extra effort to complete your certification by that date." Perhaps it would be a better deal to just skip the whole enchilada. What a great concept- build something really broken, then sell multiple courses designed to help unsnarl the mess. Yeesh. I bet this deal just cracks up those crafty Redmondians...

I am baffled by Microsoft. After forking out 7G's++ and being right in the middle of getting my MCSE I am very upset at the thought of one, having to spend more to recertify once Win2K is upon us and especially not having access to TechNet. Anyone who has ever benefited from using TechNet knows how much time and frustration can be eliminated by the information it contains. Microsoft should be giving this away to all who need it to support it's products, and not just in the first year!

Technet Plus is a too great a benefit for MS to withdraw. There is lots more learning available in the subscription. I can't understand this decision.

I'm shocked by this, but not surprised either. I got my MCSE earlier in the year and have been enjoying getting Technet. But what baffles me the most is that about half the CDs I get are ones that I already have! They would save a ton of money if they just shipped the few that are necessary. I spend more time replacing and pitching CDs than what I do actually using them. AND, why they goto the exense of shipping via UPS... why not US Mail? hmmm could be the sign of another takeover.... Stay tuned!

I took and passed my first (and only) MCSE track test, Server 4.0, in November of 1997. At that time new MCSE's would get 2 free support calls AND 1 year subscription to Technet. Shortly after that the axed the "free" calls. I have found value in knowing what the hell I'm doing with NT, 9x and networking and not depending on the letters after my name. I would still like to take the tests, but there's really not much point to it anymore. I work for an MCSP, so luckily I have access to Technet cd's. The online version is 100% harder to find things and filter out things.

I have read over the other readers’ comments and for the most part I must say that I agree with them. Microsoft if you’re reading this forum my company is a MCSP and we of course get the Technet with our MCSP subscription. I think your actions in the past and up to this point represent a terrible show of support for those who have chosen to make great sacrifices to sell and support your company's products. Business partnerships are only as good as the companies that form them. From past experience I will say that this poses great questions of your trust and sincerity. To all others in this forum it is my opinion that diversity provides the most stability. If Microsoft would like to reestablish a trustful and dependable relationship with us as Engineers and Solution Providers let them work as hard as we have worked, to get to this point.

This sounds about right for a multi million dollar company.Its cost me personaly over £3000 to get this far (five exams),and now Microsoft is moving the goal posts.Where is their support for new MCP's and MCSE's,I haven't seen it yet ,and I don't expect I shall, and It hasn't got me a job yet.

Well, perhaps there IS something to be said about open source platforms (cough, cough, Linux, cough. . .) where you CAN find pertinent information on the web (unlike the Microsoft Technet Online area). Figures. . .

Unless Microsoft changed their mind or screwed up I just got my MCSE certification last month (11-3-99) and just got my free technet subscription. It had about 20 CD's and I am sure included everything.