meaning dedicated to ssis solely.i'm just curious as to the amount of interestin such an exam.Duane Douglas, MCAD | http://www.ssisbi.com | Please mark the post(s) that answered your question.

I am, Duane.As I said in the other thread, I think there should be TS exams for SSIS, SSAS, and SSRS. Possibly one for the PerformancePoint part of SharePoint as well.

Hello Duane,Interesting question. Some of the developers I work with focus on a single peice of the stack such as SSRS, SSIS or SSAS. I've worked with all three but have been focusing more on the later two. However, given that the certification number are down greatly for SQL Server, or at least this is my understanding, having exams for these three in addition to Dev and DBA would be a tough sell. If there were exams focused on these three, I'd be interested in taking them though.Marc

If by "If there were exams focused on these three" you mean one exam covering those three tools together - then there are (two): 448 and 452 - and that's what I don't like.There should be three "448"s - one for SSIS, one for SSAS, and one for SSRS. Then have 452 be the "BI stack" design exam... As it is now, 448 = 452 pretty much... IMO

Hey Todd, I was referring to exams focused specifically on SSIS, or SSAS, or SSRS (not a combined interest). The exams you referened focus on the three BI Stack together but not individually.Marc

Sigh - I know. Seems like we both want the same thing!I mean, I did pass 448- but in no way would I consider myself anywhere near an expert in AS or RS. And I still have fairly large gaps in my IS knowledge (Configurations, events, logging). If I was hiring someone for an "SSIS" position, and they had my credential, I'd be likely to think that they'd touched all three components, and read a good deal about them, but that they hadn't really used them extensively. Now, if there was one per component, like we seem to want, then it would be much more reasonable to assume that someone who'd passed the exam would be competent working with it. Right now, I'd consider work history MUCH more relevant.And they have to get rid of those pure "syntax" type questions that Intellisense or a quick F1 can answer while you're in the tool... I don't need toprove I'm a reference book, I need to prove I know what the tool can do, and how to do it.

Duane,What should/could we do to promote such an idea to MS?

Duane,What should/could we do to promote such an idea to MS? first of all, i apologize to everyone for any confusion that was created by my posts on this subject. secondly, i agree with your previous posts in this thread. finally, i need to take some time to thinkabout the best way to promote the idea to MS.Duane Douglas, MCAD | http://www.ssisbi.com | Please mark the post(s) that answered your question.

please tell us in this thread if you want an exam on ssis solely -- i doubt that microsoft will offer one if there isn't enough interest. Duane Douglas, MCAD | http://www.ssisbi.com | Please mark the post(s) that answered your question.

I might be interested. Currently, I plan on taking the BI tests but have not yet made my way through my SSAS and SSRS books. I have worked with both products, but don't feel like I am enough of an expert to get through the tests. If there were a test based only on SSIS I would probably take it today. Not to say that I wouldn't still take the full BI Stack test later.Please mark answered posts. Thanks for your time.

I support this - I would prefer separate exams. I've been asking about this since the 2005 exams. There are a variety of reasons why it hasn't been done, but I think a key component of any argument for it is what benefits it offers. How does splitting them up increase the value of the certification? Two of the things have been touched on in this thread:Focusing on a specific area would validate a deeper competence in that area.Splitting them up would encourage more people to take the tests, particularly if they only feel comfortable in one area.John Welch | www.mariner-usa.com | www.agilebi.com | ssisUnit.codeplex.com

Another key point to splitting them up gives two meaningful "tiers" of certification. One tier as a Tech Specialist for being competent in a particular tool, and the other tier as the IT Pro being able to use and orchestrate them all. Right now, there doesn't seem to be any competency or focus difference in the TS or ITP certs.

I support this - I would prefer separate exams. I've been asking about this since the 2005 exams. There are a variety of reasons why it hasn't been done, but I think a key component of any argument for it is what benefits it offers. How does splitting them up increase the value of the certification? Two of the things have been touched on in this thread:Focusing on a specific area would validate a deeper competence in that area.Splitting them up would encourage more people to take the tests, particularly if they only feel comfortable in one area. John Welch | www.mariner-usa.com | www.agilebi.com | ssisUnit.codeplex.com i agree that an exam focusing on ssis solely would validate deeper competence in it. this is especially true becausessis has such a vast subject area. also, ETL is, in itself, is a vast subject area. therefore,ETL in relation to ssis could only be substantively included if ssis had its own exam.Duane Douglas, MCAD | http://www.ssisbi.com | Please mark the post(s) that answered your question.

Another key point to splitting them up gives two meaningful "tiers" of certification. One tier as a Tech Specialist for being competent in a particular tool, and the other tier as the IT Pro being able to use and orchestrate them all. Right now, there doesn't seem to be any competency or focus difference in the TS or ITP certs. i agree with this too. business intelligence IT pro certification would demonstrate much more competency if ssas, ssrs and ssis were in separate exams. each of these separate exams could also be tailored towards those seeking to demonstrate competency as a technical specialist. Duane Douglas, MCAD | http://www.ssisbi.com | Please mark the post(s) that answered your question.

I support this and have been waiting for something for SSIS as I have never worked on AS.Hope this helps !! - Sudeep

This one's a sensible and meaningful idea to have separate certifications for different tools. As the roles differ in each of the tools, and given that each of the topics (viz a viz ETL, OLAP and Reporting) are quite deeper in themselves, it makes no point in conducting just one clubbed certification for all of these (for instance, 70-445). Rather, having three certifications for these three tools would make much more sense. Furthermore, by streamlining/segregating these certifications, we can actually have more experts concentrating on their areas of interest!Therefore, MS should provide the certifications in isolation.

+1 from me....http://effulgentlogs.blogspot.com

I agree with Todd. most of the devs wont get chance to work in all 3. so it will be good choice of taking the exams separately.

All,Is there any news on this?

add a vote for me as well. I would favor individual exam for SSIS, SSAS, and SSRS, for the reasons mentioned above which are(1) deeper and more comprehensive coverage of each tool(2) not all developers work with all 3 components which may discourage someone from taking the currently available 70-448.(3) having indivualized tests would then encourage more people to get certified and the certifications would mean more since they would be more focused.

Add my vote. I'm in favor of separate exams for SSIS, SSAS, and SSRS.

I aggree with Todd he is rightSincerely SH -- Please kindly dont forget to mark the post(s) that answered your question and/or vote for the post

Duane and others,I have reached out to a Microsoft Learning contact (someone who is intimately involved with the certification exam process) and offer the following: Separate TS level certifications exams are on the 'radar' Currently, there is not enough data supportingthe level of interest for the exams to be cost effective There is motivation to find a way to determine the viability of themarket There 'could' be a push for TS level exams with the next SQL Server release This requires more public support as well as BI product group supportAs soon as I can work out the details, i will be startinga 'public' conversation on the topic. When that commences, I will post a link in this thread. That 'conversation' will be monitored to gauge the community interest. Please direct folks to that conversation and ask that they participate. Business decisions are often a direct result of the 'squeaky wheel' syndrome.I am examining the logistics involved to survey the larger SQL Server commuity. Again, I'll post details here when that surfaces.Please continue writing, blogging, speaking about the need for TS level exams for SSIS, SSAS, and SSRS. It will be helpful to start 'fanning the flames' of interest.Arnie Rowland, Ph.D., MCITP, MCT, MVP (SQL Server)You may be only one person in the world, but you may also be the world to one person.

Thanks, Arnie.At this point, my level of interest in separating out those "sub"products as TS level certs is almost purely on the level of rationalizing their existence :)In addition to MS trying to gauge the level of interest among possible candidates for such certs, I would assume that they are also trying to gauge the level of interest in the other half of the equation - thepotential employersof certified people. Without some level of interest there - an expression that this level of distinction is meaningful with regards to searching or retaining talent - it really only becomes letters after your name, and a cost to all involved...Thanks again for pushing this up the ladder...

Hi, This is really good for the masters of ETL (SSIS) guys. Most of the ETL tools having their own certification like informatica. anyway most of the developer having experience on one of the MSBI tool (SSIS, SSAS, SSRS) Thanks-Let us TRY this | Dont forget to mark the post(s) that answered your question

interestedCount ++ :)

thanks again, arnie!Duane Douglas, MCAD, MCITP | http://www.ssisbi.com | Please mark the post(s) that answered your question.

I agree entirely with your post, Todd. I use T-SQL for analysis of data and I use SSIS a lot for data warehousing and data management. I don't use SSRS or SSAS. Although I am very interested to get into those two in the future. I work in the NHS. SSRS would be great to replace the endless excel reports we do. SSAS would be great for identifying patients from our Long-Term-Illness registers that could potentially end up in emergency care going by their demographics etc. Lots of potential there. Nonetheless I am confident in SSIS and want to doan exam to prove it. Learning all 3 stramds at the same time is not feasible.

hear hear

I support this - I would prefer separate exams. I've been asking about this since the 2005 exams. There are a variety of reasons why it hasn't been done, but I think a key component of any argument for it is what benefits it offers. How does splitting them up increase the value of the certification? Two of the things have been touched on in this thread: Focusing on a specific area would validate a deeper competence in that area. Splitting them up would encourage more people to take the tests, particularly if they only feel comfortable in one area. John Welch | www.mariner-usa.com | www.agilebi.com | ssisUnit.codeplex.com i agree that an exam focusing on ssis solely would validate deeper competence in it. this is especially true becausessis has such a vast subject area. also, ETL is, in itself, is a vast subject area. therefore,ETL in relation to ssis could only be substantively included if ssis had its own exam. Duane Douglas, MCAD | http://www.ssisbi.com | Please mark the post(s) that answered your question. Exactly. In fact there are many contract roles out there that are specifically wanting people skilled in SSIS. It is not right that we have to prove our knowledge in all three when we only want to work in on of the three strands.

Yes, there should be separate certifications on SSIS,SSRS,SSAS and also a single certification for the complete MSBI stack(SSIS,SSRS,SSAS). Just curious if SSIS exam is conducted by microsoft, then is the certification course includes basic knowledge of vb.net or C#? As some requirement forces us to use script task in SSIS or SSRSto achieve come business functionality.Raju

love the idea, I would be interested in this approach. Arnie, any update?Anthony Martin | www.emc.com/mspractice

All I can offer is that an SSIS cert exam is on the list of possible future product exams. Not happening now. If enough customer demand (and the customers that count are corporations) -it could happen for SQL 11..."You cannot do a kindness too soon because you never know how soon it will be too late." -Ralph Waldo Emerson

Hello, I am planning to give the 70-448 exam (probably by this month end) and would like if I can get some references related to exams, any practice test site and also would like to know nature of complexity of this exam... I would greatly appreciate any help on this. Thanks, Gaurav Mittal

I realize this is a bit dated by now, but I'm interested. I'm assuming this means there would be some kind of certification and acronym I can print on my business cards once I pass? Justification: I recently acquired contract work in a company in Mpls that has 4 silos of SQL Server databases. Each silo has a team of 1 to 4 "SQL Developers" which are TSQL and SSIS programmers. While getting this job, in a pee poor economy, I was bombarded with SSIS jobs, all with good pay, running the gamut from Full Time Employee to 3 month subcontractor jobs. This type of cert would speed up the interviewing process for the employer. * please spell check your technical posts *

I request separate exam for SSIS, SSAS, and SSRS i hoping to see as soon as possible. Regards Sunil Yoganna

I support dedicated exams for SSAS, SSIS and SSRS. Kalman Toth, SQL Server & BI Training; SQL 2008 GRAND SLAM

I'd be keen on separate TS exams for each product. The value of preparing for each exam alone would make it worth it. Regards, Jason MCITP BI Developer - MCTS SQL Server