10/13/2003 -- Today Microsoft announced a new title, Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician, aimed at desktop support personnel whose main job role is to troubleshoot user desktop machines.

The MCDST requires passing two new Microsoft exams:

• 70-271, Supporting Users and Troubleshooting Windows Desktop Operating Systems
• 70-272, Supporting Users and Troubleshooting Applications on a Windows Desktop Operating System Platform

Microsoft has yet to release any details about the exams, but the requirements guide (click here) provides clues to Microsoft Learning courses and self-study training kits that will be available. Microsoft was unable to comment in time for this story.

While the new title's initials come as a surprise, the offering isn't unexpected. Judith Morel, with Microsoft's Strategic Certification Program, told CertCities.com Editor Becky Nagel in May 2002 that the company was researching a separate desktop support title. According to Morel, the impetus for the research was the result of a worldwide Job Task Analysis survey of MCPs worldwide. "What we learned is that MCSAs and MCSEs don't function too much on the desktop," she said at that time. (To read "Microsoft Considering Desktop, Security Certs," click here.)

In July 2003, MCP Magazine Senior Editor Keith Ward confirmed from reliable sources that such a certification was under development and would include two completely new exams. (To read Ward's article, "Desktop Technician Cert on the Way?" from the July 2003 issue, click here.)

Microsoft targets its newest title, Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician, at Tier 1 personnel (the grayed out bottom layer), whose job tasks primarily encompass daily operating systems troubleshooting. MCSA and MCSE fill Tiers 2 and 3, respectively. Microsoft has yet to reveal plans for a certification for the top tier. (Source: Microsoft Corp.)

The new title fills out the bottom tier of an IT infrastructure pyramid (see figure above), which Microsoft has shared in public talks about its certification program plans. Directly above the first tier resides network administration (MCSA) and network design (MCSE). A top tier consists of an architect layer, which Microsoft has currently announced no plans for.

We will bring you more information on the MCDST and its exams as it becomes available. -Michael Domingo, courtesy of MCPMag.com