2/7/2007 -- Web hosting providers -- a dime a dozen, it seems. So, how does a hosting provider remain competitive among the pack? Microsoft believes its new certification track aimed directly at hosting service companies who deploy Microsoft technology is the edge that some of them have been looking for.

"With the right skills, hosting providers are able to deliver a positive experience for their customers, while the certification allows them to stand out in an increasingly competitive marketplace," said John Zanni, director of Worldwide Hosting at Microsoft, through a press release.

Microsoft's new Web hosting certification track has one Technology Specialist-level exam, 70-501 TS: Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Hosted Environments, Configuring and Managing, which was made available Wednesday. The exam tests competency in deploying Windows 2003 Advanced Server in a hosted service environment; Microsoft recommends candidates who plan on taking the exam to have about two years of Windows networking skills and a year of hosting expertise before attempting the exam. As well, those who are familiar with and have developed projects under the Microsoft Operations Framework or the IT Infrastructure Library will have a decided advantage tackling many of the best practices portions of the exam, according to Microsoft.

Those who pass the exam will receive a Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: Windows Server 2003 Hosting, Configuration and Management certification. Passing 70-501 satisfies one part of the Microsoft Certified Partner program's Advanced Infrastructure: Hosting Solutions competency. (Passing any of the MCP exams listed on the AI page fulfills the other portion.)

For more details, click here. Exam 70-501 was beta tested back in October 2006 (for more, see "Windows Hosted Exam Beta Coming Soon" in the MCPmag.com News archive).