SBS - Small Business Specialist Exam 70-282 Updated

Apparently the 70-282 exam, Designing, Deploying, and Managing a Network Solution for a Small- and Medium-Sized Business, was compromised at some point recently.

As a result, the exam had to be redone.

In a way, this is a mixed blessing, as it was explained to us at the Microsoft Partner event yesterday by Kim Harrison, our Partner Specialist for the Small Business Specialist Community (MSBS).

How is it a mixed blessing? Well, for those of us who have written the exam, many of the questions were not relevant to our SMB focus. They had more of an Enterprise slant to them.

Apparently, Microsoft brought in some key MSBS people to help with the exam's rewrite. This means that we will hopefully see a lot more SMB relevant questions on the exam.

For those considering the Microsoft Small Business Specialist designation, SMBNation is bringing out an updated volume that will also include chapters on exam 70-631 for Windows SharePoint Services 3.0: Microsoft Small Business Specialist Primer.

The benefits of having the MSBS logo attached to our company are manifold:

1. It distinguishes us from the pack.
2. The logo on our Proposals - a huge stand-out.
3. Our rates reflect the professional level indicated.
4. Access to exclusive Microsoft resources:
   • An MSBS point of contact within Microsoft (try getting that from Partners at the Registered level!)
   • Managed Newsgroups accessible to MSBS members only with a 4 hour guaranteed turnaround.
   • Marketing perks.
5. More...

For us smaller I.T. shops, the MSBS designation makes sense.

And, for those of us who have been in this industry for a long time, especially if we have been focused on Small Business Server, exam 70-282 will actually be quite reasonable. It is a good idea to pick up the book and brush up on the "terminology" language specifics, but for the most part our experience will show through in the questions answered.

From Micosoft: Preparation Guide for Exam 70-282: Designing, Deploying, and Managing a Network Solution for a Small- and Medium-Sized Business.

The above link gives a good explanation of the exam and the expectations of Microsoft in regards to it.

The Microsoft Small Business Specialist Partner Site.

Philip Elder
MPECS Inc.
Microsoft Small Business Specialists

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