Microsoft Learn Newsletter

This month's training and certification updates from Microsoft.


	November 2020
	In this edition
	Program Announcements Azure Business Applications Microsoft 365
	Microsoft Learn resources
	Microsoft Learn Microsoft Learn Community Microsoft Learn Blog
	Program Resources
	Certification Dashboard Certification Support

	…put in the effort, time, and training
	Continuous learning to become knowledgeable about new technologies and updates is essential for business success. Read about the impact it has on business, especially in a digital world, when embracing a growth mindset and learning culture. Read our blog.

Program Announcements

	Exploring learning journeys with Microsoft employees
	Our Microsoft Learn Blog series on exploring learning journeys continue with a new post featuring Microsoft employees. Read about the learning culture within Microsoft and how it's helping drive digital transformation within the company, as well as empowering our customers and partners achieve more. Read our blog.

	Last chance to win a $100 e-gift card. Take the survey.
	Hurry! The 2021 IT Skills and Salary Survey closes November 30, 2020 and we need you to represent Microsoft skills and certifications. This year's confidential survey includes questions around the changes and challenges we've all faced these past eight months. Based on the surveys already completed, it will take roughly 15-25 minutes to complete. The data is used to report on IT certifications, salaries, skills, and more. At the end of the survey, participants who request an advanced copy of the 2021 report before it's published will be automatically entered to win one of 10 $100 e-gift cards. Take the survey now.

	Special Offer: Save 40% on selected certification exam reference titles
	If you have started working towards a MCSA, MCSD, or MCSE certification, keep studying for that exam! All remaining certification exams associated with Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA), Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (MCSD), Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE) will retire on January 31, 2021. Until then, save 40% on featured Exam Refs to prepare for your certification before the deadline. Use discount code MSCERT at checkout. Learn more.

Azure

Azure Proof of Concept Guide for Developers

Before your organization makes a significant investment, it's important to prove if a concept works or not. In this free guide, learn how to create and execute a proof of concept for developing applications in Azure, from a well-designed plan to measurable test results. Download the guide.

	Webinar: Drive cloud scale and agility by migrating your SAP workloads to Azure
	Discover the best practices that will help you migrate your SAP workloads to Azure. In this webinar, you'll learn how to improve the performance and availability of your SAP applications, while optimizing costs. Pool your SAP and non-SAP data, apply intelligent analytics, and integrate with existing productivity and collaboration tools to gain actionable insights that drive better business outcomes. Watch the webinar, Day 2: Session 2. In a hurry? Read the blog post: How to migrate your SAP landscape to Azure.

	Open Azure Day is coming
	Join us at Open Azure Day on November 18, 2020! This 3-hour event provides a great opportunity to see the Microsoft + Linux and Open Source vision, featuring the latest technology capabilities with an emphasis on our strong partnership across Linux & OSS partners like Red Hat, SUSE, Elastic, Cloudera, VMware Tanzu, RedisLabs, and HachiCorp.

	Microsoft loves PASS Virtual Summit
	It's time to accelerate your data career. Now more than ever, you need to upskill, reskill, and innovate. PASS Summit is more than just a technology conference. Connect with thousands of data professionals to expand your network while learning the latest in architecture, data management and analytics. Join the Microsoft team on November 10-13 at PASS Virtual Summit, at the virtual booth, focus groups, and over 30 sessions on everything data with content on Azure, SQL Server, Arc enabled data services, and Power BI. Register now using this discount code MSLOVESPASS.

	More noteworthy news from Azure
	Azure fundamentals training in Microsoft Learn is getting better! Azure certs and exams round up Attend the Azure Network Security digital event Get on Azure Synapse Analytics Technical guidance for Azure SQL Database Did you miss the Windows Server Summit? Watch it on demand Get inspired with Azure IoT stories Learning Partner webinar: Microsoft Azure certifications

Business Applications

Beta exam opportunity

Do you implement core application setup processes for small and medium businesses? Do you implement and configure the Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central app, including setting up core app functionality and modules and migrating data to Business Central? Then, this is the perfect time to become a certified functional consultant. Right now, we have the rare opportunity for you to be an early adopter and take our beta exam today! Read more about it in our blog.

Connected & Ready Podcasts

The rise of customer data platforms, with David Raab
Marketers have long understood the high value of customer data. But many have struggled to bring several disparate sets of data together into a single source of truth. In this episode of Connected & Ready, Gemma is joined by David Rabb, founder and CEO of the Customer Data Platform (CDP) Institute. They discuss the acceleration of digital transformation and what that means for CDP, the benefits of centralizing customer data, the opportunities it presents, and what the future of the platform might look like.

Increasing workforce capacity through automation, with Maureen Fleming
Automation can do a lot more than assume repetitive, time-consuming tasks. It can also give companies a competitive edge by driving down costs, scaling up services, and reducing human error. In this episode of Connected & Ready, Maureen Fleming, program vice president at IDC, joins Gemma for a look at recent trends in automation. They discuss the different types of automation and the benefits each brings to an organization, its ability to free up employee time to devote to more constructive tasks, and understanding scenarios for its implementation.

	Webinar: Use CDPs to lay a foundation for connected customer experiences
	Customer data platforms (CDPs) are the key to unifying data and delivering exceptional customer experiences. To learn how to select CDPs and get started, check out David Raab's webinar. As the Founder and CEO of the CDP Institute, he'll discuss how to define your CDP use cases—from foundational data management to AI-driven scenarios that give you a competitive edge. Register now.

Microsoft 365

	New training resources for Microsoft Teams admins and IT Pros on Microsoft Learn
	As organizations, big and small, across the world rely on Microsoft Teams to help enable hybrid work for all their employees, our goal is to help make sure IT Professionals and Teams admins are up to the task. To help you get ready to deploy and manage Microsoft Teams in your organization and deliver the experiences that meet the needs of your users, we have created new Teams training courses and interactive product how-to guides designed to quickly ramp up your Teams admin knowledge base. Check out the new Microsoft Learn landing page for Microsoft Teams and the new interactive product how-to guides for Microsoft Teams admins.

	Exam prep news
	This month, the MS-203: Microsoft 365 Messaging Microsoft Official Practice Test was released. This practice test is designed to help you prepare for and pass the exam. Check it out today.

	Remote teamwork: A guide to building resilience
	Enable your team to do their best work from anywhere. This guide will provide solutions to strengthen resilience by finding new ways for people and teams to be productive and collaborate—all while staying secure. It includes questions to understand your situation, activities for what to plan next, and resources to get started. Get the guide.

	Global Microsoft 365 developer bootcamps are still happening!
	Join our MVPs, community leaders, and Microsoft engineers from around the world for hands-on Microsoft 365 developer bootcamps. There are events scheduled for North America, Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe, and South America. All are virtual and free—join any event you like now through November 30th. Register now.