SQL Server “Denali”: New Certifications

According to the post SQL Server “Denali” Experts–We Need You! that asks for your feedback on the Microsoft certifications for the next version of SQL Server, there will be seven exams:

Four certification exams are planned for SQL Server “Denali” Business Intelligence roles:

• Writing queries with Transact-SQL (T-SQL)
• ETL Developer or Data Warehouse Developer. People in this role cleanse data using Data Quality Services, develop and manage ETL jobs and packages, and create and implement data warehouses.
• BI Developer. People in this role implement multi-dimensional data models, implement and maintain OLAP cubes, and create information displays used in business decision making.
• BI Architect. People in this role are responsible for the overall design of the BI infrastructure, including how it relates to other data systems in use.

Four certification exams are planned for SQL Server “Denali” database professionals who do not perform business intelligence functions:

• Writing queries with Transact-SQL (T-SQL)
• Implementing, Configuring, and Maintaining Microsoft® SQL Server®
• Building, Supporting, and Developing Databases for Microsoft® SQL Server®
• Designing Database Solutions for Microsoft® SQL Server®

Since “Writing queries with Transact-SQL (T-SQL)” is required for both roles, and each role has three unique exams, that totals seven exams. That is one more than SQL Server 2008 has, and splits into two roles (“Business Intelligence” and “Database Professionals”), while SQL Server 2008 has three roles (“Database Administrator”, “Database Developer”, and “Business Intelligence Developer”).

These new breakouts seem more logical for today’s environments, and give more importance to business intelligence, which is the direction Microsoft has been going for the last few years. It will be interesting to see what “Upgrade Paths” Microsoft will have for those of us who have taken the SQL Server 2008 exams.