Has the Small Business Specialist Certification Failed?

There has been quite a bit in the community about the revised Microsoft Small Business Specialist certification exam 70–282. Why? The idiots are complaining that Microsoft made it too hard. As a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer I can tell you that if you have even the slightest problem passing 70–282 you outright have no right to consult small business on their IT decisions. Plain and simple.

Today a friend of mine called with a question and, in finest Monthy Python tradition, reached abuse:

Ryan: Hey Vlad, can I pick your brain for a moment?

Vlad: Real quick, whats up?

Ryan: What would you suggest in terms of RAM for SBS running Virtual Server running Terminal Services? I just realized Virtual Server 2005 is free.

Vlad: 4 GB.

Ryan: Oh, ok.

Vlad: Yeah, might as well go all the way.

Ryan: I was thinking about perhaps using another board, so I can add more RAM later – 6 or 8GB?

Vlad: Ryan, How did you pass 70–282?

Now it is true that there are many people out there that passed 70–282 but have no reason, ever, to be near a server. You see examples of such in newsgroups every day. But does that invalidate the entire certification, Microsoft’s effort to build a recognizable branding for legitimate small business consultants, official training materials (books, webcasts, coursework, etc) and further promotion of those that pass? Absolutely not.

I get blamed for being hard on Microsoft but at the end of the day our business is promoting and selling Microsoft solutions – I try to beat them up when I see them making decisions that will negatively impact our customers. But you cannot blame the company or the program just because people are dishonest and cheat their way to certification. You cannot blame or look down on a certification just because some who choose to participate are dishonest. That only reflects poorly on those that cheat, not the program itself. Let’s not focus on the crimes of the few and instead look at the triumph of those who succeed with Small Business Specialist badge. Many, present company included, have been more successful with it than the Microsoft Certified Partner badge.