update certifications rule (PR from TinaCMS)

categories/infrastructure-and-networking/rules-to-better-system-administrators.mdx

@@ -41,6 +41,7 @@ index:
 - rule: public/uploads/rules/run-rsat-from-non-domain-computer/rule.mdx
 - rule: public/uploads/rules/what-is-dns/rule.mdx
 - rule: public/uploads/rules/tasks-with-a-ticking-clock/rule.mdx
+- rule: public/uploads/rules/microsoft-certifications/rule.mdx
 ---
 
 System Administrators (SysAdmins) are the lifeblood of any business. They mantain the infrastructure, networks and systems and cloud of businesses. This is why we have developed these standards for better System Administrators.

categories/software-engineering/rules-to-better-azure.mdx

@@ -3,7 +3,6 @@ type: category
 title: Rules to Better Azure
 uri: rules-to-better-azure
 guid: f816a7f4-473a-4cff-ae39-50f414641409
-seoDescription: 'SSW''s rules for using Microsoft Azure effectively. Learn best practices for cloud services, infrastructure, security, and cost management.'
 index:
   - rule: public/uploads/rules/choose-azure-services/rule.mdx
   - rule: public/uploads/rules/learn-azure/rule.mdx
@@ -52,6 +51,7 @@ index:
   - rule: public/uploads/rules/host-classic-asp-on-azure/rule.mdx
   - rule: public/uploads/rules/system-assigned-vs-user-assigned-managed-identities/rule.mdx
   - rule: public/uploads/rules/azure-private-networking/rule.mdx
+  - rule: public/uploads/rules/microsoft-certifications/rule.mdx
 created: 2024-03-06T09:25:01.000Z
 createdBy: 'Jayden Alchin [SSW]'
 createdByEmail: 75593567+jaydenalchin@users.noreply.github.com

categories/software-engineering/rules-to-better-power-platform.mdx

@@ -1,23 +1,20 @@
 ---
-_template: category
 type: category
 title: Rules to Better Power Platform
-guid: 906a33a1-9fd5-4fab-aed9-c53687d2f007
 uri: rules-to-better-power-platform
-seoDescription: Best practices for Microsoft Power Platform. Learn how to use Power Apps, Power Automate, Power BI, and Power Virtual Agents together.
+guid: 906a33a1-9fd5-4fab-aed9-c53687d2f007
 index:
-- rule: public/uploads/rules/create-a-solution-and-use-the-current-environment-when-creating-flow-for-dynamics/rule.mdx
-- rule: public/uploads/rules/take-advantage-of-power-automate-and-azure-functions-in-your-dynamics-solutions/rule.mdx
-- rule: public/uploads/rules/use-the-common-data-service-connector-instead-of-the-dynamics-365-connector/rule.mdx
-- rule: public/uploads/rules/control-who-can-manage-power-platform-environments/rule.mdx
-- rule: public/uploads/rules/power-automate-flows-service-accounts/rule.mdx
-- rule: public/uploads/rules/power-automate-flows-convert-timezone/rule.mdx
-- rule: public/uploads/rules/automation-tools/rule.mdx
-- rule: public/uploads/rules/power-platform-versioning/rule.mdx
-- rule: public/uploads/rules/power-platform-certifications/rule.mdx
-
+  - rule: public/uploads/rules/create-a-solution-and-use-the-current-environment-when-creating-flow-for-dynamics/rule.mdx
+  - rule: public/uploads/rules/take-advantage-of-power-automate-and-azure-functions-in-your-dynamics-solutions/rule.mdx
+  - rule: public/uploads/rules/use-the-common-data-service-connector-instead-of-the-dynamics-365-connector/rule.mdx
+  - rule: public/uploads/rules/control-who-can-manage-power-platform-environments/rule.mdx
+  - rule: public/uploads/rules/power-automate-flows-service-accounts/rule.mdx
+  - rule: public/uploads/rules/power-automate-flows-convert-timezone/rule.mdx
+  - rule: public/uploads/rules/automation-tools/rule.mdx
+  - rule: public/uploads/rules/power-platform-versioning/rule.mdx
+_template: category
 ---
 
 The Microsoft Power Platform is more than the sum of its parts. Connect them together—and to Microsoft 365, Dynamics 365, Azure, and hundreds of other apps—and build end-to-end business solutions.
 
-Want to be more effective and efficient in your business? Check [SSW's Power Platform consulting page](https://www.ssw.com.au/consulting/power-platform).
+Want to be more effective and efficient in your business? Check [SSW's Power Platform consulting page](https://www.ssw.com.au/consulting/power-platform).

public/uploads/rules/microsoft-certifications/rule.mdx

@@ -0,0 +1,121 @@
+---
+type: rule
+title: Do you know the relevant Microsoft certifications and associated exams?
+uri: microsoft-certifications
+redirects:
+  - power-platform-certifications
+categories:
+  - category: categories/software-engineering/rules-to-better-azure.mdx
+  - category: categories/infrastructure-and-networking/rules-to-better-system-administrators.mdx
+authors:
+  - title: Bryden Oliver
+    url: 'https://www.ssw.com.au/people/bryden-oliver/'
+  - title: Chris Schultz
+    url: 'https://www.ssw.com.au/people/chris-schultz'
+guid: fa25d879-7de6-43ce-9b2b-485fde08fb51
+seoDescription: 'Microsoft Power Platform certifications offer a range of training options to help professionals learn new skills, fill knowledge gaps and boost productivity.'
+created: 2022-01-07T05:02:20.942Z
+createdBy: Chris Schultz
+createdByEmail: ChrisSchultz@ssw.com.au
+lastUpdated: 2026-07-31T06:48:44.153Z
+lastUpdatedBy: Chris Schultz
+lastUpdatedByEmail: ChrisSchultz@ssw.com.au
+---
+
+Whether you're an expert or just getting started, working towards gaining a Microsoft certification is a worthwhile investment.
+
+Microsoft provides numerous certifications and training options to help you:
+
+* Learn new skills and fill technical knowledge gaps
+* Prove your competence to clients, and improve your LinkedIn profile
+* Boost your productivity
+* Help your company with their Microsoft Partnership status
+
+<endIntro />
+
+<imageEmbed alt="Image" size="large" showBorder={false} figurePrefix="none" figure="Microsoft Certification levels" src="/uploads/rules/microsoft-certifications/cert-levels.webp" />
+
+***
+
+## Fundamentals
+
+If you're just getting started, take a look at Fundamental exams, for example:
+
+* [Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900)](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/credentials/certifications/azure-fundamentals/)
+* [Azure AI Fundamentals (AI-901)](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/credentials/certifications/azure-ai-fundamentals/)
+* [Power Platform Fundamentals (PL-900)](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/credentials/certifications/power-platform-fundamentals/)
+
+***
+
+## Associate
+
+Most people can skip the exams above, and jump into Associate certifications.
+
+Some popular ones are:
+
+* [Azure AI Cloud Developer Associate (AI-200)](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/credentials/certifications/azure-ai-cloud-developer-associate/)
+* [Azure AI Apps and Agents Developer Associate (AI-103)](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/credentials/certifications/azure-ai-apps-and-agents-developer-associate/)
+* [Power Platform Developer Associate (PL-400)](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/credentials/certifications/power-platform-developer-associate/)
+* [Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-104)](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/credentials/certifications/azure-administrator/)
+* [Azure Network Engineer Associate (AZ-700)](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/credentials/certifications/azure-network-engineer-associate/)
+
+***
+
+## Expert
+
+Once you have an associate certification or 2, prove your advanced skills by getting an Expert certification. Note these generally have prerequisites, for example AZ-305 requires AZ-104.
+
+The main expert certifications are:
+
+* [Azure Solutions Architect Expert (AZ-305)](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/credentials/certifications/azure-solutions-architect/)
+* [DevOps Engineer Expert (AZ-400)](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/credentials/certifications/devops-engineer/)
+* [Agentic AI Business Solutions Architect (AB-100)](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/credentials/certifications/agentic-ai-business-solutions-architect/)
+* [Cybersecurity Architect Expert (SC-100)](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/credentials/certifications/cybersecurity-architect-expert/)
+
+***
+
+## Specialty
+
+Specialty exams focus on specific workloads or skills, including GitHub, Virtual Desktops, and Cosmos DB:
+
+* [ Azure Virtual Desktop Specialty (AZ-140)](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/credentials/certifications/azure-virtual-desktop-specialty/)
+* [GitHub Administration (GH-100)](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/credentials/certifications/github-administration/)
+* [Agentic AI Developer (GH-600)](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/credentials/certifications/agentic-ai-developer/)
+* [Azure Cosmos DB Developer Specialty (DP-420)](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/credentials/certifications/azure-cosmos-db-developer-specialty/)
+
+***
+
+## All certifications
+
+[Check the Become Microsoft Certified poster](https://aka.ms/CertificationsPoster) to see all certifications and the related exams.
+
+<imageEmbed alt="Image" size="large" showBorder={false} figurePrefix="none" figure="View the poster to see all certifications" src="/uploads/rules/microsoft-certifications/certs-poster-corner.png" />
+
+## Tips for preparing
+
+Preparing for exams can involve a lot of work, but remember, you're not in school anymore! You've chosen to take this exam, and no one is forcing you. So just sit back and **enjoy the journey - you should feel excited by the new skills you will soon learn**.
+
+Here are some quick tips to help you pass:
+
+1. Take practice tests, e.g. from [Mindhub](https://au.mindhub.com/microsoft-exam-replay-with-practice-test-mcp-exam/p/Microsoft-Exam-Replay-PT)
+2. Pair up - studying with someone else is good as you can hold each other accountable, and it’s just more enjoyable!
+3. [Attend SSW training](https://www.ssw.com.au/events) - have a look at when the next SSW Azure Super Skills is being held in your city and book it in! These are great and offer a wealth of knowledge about the certification process and can make your time getting certified easier.
+
+Good luck!
+
+***
+
+## Retired exams
+
+Microsoft retired a bunch of exams through mid-2026, replacing them with AI-focused exams instead.
+
+| **Retiring exam**                                     | **Retirement date** | **Replacement exam**                                                                                                                                                                   |
+| ----------------------------------------------------- | ------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
+| Azure Data Scientist Associate (DP-100)               | June 1, 2026        | [Machine Learning Operations Engineer Associate (AI-300)](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/credentials/certifications/operationalizing-machine-learning-and-generative-ai-solutions/) |
+| Azure AI Fundamentals (AI-900)                        | June 30, 2026       | [Azure AI Fundamentals (AI-901)](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/credentials/certifications/azure-ai-fundamentals/)                                                                  |
+| Azure AI Engineer Associate (AI-102)                  | June 30, 2026       | [Azure AI Apps and Agents Developer Associate (AI-103)](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/credentials/certifications/azure-ai-apps-and-agents-developer-associate/)                    |
+| Azure Developer Associate (AZ-204)                    | July 31, 2026       | [Azure AI Cloud Developer Associate (AI-200)](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/credentials/certifications/azure-ai-cloud-developer-associate/)                                        |
+| Azure Security Engineer Associate (AZ-500)            | August 31, 2026     | [Cloud and AI Security Engineer Associate (SC-500)](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/credentials/certifications/cloud-and-ai-security-engineer-associate/)                            |
+| Windows Server Hybrid Administrator (AZ-800 & AZ-801) | September 30, 2026  | [Windows Server Administrator Associate (AZ-802)](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/credentials/certifications/windows-server-administrator-associate/)                                |
+
+See [the blog post](https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/skills-hub-blog/the-ai-job-boom-is-here-are-you-ready-to-showcase-your-skills/4494128) for more information.