This exam was very interesting because I had to go
through delays because of the bookings and I missed one as I was late, so it
was rescheduled within a fortnight.
This time, the Training Provide use a new remote
tool called 'Quick Assist'. This is a Microsoft version of 'TeamViewer'. You
require Microsoft Account to use it.
My exam experience was much smoother than the
previous web-based counterpart.
Let us get to the 2 Excel Exams:
Associate Version:
I done many practices on the test and when I sit in the exam, the task was a
bit complex, however I learn the refresher skills on how to create basic
formulas and charts. I have done well on the exam and pass with a score above
800 points which I am happy with.
Expert Version:
When it comes to Excel and the Expert exams, the Excel Expert is definitely the
beast of them all because of complex formulas to learn.
When I took this exam for the 1st time, I was
completely confused on how to do the formulas. Even I did a lot of practice
with G-Metrix tests. The test was featuring Macros, Vlookup, Pivot Chart and
tables. End up failing the exam.
After I fail the exam, I remember all the projects
and tasks then I start practicing all of the tools and formulas and how to
learn them as I had to refresh my Excel skills when it comes to Advance
Formulas.
I spend time writing notes on each sections on how
to learn the Expert skills.
I had to wait another 2 weeks to get a retake and I wish it was 1 week as I was
ready for a rematch.
Then 2 weeks later, I finally had an opportunity to do a retake.
As soon as I done a retake, the project and task was in different order, but
the same as the previous attempt which means I know the tasks off by heart (no,
there are no dumps on Microsoft Office Exams).
After I took the test, I thought I smashed the exam
with ease because this was the exactly the same questions/tasks/projects as
before.
When I got the exam results, I thought that I would
get at least 800 points or more, however I pass on the dot (700 points) which
was not I was expected. I was not happy at first because I pass on the dot, but
I expect better results.
But at the end of the day, it does not matter how
good the score is, I pass, and I am happy with it.
I am now not just completed Excel Double (Associate
and Expert), I also become the 1st man in London, United Kingdom history to
become certified as Microsoft Office Specialist - Expert: Microsoft 365 Apps.
After few months of announcement about my journey to MOS Microsoft 365 Apps certifications, I finally get to sit in the exam.
The layout is a bit different from the 2019 counterpart, however when I did the last exam by remote, it was via some Virtual session which was not bad and good.
This remote was using an App called QuickAssist which a Microsoft Remote Assistant App and I been told that I am the 1st person to do the Microsoft 365 Apps version of the exam.
The 1st exam was Microsoft Excel Associate which as MO-210. It was an interesting exam.
I will go more in depth with the Excel version on my next topic as I require to pass the Expert version. Not looking forward to it because Excel Expert is the toughest one.
Since I pass Excel Associate and done the Grand Slam in Office 2019 which was the prerequire, I manage to get the Associate Level.
I am happy with the exam and a lot of thinking when it comes to instructions.
Before I get into this post, I will mention about my previous post about how I am planning to do the new MOS (Microsoft Office Specialist) in Office 365 Apps certification. However I put this on hold because there were delays of the online proctor which will start in months from now and some providers did not do the exams at the time. So until then, I decide to learn ITIL v4 until the online proctor becomes available to do the new MOS exams.
Now, let us get into ITIL v4
The reason for the title because I did the ITIL Course in 2012 and this was based on ITIL v3. The readers who do not know what ITIL acronym is. ITIL stands for Information Technology Infrastructure Library.
The reason decide to do the new ITIL v4 exams because I like to keep myself up to date with the ITIL process model.
When I look at the ITIL v4, there are few differences then the previous ITIL. I learn about that the practice management has evolved such as Continual improvement, IT Security Management as now alot of things are now in the cloud. Portfolio Management has merge with Service Portfolio and Business Relationship management.
Unlike v3, v4 has now got 4 key framework components (Service Value System (SVS), Service Value Chain (SVC), 4 Dimensions of Service Model and ITIL Guiding Principles. The Service Lifecycle is now become Service Value System such as Continual Service Improvement where the organisation/company evaluate the technology and resources they use (what need to keep, upgrade and change).
PeopleCert now governs ITIL, Prince2, DevOps and Scrum. Even Axelos runs ITIL but I have to book the ITIL exam from PeopleCert.
I remember I book the ITIL v3 exam over 10 years ago. When I took the exam, 1st was through ISEB which I failed 1st and then I done a retake from EXIN which I pass a long time ago when I received 'ITIL Foundation Certificate in IT Service Management'. Over a decade later into 2023. I took the v4 exam and I just passed. Even I studied and practice hard for 2 months.
I remember a decade ago technicians told me that is a dry and boring subject which I agree, even now it still is, however it is worth it.
Since I pass the exam, PeopleCert has change the rules saying that is anyone pass the ITIL v4, new version of Prince2 and other exams run by PeopleCert is now become a 3 year certification. Basically means I have to renew every 3 years which is understandable.
My view about the 3 years is I am not worried because if my new one expired as I have no plans to renew it after 3 years, I still keep the 10 year old ITIL Certificate which is good for me.
The question to IT people out there is "Is the ITIL Certification is worth it?" I say 'Yes'. Because it may be a 'dry subject' however you will learn who the whole of how the IT Services works in general. Also many people say that this will also help you get to the IT Service Desk Role before you move up in the IT world.
Microsoft announced over a month ago about this new Office Certifications called Microsoft 365 Apps.
About this new Certification this Specialist is will be focus on 365 based subscriptions instead of 2022 version because the 365 version Office packages will always be up to date than the one-off license.
Anyone just like me who had the previous Certification which was called Office 2019/365 which was based on hybrid because it was based on 2019 now be renamed to Microsoft Office 2019. Basically, remove the word '365'.
Here is the video from Certiport:
Unlike the previous where I need to pass all 7 exams to become the Grand Slam, this one I only need to pass all 6 exams to become the Grand Slam.
The reason there are only 6 to pass to become the Grand Slam is because the Microsoft Board of examinations now only focus on the specific and essential packages. The one package they remove on this exam is Microsoft Access as this is not an essential package to the business users.
The only 6 are Word & Excel Double (Both Associates and Expert). 2 solos PowerPoint and Outlook. Now let's got to the 2 exhibits of the Certification pathway.
Microsoft Office Specialist Associate (Microsoft 365 Apps)
I looked at my Pathway requirements, since I pass all my Office 2019 exams, I only require passing any 1 exam to become the Associate otherwise I would have to pass 3 of 4 exams to become Associate.
Microsoft Office Specialist Expert (Microsoft 365 Apps)
On my Pathway requirements, since I pass all my Office 2019 exams, Including Associate Certificate I only require passing any 1 Expert exam to become the Expert otherwise I would have to pass both 2 exams to become Expert.
Once the exams are released, I be looking forward to do and pass the exams.
During the time, I was learning how to do the Active Directory and Domain join. At the time I build an infrastructure, the organisation did not had enough budget, but enough to turn a workstation into a Server. It was running on Windows Server 2008 R2 which was current at the time before Windows Server 2012 (not R2).
Also at the time, I did not know how to set the DNS to point to the Server so I had to manually assign the IP address to each PC at the time because I did not know how this works until years after I found out about the router settings which I will mention on this article.
(This is going to be a long read.)
Then many years later I had a call from my friend who run his business for 10 years (not mention the company name on this blog).
I did tell him I do not want to do another IT Support work as I want to get off that role as I am working at my main job for 4 days per week.
I reduce days because of my circumstances during the Covid19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) Pandemic and the lockdown at the time and I my skills has evolve and wanted to hone it higher.
Instead of another IT Support, I want to do the Technical Architect (as a Sessional Consultant and Advisor) which he agrees to.
When you do the Infrastructure Design, you need look at the current IT Infrastructure, explain the current situation, look at the cost of the upgrade. In some cases, you make get calls asking for support, but you are not here for Support or quick fix because your role is to look at the bigger picture and the overhaul. Expert version of Microsoft Certifications (such as the old MCSEs) will teach you this if you an Engineer or Management level. The issue was the staff are getting frustrating due to slow PCs and I could not do any troubleshooting as the issue will not be solved by making the PC faster on the Hard Drive. Because I am working at my main job, I go on certain days to fit around on my non-working days. First I did was to go into the office and assess the IT Equipment. Find out what hardware the Desktop PCs uses, the cabling, patch panels and the software they are using. Then document the issues raised and look at the cost of upgrade.
Since he agrees to the business plan, I first I look at building the Server which is running on Server 2022 which is the latest Server OS as of this blog. Proceed with the task as I can come in when I am available and plan the days carefully.
The next part is to get my Server sold to him for the company which he did then tidy up the office so I get the PDU and the HP Switch to do the cabling and patching for the small office. Give the staff in the small office new Extension sockets.
The next part is building a Server was easy as I build this many times during my lab days, setup up Active Directory, Group Policy, connect to Microsoft 365 Cloud to make it hybrid. Enable password writeback which is a good idea so the users can change password from the cloud and synchronise back to the premise. Set up the DNS and DHCP so it can point to Server and Router.
Most PCs I saw are old, but still good. They are slow because they are all using the Hard Drive, so all the PCs are BIOS updated and replaced with SSD (Solid State Drives) because as of 2020, all news PCs and laptops are now using SSD and built in TPM (Trusted Platform Module) to be modern and security compliance. Reinstall Windows 10 Professional to every PCs. If any PCs are Home version, they also need to be Professional so it can be domain joined. At the time I still have to manually assign DNS IP address because I could not figure out how to make it automatically point the DNS to Server and router
(I did manage at the end which I will explain on the last paragraph).
The next task is to look at the Microsoft 365 tenant and look at subscription licenses who to assign, had to purchase more and upgrade to Business Premium even it cost more because it has Geo and cloud Security policy (Conditional Access Policy).
Now back to how I fix the DNS settings: It took me months figure out (thanks to YouTube) on how to make the PCs automatically assign DNS to Server and router as I normally manually assign each PCs to the Server and Router to join the domain. It was mentioned which I did is I had to configure the DNS from the router and make it point to the router and Server IP. Since this works, I remove the manual settings from each PC so it can automatically point so any new PCs installed I can join the domain normally. On top of it all, with the Business Premium which comes with Azure Premium v1, I cannot do Security compliant, I can also onboard Antivirus on each PCs.
The reason it was a 3-month project because I was working the main job and waiting for more orders of parts and equipment to resume the work, otherwise, it would be quicker.
It was a bit demanding first as I told the staff in the business that I had to prioritise the structure first before working on desktops.
However overall, I really enjoyed it as I officially build a live-production environment. The infrastructure is currently 25% premises and 75% cloud and gain a lot of confidence on how to build an infrastructure.
The staff are very happy there because all PCs are running on Solid Sate Drives.
Here is the picture of the Server.
I do enjoy that Server as I made many IT upgrade video on this Server until it was sold to the business.
Here is the video upgrade before it was no longer in my home.
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