From Beginner to Expert: Your Guide to Microsoft Power Platform Certifications
From Beginner to Expert: Your Guide to Microsoft Power Platform Certifications
We know your biggest headaches.
Are you tired of searching for the right software solutions for your business needs? Or do you find yourself spending hours on repetitive tasks that could easily be automated? Maybe you’re struggling to make sense of your data, or you want to build chatbots but don’t have the expertise.
If these sound familiar, you’re not alone. Many businesses face these challenges. But there’s a solution – Microsoft’s Power Platform.
Power Platform has five tools: Power Apps, Power Automate, Power BI, Power Virtual Agents, and Power Pages. Each tool is designed to make app development, automation, data analysis, and chatbot creation easier and accessible for everyone.
Whether you’re a seasoned developer or a beginner, the Power Platform’s low-code and no-code tools make it easy to build custom apps, automate tasks, analyze data, and create chatbots with ease and efficiency.
Ready to take your business to the next level? Learn how Power Platform can help solve your most pressing business problems.
Power Apps
A low-code development platform that enables users to build custom business applications easily and quickly, even without technical expertise. It offers a range of connectors and services and supports app development across all devices.
Power Automate
An automation tool that enables users to create workflows between different applications and services. It automates repetitive tasks such as data collection, approvals, and email communication.
Power BI
A business analytics service that provides insights for analyzing data and creating visualizations such as reports and dashboards. It enables fast, informed decision-making by delivering easy-to-understand insights into sales data, progress against goals, and employee performance.
Power Virtual Agents
A tool that allows anyone to create chatbots using a no-code graphical interface. It enables users to build and maintain conversational solutions without the need for data scientists or developers.
Power Pages
A tool in the Power Platform suite that enables users to create and share interactive web pages with pre-built components and layouts, without extensive coding or design skills. It can be customized with branding and content and integrated with other Power Platform apps to automate workflows and analyze data.
The true power of Microsoft Power Platform lies in its features, which include AI Builder for adding AI capabilities without writing code, Microsoft Dataverse for secure data storage and management, and Connectors for seamlessly connecting apps, data, and devices in the cloud.
To gain a deeper understanding of the Power Platform tools, we recommend visiting our blog “Microsoft Power Platform: A Brief Overview of All Applications” for a more comprehensive knowledge of the subject.
Why is Power Platform essential for organizations?
Being one of the top IT skills in 2023, learning Power Platform will equip you with the necessary skills and knowledge to develop customized apps and workflows that streamline business operations, minimize errors, and enhance efficiency. Fun Fact, a study from Forrester has demonstrated the positive impact of implementing Power Platform on organizations:
- 50% – 70% reduction in costs for citizen developer projects completed using low-code/no-code tools
- 1% increase in revenues by Year 3 result from Microsoft Power Platform initiatives
- Up to 5% increase in efficiency among users of solutions built with Microsoft Power Platform
- 48% reduction in application development costs
- 502% ROI over three years
Interested in advancing your career with Microsoft’s power platform?
Join courses with Trainocate to learn more and get certified!
Why learning only is not enough?
Becoming certified in Microsoft Power Platform is crucial for professionals who want to advance their careers and demonstrate their proficiency in sought-after low-code/no-code tools. Obtaining certification is also a testament to your abilities and professional background, and obtaining one sends a clear message to potential employers that you are an asset to their team.
But are certifications worth pursuing in today’s job market? According to the 2020-2021 Microsoft Dynamics Salary Survey conducted by Nigel Frank, obtaining a certification can provide job seekers with a competitive advantage and lead to significant salary increases.
- 61% of respondents believe that certifications provide job seekers with a competitive advantage in the job market.
- Many of the survey participants reported a salary increase after obtaining a certification, with an average increase of 22%.
Still not convinced? Well…
According to a study by Microsoft:
91% of certified individuals report success with their certification efforts
Trained and certified teams are 20% more productive
Over 70% of individuals achieved their certification-related goals
50% of certified professionals received pay increases ranging from 6% to 20%
Types of Power Platform Certification
Let’s dive deep into the world of Microsoft Power Platform certifications and explore the different options available. From beginner to experts, we have certifications catered to different levels of expertise!
1. The Fundamentals Certification
Consider the fundamentals certification as your first milestone on the certification journey. Earning the Microsoft Certified: Power Platform Fundamentals certification (by passing Exam PL-900) is an excellent way to showcase the breadth of your Microsoft Power Platform skills and demonstrate your ability to enhance your team’s productivity.
If you are a new entrant to the workforce, a fundamentals certification on your resume can set you apart. For those already working in their chosen field, it is crucial to keep up with the digital transformation. A fundamentals certification can help prepare you for role-based certifications, but it is not a mandatory requirement.
To begin your journey to Microsoft Power Platform Fundamentals certification, make sure to check out the course above!
2. The App Maker Certification
The path to the app maker role is as diverse as the people who are passionate about using technology to solve problems.
Whether you are a student, professional, or businessperson with extensive experience in your domain, if you are self-directed, solution-focused, and use Microsoft Power Platform maker tools to simplify, automate, and transform tasks and processes for your team, you are a suitable candidate for the Microsoft Certified: Microsoft Power Platform App Maker Associate certification (pass Exam PL-100).
Want to know more about the journey? Check out our latest blog on Power Platform App Maker to begin your journey to this certification!
3. The Functional Consultant Certification
Functional consultants recognize the significance of collaboration between business and technology. There are numerous routes to this role. These professionals are involved in various tasks, such as gathering requirements for a Power Apps project and working with solution architects, designers, and business stakeholders to comprehend and detail those requirements.
To be eligible for the Microsoft Certified: Power Platform Functional Consultant Associate certification (pass Exam PL-200), you could be a functional consultant, a data analyst, a developer looking to improve your consulting and configuration skills, a solution architect aiming for the solution architect certification, or an IT professional with experience configuring Microsoft Power Platform.
Do you think this role suits you better? Explore our blog on Power Platform Functional Consultant to explore more about this certification!
4. The Developer Certification
If you have experience as a developer and have customized Microsoft Power Platform apps, then you may be eligible for the Microsoft Certified: Power Platform Developer Associate certification (pass Exam PL-400).
No prior experience? No problem! Your passion for designing, developing, securing, and extending solutions with this technology can help you earn this certification. As a problem solver who enjoys creating automated solutions, you have likely built, customized, and extended Microsoft Power Platform apps.
To learn more about your journey to the developer certification, explore our blog on Power Platform Developer that gives a deeper insight of the certification process!
5. The Power BI Analyst Certification
As a data analyst or developer, working with Power BI can come with challenges in effectively showcasing your skills and expertise. However, obtaining the Microsoft Certified: Power BI Data Analyst Associate certification (pass Exam PL-300). can provide you with a valuable credential to validate your abilities in using this powerful data visualization and business intelligence tool.
This certification can boost your professional credibility, helping you stand out in a competitive job market and demonstrate your proficiency to potential employers or clients. It can also open doors to new career opportunities, as the demand for skilled Power BI professionals continues to rise.
Discover more about the certification journey by checking out our latest blog on becoming a certified Power BI Data Analyst Associate.
6. The Solution Architect Certification
The Microsoft Certified: Power Platform Solution Architect Expert certification (complete a prerequisite and pass Exam PL-600) is an advanced certification designed for professionals with extensive experience in the field. If you’re a solution architect, developer, or senior functional consultant looking to take your career to the next level, this certification is for you.
As a qualified candidate, you have a deep understanding of Microsoft Power Platform and possess both technical and functional expertise. You work closely with project team members, including functional consultants, project managers, developers, and business analysts.
If you feel that this is the right certification for you, we recommend you check out our blog on the Power Platform Solution Architect Certification to explore more of this journey.
7. The RPA Developer Certification
Are you passionate about automating business processes and improving efficiency?
As an RPA Developer, you’ll be responsible for designing, developing, and troubleshooting RPA solutions using Microsoft Power Automate. If this sounds like your dream role, then the Microsoft Certified: Power Automate RPA Developer certification is the perfect place to start.
This course covers all the necessary topics you need to know to pass the certification exam, including designing, developing, deploying, and managing RPA solutions. Once you’ve earned your certification, you’ll be well-equipped to collaborate with administrators and deploy solutions to production environments.
To kickstart your journey towards becoming an RPA Developer, check out our latest blog on Power Automate RPA Developer Certification to explore the certification process!
Ready to explore your career path in Microsoft Power Platform?
Whether you want to review for an exam or enhance your skills, training is available for every certification.
Explore our Power Platform courses and select the learning format that best suits your needs. With a variety of options such as self-paced learning, instructor-led training, and training events, you can gain the confidence and expertise needed to succeed.
Looking for beginner-level certifications?
If you’re just starting and prefer a beginner’s guide, we’ve got you covered! Check out our blog post on the “Top IT Certifications for Beginners.” This guide will help you kickstart your journey into the world of IT certifications.
Explore this informative blog and take your career in the IT industry to new heights! Happy learning!