The adoption of any technology depends upon the extent to which it is able to solve the problems that companies face regularly. Traditionally, there had been a lot of issues when any desired software had to be introduced in an organization from a supplier. The lengthy sales process, licensing, complex on-site installation, maintenance, getting issues resolved, inability to access it on different devices led to the delay of the project completion. This is how Software as a Service (SaaS) came into the picture.

Today, there are cloud service providers who offer a wide range of software over the internet that can be easily used by the companies without being concerned about the mentioned issues. Moreover, such services are quite economical and their usage can be stopped when desired. Two of the popular names that you are sure to hear when talking about cloud service providers are Microsoft Azure and Amazon Web Services (AWS).

Though AWS is leading in the overall cloud market share, Microsoft Azure is soon catching up and its commercial cloud is at a $50 billion annual revenue run rate. So professionals who are willing to get ahead in the field of cloud computing can achieve certifications offered by these cloud service providers and get to work with top technology companies.

In this article, we would specifically explore the popular Azure certifications that can broaden your array of skills and make you noticeable among peers in front of the hiring managers.

Top Azure Certifications for a Better Career

Microsoft Azure offers many certifications in different areas and based on your interests, you can pick a certification of your choice. To help you with this decision, we have picked some of the popular certifications taken up by professionals. Every certification needs candidates to have some prior knowledge or experience of the field and not all of them can be taken up by beginners.

Let us take a look!

Azure Developer Associate AZ-204

If you are a cloud developer involved in all the phases of software development, right from requirement definition to deployment and maintenance, then this certification is right for you. This credential will demonstrate your ability to develop Azure compute solutions, implement Azure security, develop for Azure storage, and optimize Azure solutions

Candidates who wish to apply for this certification should be well-versed in Azure SDKs, data connections, data storage options, compute and container deployment, app authentication and authorization, and monitoring. Professional development experience with Microsoft Azure for 1-2 years is also necessary.

Azure Administrator Associate AZ-104

The Azure administrator is responsible for implementing, managing, and monitoring identity, storage, compute, governance, and virtual networks in a cloud environment. To be eligible for this certification, the experience is required in administering Azure for at least 6 months. Candidates should also know how to use PowerShell, Azure Portal, ARM templates, and Command Line Interface.

Some of the areas where you will be tested include Managing Azure identities and governance, configuring and managing virtual networking, and monitoring and backing up Azure resources.

Azure Architect Technologies AZ-300

This credential is ideal for Azure Solution architects who are responsible for advising stakeholders and translating business requirements into scalable, secure, and reliable solutions. To be eligible for this certification, professionals must have advanced experience in different aspects of IT operations like virtualization, networking, security, identity, business continuity, budgeting, governance, and disaster recovery.

The associated exam verifies your capability in deploying and configuring infrastructure, implementing security and workloads, implementing authentication, and developing for cloud and Azure storage.

Azure AI Engineer AI-100

Professionals who are skilled in Artificial Intelligence (AI) can prepare for this certification. They would be responsible for analyzing the requirements for AI solutions, suggest appropriate tools and technologies, and implement solutions to meet performance and scalability needs. Moreover, they would design and implement AI applications and agents that utilize Azure Bot Services and Microsoft Azure Cognitive Services.

The associated exam AI-100: Designing and Implementing an Azure AI Solution will test your skills in analyzing solution requirements, integrating AI models into solutions, and deploying and managing those solutions.

Azure DevOps Engineer Expert AZ-400

Professionals who achieve this credential are expected to combine people, processes, and technologies aiming to continuously deliver valuable products that align with customer needs and business goals. The prerequisite for this credential is passing either of these two certification exams - Microsoft Certified Azure Administrator Associate OR Microsoft Certified Azure Developer Associate.

Some of the skills that you will be tested on include designing a DevOps strategy, implementing DevOps development process, implementing continuous integration and delivery, and implementing application infrastructure and continuous feedback.

Take the Right Step

This is not an exhaustive list and you can visit the Microsoft Azure website to know more about other certifications. Getting recognition from a company like Microsoft will surely put you ahead of the competition and you'll become well-versed in using the various services offered by Azure. Now when you think of preparing for these certifications, taking an online certification training would be the right choice.

If your schedule is already busy while working for long hours, you would not want to take the pains of researching the study materials and preparing on your own. Moreover, you would wish to clear the exam on your first attempt. So, why not get trained by an industry expert with the convenience of sitting at your home. Look for a reliable training provider and start your Azure journey.