Xpertise skills up early for SQL 2005 launch
Xpertise has already been delivering technical training to IT Professionals and Developers in preparation for the launch of the most important release to date of Microsoft's market-leading database product, Microsoft SQL Server 2005 (previously codenamed 'Yukon').
Due to be released later this year, Microsoft SQL Server 2005 is a major upgrade to an already powerful product. With tight integration with the .NET platform, improved support for XML, better business intelligence/reporting, increased performance and scalability, SQL Server 2005 is likely to get a very warm welcome - and enjoy an uptake that is both fast and strong.
When any new product ships, it's important that customers have access to the skills needed to help them make the most of that product. Customers turn to their suppliers - in the case of SQL Server 2005, that's Microsoft's extensive network of partners. Xpertise has developed and is already delivering SQL Server 2005 technical training to both Microsoft partners and customers.
Says Xpertise's commercial director, Bill Walker. "We've been with this product since its earliest evaluation releases and we’re really excited about it. It has taken many substantial leaps from SQL Sever 2000 - and contains lots of features that organisations have been asking for. Feedback from our students has been overwhelmingly positive, and we expect organisations to embrace it readily. We have already delivered training to over 400 developers and database administrators in order to get early skills into the market."
According to Ram Dhaliwal, Training and Certification Manager, Microsoft UK, “As a Gold Certified Partner for Learning Solutions, Xpertise is providing a valuable service to Microsoft customers and partners looking to gain early skills in SQL 2005 before product launch”.
Xpertise's Microsoft skills have recently been in the news - when Xpertise was selected as Microsoft's Certified Learning Solution Partner of the Year for EMEA, for the second time. This prestigious award identifies Xpertise as Microsoft's top learning partner right across the Europe, Middle East and Africa region. Xpertise is also one of the fastest-growing providers of Microsoft technical training in the UK – our statistics show a stunning 65% growth in the use of Microsoft official training materials.
"We're really leading the market with this," says Walker. "We're adopting new SQL Server skills well ahead of the curve, and then enabling both Microsoft customers and partners to do the same."
Microsoft SQL Server 2005 is due to launch during the week of 7 November.