Microsoft and HDI Announce New Windows 7 Desktop Support Certification

???Do we now need to pass Microsoft and HDI exams to obtain a Microsoft certification???

Benjamin: For this particular one, yes.

Guess this is one certification I won't bother upgrading.

It's not that I don't mind paying for another exam, it's the fact that the HDI exam covers topics that either don't apply to a desktop support role or that a desktop support tech wouldn't know without the additional expense of going through training.

I guess it's also another way to promote a certification that has been floundering over the past few years (HDI that is)

The funny thing is Microsoft isn't een and HDI certified support center.

This is ridiculous, paying an extra $225 to get certified? Is this a joke?

Do you have to do the rather expensive HDI exam if you go for the desktop administrator having done 70-680 and 70-686? (I already have the 70-680)

I think £225 is a bit much for one exam. Is Microsoft going to do something about that price?

Let me know as I would like to go all out on windows 7.


Hoops

Ken Rosen made a post to Microsoft Learning about the "Top Ten Most Profitable Vendor Certifications (Channel Insider)"
HDI isn't even listed, no mention.

Also on Channel insider it isn't even mentioned in their "7 Vendor Tech Certifications End Users Love"

Gotta love a floundering cert.

What is the difference between MCITP: Windows 7, Enterprise Desktop Support Technician (MS cert) and MCITP: Enterprise Desktop Support Technician 7 (MS + HDI Cert)?

Does Microsoft anticipate people looking for the HDI enabled certification over the Microsoft cert? Will there be a push towards HR and hiring managers to tell the small difference in the certification names?

Personally, I am very confused.

Benjamin S: They are the same thing--the official name is "MCITP: Enterprise Desktop Support Technician 7"

MCITP: Windows 7, Enterprise Desktop Support Technican is the exam. The overall MCITP credential is: Enterprise Desktop Support Technician 7.

This is similar to say, the Server Administrator credential requires the MCITP exam "Windows Server 2008, Server Administrator"

OK...just a couple of thoughts...

This isn't a certification that I would be interested in since I have the MCITP:EA and MCSE certs, but I really scratch my head looking at who they're partnered with. From what I can tell, HDI exams are "delivered online providing flexibility in scheduling and are accessible at work, at home, at your local library, or any location connected to the world wide web."

With all of the issues that Microsoft has had with people using hired guns to take certification exams, I really have to wonder about why they would require you to obtain a certification that is has internet-based exams. You're practically begging for someone to set up shop as an HDI hired gun. I'm all for letting people use third-party certifications as electives (CompTIA Security+ or CTT+ make sense certainly), but actually requiring a third-party certification seems very short-sighted. Fortunately this is only an entry-level certification, but I'm afraid that it sets a very bad precedent.

Good point anonymous. Read the same article, but it didn't click about cheating

From http://www.thinkhdi.com web site they only offer the course in the USA. I guess that one outside of the USA will be able to get this cert. it looks like I will not be upgrading.

BTW, I would understand if this was ITIL but it is not, so..

and ITIL is at least world wide. HDI is not.

Why are you censoring my posts? Instead of wasting time here with my posts you should work with your new partner on fixing their misleading information. Since 2007 every time you introduce something new you are unable to provide correct information about it. Sad - that billion dollars business works in such way.

HDI? This is a good reason not upgrading from MCITP:EST and retire that certification track completely.

Ken, you're a great guy, please don't take it personally, but this is sheerly, blindingly, utterly, indescribably, idiotic.

I was looking forward to upgrading to this cert, but now it looks highly unlikely. As far as I can tell there are no self-study materials for the HDI tests. The only options are $1395 two-day classroom training or $595 online training. I have passed 13 Microsoft tests and studied for every single one using books from various publishers. How valuable can the HDI cert be if no one has bothered to write a study guide?

I'd say that if you've already passed 13 Microsoft exams, you're probably at a higher skill level than desktop support. Possibly not, but that's what I'm guessing based on my experiences.

I'm wondering how this affects MCTs too. Presumably you can't teach a class on the new track without holding the new cert, but now you have to go outside of Microsoft to complete the cert. Since MCTs get free access to the MOC having to pass additional tests wouldn't be much of an issue, expect that now they'll have to go to HDI to get certified too if they want to teach the new MCITP: Enterprise Desktop Support 7 classes.

Help Desk Institute is on the same level of quality that MSLearning since 2007. For example their site still list discontinued benefits (in december 2008). Nothing uncommon in MSLearning world. Everything from MSLearn done since 2007 looks so unprofessional. This is really sad.

Another "great" move from MS Learning.

Incredible, not to say Unbelievable! After the "Green" motivation, now that! (Where, by the way, are the online cards? Mid July and nothing! Oh Lord!)

In what world do MS Learning live?

Follow my logic: a Support Technician is a entry certification. HOW ON EARTH a beginner will pay more than US $350 to obtain a credential?

It will happen two things:

1) The world will have many, many, many MCTS Windows 7; few, really few MCITP: EST7

2) MCDST and MCITP:EST won't upgrade their credentials. With this cash, you obtain the MCITP: Enterprise Administrator. And that is a credetial that is more (Much more) valuable that a EST.

And the languages? Where are the other languages, such as Spanish, Italian, Portuguese?

Using the ITIL certification is a better and cheaper way. But, again, our voices won't be listened.

It's a shame, see that Windows 7 as an OS is a great success, but the certification will be the problem of it...

(When you think that it can't be worse, it will be).

Who the hell is HDI? Is that some sort of cipher for "Jumped The Shark"

How can it be industry recognized if I've been certified for more than a decade and taken more than 35 exams and this is the first I've ever heard of this company?

Is this the start of Microsoft backing away completely from its training and certification program - first they take the wallet cards and certificates and next they make you go to some group you've never heard of to do your exams.

And anonymooose - I agree. Though you should probably expect that you're MCT will only be valid next year if you go and get a HDI certification.

Ken Rosen wrote "MCPs who earn the credential will have full access to MCP benefits and resources. Want more info? Check out the complete certification path, requirements and benefits is available here."

Under this link there are benefits that are discontinued, if you not provide this benefits for people who have paid for this exam then you are frauding again. This time under your name Ken Rosen!

Maybe it is time to write petition or make a site where MCP community could point every failure done by MSLearn team. I hope we could contact with someone above Ken Rosen.

Everyday I read this blog I regret that I have started doing MS Certs. It was fun in past - now it's really sad for me that I have wasted so much time.

A couple of quick clarifications:

This is the first step for a certification that isn't fully launched yet. Keep in mind Win 7 hasn't even launched yet.

HDI does have offerings worldwide, and as a requirement to our partnership, they have agreed to step up visibility and support outside of North America by the time we've fully rolled out the full MCITP:EDS7 track.

HDI is looking at offering training through the Courseware Library. MCTs and CPLSes have access to all of those Community Courses.

The point to our partnership is to have a certification that is more well rounded - something Hiring Managers have been asking Microsoft to do. HDI's focus on support soft skills seemed a natural fit for Microsoft Support certification which obviously focus on our technology.

Me: Thanks for pointing out the inaccuracies on HDI's site... we've forwarded it on, and I'm sure it'll be fixed shortly.

Oh, and about the censorship thing: I delete comments that either have profanities in them or that cross the line from professional criticism into personal attacks. I deleted two such comments today, not sure if they were yours or not (didn't even look at the name of the author), but if they were, here's your explanation!

Ken

Hey me,

Have you noticed that all of these problems began when Trika left the Learning team?

My God! WE ARE THE CUSTOMERS! A company must ask to us what WE expect and what can be done to improve the program.

Microsoft Certifications are recognized WORLDWIDE! Where do you see a HDI Certified Professional? Maybe in US. But, and outside?

WHERE ARE IS THE SURVEY ABOUT IT, KEN?

Imagine if this kind of program is expanded to Windows Server System Solutions, such as Windows Server 2008, Exchange, SQL Server... A DISASTER!

Hey me,

Have you noticed that all of these problems began when Trika left the Learning team?

My God! WE ARE THE CUSTOMERS! A company must ask to us what WE expect and what can be done to improve the program.

Microsoft Certifications are recognized WORLDWIDE! Where do you see a HDI Certified Professional? Maybe in US. But, and outside?

WHERE IS THE SURVEY ABOUT IT, KEN?

Imagine if this kind of program is expanded to Windows Server System Solutions, such as Windows Server 2008, Exchange, SQL Server... A DISASTER!

Hiring Managers have no idea about MCTS and MCITP so far. They have no idea that there are different kinds of MCP (done by your stupid decissions). They have no idea that some people might show them wallet cards and paper certs and some can't.

Where are digital wallet cards.

Have you counted how many benefits have been discontinued since December 2008?

Have you informed your new parter about those changes? I know you haven't they still lists discontinued benefits. LOL

Thanks for your crap!

MCP I have impression it has started months before Trika has left. I think that MCTS/MCITP introduction is the first really bad implemented decision. Since that date MSLearing is unable to provide correct information on own sites even! On the one hand this is really sad but on the other quite funny that billion $ business is so "retarded" (I will be censored for that word again lol). Maybe Trika have seen it and left MSLearing because of that. There is no point in writing about all those bad decisions again - no one here is listening and no one here could solve that. If there are any MCPs that care about time and money they have spent we should try to contact someone above MSLearning.

Anonymoose, yes with 13 tests I am at a higher skill level than desktop support. However, the higher level certifications such as MCITP: Enterprise Administrator have a desktop requirement. Since I already had an MCDST from several years ago, it made more sense to take 70-621 instead of 70-620 for this requirement and earn MCITP: Enterprise Support Technician as well. Hopefully 70-682 will qualify for whatever version of Enterprise Administrator is next even without the HDI component.

Hi Chris,

Sorry, but I will make you "cry". ;-)

http://www.thinkhdi.com/hdi.aspx?c=223

Take a look at the chart! 70-682 alone don't give the EST7 credential.

Sad, really sad! Years of success and now everything that MS built is going down, and FAST.

Once again: OUR voices won't be listened.

"Me: Thanks for pointing out the inaccuracies on HDI’s site… we’ve forwarded it on, and I’m sure it’ll be fixed shortly."

Based on previous experiences I am sure you are unable to prepare new exams/certs without providing misleading informations. It is at least third time you have done it!

MCP, I'm not really too concerned about earning the EST7 credential. What I care about is the desktop requirement for the Enterprise Admin certification. I guess we'll see how it's worded when the next version of that cert comes out. Currently the requirement is for 620 or 624. If you read the footnotes it says that 621 counts for anything that calls for 620. Hopefully in the next version it will say 680 (with 682 counting) and not 680 (with EST7 counting.)

Heh - just looked up HDI in Australia on Google Maps. Their office is one dude and a phone in a half filled office park way out in the bush. Total global player! Tell me when they upgrade to a tin shed behind the racetrack in Dubbo.

It is good to assess other skills and competencies rather than only IT and I have nothing against taking one more exam but price. 225 USD is INSANE, not only it takes a lot of time to earn back money from this certification but also it is expensive (MS cert in Latvia costs 50.00 USD). I will discuss this with other MS certified professionals in Latvia, but I think they will agree on this - result is not worth the cost. It will be better to take upgrade exam alone, and show to HR - that you have communication skills rather than put 225 USD paper on desk and state obvious – you have a lot of money to waste.

Chris W, I see your point. On the bright side, Microsoft has said that the 70-680 will count towards the MCITP:EA credential, and the 70-680 exam was officially released yesterday. Given the choice between that and 70-620, I'd do the 680. The 620 exam was a bit of a joke really. It was extremely easy and seemed very end-user oriented, whereas the 70-680 was more administrator/support oriented like the Windows XP exam was.

MCP, remember a little while back when everyone was complaining about Microsoft cutting out welcome kits and MCP wallet cards, and Microsoft kept saying that they had the least expensive exams in the industry and that they had kept the price stable to 10 years? Welcome to the rest of the certification world, the HDI exam pricing is on par with just about everyone else except for Microsoft.

As far as deciding that an MCITP:Enterprise Desktop Support Technician 7 is too expensive and going for the MCITP:Enterprise Administrator cert instead, I don't think that will happen (at least not often). Those two certs are targeted at two completely different sets of people with different skill sets and job responsibilities. Someone who works in Desktop Support is going to really struggle with earning the EA cert, and someone who has the job and work experience to merit pursuing the EA cert isn't going to be interested in earning EST7.

In my experience MOST of the resumes that I have seen where someone had an MCDST or similar cert their resume, it's something that they picked up in college or trade school because it was part of the degree program. When they start incorporating MCITP:EDST7 into the curriculum they'll just add the HDI material to the courses.

MSL,

You are *seriously* dreaming if you think more than 500 or so people are going to complete the HDI component of the new MCITP component!

This has turned into a big joke, and sadly, I think it is on us, the people who have propped you up over the years by sitting your exams, defending and fixing your products, and trying to excel in the field of Microsoft infrastructure.

Perhaps open source really is the way to go after all...

Not a good idea. HDI training + exam costs quite a lot.
I was looking forward to upgrade my credentials (MCDST, MCIT: Enterprise Support + Consumer Support) but I am not willing to pay so much money for worthless HDI cert.
It is not recognized in Poland, unlike MS certs.

Przemek, I am feeling the same way. I hold MCDST, MCITP: Enterprise Support, and MCITP: Consumer Support. Even in the US I can't see myself taking the HDI cert just to get this one cert.

Microsoft, will you now be doing promotions that include free or discounted HDI tests?

Hi Anonymoose,

The question isn't about the exam itself. But the price of the certification and the value of the certification to market.

IT Professionals that manage Servers also manage Desktop. Of course, they aren't support technician, but they must know everything about client OS too. That's why many EA are also EST. In the same way, MCSE are also MCDST. It's a natural evolution.

Since that they will pay more than $300 with exams, of course they will prefer to achieve a EA certification, proving that he can deal with Desktop AND Server. Two goal with only one shot! ;-)

Other companies, such as CISCO, has certification that cost $250. Now tell me: EST7 or CCNA? ;-)

Also, many of these companies provides only one certification for a product. For example, Adobe only has one exam for Photoshop. So, a professional will pay $150, but it's only one exam to complete a track.

Microsoft certifications are cheaper because there are many exams per track. ;-)

"So, whether you’re working behind the scenes deploying desktop operating system and applications to the desktop, or on the front lines in the help center working with customers to solve problems, Microsoft has a certification to help you stand out from the crowd."

Oh yes: every company in the world has two or more professionals to work with desktops, and there is no more Small-Midsize Business, where a professional work with both situations.

Anonymoose, I took 70-621 instead of 70-620, but it was quite easy as well. I would prefer to do the same thing for the Windows 7 track (682 instead of 680.) Although EA was the goal, why not get EST as well with the same number of tests, since 620 (or 621) is a requirement. I'm all for getting the most certs for the money :)
That being said, if there is an upgrade path from MCITP: EST (on Vista) to MCITP: Desktop Administrator (on Windows 7) and it counts towards the next generation of the Enterprise Admin (whatever that may be) that's the way I will go.

While I'm not sure yet how I feel about MS teaming with HDI on this, I think the concept is intriguing. It naturally leads to what might be next? The obvious one in my mind would be teaming with a security cert for something like the old MCSE:Security

MCP, I think there's some faulty logic at work asking whether you would prefer to pay for EST7 versus CCNA. They're two completely different certs for different job descriptions. If you work with Cisco networking equipment (and I mean really work with it, rather than just plugging into it) then you will go the CCNA route. If you work supporting desktops you'll go the EST7 or EDA7 route. You question is more like asking "Would you prefer to pass the bar exam or your medical board exams?" It doesn't matter how much cheaper the bar exam may be, if you're trying to become a doctor you'll take the medical board exams.

How soon until there's a beta release for the other exams :D

Chris W, we are thinking about security, project management, or maybe something else. Hiring Managers have been very vocal about wanting certifications that are more well rounded and inclusive. So we’re thinking about other options in the future. But first we have to get this off the ground! :)

Piers, I don’t have a date for the MCITP exam beta. We’re still in development on all the other Win 7 exams.

The cost of the HDI exams is comparable to CompTIA's, to be fair, although there's still issues with that in this situation though.

But the bigger problem with the HDI exams is the cost of the limited options of training for the exams!

The self-paced training is $595 including an exam voucher, so basically $370 on top of the exam cost; and the in-person training is $1395 including an exam voucher, so basically $1170 on top of the exam cost. These could be decent prices for what they are, but the problem is there aren't any other cheaper training options, i.e. books!

Even if nobody else has wanted to publish a book about it, HDI could have done it themselves, as CompTIA does (in addition to all the third-party books for CompTIA exams).

Actually, considering how low the interest/recognition is for HDI currently (and the reluctance of people to even pay the $225 cost of the exam, much less the fact that currently you're basically required to spend $370 more if you want any preparation), HDI ought to have a comprehensive book for each of their exams available as an e-book download for free, and as a printed book for a break-even cost on printing and shipping. And since Microsoft chose to partner with them like this, if HDI can't/won't do that on their own, then Microsoft needs to help/make them do it.

I looked over the HDI cert over a year ago and found it totally useless. In fact when I mentioned it to several very knowledgeable IT Hiring Managers they looked at me as if I was from the moon.

The cost is simply too cost prohibitive for anyone who is trying to gain an entry level certification.

Besides I think that the MCDST courses provide the needed information for entry level personnel to have.

I for one will not be advocating this certification to my students or clients.

I get the point that soft skills haven't been incorporated into MS certifications in the past, and I definitely understand the need to develop soft skills. Even CompTIA has included sections in their A+ and Server+ exams that focus on soft skills. I guess my primary objection is that soft skills aren't something that I think you can really be certified on, per se. I get ITIL and PMI are somewhat related to soft skills, but they focus more on a technical methodology. Nobody likes a "Nick Burns" type, but I just don't think that's something that you can eliminate via technical certifications.

A number of people may be unfamiliar with HDI and thus there is some confusion as to why Microsoft partnered wth HDI for this certification. HDI is a the leading international association for technical support professionals and a recognized industry standards body. Founded in 1989, this association has worked with a large number of industry experts and practitioners to define industry best practices and standards for support professional roles. These standards are open to the industry, similar to such such frameworks as ITIL. None of which are free, but for a reasonable price access is granted to those that desire them. All HDI Certification Exams are based on these industry standards. The training is meant to provide skills building and to assist an individual in preparing for a certification exam. Training is optional or may be provided by a third party. Self-study is available in the form of both published standards and online self-paced training.

HDI sells training and cetification through a direct model in the US and through established training companies internationally. Thus the HDI website calendar focus on North America. HDI is actively working with Microsoft Certified Partners for Learning Solutions to expand the availabilty of training globally. A list of current global partners can be found on the HDI website.

With over 40,000 HDI certified support professional, the industry has acknowledge the need for support professionals to have both technical skills, as tested by Microsoft certifications, as well as customer service and service management skills in order to provide a higher quality of enterprise support. The new Microsoft certification for Enterprise Desktop Support Technician 7 supports the need for the industry to raise the performance bar and to commit to the delivery of quality service which extends beyond the ability to simply solve the IT problem.

HDI was founded as an association that listens to the needs of the membership and customers. Based on feedback, such as provided in these blog comments, HDI has alway and is committed to the continued enhancement of services and offering new products.

The technical support profession continues to mature and the need for both business alignment and customer service to augment technical expertise is now an expectation in our industry that cannot be ignored. Success is directly related to supporting the business and satisifying customers.

This new certification is the next step in industry maturity and acknowledge that which is an expectation of the businesses that we in IT support.

Rick,

So one would have to become a member of HDI to access the certification standards for these tests? How detailed are these standards? How many pages are they? Are they just published standards or are they more like study guides similar to what is available from MSPress, Sybex, Sams, Syngress, etc. for Microsoft, CompTIA, Cisco, etc. exams?
Especially in this economy people are looking for the cheapest path possible and paying $595 for an entry level certification isn't exactly cheap.

As of 30 June 2009, Pearson VUE no longer delivers HDI exams

http://www.vue.com/hdi/

HDI: Full of Win

Reply to question on HDI Standards

Standards are available to members only. Silver membership is $150 and would grant access to all standards.

HDI plans to add the ability to purchase a separate standard such as HDI-SCA or HDI-DST which can be downloaded as a PDF. HDI-SCA is 80 pages and defines all the competencies and range of knowledge established by the ICSC for that given role.

Reply to Exam Availabilty

HDI introduced online certification exams in 2007. After two years of success and higher customer satisfaction, HDI discontinued the distribution through Pearson Vue. Online exams provide the flexibility in scheduling and taking that both organizations and individuals have desired.

Is there a future possibility of using your ITIL certification as an elective for this exam? HDI just doesn't seem worthwhile at this point.

I was very excited about the new Windows 7 certifications, and will be pursuing the Enterprise route, rather than the Desktop. Sure, with my experience I would. But, as many others have already stated: I do not think this is a good direction for Microsoft exams. As mentioned, it is WIDE open for cheaters. I can take the exam in my house (or go online and find someone that I can pay $50 to take it), open book/open note/braindump... It's not proctored, so there is little confidence in it to begin with.

I understand that hiring managers would like more rounded certifications (soft skills, etc.), but I have always approached the MS and others (Cisco, Juniper) as technical not personal certifications. CompTIA does go into the customer service and satisfaction even on their A+ exams (and that really surprised me, too! But, it was an extremely easy question, much easier than the others!).

If MS moves to requiring these type of certifications on other tracks, I'll just pass on them. My Microsoft certification career isn't that long, but my experience is.

Soft skills cannot be proven by an exam. That still shows that you can take a test successfully. Face to face with someone, you may react completely different.

I do see why you would want an exam like this added, but it doesn't sound like it was given much thought or outside input on it. At the very least, I'd like to see a standard Microsoft exam that focuses on the customer/end user interaction. Proctored, closed book, and more options for study.

My view is that problems started at Microsoft Learning not when Trika left, but when Ken Rosen entered.
I think he is part of the problem, not part of the solution.

Howdy.

I think there is lots of horse flogging going on here and not much solution orientation.

Ken, can you please make another post with more detail?

1) How does the new track work? Specifically say this exam + this exam = this exam.

2) Why was HDI chosen? Can you share that with us?

3) Can you explain what Microsoft's vision is for how people go after this? In this thread apparently the standards are members only. How can we prepare to sit the exam if we cant know what the exam actually IS without paying money?

Thanks in advance for the assistance, I know you are doing your best to support the community.

I have no interest in obtaining such a poor certification as the HDI as it has absolutely no value. Because of this I will be giving this a miss. What on earth are Microsoft thinking?

I am wishing (most times) when I call IT to ask for help that the person I am talking to had learned a few soft skills about customer service and how to communicate politely with their customers. Just because we may ask questions that you think makes us ID10T, does not mean you should talk to us like we are.

So let me get this straight. Since I already have the MCDST for XP to UPGRADE I have to take TWO tests. A Microsoft upgrade exam and a worthless HDI exam?. If you wanted to get this cert and you didn't have the previous cert you have to take THREE tests. After all this I will be certified on a single client side OS. Why would anyone bother. For all that trouble you could take the CCNA and have a much more valuable cert.

well i for one am HAPPY to see this. I do have my HDI DST and Team Lead certs already, but my Microsoft certs are for Windows2000. I'm ready to refresh those with RC7 so this is GOOD NEWS for those of us who value the customer service portion of our jobs!

This is great but doesn't look like its applicable for UK. Or does HDI have plans to offer their certifications to the UK market?

This is great but doesn't look like its applicable for UK. Or does HDI have plans to offer their certifications to the UK market?

Is HDI accredited? I've been advised by my Company's Tuition Assistance Program that since "Tuition Assistance is offered to any college, university, or online program that is fully accredited. Based on the review, this program is not accredited, therefore, it will not qualify." Since even the online course for HDI-DST is $595, the lack of accreditation will not only influence my decision to seek the MCITP: 70-682, but should call into question whether a non-accredited institution should be employed in conjunction with Microsoft Credentialing.

HDI can not provide proof of accreditation. This is the email I received from that organization today:
"Hello Michael,

Thanks for emailing HDI! Our training is not accredited and developed by a strategic advisory board based on state of the industry standards for the IT industry. We are not a university, and our courses do not have a college credit equivalent. Though our certifications are recognized as leading in the IT industry, and or course having one or many of our certifications can only bolster your resume.

Have a great day,

Brad Bach HDI - Customer Care Center 1-800-248-5667"

My company will not reimburse for a non-accredited institution.

Well, last week beta exam 71-685 results was published and 70-685 is available. Still there is no official path for MCITP: EDST7 on Microsoft Learning web page. I'm confused. As a MCT must I pay for additional training and exam from HDI Institute and why?!?

You don't need to do this exam if you don't need to - there are plans for an EDST for WIndows 7 and we're still working on the details. It'll be announced end of December. I'll be making a post shortly on this.

Great to hear... Seems like Windows 7 will be around for a while... If people paid for the Vista cert then they can pay for this one as well... 7 is better in many ways...

Just thought I would make you all laugh, I have just completed my HDI course so I emailed them asking for it to be added to my MCP transcript. This is the comedy response I got:

I hope your day is going well. Currently, we do not have an option to upload your certification to Microsoft. Please subscribe to our newsletters for the most up to date information regarding Microsoft. Thank you and have a great day.
http://www.thinkhdi.com/subscriptions/


What a joke!

If I am correct, the title is Enterprise Support Technician, not Enterprise Helpdesk Technician. MS should not require the HDI and if a hiring manager does, so be it, they could require the HDI cert separately. I required my techs to obtain MCDST and then MCITP:EST(Vista) as we evaluated Vista. Though I was allready MCSE, MCSA, MCDST, A+, Network+ and Secuirty+ and primarily administrate our servers, I find myself occassionally providing high level desktop support and also acquired EST(Vista). I had every intention on requiring the MCITP:EST7 and at least one EDA7 before we roll out Windows 7; but, I don't feel I can get financial support to provide the HDI training and testing from my employer to obtain the MCITP:EST7 and I don't feel the EDA7 would be a good fit for them all. If I could get the financial support, I would love to require the HDI; but again, there is no reason for MS to tie it to the EST. As I recall, the MCDST exam included many customer service type questions. I don't see why MS can't include them in the EST exams if they feel the need. Perhaps we will just use XP for another 10 years.

I took 70-680 and 70-685 do I have to take some more exam to earn the Enterprise Desktop Support Technician 7? I am confused

I took 70-680 and 70-685 do I have to take more exam to earn the MCITP: Enterprise Desktop Support Technician 7? I confused