New Microsoft Office 2007 Desktop Certification Brand Unveiled by Certiport

Microsoft Certified Application Specialist (MCAS) certification to become Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) 2007

SALT LAKE CITY – May 19, 2010

Certiport, the official test delivery solution provider for the global workforce and academic markets, today announced the Microsoft® Certified Application Specialist (MCAS) certification will be renamed Microsoft® Office Specialist (MOS) 2007 beginning June 2, 2010.

According to a new report, eighty percent of enterprise customers use some version of Microsoft Office for worker productivity and collaboration, with only eight percent using alternatives. Replacing MCAS, MOS 2007 will continue as the premier, globally recognized certification program chosen by individuals seeking to validate their knowledge, skills and abilities relating to the 2007 Microsoft Office system.

Microsoft Office Specialist 2007 Details: www.certiport.com/mos2007

All individuals who have earned a MCAS credential will be considered certification holders of the MOS 2007 certification. The certification exam will remain unchanged, without any new requirements or content.

"After lengthy market analyses, the new Microsoft Office Specialist 2007 brand represents a more concise message for our testing centers, partners and certification holders," said Ray Kelly, chief executive officer, Certiport. "Today, we're strengthening the visibility and equity of the MOS brand by strongly connecting the product name with value of a globally-recognized certification, significant in both academia and business."

In the academic environment, MOS 2007 will continue to enhance scholastic performance and prepare students to enter the workforce. In a competitive job market, individuals will continue to use MOS 2007 to differentiate themselves, prove their skills, enhance job performance and advance their careers.

"The strength of our brand is one of our most prized assets and the value it brings to our business is immeasurable," said Lutz Ziob, general manager, Microsoft Learning. "Microsoft Office is our second most popular brand, and renaming the certification will help students and individuals in the workforce further distinguish themselves as recognized Microsoft Office application experts."

Current MCAS certification holders may choose to use the new branding designation on personal documents since they will, by design, retain the MOS 2007 credential. They can also replace their MCAS documentation with a MOS 2007 certificate for a small fee to cover fulfillment costs at www.certiport.com/portal/SSL/Login.aspx.

Certiport is the only authorized provider of Microsoft's Business Certifications. The MOS 2007 exam covers the entire Microsoft Office Suite, encompassing Word 2007, PowerPoint® 2007, Excel® 2007, Outlook® 2007 and Access® 2007, as well as Windows Vista®.

About Certiport

Certiport is the leading provider of value-added, computerized test delivery services that include an expansive network of Certiport testing centers worldwide. Its comprehensive services encompass test development, psychometrics, program management, sales and marketing for the official Microsoft® Office certification programs, the Adobe® Certified Associate certification program, the iCritical Thinking™ Certification powered by ETS, the CompTIA Strata™ IT Fundamentals and the Certiport Internet and Computing Core Certification (IC³®). Certiport reliably delivers almost two million exams each year throughout the secondary, post-secondary, workforce and corporate technology markets in more than 142 countries and 24 languages worldwide.

"Certiport" and "IC³" are registered trademarks of Certiport, Inc. in the United States and other countries. "Microsoft" is either a registered trademark or trademark of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and other countries. The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

Press Contact:
Brenda Armstrong
Certiport
1.801.602.0305
barmstrong@certiport.com