Which business applications cert is for you?
I am often asked what exam to take...how do I know it applies to me? It is super important to understand that the numbers with the certification exam do not convey any level of difficulty.
Here's my summary of the Business Applications exams.
PL-100- Power Platform App Maker (aka the citizen developer exam)- Your job is not Power Platform. Maybe you’re an accountant, maybe you work on the shop floor. You are an expert in what you do but you want to solve problems with Power Apps. This is a good way to show IT that you can be trusted to make apps in ”their” environments, or maybe even transition to a role of making Power Apps.
PL-200 -Power Platform Functional Consultant- You make Power Apps with low code or no code. You automate stuff with Power Platform resources using Power Fx, cloud flows, and connectors. This is your explicit job. (In my opinion, this is the toughest exam because it covers SO MUCH STUFF).
PL-300- Power BI Data Analyst- You transform data in a way that makes it consumable to stakeholders. You need to understand the sources for the data, and that may or may not be a Power Platform data source. This is your explicit job.
PL-400-Power Platform Developer-You extend Power Apps with code. You will do this better if you also understand what’s needed from PL-200/MB-200 above. This is your explicit job.
PL-500- Power Automate RPA Developer- You automate tasks with robotic process automation, and you do it with pro-code level skills. This is your explicit job.
PL-600-Power Platform Solution Architect-An advanced certification for architecting Power Platform solutions. You need to know a bit of everything and be able to apply it to solve real problems. This is your explicit job.
PL-900- Power Platform Fundamentals- Your job might be Power Platform, but the non-technical side. It’s important for you to understand abstract ideas about what the platform can and should do.
MB-210- Microsoft Dynamics 365 Sales Functional Consultant- You implement Dynamics 365 Sales. You understand the sales process and how users best work with sales automation software. You recognize and mitigate inefficiencies. You have a strong base knowledge of Power Platform, specifically model-driven apps and cloud flows. This is your explicit job.
MB-220- Microsoft Dynamics 365 Marketing Functional Consultant- You implement Dynamics 365 Marketing. You understand traditional and digital marketing needs and strategies. You recognize and mitigate inefficiencies. You have a strong base knowledge of Power Platform, specifically model-driven apps and cloud flows. This is your explicit job.
MB-230- Microsoft Dynamics 365 Customer Service Functional Consultant- You implement Dynamics 365 Customer Service. You understand how and why users use software to track and solve customer service issues. You recognize and mitigate inefficiencies. You have a strong base knowledge of Power Platform, specifically model-driven apps and cloud flows. This is your explicit job.
MB-240- Microsoft Dynamics 365 Field Service Functional Consultant- You implement Dynamics 365 Field Service. You know how users can manage and implement software solutions in the field to better service customer needs. A solid understanding of Internet of Things will help you do your job better. You recognize and mitigate inefficiencies. You have a strong base knowledge of Power Platform, specifically model-driven apps and cloud flows. This is your explicit job.
MB-260- Microsoft Dynamics 365 Customer Data Platform Specialist- You implement solutions for customer profiles and engagement tracking. You have a very good understanding of Power Platform that includes Dataverse, Power Query, and general CRM principles. You have a general understanding of the common data model and Azure concepts like Azure Machine Learning, Azure Synapse and Azure Data Factory. This is your explicit job, likely along with either Power Platform or CRM-type implementations.
MB-300- Microsoft Dynamics 365 Core Finance and Operations- You need to know the common features and concepts for the finance and operations apps. You might become a functional consultant, developer or other supporting role for an implementation. You will likely specialize in one of the other ERP-focused areas. This is your explicit job.
MB-310- Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance Functional Consultant- You analyze business requirements and turn them into business solutions and processes using the finance application. You understand industry best practices and how it applies to ERP-related operations. You are capable with other finance and operations apps, but specialize in finance solutions. This is your explicit job.
MB-330- Microsoft Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management Functional Consultant- You analyze business requirements and turn them into business solutions and processes using the supply chain application. You understand industry best practices and how it applies to ERP-related operations. You are capable with other finance and operations apps, but specialize in supply chain solutions. This is your explicit job.
MB-340- Microsoft Dynamics 365 Commerce Functional Consultant- You analyze business requirements and turn them into business solutions and processes using the commerce application. You understand industry best practices and how it applies to ERP-related operations. You are capable with other finance and operations apps, but specialize in commerce solutions. This is your explicit job.
MB-500- Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations Apps Developer- You implement business logic for finance and operations apps using pro-code solutions to extend these apps. You need a solid understanding of out of the box configuration options so that you do not code things that are best as configured options. This is your explicit job.
MB-700- Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations Apps Solution Architect- This is an advanced certification for architecting solutions with finance and operations applications. You orchestrate and watch over all aspects of the implementation from planning to building to testing. This is your explicit job.
MB-800- Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central Functional Consultant- You implement the core setup of Business Central. You configure the application to meet the needs of the client. You fully understand the business needs that are solved with the application. This is your explicit job.
MB-910- Microsoft Dynamics 365 Fundamentals (CRM)- Your job might be something with Dynamics 365, but not the technical aspects. You support people who use these products or implement these products. You need to understand the business reasons for implementing various customer relationship management software.
MB-920- Microsoft Dynamics 365 Fundamentals (ERP)- Your job might be something with Dynamics 365, but not the technical aspects. You support people who use these products or implement these products. You need to understand the business reasons for implementing various enterprise resource planning software.
Excellent summary, Julie; thanks a lot!
Posted by: Brigitte Maheu | January 23, 2023 at 06:44 AM
Lovely and timely Article especially for those whose New Year's Resolution is to get those certs. ;-). Meanwhile, can we say that if you can do the PL 200, PL 400 and 600 are more of a breeze to do or perhaps easier? Also, if someone passes 400/600 but does not pass 200, what does that actually say? (I can design it, talk about it but I can't really build? ;-)) Thoughts for discussion! :) #Poweraddicts #PowerPlatform
Posted by: Bigpix2000 | January 23, 2023 at 08:37 AM