Microsoft Certified Application Specialist (MCAS)

The Microsoft Certified Application Specialist (MCAS) certification is designed to validate skills in using the 2007 Microsoft Office system and the Windows Vista operating system and meeting the demand for the most up-to-date skills on the latest Microsoft technologies. This certification can help you differentiate yourself in today’s competitive job market, broaden your employment opportunities by displaying your advanced skills, and result in higher earning potential. Candidates who successfully complete the program by passing a certification exam show that they can meet globally recognized performance standards.

To get Microsoft Certified Application Specialist (MCAS) certification, you have to pass any one of the following tests:

A digital signature is used to authenticate digital documents by using computer cryptography. A digital signature not only validates the sender’s identity, but also ensures that the document’s contents have not been altered. Digital signature is based on digital certificates. Digital certificates are verifiers of identity issued by a trusted third party, which is known as a certification authority (CA). This works similarly to the use of standard identity documents in a non-electronic environment. It verifies that the source and integrity of the document is not compromised since the document is signed. A digital signature provides the following assurances: Authenticity, Integrity, and Non-repudiation.

The Microsoft Office 2007 introduces a new file format that is based on XML. It is called Open XML Formats. It applies to Microsoft Office Word 2007, Microsoft Office Excel 2007, and Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2007. The benefits of Open XML Formats are as follows:

1. Compact Files: Files are automatically compressed in Open XML Formats. They can be up to 75 percent smaller in some cases. Zip compression technology is used to store documents. It offers potential cost savings as it reduces the disk space required to store files and decreases the bandwidth needed to send files across the Internet. When a user opens a file, it is automatically unzipped. When a user saves a file, it is automatically zipped again.