IT managers are facing problems in recruiting their technical staff and arranging the training for them. They would like to ensure that their professionals are consistent and have the adequate knowledge of supporting Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office applications. The organizations that have made plenty of investments in the Microsoft software can utilize this certification as a benchmark for hiring support technicians and it can be also used as a training tool for development of the professionals

To achieve this certification Microsoft presents only two core examinations. Exam 70-271: Supporting Users and Troubleshooting a Microsoft Windows XP Operating System, that measures the skills of the candidates required for supporting users and troubleshooting the Windows XP operating system, and exam 70-272: Supporting Users and Troubleshooting Desktop Applications on a Microsoft Windows XP Operating System that measures the skills needed to support and troubleshoot applications like Microsoft office or internet explorer running on Windows XP