Microsoft enters the project certification arena

This press release from Microsoft, timed shortly before the PMI Global Congress, announces a certification programme for users of Microsoft Project 2007. The new version of Project Server is due to be released in the New Year and aims to integrate further with other organisation systems and processes. Offering a standard for training does seem like a good idea. It will be interesting to see how the new certification from Microsoft, which has a reputation for setting its own standards, aligns with the PMBOK.
The announcement says the "training and certification product lines ... were developed after consulting the A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge ...".Microsoft Advances Its Project Management Technology and the Project Management Profession