Mahesh: We noticed that you are an author of a few books! What are these books about? And where can one download or purchase a copy from?
Kasam: Yes, I have authored three books,
· Demystifying Azure AI: Implementing the Right AI Features for Your Business – September 2020
· Azure for .NET Core Developers: Implementing Microsoft Azure Solutions Using .NET Core Framework – April 2020
· Developing Bots with QnA Maker Service: Integration with Azure Bot Service and Microsoft Bot Framework – January 2019
All three books focus on Azure, Azure AI and Bots. You can purchase it from Amazon, or you can visit my website for the direct links.
Mahesh: Should one consider Azure certifications? Do they add value to individual or it’s only for organization to get partnership?
Kasam: Definitely Yes! It let you know your level of expertise with the subject. It does help you get shortlisted from the one with no certification.
It does add value to one’s professional profile. Be genuine to your work, have a good amount of hands-on on the subject. Consider Microsoft Practice test over Dumps.
Just don’t do it for earning a certificate or badge, but to validate your skills & expertise on the subject.
Mahesh: Microsoft keeps changing things around certifications (retiring some, bringing new ones, updating the content etc) – what’s your thought on this?
Kasam: Change is the only Constant that keeps on happening. Learning is continuous journey and so it should be the case to get yourself evaluated in timely manner.
I myself gave 70-534, then 70-535, then later AZ-303 & AZ-304 and now soon will go for AZ-305. Its quite interesting to learn and self-evaluate yourself.
Mahesh: What are your thoughts on Azure forums, blogs and articles etc.?
Kasam: Not all are useful. I prefer Microsoft Docs, and then comes blogs from MVPs.
Mahesh: Your suggestion to newcomers? What should be the approach to get started with Azure?
Kasam: For all the newcomers, the most important step is to Start, don’t just dream and keep planning. Very first start with Azure Fundamentals.
Microsoft Learn is the best place to start your learning journey. Clear your basics, and then decide on which profile you need to move on. Be it be Admin profile, or developer profile, every area needs a strong Hands-on, so don’t run away from making your hands dirty with working on each service.
You can refer my article on How to pass AZ-900 Azure fundamentals exam. Also one can visit my YouTube Channelwhich has over 100+ videos covering different Azure services by subject experts.
Mahesh: There are many tools from community which are used while working with Azure, what do you say about it? Which ones you would recommend? Why? No Microsoft support available?
Kasam: Frankly speaking it all depend on individual choice and requirement, along with scope of work. All are good and unique on its own way. Do keep trying with different tools and decide which is helping you, productivity wise, go with it.
Mahesh: What is the future of Azure?
Kasam: Surely, with this pace, its Huge.
Mahesh: Do you think the cost of using cloud services for long time will be more than having infrastructure on prem.? (Where transactions are in millions or more)?
Kasam: Considering ease of deploying, scaling its No.
Mahesh: How do you see Azure compared to other cloud platform?
Kasam: Much easier to work with.
Mahesh: What motivates you to do the community work?
Kasam: Its my passion. When professionals message me about there success stories, and mentioning me being part of there journey, it motivates me to involve my self more.
Mahesh: You have been awarded recently; do you think more responsibility gets added on you?
Kasam: When I shared my first article, till date, I do my things with responsibility. Awards are the appreciation of work done and doesn’t add a responsibility as such.
Thanks a lot Kasam for taking out time and sharing the insights with us.
Feel free to ask questions to Kasam in comments!!!