Bryan Von Axelson 2010

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The Microsoft Virtualization competency helps you differentiate your virtualization expertise to customers and grow your business. Achieving this competency helps you maximize the benefits of the Microsoft Partner Network and quickly gain customer credibility, regardless of your company size, business model, or geography.

The systems management market is growing, due to the need to reduce costs from customers’ IT infrastructures, along with other top chief information officer (CIO) priorities. Earning the Systems Management competency can position your company to meet the demand. Gain access to software, tools, and resources that can help you increase your customer base by delivering operational efficiencies, cost savings, and a foundation for cloud services.
 
In May 2012, the Systems Management and Virtualization competencies will be merged to form a new competency called “Management and Virtualization.” This evolution reflects the continued convergence of management and virtualization workloads and helps prepare partners to deliver private cloud solutions.
Whether you design, sell, deploy, or consult on management or virtualization, the Microsoft Management and Virtualization competency can help you deliver a new breed of private cloud solutions in the future and therefore expand your role as a trusted advisor, differentiate you in the marketplace and create new business models.
Some important information I wanted to share in regards to existing exams retiring and what you need to prepare for now, and in the near future.  Hope this helps you chart the appropriate path to the Systems Management and Virtualization Competency.
 

Systems Management and Virtualization

Retiring exams from Silver Systems Management competency:

70-403 System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2008, Configuring (September 30, 2011). While this exam is retiring in September, it will remain valid for the competency until May 2012.

Retiring exams from gold and silver Virtualization competencies:

70-652 Windows Server Virtualization, Configuring (September 30, 2011). While this exam is retiring in September, it will remain valid for the competency until May 2012.
 

Silver Management and Virtualization competency requirements (May 2012):

One MCP must pass one of the following exams:

Exam 70-400: TS: SC Operations Manager 2007, Configuring

Exam 70-401: TS: SC Configuration Manager 2007, Configuring

Exam 70-658: TS: SC Data Protection Manager 2007, Configuring

A second MCP must pass one of the following exams:

Exam 70-659: TS: Windows Server 2008 R2, Server Virtualization

Exam 70-669: TS: Windows Server 2008 R2, Desktop Virtualization
 

Gold Management and Virtualization competency requirements. (May 2012)

Four unique MCPs each must pass the following exams:

Exam 70-400: TS: SC Operations Manager 2007, Configuring

Exam 70-401: TS: SC Configuration Manager 2007, Configuring

Exam 70-693: Pro: Windows Server 2008 R2, Virtualization Administrator
 

Sales assessment: A new sales assessment will be available by May 2012

Customer Evidence (May 2012):

Submit three (silver competency) or five (gold competency) customer references that showcase design and implementation of a solution using System Center and Server Virtualization. Each reference must feature a project that your organization has completed within the past 12 months and will be verified with your customer.

 
For more information on the current and future requirements - https://partner.microsoft.com/40108153
 
For more information on Virtualization & Management - http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/server-cloud/datacenter/virtualization.aspx