[devilmoon]

Tech consultancies need people with certs because usually a client will say 'i want X people with Y certificate on this project or I'll go to someone else'

[mamon]

Also, when a company wants to call them, say, "Microsoft Silver Partner", they typically need at least X people with Microsoft certificates.

[rootsofallevil]

Having been in both sides: Consultancy and Client. My experience suggests that this is far from universal.