A career in SAP?

[Former Member]

A good afternoon (to everyone from my timezone, a good day otherwise). This might be an oft' asked question: How do i begin a career in SAP? Well, let me explain a bit about my background and aptitude first, so that the community might be able give me a good opinion.

I work as a developer specializing in .net, sql server, ssis and ssrs (sql server integration services and reporting services). I currently am looking at trying to get into a career of SAP which i have heard from many people as an area which encompasses many lines of business and thus, i would like to get an opinion of which would be the one best suited for me. My expectations are mostly with regards to interest and a thirst to learn something new and hence, i am looking forward to adding something new to my portfolio.

My strengths are

Analytics

Problem Solving

Curiosity

Hence, i request fellow members to guide me on how and which area would be the most suitable for me. Please do go ahead and give me your ideas or pointers on how and what i must do in order to utilize my technical background and also my strengths in order to become an effective solutions provider in a suggested SAP module.

[former_member183424]

What do you like ?

Coding (technical) or Functional ?

There are many modules are in SAP. You can choose as per your interest.

1. SAP FI Module- FI stands for Financial Accounting
2. SAP CO Module- CO stands for Controlling
3. SAP PS Module – and PS is Project Systems
4. SAP HR Module – HR stands for Human Resources
5. SAP PM Module – where Plant Maintenance is the PM
6. SAP MM Module – MM is Materials Management -
7. SAP QM Module -  QM stands for Quality Management
8. SAP PP Module – PP  is Production Planning
9. SAP SD Module – SD is Sales and Distribution
10. SAP BW Module – where BW stands for Business (Data) Warehouse
11. SAP  EC Module – where EC stands for Enterprise Controlling
12. SAP TR Module – where TR stands for Treasury
13. SAP    IM Module – where IM stands for Investment Management
14. SAP   QM Module – where QM stands for Quality Management
15. SAP – IS where IS stands for Industries specific solution
16. SAP – Basis
17. SAP – ABAP
18. SAP – Cross Application Components
19. SAP – CRM where CRM stands for Customer Relationship Management
20. SAP – SCM where SCM stands for Supply Chain Management
21. SAP – PLM where PLM stands for Product Life Cycle Management
22. SAP – SRM where SRM stands for Supplier Relationship Management
23. SAP – CS where CS stands for Customer Service
24. SAP – SEM where SEM stands for STRATEGIC ENTERPRISE MANAGEMENT
25. SAP – RE where RE stands for Real Estate

[Former Member]

Thanks a lot for a really quick response there Dev Patra. I am comfortable with technical but i would like it if you could elaborate on what functional SAP comprises of?

[former_member183424]

If you are interested in technical, then you can choose the module ABAP.

ABAP is totally integrated only with technical things.

If you choose ABAP module, then you will do only coding as per the functional specification.

If you choose functional module, then you have to choose a module from various business process.

Every functional module has its own business process.

[former_member199945]

My suggestion will be Learn BO /HANA as you have experience  in SQL D.B.

[former_member187748]

Hi Lakshman,

as you have coding experience then i will suggest you to go with SAP ABAP module, it is one of the main coding stream in sap, from where there are lots of options available which you can switch in future,

like UI5, Workflow, Webdynpro, HANA etc.

As you mind has tuned towards coding part, and if you love coding then SAP ABAP will be more fruitful to you, but as told that you have analytical skills too ,then you can search in SCN or Google with all the major modules, and see its processings, if any module fit into your skill set, then you can opt it as an career option.

If you have any doughts, please revert.

[Former Member]

Hello Lakshman,

Please have a look at the blogs collected at SAP Career Blog Links as many of them touch on your topic. In particular, you might want to read the following:

Advice for Recent College Graduates (aka "Freshers")

FAQ: What is the best SAP module for me?

FAQ: Java vs. ABAP Programming Careers

The general rule of thumb is: use the skills you have to get the job you want.

The second rule is: Don't quit your day job.

Since you have development expertise, you should be able to find and get a job at a company that is already running sap. (FAQ: How do I get my first SAP job? ) Once there, you can migrate into the group responsible for supporting the SAP system. Since you mentioned ssrs, you might also have an interest in analytical reporting (Business Intelligence or Business Warehouse in the SAP world).

Here's what you should not do:

Do NOT quit your job and pay for training based on the promises of the Training group that they'll be able to find you a good job afterwards. That road is paved with sorrow, see the blogs in the blog link page. The typical story is that someone quits their job, spends big bucks on training and certification, and then spends 1 year or more, growing increasingly desperate... sometimes to the point of creating fake resumes with made up experience and actually paying to work on an SAP project instead of getting a salary.

KEEP YOUR DAY JOB! USE THE SKILLS YOU HAVE TO (slowly, but surely) GET THE JOB YOU WANT!

In the United States there's a popular children's story, the Tortoise and the Hare. I won't bore you with all of the details, but the moral of the story is often stated as "slow and steady wins the race".

I hope this is helpful!

Best regards,

--Tom