A Career in ERP.. Where Does One Start….
Aug 22nd, 2007 by Satha
Well they say that a career in ERP is something that evolves..
I tend to agree with this statement. I am an accountant who left the life of a “CFO” to be in a customer servicing role. I started my ERP career as a functional ERP consultant and then progressed through to service delivery and sales leadership roles.
However in the current environment, where a channel based “go to market model” is popular amongst larger and smaller vendors (i.e. Microsoft, SAP, Oracle, Netsuite, Accpac, Sage..) there is greater opportunity for us to choose an appropriate career path in ERP, at a very early stage in our career.
The typical ERP professional has the option of transitioning their career across the organisational functions (from customer support through to consulting to service delivery management to sales and business leadership). And choosing other well known paths of specialization such as: supply chain management, CRM, distribution, manufacturing, financial management, project management etc..
In addition, with inroads made by players such as: Microsoft, SAP and Oracle to the small to medium business sector, ERP professionals are also able to choose their specialisation by business sector (i.e. small to medium business vs large corporates).
Those specialising in solutions such as: Microsoft Dynamics Nav, Microsoft Dynamics Ax, SAP B1, Oracle E-Business suite, Netsuite, Accpac etc.. will largely be working with businesses in the small to medium sector.
Whilst others specialising in SAP R3, SAP All In One, Oracle, MAPICS etc.. would be spending time in the corporate sector.
Broadly speaking the soft skills and attributes required of the ERP professional will vary significantly depending on the business sector and the type of client.
Soft skills & attributes required of the ERP professional should also include:
| For the Small to Medium Business Sector | For The Corporate Sector |
| a) the ability work in small teams with greater responsibility towards the project success | a) ability to work in large structured teams, comprising of very many specialists |
| b) the ability manage a large portfolio of customers at any given time | b)ability to focus on one or two large projects/bids until completion |
| c) the ability to deal with clients who are much less systems /IT savvy | c) ability to work to strict deadlines |
| d) ability to operate under strict budgetary constraints | d) ability to operate in an environment where one may have very little influence over the direction of the project |
| e) the ability to deal with staff/business owners, who have less time for the project but are more demanding | e) ability to deal with higher levels of organisational politics amongst business users |
Hi Satha,
I just gone through your recent Post about Career in ERP.
Leaving a job with designated CFO and starting own enterprise, to reach to this success is really boosting and encouraging for the ones who are working with you and who might have gone through this posting.
I am an Electrical Engineer working with MNC in UAE with around 4 year’s over all experience. I am thinking of switching over from my domain automation and controls - Projects and Services. I am still exploring the future prospects in SAP / ERP and thats why not came to any conclusions yet.
Is it possible that you can guide me about my switching over thinking in an online mail discussions where i can share my background, strengths and inherent skills.
So i could come to some conclusions whether i should persue the career in ERP / SAP or not?
Regards,
Roopesh
Business Career Center…
I couldn’t understand some parts of this article, but it sounds interesting…
I am working in an Indian Oil Company for 2 years in Operations department. Working on ERP system of JDE in Purchase and Sales n distribution Modules as an End user.
I want to pursue care in ERP, pl. suggest which module of SAP will suite me to start career in ERP and should i opt for Technical Consultant or functional consultant.
I have basic knowledge of Programming languages C & C++.
Dear Satha,
I really appreciate your effort to become a CEO of a company and own a company. pls. accept my congragulations. It is a reward for your sustained effort and hardwork.
I am an enduser in Navision and appeared for financial exam of microsoft and got certified as functional consultant in financial management. I would like to continue my career in Navision -ERP and in the long-run(may be after two years) in SAP. I dont have any implementation experience.
Pls. advise how to proceed my career.
regards,
S.R
hi satha,
I have done my graduation in computer engg. and currently pursuing mba in IT. I am looking ERP as a career but confused where to start? i am interested on more of a functional side.
is it required to do SAP modules?
Can you please help me out?
[…] Soft skills/disciplines required of a Project Manager:¨ ability to define scope, and break them down to sequential activity¨ estimating, budgeting, cost control and reporting¨ team builder, ability to engage and mobilize direct and indirect teams¨ ability to deploy appropriate project methodology towards optimum outcomesSmall to medium size businesses often lack the resources to engage in house project management professionals. And therefore they look to their vendors to introduce the relevant management disciplines to the project. The soft skills and attributes required of ERP/ CRM and project management professionals specializing in small to medium business sector are very different to those specializing in the corporate sector (A Career in ERP.. Where Does One Start….) […]
Hi Satha,
I turned few pages of your comments and found your comments to be very practical and interesting .
I want to know the starting point to enter in SAP , I am currently working as a Business Analyst with TATA CONSULTANCY SERVICES in INDIA .
I have completed my Post Graduation in Commerce with Management a subject of specialization , Total work experience 4+ years and since last 2 years working with TCS .
Please guide me how could I start in to SAP without any knowledge in SAP functions .