Getting Started

In this world of social web, I wanted to start communicating with everyone that I have come across in last 35 years about learning ERP. Today, is my day to attempt this goal. Tell me if you like it, hate it, whatever.

Just when I was trying to register the blog name, I find the name "LearningERP" is already taken. No wonder! So now my blog is LearningERP-erplabs.blogspot.com. It becomes a long name but just save the link in favorites.

Today, let me start with our final goal of learning ERP - find a job! Agreed? About this job situation, I came across this article on SAP Developer Network (SDN) by Jon Reed - a self proclaimed SAP careers Guru and has a lot of clout in the SAP world. Check his article out at http://www.sdn.sap.com//irj/scn/index?rid=/library/uuid/c0332281-dff2-2c10-b8ac-f18ad3a598f1. You may need to log in. If you are still not a member of SDN then please register. It's free and there is so much free, in-depth knowledge from real experts. If you want to be in the SAP world then you have to be a part of this elite community of SAP experts. If you just want me to send you the .pdf files of this 2 part document, just shoot me an email message.

Jon Reed's assessment is not very encouraging. He talks about the need for mastery over an area. When we are looking for our students the entry level jobs, how can we think of mastery from the very first job. Of course, there is nothing new that we did not know. Employers are looking for people with deep specializations. Just MM, FI or SD certification is not enough. They want someone with IS Retail, IS Utilities, just the pricing engine within SD, Performance Management with BI space and this type deep specialization in narrow area.

In 1996 when I came to US, if you had some where some time some type of exposure to SAP, it was enough to get a job. Within 2 years, recruiters were demanding minimum one end-to-end project experience, but knowledge of any one module was adequate. By 2001, you had to know more than one module and more than one end-to-end projects. Even until last year, Canada HRD would provide funding for EI recipients for 3 modules training, assuming that 3 modules training is enough to find a job. But I guess, not enough anymore. In addition to 3 modules, you also need deep knowledge of a narrow specialization area.

Jon Reed talks about Business Objects career strategy. Many if you got your BW certification in addition to a core module (MM,SD,FI). But now just BW certification is not enough. Now you got to know Business Objects in BI space. Just last week, I was talking to Praveen of IIBS. He tells me that BOBJ certifications are quite in-expensive - just 100 dollars (compare that with SAP's about $700 per attempt) and you can take the test anyday at IIBS office in Missisuaga.

At WSC, we are planning another strategy - "QlikView training in BI to complement any of your present SAP modules knowledge".

Christina has already blessed the plan for QV training and project at WSC. We are starting QV training for core team of staff today and will start QV project for clients by beginning May. Everyone at WSC is excited about this project. Let's see, how far we can help in converting it into real jobs.

QlikView is called "in-memory" Business Intelligence product. This is the most latest technology in BI space. I will blog about it in future, but for now in case you are interested in knowing more about it check out Qlikview website at http://www.qlikview.com/us/explore

I plan to blog all about my ERP training activities at WSC, BRASI, BIMTECH, QlikView, IEC and all those places in the world where something interesting is happening.

I look forward to meeting you frequently here.

with all the best wishes for your careers!

Ashok