How to be a SAP consultant?

In this article, we tell you everything you need to know to be a SAP consultant.

SAP ERP has seen enormous growth in recent years as its objective is to control all aspects and resources of the company in an automated way and in one place. This facilitates decision-making because we achieve precise control that allows us to achieve improvements in the business.

Most multinationals, and increasingly growing companies, have decided to migrate to this management model due to the amount of benefits it provides. Of course, adopting SAP sounds ideal, but who is in charge of getting it up and running, adapting it to the business, and ensuring that it works as it should? That's where the SAP consultant figure comes in.

Who are SAP consultants?

SAP consultants are the specialists who make it possible for a company to maximize this system. They don't just know the software, but they also understand how an organization works internally: its processes, its key areas, and, above all, its specific needs.

Their work goes far beyond installing a program. They are the ones who analyze the current business situation, identify opportunities for improvement, and configure SAP to fit the company's objectives like a glove. In many cases, they also train internal teams, accompany them at every stage of the project, and provide ongoing support after implementation.

Becoming an SAP consultant requires specific knowledge and a profile that we invite you to discover in this article.

What does an SAP consultant do?

The main mission of the SAP consultant is to support companies in the use of the integrated management software package and from there perform a series of main tasks:

Collaborate closely with teams: an SAP consultant will identify the specific needs of the company to offer tailor-made solutions capable of maximizing performance.

• Implement the SAP softwareAfter understanding the company's needs, the consultant adds the most relevant modules (standard modules and some more specific ones) and configures the solution to simplify the use of the platform.
• Ensure the correct implementation of the software: their mission is not limited simply to its launch. It also guarantees the correct functioning of the software package. To do this, they must perform several technical tests, both before and after implementation.
• Provide maintenance and supervision: remains available with the organization, to resolve technical problems or make the necessary adjustments over time.
• User training: Since an SAP consultant is not expected to remain within the company for years, they must train users and teach them best practices. They can also write technical support so that teams have a basis in their absence. This helps ensure a smooth, autonomous, and sustainable adoption of the technology.

Since SAP consultants work in companies of all sizes and in all sectors of activity, their objectives and tasks can vary greatly from one client to another.

What skills does an SAP consultant require?

The knowledge and skills necessary to become a functional SAP consultant

• Having experience or understanding of the subject area and industry where SAP will be implemented (such as logistics, commerce, or banking).
• Having good communication and presentation skills to interact with clients and translate their needs into the system.
• Knowing how to explain technical information to people without specialized knowledge.
• Having the ability to work in a team and good interpersonal skills.
• Handling at least a second language, preferably English, since a large part of the 
  Technical content and daily work is found in that language.
• Having a higher education background (this point will be addressed later).

Certified studies

If you're thinking about becoming an SAP consultant, the ideal thing is to start with the most solid path: official training. The best option is to contact directly the official SAP education center in your country. As a global company, SAP has an educational presence in different regions, which facilitates access to its certified programs.

You can contact them to learn about study modalities, costs, and available certifications. This training will not only give you a quality technical foundation, but it will also open more doors for you in the job market, since many companies especially value those who have official accreditations.

At Xamai, as an SAP Partner, we guarantee that all our consultants are officially certified by SAP. In addition, we continuously renew their certifications to stay up-to-date with the latest versions, functionalities, and best practices of the system.

 Although there are schools or universities that offer courses on SAP, many of them are not officially endorsed. While they may offer a first approach, the lack of recognized certification can represent a disadvantage when looking for employment in this sector.

 

Certified Consultant Qualification

The “SAP Certified Consultant Certification” is a qualification awarded by SAP that certifies that the consultant has knowledge of the development, maintenance, and operation of SAP.

We can say that it is quite complex to obtain it, but it is not a mandatory qualification to work as an SAP consultant; however, having it will help you gain the trust of clients and can be an advantage when applying for a job, as there are vacancies that require qualified candidates.

Furthermore, if you are thinking about becoming independent or starting your own business as a freelance consultant in the future, this is a qualification that you should definitely obtain.

Types of SAP Consultants

SAP consultants are generally divided into four types:

• SAP Developer Consultant: This type of consultant is responsible for coding Java and ABAP programs.
• SAP Business Sales Consultant: They focus on winning projects at the client level.
• SAP Functional Consultant: This type of SAP consultant works with engineers to write custom code for ABAP programs and customize SAP to meet client requirements.
• SAP Basis ConsultantThey are dedicated to the installation, maintenance, and adjustment of SAP databases and servers. Depending on the size of the project, you may also be responsible for other tasks.

Difference between a SAP consultant and a SAP engineer

A job title that is often confused with that of a SAP consultant is that of a SAP engineer. Below, we will explain the role of a SAP engineer and how it differs from a SAP consultant.

What is a SAP engineer?

SAP engineers work in collaboration with SAP consultants to design and implement business solutions. The responsibilities of a SAP engineer are:

• Create guidelines based on the client's functional specifications
• Test and validate code results with test cases
• Create functionality reports for clients
• Create test case scenarios to verify the functionality of your code

Difference between a SAP consultant and a SAP engineer

SAP consultants are often confused with SAP engineers, but in fact, in some companies, both terms often refer to the same job position and, as mentioned earlier, a large part of a SAP consultant's work involves practical design and development.

Generally, SAP consultants are primarily responsible for initial processes, such as defining requirements for implementation and operation, while SAP engineers specialize in design and development, and their main job is to develop programs that function smoothly through repeated code testing.

In projects that have SAP engineers and SAP consultants, SAP engineers do not have many opportunities to meet face-to-face with the client, but some companies use SAP consultant and SAP engineer as titles to refer to the same type of work. It is necessary to understand the content of the work and the scope of responsibilities not only from the job title but also from the actual job requirements and job information.

Define the module

Before you start looking for information on how to become a SAP consultant, analyze and decide which of its modules you want to specialize in.

There are several modules and submodules that the program has (Financial Accounting, Sales and Distribution, Material or Human Resources Management, among others). This is why it is important to select the one you want to focus on. Your academic profile and experience, as well as your knowledge or interests, will play a big part in this. All of this will help you discover the module in which you want to specialize to become an expert.

The future of SAP consultants

As the workforce transforms into new models and market needs change, more and more companies are betting on digitalization and process optimization.

In this context, SAP systems have become a key solution, not only for large corporations, but also for growing companies that seek to remain competitive and want to adapt to new technological challenges.

At Xamai, we know that the ERP market continues to expand, which is why our consulting services are becoming much more efficient, so you can take advantage of all business processes in a single platform. Without a doubt, with this expansion, the need for specialized professionals also grows.

The demand for SAP consultants is increasing worldwide and we know that profiles are needed who are capable of implementing and supporting SAP systems adapted to the needs of each organization and who apply the most optimal tools.

As many ERP solutions are being migrated to the cloud, profiles with broad knowledge in information technology, beyond SAP, are increasingly valued. To stay relevant and stand out in this field, it is essential to have a constant learning attitude, stay up-to-date on new technologies, and continue developing key skills.

SAP Career Perspectives

The future for those specializing in SAP is very promising. Whether you are looking for a full-time position, considering a career change, or are interested in working under more flexible schemes such as contract projects or high-level outsourcing, there are many ways to boost your career and gain valuable experience in SAP.

If you need support from a certified SAP consultant, do not hesitate to contact us.