SAP is one of the biggest and highest paid areas of specialisation within the industry.
Like Microsoft, SAP is an IT company specialising in developing business software. As an SAP expert, you’ll be able to work in a wide number of roles which involve advising on and installing SAP software for a range of organisations.
You’ll need to know all of the SAP products and solutions before you can become an SAP expert. This is essential for you to be able to advise clients on what would be best for their requirements.
You can start to learn about the company and its products by taking a look at the SAP website.
Opportunities
Depending on your level of experience and responsibility you could become an SAP consultant, project manager, analyst, technician or trainer, similar to many roles found within other areas of IT.
Required skills
The skills employers will look for will vary depending on the role, but they will typically be looking for:
• Extensive technical knowledge about SAP’s services
• The ability to explain technical information in a clear and simple manner
• Good negotiating skills
• A strong understanding of business
• Team working and team management experience
• Good project management skills
• Good organisation and problem-solving skills
Entry requirements
Regardless of the level you enter, you’ll need a degree of IT experience and relevant qualifications.
Knowledge and qualifications in SAP technologies is a prerequisite. This can be gained by taking one of the many training courses run by SAP, ranging from introductions to technical business configuration.
You can choose the courses that suit your area of expertise and career ambitions. As an example, you can gain qualifications in financial software installations, customer management solutions or general business applications.
Training
It’s important to regularly update your skills by attending courses on new technologies, or teaching yourself where possible by reading technology literature and manuals. This is essential to keep up to speed with the rapidly changing IT industry. You’ll find that many employers are likely to arrange and pay for necessary training.
Hours and environment
As with most IT jobs you’ll most likely work 37-40 hours a week. this may change at critical stages of a project where you can be required to work late or at weekends to meet deadlines.
If you work as a contractor, you’ll be working on a project by project basis. However, you could work for a consultancy that installs SAP software for a range of clients. Alternatively, you can work directly for SAP, which has offices in 50 countries, employing more than 51,000 people.
In most cases you’ll be expected to be well-presented as much of the work is client-facing, meaning you'll need to make a good impression.
Average salary
Qualified SAP engineers, project managers and technicians earn approximately £52,000 to £58,000. Depending on experience and your place of work, this can often be much more.