SAP BASIS - Can System Admin experience (Non-SAP) transfer into SAP Basis?

[Former Member]

Greetings everyone, I hope you are well this weekend.

I've heard how great SAP careers are for the dedicated and I'm doing my research to find out if an SAP career is viable and if so which is a good entry point. I've read a book by John Von Aspen and in his book he suggests starting out in a customer service rep position for an SAP company as an end user to use as an entry point, but for my background is there another way?

I'm a computer science graduate of DeVry in Atlanta with Technical Support experience and I'm currently working in an IT customer service position. My career has only begun and I'm in the process of mapping out the best route to start in SAP. I'm looking into BASIS as a starting point out of all the functional modules and technical roles available but I am open to all areas. If the next point in my career map were a System Administration role, and if I were to have a few years experience in that role, could I transfer the skills gained into an SAP BASIS administrator? Between now and then I would have done much self study from books and any online courses I could afford. However would I still be short of what a hiring manager is looking for if I don't have an direct experience with SAP Basis?

If such a path would not be viable, what would be the next best step to take coming from Tech/Customer Support?

Thank you,

Sabir

[Colleen]

Hi Sabir

I have not read his book so cannot comment too much on that. However, I did a quick search and saw his background is CRM. Perhaps his recommended career path was an example based on his background?

It sounds like you are a planner which is a good trait to have if you are determined to switch over. What sort of technical support are are you doing? If you are a recent graduate you might be able to look to apply to graduate programs in some consultancies (I won't mention names but if you google SAP consultancy graduate position you will find a heap of names).

As far as getting across to Basis the sort of research you could do is look at the SCN communities for System Administration and see they times of themes of the questions. To transition from general system administration to SAP you could look at skilling up with Databases (e.g. Oracle), Operating Systems, Networks, etc. These skills will compliment the Basis skill set but also protect your investment should a SAP job not work out - you still have skills to be valued elsewhere.

In relation to training and education, you want might to research about the SAP Learning Hub. If you are good at self-teaching and learning online this would be a good way for you to invest in training and go at your own pace and keep your cost down. There is a free discovery edition for you to see what the course content it like but it does not give you much of the system administration component.

I would hold off going for any certification (cost) unless until you some experience (unless ofcourse, it becomes a requirement for the job).

The final bit for getting into SAP is investigate the companies that use SAP. Keep looking out for job opportunities to join one of them and then find a way to move into the SAP system administration area.

Good luck with it all and if you have any specific question let us know

Cheers

Colleen

[Former Member]

Hi Sabir,

In my personal experience, I have few guys in current company there were working as system administrator and network administrator then they have landed in SAP Basis and Security administrators.

The ideal would be SAP Netweaver Basis Administrator suits for you because you are going to do same job in Oracle database, MaxDB, OS - Unix or Linux or Windows platform etc (if you have already worked on) and then in SAP specific (SAP activities) like administering, installation, maintenance support etc.

The technical support experience is a biggest and added advantage when you become SAP Netweaver Basis Administrator.

There are courses available as suggested by Colleen.  Also, you can go to Training and Certification Shop SAP website and enroll for e-learning and acquire certification because it gives more advantage to you to start a career in SAP Netweaver Basis Administrator.  Also, look for SAP Hana certification to acquire the skill because SAP invested and most of the companies planning to implement in next 5 years and it is very hot / more demand in current market.

Best of luck.

Regards

RC Gopi

[Former Member]

Thank you Coleen, and thank you Gopi!

Your advice has given me leads to follow. It's good to know that skills and activities such as DB and System administration will be advantageous for Basis Administration.

Per your advice I'm going to delve into the Learning Hub, & Training and Certification Shop and continue my research. Once again thank you for your responses and advice!

Regards,

Sabir