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Need your thoughts on being an ABAPer

Former Member
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Hi all...it's been a month since i started my first job after i graduated. And so happen when i joined, the company is in the final stages of a SAP project. So for the time being, my boss wants me to do ABAP. So far, i've only managed to develop 2 programs (that luckily met the consultant's approval and was transported), tried to do a BADI (unsuccessfully, so had to give it back), did several MM-related stuff my senior assigned me to do and later, i'm suppose to conduct a training class for key users for MM.

My boss mentioned that he wants me to do ABAP, MM and PM. I'm wondering...do you think its possible for me to cope with all that?

And i want to know what would be required of me and what actually is part of my job when i start touching on MM and PM?

I have no prior experience (in terms of application) in SAP, especially in MM and PM...however i did attend the course for ABAP Workbench (TAW 10 & 12)...but regrettably i failed in my first attempt (however, i'm saving up now so that i can re-attempt it again)...i'm starting to get worried...it being my first job and all...

Just want to know your thoughts...especially those of you that have been doing SAP for many years...

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Former Member
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> What about you all?

>

> Are you just doing ABAP? Or you are supporting or

> specializing in other modules as well?

As I mentioned before, ABAP is the life-giving blood that is flowing through all the body parts of a business. If you know ABAP, you will be able to write a report for MM or SD or PP module. But your solution will be elegant if you know what each of those tables represent in business terms and how different tables come together to support a business process such as a sales transaction.

I am an ABAPer if that is the right term. I know what to look for and where to look for any functional aspect in configuration. But that does not make me a MM or PP or a SD specialist. Having said that each one of us will have our strengths in particular modules by virtue of either working too much in those modules or having inclination or prior background in the business function. Like if you are an accountant in your past life, then understanding the FI module, even from a technical point, will be your strength, because you will not spend your energies in understanding the process, but you will put your efforts in understanding the tools in that area. But if you don't have any business function experience before, you will be spread thin between understanding the business and the technical aspects at the same time.

Srinivas

25 REPLIES 25

Former Member
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Oh, and i want to know...lets say if i stayed on course and do ABAP (or SAP in general)...where can i see myself? I mean...how's an ABAPer's (or anyone doing SAP) life is like?

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Hi. You mentioned that you failed? Failed at what, a certification exam? If your boss wants you to do MM and PM, do you mean as a functional consultant. If so, they will be a hand full by themselves let only together. Then ABAP on top. You will be stressing yourself out. If you do all three, tell your boss that you want all three salaries. I wouls suggest choosing one and going with it. Make the choice around what you are passionate about. If you are a coder, like us, then you are passionate about ABAP and java. Go with it. Its easy to get up in the morning if you love your job and what you do.

Regards,

Rich Heilman

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Hi,

It depends on the size of the implementation. It doesn't hurt to be diverse.. but then you do not want to end up as a Jackofall trades.. As Rich said, doing all three would be too much.. you mentioned just out of college.. So I would suggest choose ABAP.. pick up Business knowledge alongside and make a switch to the functional line in due course of time...

Regards,

Suresh Datti

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Hi Rich,

Yep, i failed the certification exam...didn't attain the 70% requirement. Managed to only attain 67%. My boss wants me to be a functional consultant for both MM and PM, too. But since its my first job and being a fresh grad...i don't see how i am qualified enough to have the right to demand salaries for all 3 of them and tell my boss what i want to do...he's my boss, right? I'm grateful as it is that he's even willing to hire me for a role in SAP in the beginning with no working experience what so ever. And i also feel lucky that i got into SAP as my first job...when i asked my other collegues, they all started doing other things earlier in their careers and only got into SAP like after 5 or 6 years working...

Since i've only been exposed to ABAP currently, i can say that i really enjoy what i am doing (even with the occasional headaches caused by the users that give non-stop request to make additions to programs i developed). I have yet to really get into the big PM or MM-related stuff, i can't really say i won't like it. Even if i do find out i don't like doing functional, how can tell my boss i don't want it? Maybe i'm too grateful that he'll willing to entrust to me with such responsibilities.

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How long have you been doing ABAP? I'm curious about the certification exam. If you haven't been doing ABAP long, 67 isn't bad in my eyes. Yes, it is very good that you got your foot in the door with SAP. Its only going to be good for you. Now that you are in, I suggest staying there. I was kidding about the 3 salaries of course. It is customary in the SAP industry to focus on one section of the system, whether it be ABAP development, MM functionaltiy, or PM functionality. Working in ABAP, in some cases, you will learn the function side just by being involved in the development of the application in the specific module. I was in your shoes a couple of years ago. I got a job at my present company doing computer operations on AS/400. I told my boss that I wanted to learning programming. It was RPG on AS/400. I did that for about 2 years. Then my company decided to implement SAP. Never heard of SAP before that. I started learning ABAP and developing custom applications required for Go-Live. 5 Years later, here I am, still writing ABAP code and working with the java side as well. All you can do is try out each thing, ABAP, MM or PM. Then ask your boss, if its ok for you to focus on one.

REgards,

Rich Heilman

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OK where do I start? It is not an easy question, particularly when this is your first job. You haven't experienced different avenues available out there. So getting stuck with one may be difficult. Also, you haven't told us what your background is and your interests are as far as a career is concerned.

SAP started as an ERP solutions company and has amassed vast knowledge of business processes accross various industries. From being a single product company(R2 to R3), it has evolved into a multi-product company but eveything to do with business processes. All its products are catering to the needs of business around the world. So if your inclination is towards learning business processes and understanding the flavors of it and if you have a deep interest in keenly observing the trends in business, then SAP is the company to stick with. Now coming to ABAP: ABAP itself is evolving into a wholistic development software from being a purely business software. It is including the open standards of object oriented programming, yet not compromising on its core business enabling strengths. You can no longer take comfort in the fact that you know ABAP. You have to have basic knowledge of XML, HTML, Java etc as web browser is fast becoming the defactor UI for all applications.

In order to be good in ABAP, you also need good foundation in databases and business processes. If you are technically oriented, it doesn't matter whether you are MM or PP focussed, because ABAP is ABAP. But still knowing what the business flow is, how producing something in PP effects inventory in MM and how a product moves from raw material to finished product to sales is also very important for being a successful ABAPer. After all you are using ABAP to provide business solutions and if you don't understand your requirement, then there is not point in knowing all the syntax that is there in ABAP.

I can go on and on, but this needs to be an interactive one, so I will wait until you come back with more questions.

Regards,

Srinivas

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Hi Bala,

Currently we have an in-house MM consultant and an ABAPer...so i'm learning whatever i can from them...so i know that there is someone to ask and learn from...but for PM, we don't have anyone in the whole organisation, so we are outsourcing it out. My boss hopes that i could take over that responsibility to do PM. I don't know why he's assigning so many roles to me...when i compare with my other collegues, they only specialize in 1 module or at most 2 (and it was either technical or functional)...i guess i made a good impression during the job interview 😛

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Well said, Srinivas.

Regards,

Rich Heilman

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> Hi Bala,

>

> Currently we have an in-house MM consultant and an

> ABAPer...so i'm learning whatever i can from

> them...so i know that there is someone to ask and

> learn from...but for PM, we don't have anyone in the

> whole organisation, so we are outsourcing it out. My

> boss hopes that i could take over that responsibility

> to do PM. I don't know why he's assigning so many

> roles to me...when i compare with my other collegues,

> they only specialize in 1 module or at most 2 (and it

> was either technical or functional)...i guess i made

> a good impression during the job interview 😛

From your boss' point of view, you are a fresher, unmolded and open to learning anything. He wants you to try out a couple of things before he and you can settle on the one or two that you will be good at. When you are not into anything, it is always easy to go into anything. Once you become "Expert" in one thing, then it will become hard to break out of it and try out others.

Srinivas

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Hi again...

Well...before i took the certification exam, i only did ABAP for 25 days (basically means only the entire length of the certification course). Before i enrolled for the course, i didn't know anything about ABAP...in fact, i never heard of it. After the exam (which i failed), i joined my present company and on the first day itself, my first assignment was to develop a program. Been doing ABAP since then...so as of today, i've been doing ABAP for like 55 days (include the 25 day training course).

I want to know is it possible to cope with all? I've talked to consultants from other SAP consulting firms and some of them specialize in as many as 4 modules...

Go Live for the current project my company is doing is next month. After that, we have another project coming up and that's when all the MM and PM functional stuff will start coming to me.

Actually, i was previously an anti-programming person...hated it in-fact, although i am certified and have knowledge in implementing certain programming languages like Java, XML and all that. But since i started learning and implementing ABAP, i'm liking it

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Sure its possible to cope with all. If you have the motivation to do it, then it can be done. Its just that we think it might be a little much all at once.

Regards,

Rich Heilman

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What about you all?

Are you just doing ABAP? Or you are supporting or specializing in other modules as well?

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<i>Actually, i was previously an anti-programming person...hated it in-fact, although i am certified and have knowledge in implementing certain programming languages like Java, XML and all that. But since i started learning and implementing ABAP, i'm liking it</i>

That is how I was when I started. Even though I have a technical background in Computer science, I always hated to be a programmer, particularly the C, C++, Java type core programmer. But just like you, ABAP just happened to me and I never regretted a moment of it. The reason why I like it so much is that, you can learn how businesses are run and how different functions within a company work. Being technical gives you an insight into how such complex business processes can be automated and it still amazes me how SAP could design such a generic yet the most powerful business software around.

There is nothing wrong being technical or functional, it has to be what you like to do for the next couple of years. When the technical piece is becoming routine, you can always look into the functional aspects of the same. If you start off as functional, it doesn't hurt to know some coding. Having knowledge of both will only help you in innovatively providing solutions. Despite being the most powerful programming language, ABAP is surprisingly easy on beginners with an open mind to learning.

Happy decision making,

Srinivas

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I have been doing ABAP for 5 years. I started learning the java side and EP about 2 years ago. Recently I have been assigned the role of MM functional person as well. In reality, I am the MM functional person for MM, but I hardly ever to anything that an MM functional person does. I would say that my job is 95% ABAP developer, and 5% MM functional person.

By the way, do you mind if I ask how much the 25 day course costs?

Regards,

Rich Heilman

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Then what about getting certified and attending certification courses? Are they really important to get in order to be considered qualified?

I've talked to consultants who are certified and non-certified but they all know their stuff.

And what is the career path of an ABAPer? I'm doing ABAP now and my job title is as an IT executive...so lets say i'm doing ABAP for the next few years, where would i be (whats the next step for an ABAPer)?

I just want to mention that i feel ABAP in very interesting and fascinating in such a way that no matter how many experience you have with ABAP, you still discover something new...that's what i notice from the other ABAPer that i worked with and read from the forums...

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Well, it cost RM30,000 in my currency (Malaysia)...and the exhange rate is 3.8 to US currency..so i guess it'd be around US$8000 (US$7985 to be exact)

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> Then what about getting certified and attending

> certification courses? Are they really important to

> get in order to be considered qualified?

>

> I've talked to consultants who are certified and

> non-certified but they all know their stuff.

I have been in SAP and ABAP for almost 10 years and like you I started my career in ABAP and still finding it fascinating. But, I still don't own a certificate in ABAP or any SAP certification. Not that I don't value it, I just didn't pay attention to it. When is a certification important, only if you want to use it to differentiate you from the rest at a job interview. Once you are past that, I don't see how much you use your certificate.

> And what is the career path of an ABAPer? I'm doing

> ABAP now and my job title is as an IT executive...so

> lets say i'm doing ABAP for the next few years, where

> would i be (whats the next step for an ABAPer)?

That is the big question. As you move forward you will learn that there is still more to learn. But at some point you will realize that you are at a crossroad where you have to decide whether you want to continue the technical programming path or slowly get into management. It can be IT project management or technical team leadership. But you are still not at that stage and it is too early to think about what next. I would say concentrate your next year or so in gaining as much knowledge as possible in ABAP and the functional aspects of R/3. Then you can make a more intelligent decision than relying on us now.

> I just want to mention that i feel ABAP in very

> interesting and fascinating in such a way that no

> matter how many experience you have with ABAP, you

> still discover something new...that's what i notice

> from the other ABAPer that i worked with and read

> from the forums...

Former Member
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Hi,

It's great that you have opportunity working on SAP in the first job itself.To adapt any technology you have to be self-learner and go-getter.

Coming to ABAP i have been since three years,into all phases.You have so many websites helpful

,there are people who would like to help us if we have any queries in Forums.Start going in positive direction learn the desired skills.Coming to PP and MM modules you can interact with your Functional consultant and learn the flow.

Regards

Bala

Former Member
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> What about you all?

>

> Are you just doing ABAP? Or you are supporting or

> specializing in other modules as well?

As I mentioned before, ABAP is the life-giving blood that is flowing through all the body parts of a business. If you know ABAP, you will be able to write a report for MM or SD or PP module. But your solution will be elegant if you know what each of those tables represent in business terms and how different tables come together to support a business process such as a sales transaction.

I am an ABAPer if that is the right term. I know what to look for and where to look for any functional aspect in configuration. But that does not make me a MM or PP or a SD specialist. Having said that each one of us will have our strengths in particular modules by virtue of either working too much in those modules or having inclination or prior background in the business function. Like if you are an accountant in your past life, then understanding the FI module, even from a technical point, will be your strength, because you will not spend your energies in understanding the process, but you will put your efforts in understanding the tools in that area. But if you don't have any business function experience before, you will be spread thin between understanding the business and the technical aspects at the same time.

Srinivas

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Certifications... are nice to have. They tell your employer or "would be" employer that you have the skill set required in your field. This does not necessarily make you good at what you do. Anyone can memorize terms and stuff from a book or course. Being able to apply your skills and knowledge to what you are developing is more important. I know that there are people out there with certification, that aren't as "good" as others without.

Also, I think it is more important to be able to find the answers to your problem. The certification exams should test you on how well you are able to find the answers to problems.

$8000 😮 That's salty. Your company pay for that?

Regards,

Rich Heilman

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Well, i didn't have to pay the full amount because it was partly sponsored, it was some programme to retrain fresh IT graduatesin new skills, so i chose SAP...involved the government, Axon Global, my university and SAP AG (Malaysia). I used up all my savings since i was a kid to pay the other half. Basically broke at the moment...thats why i'm saving up to re-attempt the certification exam 😛

During that time, they didn't tell us what they'll be training us at or at what module...got into ABAP aciddentally...but no regrets

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OK now let us get into the monetary aspect of it. Are you working as a permanent employee of your organization or are you a consultant? If you are a consultant and independent, then having a certification will help you in getting your foot in the door. If you are a consultant and working for a consulting company, then don't worry about certification. Your consulting firm will make sure of getting you on a billable project all the time. All you have to concentrate on is providing excellent services to your clients (which include communication skills), which will keep on you on long term projects and that will in turn make your consulting company happy.

If you are an employee, then typically your learning curve stops after the project implementation and once you get into a support mode. But again, it depends how your company works. If they have big plans for automating more and more of your business processes using SAP, then you will have a very good chance of learning and growing in the company. But of they want to implement this and then don't do anything for the next couple of years, then I would say goodbye.

Srinivas

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Well, i am a permanent employee (but still in my 6-month probation) in my company...from what i can gather, we have many upcoming SAP project for the next few years...we've even drawn up a plan for the next 5 to 6 years...as all the subsidiaries are going for full automation, especially the ones doing manufacturing and utilities...boss said that we'll be busy because we'll be moving from project to project

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Thanks guys for your opinions

Former Member
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Hi Everyone on this thread !!

I am also fresher and was confused in the same way with functional and ABAP.

Thanks a lot because I got lot of useful information , and It worked as an eye opener for me.

Regards,

Nikhil