BEST resource and/or most EFFECTIVE way to gain step-by-step hands-on experienc in HANA modeling?

[Former Member]

What is the BEST resource and/or most EFFECTIVE way to gain hands-on experience in SAP HANA modeling after passing the certifications exam – SAP HANA (Edition 2016 - SPS12) and having little to no hands-on experience? Alan, In one of your postings you said you trained MANY HANA professionals, so you will know what I MUST do to become HIGHLY proficient. Thanks…

I’ve followed your responses to a good number of questions on this forum and you appear quite knowledgeable in all things SAP HANA. You also seem to be knowledgeable on just about everything else as well, not even related to SAP to technology in general. That said, I feel that you can provide me the best advice.

In early 2017 I attended official SAP HANA academy trainings for HA100 and HA300. I recently – in December 2017, passed the SAP HANA (Edition 2016 - SPS12)" certification exam after a few attempts. That said, I’m full of book knowledge, but have no hands-on modeling experience since I attended the class a year ago. I’m also aware that version 2.0 is out there now.

Basically, I took the class, read the book several time over, passed the cert and now I need to know how to most effectively apply this theory and actually build information models. In hindsight, I will likely not follow this sequence again. I will learn how to build the model in the system at the same time as reading the book and never after. Had I followed this methodology, I likely would have passed the cert on my first run.

I am also aware that there are what seems to be literally hundreds or even thousands of on-line training academy’s/schools advertising their services, there are also YouTube videos galore and many more informational websites. I also know that buying SAP Live Access and practicing the training exercises in the HA100 and HA300 participant handbook in an option.

In one of your postings you said you trained MANY HANA professionals, so you will know what I MUST do to become HIGHLY proficient – and in a very short period of time. What is the best way – the MOST effective way – that I can go about gaining hands-on practical experience – experience that when effectively and successfully applied - WILL land me a HANA consulting job – what are the THINGS or specific skills I need to know – WHAT specific things can I learn that will separate me from the rest – WHERE can I learn them – what methodology or sequence must I follow etc. – WHAT must I DO?

I’ve allocated a maximum of 8 weeks for hands-on – thought from my experience that may be too much – before I start selling myself as a HIGHLY proficient HANA resource.

Just some background about myself: I’ve worked with or within an SAP domain for my much of my 12+ year career. Mostly in consulting with large Big 4 accounting firms and as an independent. I have a degree in Computer Science.

Thank you for your advice folks in advance.

[TammyPowlas]

Hi - I would say job prospects depends on the market and location

To me it sounds like you have done a lot of training already.

Next steps I would recommend is downloading (or using cloud image) of HANA Express and following the tutorials at https://www.sap.com/developer/tutorial-navigator.html - the HANA Academy has a YouTube channel where I also learned to model using HANA Express. I think that gives you real world experience - e.g. you can "I built a plan vs. actual model using HANA Express" - and would be good to state in interviews and put on your resume/CV.

Good luck