"SAP Job Market: Building a Future in an SAP Career"
Podcast Interview Date: May 5, 2009
SearchSAP "Building an SAP Career" Podcast

Jon Reed notes: Recently I appeared in a podcast on SearchSAP.com on the future of SAP careers. This podcast, conducted by Courtney Bjorlin, News Editor of SearchSAP.com, featured my comments as well as those of David Foote of Foote Partners. This podcast was actually the second in a two part series. The first part, on the SAP job market in 2009, featured David Foote's latest findings on SAP skills demand. In the second podcast, David and I riff on the future of SAP skills and what lies around the corner. I enjoy doing podcasts with David because his research is grounded in extensive customer surveys. Our views on the market largely coincide, but it's interesting to see how the views I get from inside the SAP Mentor community working with SAP thought leaders contrasts to David's research.

Here are the questions David and I addressed in the podcast: 

 1. Who will fare the best within the SAP professional community between now and year's end? What job titles will be the most secure?

2. Are there differences in demand regionally or by industry?

3. What are the best products/technologies to align yourself with for advancement? (i.e. what parts of NetWeaver, the Business Suite, modules, etc.)

4. Why will skills associated with these products/technologies become increasingly important in the SAP world?

5. Name the most important thing a developer, a system admin and functional type each can do to avoid a layoff.

During the discussion, we mentioned a number of emerging (or in demand) skills that are worth keeping an eye on in the SAP world, including:

- SAP Security and Identity Management
- Enterprise Architecture and "Solution Architects"
- Business Intelligence, Dashboarding, and SAP BO Reporting Tools
- UI Design and Innovation (Web Dynpro, Flash Islands)
- SAP Virtualization and SAP's Adaptive Computing Controller (ACC)
- GRC and compliance-related work
- Solution Manager and post-go-live SAP optimization
- NetWeaver-related technical skills
- Object-oriented skills and Rich Internet Applications
- Mobile development and smart phone UI work

We also discussed Business Process Expert and BPM skills, and I commented on why I see these skills as relevant as we move into an era of "process-driven ERP." I talked about the importance of moving from a "SAP configurator" to a real business solutions consultant who can help companies understand SAP roadmap questions and, more importantly, how to improve their bottom line. It's about addressing an "immediate pain point" or a new market opportunity. Yes, there are some larger-scale upgrades happening, but consultants who can deliver on short-term project objectives are the ones in demand. Taking a pro-active approach to SAP skills demand remains crucial. David Foote points out the the tech sector has good long term stability, but in the meantime, to avoid layoffs, being noticed for the right reasons on projects is crucial. I also talked about how delivering value is not just about working within your project but participating on online communities, even Twitter and LinkedIn, and developing a public reputation in your industry niche.

For me, the highlight of the podcast came towards the end, when we got into the recommendations specific for developers, system administrators and functional SAP professionals. That's because I believe that SAP skills conversations are the most interesting when you begin to break down the skills migration paths for different skill areas within SAP. If you want more detail on some of the hot skills areas I referred to in the podcast, many of them are covered in my hot SAP skills section on JonERP.com. 

David Foote closed the podcast by saying that we shouldn't be paralyzed by the fear of outsourcing. Developing customer-facing skills and security-related skills and other skill areas that have on-site value pays off. Companies still want to invest in quality on-site people. As David says, there are still many opportunities to "step up to the plate."