Home > Ask the SAP software/management Experts > SAP Careers and certification Questions & Answers > Focusing on APO vs. CRM
Ask The SAP Expert: Questions & Answers
EMAIL THIS

Focusing on APO vs. CRM

Jon Reed, Years 2002-2008 EXPERT RESPONSE FROM: Jon Reed, Years 2002-2008

Pose a Question
Other SAP Categories
Meet all SAP Experts
Become an Expert for this site


Digg This!    StumbleUpon Toolbar StumbleUpon    Bookmark with Delicious Del.icio.us   


>
QUESTION POSED ON: 19 November 2002

I have been reading your tips on career enhancement in SAP and appreciate the interest you show in answering questions. I am at a juncture where I would like to pick a definite career path and would like to have your advise. To give you a brief background on myself:
I have about 6 years of functional experience in the field of e-commerce businesses and related SCM management. In the last 2 years I have been working in a SAP-centric environment as a key user and first level support person. As a result I have a good understanding of the functional aspects of MM/PP/Logistics and in-depth understanding of SD. I would like to now get into a SAP consulting position (by undergoing training) but cannot decide on a focus area.

I would like to choose between mySAP APO and mySAP CRM. I have a good understanding of the functional aspects of both lines (though am still a bit shaky on PP for APO). Could you advise me on which would be a more marketable option for me given this background?


>

I have contrasted the opportunities in CRM and APO in detail before, so check out some of the past Q&A's. To sum it up, I have argued that APO makes better sense for most people, for two reasons:
(1) APO has a higher degree of market acceptance than mySAP CRM; and
(2) the entire CRM market is mired in a slump as it tries to establish a strong value proposition. On top of those two reasons, for you, I would add a third: You already have some functional background related to supply chain management, MM, PP, and Logistics. So your core knowledge falls in line with an APO consulting career. Although you seem to be comfortable with either option, your skills do seem to line up a bit better for APO from what I can tell. Having said all that, I hope you're not assuming that breaking into APO will be as easy as getting the training and then getting an APO position. I haven't seen your full resume, but it seems to me that you're going to need to acquire more hands-on implementation experience before you're able to attract SAP consulting opportunities. Up to this point, you've been functioning as a kind of "super user." For point of reference, it's been seven years since I placed a super user in an SAP consulting role. Having said that, you might be able to use your current SAP skills to land an implementation-type role for a company that is trying to build up its in-house team. There are companies out there that fit this description, and I think that's your next best step towards an SAP consulting career. I would worry less about APO-versus-CRM and focus more on how you're going to obtain hands-on SAP project skills. You might find that the project skills you gain are not exactly what you were planning to obtain, but once you acquire them, you can start consulting in SAP and moving towards your ultimate objectives.


Digg This!    StumbleUpon Toolbar StumbleUpon    Bookmark with Delicious Del.icio.us   



RELATED CONTENT
SAP Careers and certification
How to build an SAP functional resume: SAP consulting advice from Jon Reed
How to get into SAP Basis
Job prospects in SAP security
Moving to SAP SCM
Breaking into an SAP career: Climb the ladder
What is the MDM market like right now?
How big is demand for SAP CRM consultants?
Holding experience in ABAP, do I go SAP XI or BI?
Breaking into SAP with an IT background
Breaking into SAP HR

RELATED RESOURCES
2020software.com, trial software downloads for accounting software, ERP software, CRM software and business software systems
Search Bitpipe.com for the latest white papers and business webcasts
Whatis.com, the online computer dictionary



Search and Browse the Expert Answer Center
Search and browse more than 25,000 question and answer pairs from more than 250 TechTarget industry experts.
Browse our Expert Advice



SAP White Paper Topics
About Us  |  Contact Us  |  For Advertisers  |  For Business Partners  |  Site Index  |  RSS
SEARCH 
TechTarget provides technology professionals with the information they need to perform their jobs - from developing strategy, to making cost-effective purchase decisions and managing their organizations' technology projects - with its network of technology-specific websites, events and online magazines.

TechTarget Corporate Web Site  |  Media Kits  |  Site Map




All Rights Reserved, Copyright 2000 - 2009, TechTarget | Read our Privacy Policy
SearchSAP.com is a search service provided by TechTarget and is completely
independent of and not affiliated with SAP AG.
  TechTarget - The IT Media ROI Experts