Problem Analysis
You keep hearing about functional consultants and technical consultants. But what's the difference?
And which one best matches your background?
Problem Solution
SearchSAP.com career expert Jon Reed explains the answer in this expert response:
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Hannah Smalltree, Editorial DirectorTechnical SAP consultants are generally either programmers or systems administrators, whereas functional consultants bring value by combining particular business process knowledge, such as financial knowledge, with the "know-how" of configuring the aspect of SAP that pertains to that process knowledge. So for example, a functional SAP FI consultant generally has a financials background, and understands how to configure the FI tables in accordance with a user's business processes.
So, if you are a programmer or admin, technical consulting makes the most sense, while if you are a financial or business process guru, look into functional consulting.
What's
the difference between a functional and a technical consultant?
Read career and
certification FAQs
SAP Job
Seeker's Learning Guide
Consulting 101
Home: Introduction
Scenario 1: I'm considering switching to SAP
Scenario 2: Should I become a functional or technical consultant?
Scenario 3: Planning the transition to consulting
Scenario 4: How can I avoid outsourcing?
Scenario 5: What's the right area for me to focus on?
Review: Conclusion and more resources
This was first published in December 2005