How to Choose SAP Module?

This is a very tricky question and it is very difficult to answer how to choose SAP module or what is the best SAP module to learn. This post assumes that you have some basic knowledge about SAP. If are not sure that you have this knowledge, I recommend to start with this post: SAP for Beginners. To answer this basic question, I shall try to make it simpler for you based on the experience.

Following are the factors to look for before opting for any SAP’s module as a career.

Best SAP Module for Your Educational Background

Your educational background should help you in selecting and opting for the SAP module in your future career. Your educational background make it easier for you to understand the business processes and other traits of the field which you have been learning during your academic years. You will be speaking in the same language with the industry’s users and using same jargons. It is always difficult for both Consultant and Business User who do not share business background, to be on the same wavelength / frequency during discussions and process understanding can sometimes be difficult and time consuming at the same time. So, the educational aspect is important in thinking how to choose SAP module.

SAP Finance and Controlling Modules

If you have majors in Accounting, then SAP Financials (FI) should do the trick for you. If you have been studying Managerial Accounting, CA (Chartered Accountancy), CIMA (Chartered Institute of Management Accountants), ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants), CPA (Certified Public Accountant), CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst), CMA (Chartered Management Accountant) then SAP Controlling (CO) is highly recommended.

Ramp Up to New Dimensions

Once you have gained knowledge and experience in SAP FI and CO modules, there are chances for you to ramp up, elevate and scale up your career with SAP Business Planning and Consolidation (SAP BPC) module.

SAP Materials Management Module

If you have been studying Supply Chain Management with Storage techniques, Inventory Management, Procurement and Logistics, then SAP Materials Management (SAP MM) would be suitable.

Ramp Up to New Dimensions

Once you have gained knowledge and experience in SAP MM, there are chances for you to ramp up, elevate and scale up your career with SAP ARIBA and SAP Supplier Relationship Management (SAP SRM) modules which is a Business to Business (B2B) solution catering Procurement and Strategic sourcing solution.

SAP Sales and Distribution Module

If your majors are in Marketing, Sales Management, Distribution techniques, Channel Management, then SAP Sales & Distribution module should ideally be your preference.

Ramp Up to New Dimensions

Once you have gained knowledge and experience in SAP SD, there are chances for you to ramp up, elevate and scale up your career with SAP Hybris (y) and SAP Customer Relationship Management (CRM) modules.

SAP Production Planning and Plant Maintenance Modules

If you have an Engineering (Electrical, Mechanical, Industrial Management) background, then SAP Production Planning (SAP PP) and SAP Plant Maintenance (SAP PM) will support your academics.

Ramp Up to New Dimensions

Once you have gained knowledge and experience in SAP PP module, there are chances for you to ramp up, elevate and scale up your career with SAP Advanced Planning and Optimizer (SAP APO) module.

Once you have gained knowledge and experience in SAP PM module, there are chances for you to ramp up, elevate and scale up your career with SAP Equipment and Tools Management (SAP ETM) module.

SAP Quality Management Module

If you have been studying Pharmacy, Chemical Engineering, Statistics, Total Quality Management, then SAP Quality Management (SAP QM) would suffice your career in the said module.

SAP Project Systems (SAP PS) Module

Ideally background in SAP FI and CO with PMP (Project Management Professional) certification would certainly be a plus.

SAP Human Capital Management (SAP HCM) Module

If you have been studying Organizational Management, Comparative Management, Human Resource and Personnel Management then SAP HCM module will be your option.

Ramp Up to New Dimensions

Once you have gained knowledge and experience in SAP HCM module, there are chances for you to ramp up, elevate and scale up your career with SAP Success Factors (SAP SF) module, the HCM software for cloud based HR.

SAP NetWeaver (SAP BASIS) and ABAP

If computer programming, database and network administration have been your prime interests and prime educational background, then NetWeaver (SAP BASIS) and Programming and software designing (SAP ABAP) should be your first preference.

Ramp Up to New Dimensions

Once you have gained knowledge and experience in SAP BASIS module, there are chances for you to ramp up, elevate and scale up your career with SAP Governance, Risk and Compliance (SAP GRC) module. Once you have gained knowledge and experience in SAP ABAP module, there are chances for you to ramp up, elevate and scale up your career with SAP Fiori which is newly introduced dimension in personalized and simple User experience (UX) for SAP applications and Fiori Apps development.

Best SAP Module Depending on Your Interests

We have covered and you have gone through which module would complement your SAP module selection based on the educational aspect while thinking and deciding how to choose SAP module to opt for, if you wish to proceed your career in SAP implementation and consultancy.

Please note, that this is not the final word. You can still opt for any SAP module even if it doesn’t have any connection with your degree or educational background. I have seen and worked with a colleague who has a degree in medicine but is a SAP Technical Consultant and another example of a colleague with Medicine background and is a successful SAP Functional Supply Chain Consultant.

Hence, if you wish to proceed with a module in which you don’t have backing of your academics and you still have an interest in it, please go for it. At the end of the day, business process understanding and user interaction and handling is all that counts.

Basic Business Processes Understanding

Before you opt for any module, it is advisable to gain generic Business Process Understanding. If you have industry specific business process understanding, then its nothing but a value addition. For example, if you wish to opt for Materials Management, then ideally you should understand Procurement, Inventory Management, Vendor evaluation etc. processes. Similarly, Sales and Distribution Sales Processes, converting prospects into clients, Pricing and Discounts, making good available to the Customer, i.e. shipment options, complaints management.

Personal Recommendations

Everybody is different and have different educational and professional background. We tried to explain how to choose SAP module depending on various factors and hope that our recommendations will be helpful. We will also be happy to provide informal consultations about how to choose SAP module at our SAP forum. Register on the forum and post your query. We will do our best to answer it as soon as possible.