SAP: A Beginners Guide to All About Systems Applications and Products

SAP is an acronym for Systems, Applications and Products. It is the market leader in enterprise application software that offers fully integrated modules/software suite applications. These applications cover every aspect of business management. SAP software helps companies generate new growth, fight complexity and stand ahead of competitors. Its real-time business software has functionalities, such as Management Accounting, Manufacturing, Sales, etc.

How does SAP software work?

SAP offers several advanced level software tools, best methodologies and practices to support small, medium-sized and large enterprises across the globe to achieve their business goals. Indeed, it has an extensive portfolio of solutions to handle core business processes.

In simple terms, there are several integrated software to control each function for businesses. SAP modules are in different domains such as Human Capital Management, Product Lifecycle Management, Customer Relationship Management, Supply Chain Management, Financial Management and more.

Types of SAP ERP 

SAP ERP modules are innovatively designed and built for different processes and meet business needs within organisations. Be it from sales and distribution to financial management, from production planning to human capital management and more. Besides tracking, planning, scheduling, the ERP modules are cost-effective, time saver, e-commerce integration and occur no duplicate data.

SAP ERP modules can be classified into two:

1. Technical modules
2. Functional modules

In simple words, technical modules are meant for building applications, maintaining, scheduling tasks, troubleshooting performance issues etc. They deal with UI, workflows, integration etc. and focus on technical aspects like coding. Here is an overview of some of the commonly used technical modules.

• SAP Basis

It is a set of technical programs and tools that ensure SAP applications to function consistently. Troubleshooting, configuring, tuning the SAP environment etc. are amongst the responsibilities for the SAP Basis administrator.

• SAP BI (Business Intelligence)

It is responsible for extracting data from various sources. Indeed, it can analyse multidimensional data sources.

• ABAP (Advanced Business Application Programming)

This is a high-level programming language that used to write software and customisations. This programming language runs within the SAP system.

• SAP security

It is a technical module that helps secure sensitive/confidential data and applications of businesses from illegitimate access. It functions within SAP systems and is responsible for protecting the system.

• NetWeaver 

It is a technology platform and a technical foundation of various application landscapes. It supports SAP applications such as CRM, ERP etc.

SAP functional modules are for enhancing functionalities in the system. Some of the roles include tracking inventory, handling human resources, turning raw data to BI, etc. Take a look at some of the most applied functional modules.

• Human Capital Management (HCM)

It is one of the most widely used functional modules that help in all the process of human resources management. It provides specific competencies that aid HR from hiring to maintaining records etc. Some of the widely popular sub-modules are Payroll, Organisational Management, Time Management, Personnel Administration.

• Financial Accounting (FI) 

It is a module that collects and records business financial transactions of services, and between the enterprise and clientele. It supports business intelligence to maintain data systematically and effortlessly. The list of submodules are FI-GL: General Ledger, FI-AR: Accounts Receivable, FI-AP: Accounts Payable, FI-BL: Bank Ledger, FI-AA: Asset Accounting, FI-SL: Special Purpose Ledger and FI-TV: Travel Management.

• Controlling (CO)

CO as a functional module allows planning, monitoring, tracking, reporting and optimisation of all the business processes. It provides tools that support organisations in decision making and business analysis. CO-OM: Overhead Cost, CO-PA: Profitability Analysis, CO-PC: Product Cost, EC-PCA: Profit Center Accounting are the co-modules of SAP CO.

• Materials Management (MM) 

MM supports material and inventory management functions. It manages a variety of procurement processes helping businesses to function smoothly. Submodules of MM are Inventory Management, Purchasing, Material Planning, Vendor Valuation, Material Requirement Planning (MRP), Invoice Verification and Warehouse Management.

• Sales and Distribution (SD)

SD manages business transactions from inquiries to pricing, selling to shipping. Some of the components of SD are:

• SAP-SD-MD (Master Data)
• SAP-SD-BIL (Billing Module)
• SAP-SD-TBA (Transportation)
• SAP-SD-FTT (Foreign Trade)
• SAP-SD-CAS (Sales Support)
• SAP-SD-SHP (Shipping)
• SAP-SD-SLS (Sales)

What are the benefits of SAP courses?

SAP modules are implemented in almost all companies around the globe as it helps them meet their business needs. As you know, it is widely utilised in companies and is going to be big in the coming year. Therefore, taking an SAP course is a wise decision, especially if you’re looking to increase the chances of getting a good job in today’s market. Some of the benefits are listed below:

Rewarding Career Opportunities:

It is believed that about 80% of Forbes companies are using SAP ERP solutions. This shows that enrolling in an SAP course is a good starting point for better career opportunities in a global market as it is used by

• Utility companies
• Automotive companies
• Healthcare companies
• Oil and Gas companies
• Chemical companies
• Pharma-medical companies
• Consumer products companies
• Telecommunications companies
• Construction and Operations companies
• Industrial Machinery & Components companies and more.

However, you must remember that there are technical and non-technical products/courses. So, the selection of the course depends entirely on you, your interest, qualification and your background.

For example, if you have a technical background, then you can select the Basis Administrator, BI, NetWeaver, security etc. If you’re from a non-technical background, then it is always better to choose functional modules such as FICO, CO, MM, HCM, SD, SEM, IS, LIS, PM etc.

Gain Expertise

SAP is one of the world’s top enterprise application software providers that offer many products. Taking a quality course will help you gain knowledge across different applications and skills to tackle challenging projects. So, you can consider it as an excellent investment in yourself.

Good Financial Option

If you’re eyeing to secure a reputed job in the IT industry, then enrolling in SAP course is an excellent option to equip yourself with application software skills and climb the corporate ladder. The average salary for SAP consultants in India can be ₹ 6,00,000 per annum.

SAP Certification

Enrolling in professional institutes not only offer certification but also provide adequate knowledge, which is essential to gain the highest possible benefits as SAP implementation is quite a complicated procedure.

Increase Confidence 

The market demand for SAP certification holders/consultants is increasing every passing year. So, get trained from the best institute and become a certified candidate to get multiple opportunities and boost confidence.

Importance of SAP ERP certification

SAP certifications help validate the expertise and experience of professionals or consultants. Not just that, you can gain global recognition with in-depth product knowledge and certification, as the certification is recognised globally.

India, as a country, is home to a large number of quality and real-time focused SAP centers and institutes. Top targeted institutes provide basic to advanced level certification training courses with hands-on experience to establish as a career in it. Get trained by the best to acquire your dream job or placement in top companies.