Here is a guide on how to start a career in SAP Materials Management (MM) Module. Learn how and where to get the training. SAP software in a nutshell is composed of three main functional areas, Financials, Logistics, and Human Capital Management. Under each one of these functional areas there are several sub-modules, which record and compute the day-to-day transactions of an enterprise. The data entered in the system is immediately available to all relevant modules for reporting or for further processing.
This level of integration is possible because all modules use the same RDBMS, an ingenious database design known as Relational Database Management System. You might never hear the end of why SAP is so popular, but in my opinion it is because decision makers have the most current reports to take effective decisions for strategic steering of the enterprise. After all it is this value that makes companies invests millions of dollars to use SAP as their Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software.
My name is Varsha Vilankar and I am writing this article on the request of LearnSAP.com ( a leading and respected SAP training school ) to help individuals understand the roles and responsibilities of a SAP MM configuration consultant. Having worked on several end-to-end projects in a variety of industries I have compiled a checklist, which I believe will be useful to ensure a successful launch of a career in SAP Materials Management module.
SAP Materials Management covers all tasks within the supply chain; including consumption based planning, purchasing, vendor evaluation and invoice verification. It also includes inventory, production planning, and warehouse management.
On job as a configuration consultant you will be expected to perform configuration work as per the blue print document. Usually there are several small and large configuration teams working on different parts of the business process. Everyone on the implementation project is supposed to complete his or her work on a very closely watched timeline. Its very much like a production line, the crew down the line cannot hang the door on the car frame until you put the door together and hand it to them.
I was an ABAPer before I became an SAP MM consultant. ABAP is the proprietary computer programming language, which SAP has developed to write all of its applications in. As a programmer I worked with functional consultants from all modules, but Materials Management always fascinated me the most. So I decided that as a natural progression of my career when it is time, I would work in MM as a techno-functional consultant.
Configuration is fun, all of the nuts and bolts come together in this stage of implementation and things begin to take shape. Stress is in the air and everyone seems to be in hurry and as the launch date draws closer things only get more exciting and challenging.
In an Organizational hierarchy of SAP Implementation, Material management organizational structure includes Plant, Storage location and Purchasing Organization which are created under a Company Code. The organizational level Plant, being the key factor in all of the logistics area. The module has two important master data – material and vendor.
When I can manage some time away from the stress of a project I help LearnSAP.com organize and deliver SAP courses for individuals seeking a career in SAP. I sometimes teach the course as well but most of the time I train the trainers. I helped put together the curriculum and every now and then I keep adding or removing stuff from it to match industry trends. A copy of the curriculum which I believe is a good balance of what you are expected to know, is given here for your reference.
- Basics
- MM Procurement Process
- Inventory Management
- Invoicing
- Valuation and Account Assignment
- Material Requirements Planning (MRP)
- Reporting in SAP MM
- Integration with other modules
o Purchase Order (PO)
o Purchase Requisition (PR)
o Request for Quotations (RFQ)
* Release Procedures for Purchasing Documents (with and without classification)
* Automatic Settlements – Evaluated Receipt Settlement (ERS)
* Overview of integration of MM with other modules FICO, SD and PP
It is very important that you practice each procedure several times. For this reason the classes are held once a week. The extra time between classes will give you an opportunity to spend some quality time working hands-on with the system. At first you will practice the steps precisely as they are explained to you, while gradually you would try different variations and make a detail note of errors when you encounter them.
The objective is that you should be able to recall the solution when you face the same problem on the job. Seniority in a work environment is seldom the person’s physical age instead it is how many problems he or she can solve swiftly. In between classes I am available via emails, which I check several times a day. However, before you ask a question make sure it hasn’t already been addressed and resolved over the LearnSAP.com discussion forums.
Should you decide to go to another school, you must demand these standards. Keep in mind that the tuition is directly related to the number of students and cost of the instructor. A cheap tuition could be an indication of low quality, either there are too many students or the instructor is in-experienced. Experienced instructors don’t come cheap.
Assuming you got quality training the next step will be to make the resume. I got my resume done by a professional writer. Remember resume is a marketing tool and just as you would not risk marketing your awesome invention don’t risk your career either. If you cannot afford to hire a professional then browse the software aisle of your local software store for a good resume building software that would guide you through the process.
Last but not least, you should practice the interview process with a professional recruiter who can point out flaws (if any) and suggest remedies. The interview is a carefully engineered process, which is designed to extract an assortment of answers for the employer. Usually each question is designed to gather the breath and depth of your knowledge and experience. Basically, how much you know and how well you know it. There are points for each question and the candidate who gets the most points gets the job.
I haven’t forgotten the days when I was searching for a school to help me reach my targets and I can appreciate your anxiety as well. After all changing careers is not an easy task by any standards. If you have any questions for me, please feel free to send them to my attention at info@LearnSAP.com
Copyright © 2010 Varsha Vilankar
— With a Masters Degree in Computers Varsha Vilankar has been associated with SAP right from the onset of her career in I.T. in 1992. She has worked on several SAP implementation projects and area of expertise lies in manufacturing and utility industry. She is a logistics and ABAP expert who knows the ins and outs of training with both her company and other trainers worldwide. She has authored several course-ware for https://www.LearnSAP.com/