Build a career in ERP

       ENTERPRISE Resource Planning, or ERP for short, denotes a software application that allows an organisation (or enterprise) to effectively and efficiently manage its resources. The resource could be manpower, raw material, vehicles, equipment and finances to name a few. Some leading software solution providers have developed ERP packages, which now form the backbone of several large organisations. ERP packages comprise several modules that can be used either in a stand-alone mode or in conjunction with one or more of the other modules. SAP® is one of the popular ERP applications. These packages have found ready acceptance amongst several large and medium enterprises, and in return have helped the organisations achieve an optimal level of performance in their respective areas.

       Demand for these applications is increasing by the day, primarily because of the huge potential they hold out for users. Such an exponential growth has created job opportunities for professionals opting for a career in ERP Package implementation and maintenance.

        The ERP scenario primarily offers two types of job options -- that of the Functional Consultant and the Technical Consultant. There would also be other parallel openings in the fields of database administration, systems administration, software testing and network administration. Barring the first two, all the other jobs are more generic in nature and pertain to the software field as a whole.

Functional Consultant:

       These professionals require a fair understanding of and experience in a particular physical process. For example, an ERP package implementation in a pharmaceutical company would require functional consultants experienced in finance, HR, pharmaceutical manufacturing processes, procurement processes, inventory management, customer relationship, supply chain management, etc.

        The functional consultant would thus be a person who analyses the business process of an organization and designs the process flow of a particular business area.

         A functional consultant should ideally be able to fill the eligibility criteria in the business area he / she is functioning in; and should have undergone a training session in the ERP, which he / she is implementing. Solution providers hold training sessions in their respective areas. For example, SAP conducts training modules for functional consultants in all the different business areas involved in a program. A minimum of one to two years' experience in the relevant functional area is mandatory.

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Technical Consultant:

        Technical consultants basically are software developers or IT professionals. Their task involves development of forms and reports based on inputs provided by a functional consultants. These professionals need to code the business requirements into the software and integrate them to form a contiguous package

        Typically, you should be a graduate in computer sciences to qualify for the position of a technical consultant. You should also have taken part in a training program conducted by the respective ERP developer. Experience is not an issue at the entry level.

         A very senior IT professional may qualify as an architect to work along with a functional consultant in designing and implementing the application.

         Many job opportunities also exist in the US and other developed countries, where there is a high demand for experienced ERP professionals with good communication skills.

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