Database Reference
In-Depth Information
14.5 Retaining and Retraining SAP Consultants
Until the recent past, SAP implementations were essentially considered complete after implement-
ing the modules of interest to the organization. However, with the growing importance of virtual
corporations or extended enterprises enabled by the Internet, companies are undertaking numer-
ous development efforts. These involve various enhancements and interfacing SAP with supply-
chain management systems and customer-facing applications, including sales force automation
and call center applications. Thus, retaining the SAP implementation team may be critical for the
organization to maintain the momentum of implementing satellite systems that interface with
SAP or overlay the operational systems of SAP.
14.5.1 Retention Horizon
If one recalls that companies are advised to nominate their key performers to work as part of the
SAP implementation in order to ensure its success, the effect of SAP-trained employees quitting
the organization in search of better opportunities is doubly damaging. In such cases, the company
not only loses SAP experts who are familiar with the specifics of their implementation, but it may
also be deprived of some of its best performers. It is critical for a company to retain its implementa-
tion team members at least for twice the period of implementation.
Even if the retention of the core team is achieved at a cost that may double the budgeted
figures, it will enable a company to extend its competitiveness further by rapidly implementing
additional systems that overlay or interface with SAP. These systems include
◾
The Web enabling of SAP functionality
◾
Work low systems
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SCM systems
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EAI systems
◾
Performance-enhancement programs like BPR, activity-based management, and Balanced
Scorecard
14.5.2 Extending the Boundaries of Expertise
Apart from an increase in remuneration and compensations, training in advanced features and
functionalities of SAP and other enterprise applications can be a powerful method of retaining
SAP talent within your organization.
An Advanced Business Applications Programming (ABAP) developer's skills could be
upgraded by
◾
Training in Web-based application development projects in HTML, XML, ASP, EJB, Java,
JavaScript, VisualBasicScript, and so on
◾
Training and participation in EAI systems like computerized telephone integration, bar
codes, security and access systems, data capture systems, and computer recognition systems
◾
Training in data warehousing projects using the SAP business information Warehouse solu-
tion or even non-SAP solutions that use data from the SAP system
◾
Training in Workflow for participating in workflow, imaging, and document management
projects to be undertaken by the company
◾
Training in functional modules, depending on background and aptitude
