What is SAP ?

SAP is an ERP (Enterprise Ressource Planning) software used in companies worldwide.    

SAP was founded in 1972 by 5 former IBM employees.  It is a German company.

 

Most of the people speak only about these initials. Ask them what it means and they will start with long explanation about this tool.  In fact :

 

S A P

Systems Applications and Products

 

The main vision was to develop standard application software for real-time business processing. 

 

They started with financial packaging in the 80’s that was improved by adding logistics functionalities (sales, purchase, stocks, etc…).  At that time the system was called SAP R/2. R/2 was running on mainframe systems.   R/2 is still used today by companies worldwide.

 

During the 90’s, they made a new generation of enterprise software, from mainframe computing to the three-tier architecture: database, application and user interface.   And that solution is still applicable today. That was the start of SAP R/3.

 

Since 2000, they continued with the improvement of their software to develop SAP workplace and service oriented architecture.

 

The vision is till to integrate people, information and all company processes into one big single tool.  That’s SAP. 

 

You may find much more information on www.sap.com  

And what is a SAP Consultant ?

SAP adopt a module structure and consultant are specialised in the implementation of one or several module.  SAP has also developped Industry Specific tools (eg: SAP for Automotive, SAP for mills industry...).

The SAP consultant (specialist) is a person that has acquires consulting skills, business and package knowledge and is available to help companies implementing SAP. 

A SAP consultant is generally specialized in one or several modules of SAP : financial, supply chain management, business information, etc. 

It takes a few years to get a good knowledge of one SAP module together with the business process experience.

Based on their experience and practice, the consultants will help you configuring, maintaining, learning how to work with SAP.