SAP or Java

[sri ramvaithiyanathan]

Hi,

I have one big question in my mind for last five days.
Currently I'm working in java.
Now i got oppurtuinity to work with SAP. I have experience around 2.8 years.
I worked in Java,JSP,Struts and learning other frameworks like Hibernate etc......

Can you guys give me better idea. is it good to continue in java or I can switch over to sap.
And please tell me whether SAP is easy to learn.

P.S: I don't know the basics of SAP, but hope I will learn it quickly.

Regards,
Sriram

[Ulf Dittmer]

I'm eternally befuddled by this kind of question. Technologies, languages and products come and go; a career built specifically on any one of them is doomed from the start. There are much more important considerations when choosing a job and a company to work for - like what you want and what you are interested in.

By the way: SAP is a huge and complex beast; any hope of learning it quickly won't pan out.

[chris webster]

SAP is a massive beast, as Ulf says, so you can't just pick up a book and learn SAP at home in a couple of weeks. SAP has been around in the corporate world for a long time, there are a lot of companies with a huge investment in using it, and it is likely to be around for years to come. There are lots of different SAP application areas, so it will take time to learn about these in detail, and you'll learn a lot of new things along the way.

But that is all great news, because it means there are not so many people in the mass developer market who understand it, so people with real SAP skills are usually very well-paid. Ask yourself if there are likely to be more opportunities for people who just know Java, or for people who know Java and SAP?

Obviously, it depends on your own interests, but if you have the opportunity to get paid to learn about SAP, I would say grab that opportunity with both hands.

(Personal note: I am the idiot who turned down a job with SAP in the early 1990s, just before salaries for SAP experts tripled in a matter of months. Doh!)

[sri ramvaithiyanathan]

@@Ulf Dittmer && chris webster---Thanks for info.
Chris I like your personal notes.
Waiting for project allocation and further details.
After I get the result I will get back to you guys.

Willing to get knowledge in sap.
So only I am trying to get into that project.

P.S : most likely will get project in SAP Ecommerce
Regards,
Sriram

[Joe San]

You should be lucky if you get training in SAP offerred from your company. If you do get one, do not leave it and try to make the most of it.

[vijay jamadade]

Even I am planning to switch to SAP ABAP as it has good opportunities and good salary in market. My concern is I have 4 yrs of experience in java and whoever i ask regarding this technology switch tells me why are going back, you will be fresher and all that things. I don't know what to do but I have taken a decision after thinking a lot that I am going to do that. Can you guys share your views on more regarding the salary after switch, position and problems that might be faced.

[sri ramvaithiyanathan]

Hi Guys,

I asked question to you guys about changing my technologies("java to SAP") after that I not get back to you.
Sorry for the late response.
Good news I got training and project work in webdynpro java
Bad news I felt I'm a fresher in my team eventhough I have 3years of exp

Regards,
Sriram.V

[sree jasmi]

Hi Sriram,

This is exactly my situation now. I hope you can best suggest me. I am an Unix admin working for 5 years (day and nights a hell) now I in new role as java application support role since 6 months and learning java , but I feel code is understandable but to support code and do bug fix i feel embrassing , At this moment I got to know a new SAP module (functionality)team is about to be reorganised in my company and looking for interested candidates. Now could you suggest me if i go and pic it up how long it does take for changing the mind set? I know its interesting , but what challenges did you face, How do you feel moving your career? any disappointments? I like to take a break after 2 years but I need to work for my family and felt unix night shift and java bug fix are both killing me. Do you think its good to stay back with Java application support and learn it slowly or take a step in ot SAP support ?I am also good at DB(7/10). Added i am not super talented but hard working ..Does SAP functional needs super technical skills to keep the carrer? Any help is highly appriciated... would keep on refreshing this blog untill I see feedback from you...

Note: Anyone could share their valuable thouhgts which could help me.... Thanks all.

[chris webster]

sree jasmi wrote: I am an Unix admin working for 5 years (day and nights a hell) now I in new role as java application support role since 6 months and learning java , but I feel code is understandable but to support code and do bug fix i feel embrassing , At this moment I got to know a new SAP module (functionality)team is about to be reorganised in my company and looking for interested candidates...

I'm not a Java/SAP expert, so this is just an opinion, but it sounds like you're not happy in your current role, and the new SAP team might offer you a chance to move to a different role and get paid to learn something new. Sounds pretty good to me. But you should think carefully about how you will answer questions such as:

Why are you leaving the Java apps support team after only 6 months? You need to be able to persuade the new team managers that you will stay longer with them.

If the SAP work involves development work, are you happy doing that? You don't sound happy with bug-fixing Java code, for example.

Do you have any relevant experience you can highlight for the new role, either technically or in terms of business knowledge?

Are you confident that you can pick up the new skills quickly - e.g. can you point to examples in the past where you have learned new stuff quickly?

And what do you know about SAP anyway - do some research on the relevant SAP technology!

Good luck.

[sri ramvaithiyanathan]

Hi jasmi,

welcome to sap world.

There are so many modules in sap, please choose the module accordingly.
I have background in java, so I choose sap netweaver.

how long it does take for changing the mind set?

It depends upon you.

what challenges did you face, How do you feel moving your career? any disappointments?

Initially I felt like fresher, now I feel comfartable in sap.

You told that you have good knowledge in db stuff, so choose module in that area.

All the best.

[sree jasmi]

Thanks all for the suggestions...
Actually I forgot to add the main reason to shift to SAP , my company is migrating all current projects from java to SAP , slowly one by one , So by the time I become techy in java they would migrate my project too. At that moment I am not sure if the management is same and some could could give a offer as the same...
But I am not interested to change companies not happy to relocate.
Yeah there were good memories where I am appreciated and recognised for the technical stuff and analysis... But SAP is truly a new one, I am trying to do google and find some stuff.

Thanks again...
sree

[Geeta Puttappanavar]

Hi,

As of now I am working as java developer and I’ve experience of 3 years but now I am thinking to move to SAP technology or mobile application technology or higher studies (MBA). I am totally confused and frustrated.

Can any of you please give me some suggestions???

1. If I take tuitions on SAP or mobile application technology, will I get job easily….?
2. If I go for MBA which is better distance learning or regular?
3. After MBA can I choose SAP technology for career growth (which is better regular or distance)?

Thanks in advance,
Geeta

[Pat Farrell]

@geeta, your questions are really unrelated to the existing thread, and its fairly old. You really should start a fresh thread.

In my experience, folks who go for an MBA want to be managers, which is completely separate from the technology areas of SAP or mobile that you mention. They are not at all comparable, and most folks who do well getting an MBA and going that route would not be successful in a pure-technology area. The technologist usually would study for a MS CS or a related engineering/science based degree. The MBA is business, that is what the B stands for.

[Geeta Puttappanavar]

Hi Pat,

Thank you so much for the reply and I am very sorry for the mistake.
I got some idea now. Could you please suggest me that which is better to go for MBA (distance learning or regular?)

Regards,
Geeta

[Pat Farrell]

What criteria define "better" for you?

IMHO, there are two ways of looking at an MBA. First is to get a fast track to the executive suite at large companies. Second is to get a "ticket" that shows you are more able to be a manager. For the second, I don't think where you go matters. I also don't think its particularly valuable, and may not be a net investment when you consider cost (tuition, books) lost time from work, lost salary, etc.

For the first, you have to go on campus to one of the top ten MBA schools in the world. Harvard, MIT, Stanford are in the top five. The point is to learn and to network with other folks who also aim to be in the executive suites.

[Geeta Puttappanavar]

Pat,

Thank you so much for the valuable suggestions. I keep your suggestions in mind before taking any decision.

Regards,
Geeta