How to move into ERP (CRM, Nav, AX, SAP and etc)

[djones123]

Hi,

I am a full stack developer and have been working with .Net / SQL / SSRS / Crystal Reports for over eight years, i have been thinking about moving into ERP Software but its hard to find mid level role as most of the jobs are at either graduate level or at senior level.

Any advise please.

[bga]

For a mid level role in SAP you are probably looking at joining a firm with your existing skills and moving sideways into SAP as part of an implementation or extension project.
Fortunately your skills are aligned with HANA (reporting or app development on HANA cloud platform) which is what SAP have bet the farm on & are marketing the hell out of.

[DavidJG]

I'd recommend focusing on HANA if you go to SAP, also look at options moving into SalesForce, Oracle CX Cloud etc.

Now is a really bad time to go into traditional 'on premise' ERP or CRM, as there's a significant migration to cloud tech going on. Integrators are having to make a dramatic shift in the type of deals we go for, as clients are now looking for Agile based Cloud delivery - the days of the 3 year multi-million pound project are over. As an example, my team recently delivered a cloud implementation that put 30 transaction types live on-line and in a contact centre for a local authority in 4 months - that was phase 1. The pace accelerated in phase 2. In traditional 'on premise' world, we'd barely have got the hardware ready, and still be drafting the specifications after 4 months!

[Vaud]

DavidJG said:

I'd recommend focusing on HANA if you go to SAP, also look at options moving into SalesForce, Oracle CX Cloud etc.

Now is a really bad time to go into traditional 'on premise' ERP or CRM, as there's a significant migration to cloud tech going on. Integrators are having to make a dramatic shift in the type of deals we go for, as clients are now looking for Agile based Cloud delivery - the days of the 3 year multi-million pound project are over. As an example, my team recently delivered a cloud implementation that put 30 transaction types live on-line and in a contact centre for a local authority in 4 months - that was phase 1. The pace accelerated in phase 2. In traditional 'on premise' world, we'd barely have got the hardware ready, and still be drafting the specifications after 4 months!

^^^^ this.

SAP HANA has some legs. But to be honest I would look at who is hiring and investing - Salesforce is doing very well and still in growth/attack and build mode.

Also look at some of the wider "new" techs - in memory grids are getting popular - e.g. Gemfire.

Or go down the PAAS route and look closely at Cloud Foundry in it's various flavours - those that can architect from old world to new PAAS/microservices are going to be very highly sought after.

Scarce skills will give you a lot of options, and all of the above are getting a size where you would have certainty.