Topic Covered -

1. SAP S/4 Hana Demo and Workshops
2. Structured Training and Practical Experience
3. Understanding Product, Job, and Certifications
4. SAP Training Resources and Trainers
5. Order to Cash Cycle Explained
6. Order to Cash Process Complexity
7. Sales Order Process and Training
8. Exploring SAP Careers Without IT
9. SAP SD Training for Career Advancement
10. Training Program Opportunities and Certifications

SAP S/4 Hana Demo and Workshops

Parminder led a demo session on SAP S/4 Hana, with a focus on the Sales and Distribution (SD) module. He emphasized the importance of understanding the basics of SAP before diving into specific modules. He introduced a self-paced course, "SAP S/4 Hana in Nutshell," which covers the core concepts of SAP, including different projects, roles, and responsibilities. This course is part of the SAP SD Mastery Bundle. Parminder also announced two upcoming workshops on January 5th and 12th, which will provide a summarized version of the course in a live workshop format. He encouraged participants to interact through chat during the session.

Structured Training and Practical Experience

Parminder discussed his extensive experience in training and consulting, emphasizing the importance of learning together with a "learning buddy" for success. He outlined a structured training program for SAP SD, which includes recorded and live sessions, and a course on building a CV for job applications. Parminder also highlighted the importance of gaining practical experience and implementing the learned skills in real-world scenarios. He addressed the common issue of lack of experience in job applications, suggesting that gaining experience through practice and mentorship can help overcome this hurdle.

Understanding Product, Job, and Certifications

Parminder discussed the importance of understanding the product and job requirements for success in the industry. He highlighted the need for a bridge between knowledge and job application, which led to the creation of an implementation support project. He also introduced the SAP Internship program, a one-year program that provides intensive training and hands-on experience. Parminder emphasized the importance of gaining experience over certifications, as it holds more weightage in the job market. He also mentioned the development of an AI tool for mock interviews and the importance of preparing for certifications.

SAP Training Resources and Trainers

Parminder discussed the various courses and resources available for SAP training, including a 200+ hour video library and a mind map library. He also introduced the trainers for the upcoming SAP workshop, Rohan and Sachin, both with extensive experience in SAP. Parminder encouraged attendees to join the SAP workshop on January 5th and to use the provided links to experience the trainers' teaching styles. He also addressed questions about certification and experience in Germany, and offered to provide further guidance to Akshit.

Order to Cash Cycle Explained

Parminder discussed the Order to Cash (Otc) cycle, emphasizing the importance of customer involvement and understanding the process. He explained that the cycle starts with a customer inquiry, followed by a quotation and purchase order. The pre-sales process, including inquiry and quotation, is optional and depends on the company's requirements. Once a sales order is created, it undergoes various checks, including credit management and available to promise (ATP) checks. After these checks, a delivery document is created, serving as a trigger for the fulfillment or logistics team to dispatch the material to the customer. The cycle concludes with the customer receiving the material, goods issue, and invoicing, followed by payment. Parminder also highlighted the importance of understanding the business process to answer basic questions effectively.

Order to Cash Process Complexity

Parminder discussed the complexities of the Order to Cash (Otc) process, emphasizing that it involves multiple scenarios and integrations with systems. He mentioned that the process can be very complex and that it would be covered in more detail in future training sessions. Parminder also explained the concept of partner functions, which can be used for different scenarios such as shipping and billing. He mentioned that the process of creating a sales order involves several steps, including defining the order type, sales organization, distribution channel, and division. He also highlighted the importance of understanding the enterprise structure and the master data, which includes customers, materials, and other key fields. Parminder concluded by stating that the training sessions would cover these topics in more detail.

Sales Order Process and Training

Parminder discussed the process of creating a sales order, delivery, picking, and goods issue in the system. He explained that the customer reference is the purchase order number, and the system automatically brings up the details of the address and payment terms. He also mentioned that the system can be configured to make certain fields mandatory, and that the item category plays a significant role in determining various settings. Parminder also touched on the complexity of the pricing process and the need for training on it. He mentioned that the system would be used for a workshop on the 5th of January and that there would be a continuous session from the 18th of January. He also addressed questions about the interfaces, the duration of the SD module, the availability of recorded sessions, and the possibility of enrolling for multiple courses. Lastly, he discussed the possibility of career transition for those with non-technical experience.

Exploring SAP Careers Without IT

Parminder discussed the possibility of becoming a SAP functional consultant without prior IT or technical experience. He emphasized that business operation experience is more important for understanding business processes in SAP. Shilpa, a 15-year IT industry veteran with a background in functional manual testing, expressed her desire to upscale and become a business analyst. Parminder suggested she could start her career as a SAP SD consultant, as no technical background is required. Biswas, with experience in an executive search consulting firm, was advised to consider SAP Success Factors for HR-related recruitment research.

SAP SD Training for Career Advancement

Parminder discussed the importance of learning SAP SD for career growth, particularly for those transitioning from business operations to consulting roles. He emphasized that SAP SD is a niche area, and understanding it can lead to better job opportunities and career advancement. Parminder also highlighted the future demand for SAP SD professionals, stating that it's a valuable skill to have in the industry. He concluded by explaining how the SAP SD training can help bridge the gap between business processes and technology, enabling individuals to effectively implement and fine-tune business processes in SAP products.

Training Program Opportunities and Certifications

Parminder discussed the hands-on experience and live project opportunities available during the training program. He emphasized the importance of gaining experience and then obtaining certification. He also clarified that live project access is contingent on passing three rounds of interviews. Parminder further explained the placement assistance provided, including a CV preparation course, mentorship, and potential internal job opportunities. He also addressed specific questions from attendees, including Siddharth's interest in the Google program and Shilpa's concerns about her existing experience. Lastly, Phani sought clarification on the SAP SD Excellence bundle and its relation to AATP.