Always flexible and on the pulse of time

SAP consultants are not only active in an advisory capacity, but must also be familiar with various IT solutions and processes. They are all-rounders and act as "mediators" between IT, business administration and HR.

To what extent is the qualification profile of an SAP consultant changing with digitalization?

Wolfgang Stadler: Digitalization has a major impact on companies, their IT and processes - and therefore, of course, on the job description of the SAP consultant. A few years ago, it was mainly about digitizing and optimizing existing processes.

Today, it is much more about supporting companies in their digital transformation. This also means setting up completely new processes and rethinking business models. Added to this is the Internet of Things, i.e. sensors, mobile devices, internet-enabled machines, SaaS and real-time functions such as S/4 Hana.

It is no longer enough for SAP consultants to look at just one area; they have to keep an eye on a company's entire value chain. In addition, all new technologies, data and methods must be harmonized.

Digitalization is turning SAP consultants even more into all-rounders: they have to combine tool knowledge, agile project management, networked working and industry expertise in their work.

What is the best way to deal with the different generations - from baby boomers to Generation Y?

Stadler: Every company currently has to deal with the so-called "clash of generations". The baby boomer generation, for example, had to work hard for their first job. Many Generation Y applicants, on the other hand, are being wooed if they have the right qualifications - especially in the IT sector.

The respective generations should be aware that there are differences and that they need to adapt to and understand each other. Management and the HR department also have a duty to raise awareness here:

We have to manage the balancing act of meeting the different needs and show how the generations can benefit from each other. This is particularly important for the future, as new generations with their respective strengths and needs are constantly arriving.

What do newcomers need to consider?

Stadler: Due to the increasing demand for IT and especially SAP services, the profession has excellent future prospects. In principle, knowledge of SAP is an advantage when starting out, but not necessarily a prerequisite.

Young consultants often come from degree courses such as computer science, business informatics or business administration, but mathematicians, physicists or other natural scientists can also gain a good foothold as career changers. Newcomers then have to acquire the relevant SAP knowledge by learning by doing - this requires a high level of willingness to learn, curiosity and personal responsibility.

Flexibility is also an important quality that prospective SAP consultants should have. This is because the work is usually done on a project basis and with each new project it is necessary to adapt to new tasks, customers and temporary colleagues.

Overall, newcomers should not be afraid of complex processes and topics, as this will only increase with digitalization.

What about willingness to travel and salary?

Stadler: Willingness to travel and salary vary greatly from consultancy to consultancy. There are companies where the consultants are on projects all over the world from Monday to Thursday and then back in the office on Fridays.

In our company, for example, the amount of travel for IT consultants is limited. Salaries in the SAP consultant market have clearly risen due to the high demand in the IT and SAP sector. Of course, they vary depending on skills profile, professional experience and sector. Overall, it can be said that SAP consultants are currently doing well in terms of salary.