SAP S/4HANA Archives - Club Freelance Neo WP UK

Wandering why Pursue SAP and SAP S/4HANA Certifications? As SAP continues to lead in enterprise resource planning (ERP) and cloud solutions, certifications in SAP and SAP S/4HANA remain highly valuable for IT professionals. Then, the shift towards cloud-first strategies and the integration of AI and machine learning within SAP solutions have created new opportunities for certified professionals. Moreover, recent updates to the SAP S/4HANA suite and the growing adoption of SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP) highlight the need for up-to-date skills and knowledge.

SAP S/4HANA certifications not only validate your expertise but also ensure you stay current with the latest technological advancements and industry best practices. Given the ongoing digital transformation across industries, having a certification in SAP cloud solutions can significantly enhance your career prospects.

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Trends in SAP Certification:

As the technology landscape evolves, so does the need for SAP professionals to stay updated with the latest trends and developments. Therefore, here’s a deeper dive into the most significant trends in SAP S/4HANA certifications for 2024:

1. Cloud and Hybrid Solutions

pursue SAP S/4HANA Certifications - Cloud and Hybrid Solutions

Firstly, with SAP’s strategic shift towards cloud-first solutions, the demand for expertise in cloud and hybrid environments has surged. Then, SAP Cloud Platform and SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP) are at the forefront of this transition, providing a comprehensive suite of services for building, integrating, and extending SAP applications in the cloud.

SAP Cloud Platform (SCP): SCP offers a platform-as-a-service (PaaS) environment designed to support the rapid development and deployment of applications. Certifications in SCP validate skills in deploying and managing applications on the cloud, emphasizing security, scalability, and integration with existing SAP systems.
SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP): SAP BTP combines database and data management, analytics, application development, and intelligent technologies. Certifications in BTP focus on understanding the platform’s capabilities, enabling professionals to develop and manage intelligent enterprise applications effectively.
Hybrid Solutions: Many organizations operate in a hybrid environment, where on-premise SAP systems are integrated with cloud solutions. Certifications that cover hybrid landscapes are critical for professionals tasked with ensuring seamless integration, data consistency, and operational efficiency across different environments.

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2. AI and Machine Learning

pursue SAP S/4HANA Certifications - AI and Machine Learning

In addition, the integration of AI and machine learning into SAP systems is transforming how businesses operate. Making these skills highly sought after. SAP has introduced certifications that cater to these advanced technologies, focusing on their application within the SAP ecosystem.

SAP Leonardo: As a digital innovation system, SAP Leonardo integrates AI, machine learning, IoT, and advanced analytics into SAP environments. Certifications in SAP Leonardo equip professionals with the skills to implement and manage AI-driven solutions. Also enhancing decision-making processes and operational efficiency.
SAP AI Core and AI Foundation: These are dedicated AI and machine learning platforms within SAP BTP. Certifications here validate the ability to develop, train, and deploy machine learning models within SAP systems. Thus driving innovation and gaining a competitive edge.

3. Remote Work Adaptation

pursue SAP S/4HANA Certifications - Remote Work Adaptation

The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the shift towards remote and hybrid work models. As a result, SAP professionals need to adapt to managing and supporting SAP systems in these new working environments.

Remote Administration and Support: Certifications now include training on how to effectively manage SAP systems remotely. This includes understanding remote access protocols, maintaining security, and ensuring system performance without on-site presence.
Collaboration Tools: SAP professionals must be adept at using collaboration and communication tools that facilitate remote work. Certifications cover the use of SAP’s own tools as well as integrating with other popular platforms like Microsoft Teams and Zoom.
Security and Compliance: With remote work, the focus on cybersecurity and compliance has intensified. Certifications emphasize the importance of maintaining robust security practices and ensuring compliance with various regulations, even when accessing systems remotely.

By pursuing these updated certifications and staying informed about the latest trends, you can ensure that your skills remain relevant and valuable in the evolving IT landscape.

Conclusion

Why pursue SAP S/4HANA Certifications in 2024? Because staying current with these trends through SAP S/4HANA Certifications not only enhances your professional credibility but also ensures you possess the skills needed to navigate the complexities of modern SAP environments. As SAP continues to innovate and expand its cloud and AI offerings, professionals who invest in these certifications will be well-positioned to lead in the digital transformation of their organizations.

Want to make the most of S/4HANA’s career potential? Check out our comprehensive S/4HANA Careers Guide.

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Also, you can complement these with SAP PRESS Certification Success Guides, one of which Denys has authored. If it’s motivation you are looking for, he also has a lot to say.

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S/4HANA represents one of today’s most buoyant areas of enterprise IT. Investing time in developing your S/4 expertise can lead to a very successful and reliable career. But what is this new iteration of SAP’s ERP all about? How does it differ from its predecessor, ECC6? Time for a quick overview of SAP S/4HANA.

S/4HANA is short for “Simplified For HANA (Hi-Performance Analytical Appliance).” While ECC6 objective is to run on a variety of databases from vendors such as Oracle or IBM, S/4HANA; as its name suggests; can only operate on SAP HANA. Launched in 2015, SAP’s in-memory database allows for increase data access speed and greater live data analysis capabilities. This is a key advantage in the era of the connected enterprise and data insights. Additionally, a different column-based data organisation allows for the reduction of the number of databases needed to integrate all the information. This allows to streamline and speed up data analysis.

But let’s dive into the details of this overview of SAP S/4HANA.

SAP S/4HANA vs ECC6: A New UX

Additionally, S/4HANA comes with significant updates. Among the most immediately noticeable changes is the system’s reliance on the SAP Fiori 3 UX. The new user experience streamlines day-to-day use of the platform for both developers and end-users.

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Module updates and data integration

Another big change introduced by S/4HANA comes in terms of module and component organisation.

Firstly, data from what were two separate modules; Financial Accounting (FI) and Controlling (CO); is now integrated into a single pool of information: the Universal Journal. The new arrangement allows users and business managers to make better and faster decisions from a more holistic financial and management perspective.

By integrating all accounting-relevant information from various components into a single, universal journal, S/4HANA speeds up data processes by eliminating redundancies and data reconciliation. The result is a data insights ecosystem that puts less strain on the system and has a reduced memory footprint.

Embedded analytics and Machine Learning

Additionally, a built-in data analytics module further supports this integrated data processing approach. Embedded Analytics leverages SAP ABAP Core Data Services technology to create Virtual Data Models out of operational data and provide real-time operational reporting. In other words, everything that business users need to operate from a smart business cockpit packed with data insights and forward-looking tools.

Furthermore, embedded Machine Learning capabilities push these predictive tools to a new level, allowing companies to build smart applications like predictive pricing and maintenance.

Greenfield vs. Brownfield implementation

First of all, it is important to note that not all S/4HANA migration projects work in the same way, and therefore, the expertise you will require and obtain will depend on the type of project you are involved in.

A greenfield implementation refers to the process of adopting S/4HANA and designing its ERP system from scratch. This approach parts from the business and operational needs of the system to then come up with the technical infrastructure that will make it possible. Greenfield projects can be applied when an organization has no previous ERP system or processes in place, as well as when it wants to design a completely new one.

Conversely, brownfield implementations part from already present processes or systems and convert them to the S/4HANA platform. This process involves the revision of the entire previous ecosystem and then the optimisation of existing processes. Companies who are already working with SAP’s previous suite (ECC6 and want to upgrade to S/4HANA, often apply it.

Blueprinting

Preparation is fundamental. A successful migration to S/4HANA is dependent on the proper outlining of a series of key processes. Since the ERP suite has a one source of truth approach, these involve integrating all relevant data into the same data pools. The processes will be approached differently in greenfield and brownfield migrations.

For example, all accounting-related data will be entered once into the Universal Journal. A similar process will be carried out to unify all partner-related information into the Business Partner data pool. A thorough mapping and configuration of New Asset Accounting will be required to migrate to S/4HANA finance, etc.

The team in charge of the migration will need to make an inventory of all preexisting data sets and figure out a way of adapting them to the S/4HANA ecosystem. These processes involve a lot of data cleaning and reconciliation and can take a lot of time. However, companies must ensure they put enough focus on this step, as it will serve as the backbone on which to build a next-generation ERP and a truly intelligent digital enterprise.

This overview of SAP S/4HANA piqued your interest? Want to make the most of S/4HANA’s career potential? Check out also our comprehensive S/4HANA Careers Guide.