Ending the search for SAP developers

SAP. Hate it or love it. 

SAP is currently the largest European (and non-American) and the third largest software company in the world in terms of turnover. And now SAP is back in the headlines: 8000 jobs are to be cut worldwide, 2600 of them in Germany. The workforce is responding promptly: 5,300 employees have now registered for the Group's redundancy and early retirement programme. "Of those interested, around 60 per cent are said to have registered for early retirement, while the rest would leave the company in return for severance pay."

Does this mean that urgently needed SAP developers are now being made redundant in a market with high demand? Probably yes. However, with salaries of 90,000 euros for senior SAP developers, this is not an option for every company. So what can companies do?

Given that there is now not just a shortage of skilled labour, but a shortage of labour in Germany, upskilling is your best friend when it comes to software development. Yes, really. Takes too long, you say? Not at all friends! Most developers have a solid foundation to become productive in the SAP environment in the foreseeable future. This is also where upskilling differs from reskilling – upskilling builds on a foundation. This means that existing skills and knowledge are further developed and/or deepened.

Okay, we can already hear your next objection – "And what about experience?" Well, you have to hand it to SAP – while it used to be more of a black box, today there is a public and active SAP community with almost 800,000 members. There you can find answers to popular problems or even professionals who you can contact to solve highly specialised problems. And that ensures the last possible objection: "And what does it cost?" Hold on tight: SAP offers high-quality developer training courses for free (see Fig. 1)! While this would have easily cost a few thousand euros in the past, SAP offers you the full range of training and advanced training for every development level free of charge. Chapeau, SAP!

In this article, we take a look at the "nature of SAP developers" and how you can get your developers up to speed in this area.

‍

‍

Types of SAP developers

SAP developers specialise in different roles and technologies within the SAP ecosystem. We have identified the 5 most important focus areas of SAP developers:

1. SAP ABAP Developer

Description: Focuses on developing applications using the ABAP (Advanced Business Application Programming) language, which is the primary programming language for SAP applications.

Primary Tasks: Developing and maintaining custom reports, interfaces, enhancements, and forms.

Key Skills & Technologies: Proficiency in ABAP, ABAP Objects, ALV (ABAP List Viewer), understanding of SAP modules, and experience with SAP enhancements and BAPIs (Business Application Programming Interfaces).

2. SAP Fiori/UI5 Developer

Description: Specialises in developing user interfaces using SAP Fiori, which is a collection of UX design principles, and SAPUI5, a JavaScript framework.

Primary Tasks: Developing responsive web applications using Fiori design principles and SAPUI5 framework.

Key Skills & Technologies: JavaScript, HTML5, CSS, SAPUI5, OData services, and knowledge of Fiori Elements and guidelines.

3. SAP HANA Developer

Description: Works on SAP HANA, an in-memory database platform, focusing on developing applications and optimising performance.

Primary Tasks: Designing and developing applications on the SAP HANA platform, optimising database performance.

Key Skills & Technologies: SQLScript, XSJS, XS Advanced, SAP HANA CDS (Core Data Services), understanding of in-memory computing, and experience with SAP HANA XS Advanced.

4. SAP Integration Developer

Description: Focuses on integrating SAP systems with other systems using various middleware and integration tools.

Primary Tasks: Integrating SAP systems with other software and services.

Key Skills & Technologies: Knowledge of SAP PI/PO (Process Integration/Process Orchestration),  SAP Cloud Platform Integration, understanding of REST/SOAP APIs, and IDocs.

5. SAP BW/BI Developer

Description: Specialises in SAP Business Warehouse and Business Intelligence, focusing on data modelling, extraction, and reporting.

Primary Tasks: Data modelling, extraction, transformation, and reporting.

Key Skills & Technologies: SAP BW, SAP BI, SAP BusinessObjects, BEx (Business Explorer), HANA for BW, data warehousing concepts, and proficiency in reporting tools like SAP BusinessObjects.

‍

Essential Languages and Technologies for SAP Developers

In addition to specialisation, there are a number of essential programming languages and technologies in the SAP tech stack.

1. ABAP: Core language for SAP application development. ABAP Objects, the object-oriented extension, is also essential.

2. JavaScript: Vital for SAPUI5 and Fiori development.

3. SQLScript: Used for developing native applications on the SAP HANA platform.

4. HTML5/CSS: Necessary for creating user interfaces in SAP Fiori applications.

5. Java: Sometimes used in older SAP applications and for integration purposes.

6. XML and JSON: Commonly used for data interchange, especially in integrations.

7. OData: A protocol used for building and consuming RESTful APIs, crucial for SAP Fiori apps.

8. REST/SOAP APIs: Important for integrating SAP with other systems.

9. Python: Increasingly used for data manipulation and integration tasks.

‍

How long does upskilling take for SAP developers?

Let's get to the exciting part – how much time do your developers and you as an organisation have to put into upskilling?

‍

In general, it depends on various factors: How much previous experience is available, how complex is the technology and, of course, how intensive (in terms of time) will the training programme be? Nevertheless, we can provide an estimated time frame for each role. The information comes from SAP's official learning paths and courses.

And also from experience reports and stories about career advancement in the SAP Community forums.

1. SAP ABAP Developer

Time Frame: 3 to 6 months

Prerequisites: Basic programming knowledge (e.g., Java, C++), understanding of business processes.

Learning Path:

• Basic Training: 1-2 months (covering ABAP fundamentals).
• Advanced Training and Practice: 2-4 months (covering ABAP Objects, ALV, BAPI, performance tuning).
• Certification Preparation: Additional 1-2 months if pursuing SAP certification.

2. SAP Fiori/UI5 Developer

Time Frame: 4 to 8 months

Prerequisites: Proficiency in JavaScript, HTML5, CSS, understanding of RESTful services.

Learning Path:

• Basic Training: 2-3 months (covering SAPUI5 framework, Fiori design principles).
• Advanced Training and Practice: 2-4 months (covering OData services, custom Fiori apps development).
• Certification Preparation: Additional 1-2 months if pursuing SAP certification.

3. SAP HANA Developer

Time Frame: 6 to 12 months

Prerequisites: Strong SQL knowledge, basic understanding of database concepts, prior experience with programming or data modelling.

Learning Path:

• Basic Training: 2-4 months (covering SQLScript, HANA basics).
• Advanced Training and Practice: 4-6 months (covering HANA XS, data modelling, performance optimization).
• Certification Preparation: Additional 2-3 months if pursuing SAP certification.

4. SAP Integration Developer

Time Frame: 6 to 9 months

Prerequisites: Knowledge of integration concepts, understanding of APIs, basic programming experience.

Learning Path:

• Basic Training: 2-3 months (covering SAP PI/PO basics).
• Advanced Training and Practice: 3-6 months (covering SAP Cloud Platform Integration, IDocs, and REST APIs).
• Certification Preparation: Additional 1-2 months if pursuing SAP certification.

5. SAP BW/BI Developer

Time Frame: 6 to 12 months

Prerequisites: Understanding of data warehousing concepts, SQL, and basic programming skills.

Learning Path:

• Basic Training: 2-4 months (covering SAP BW basics, data extraction techniques).
• Advanced Training and Practice: 4-6 months (covering advanced data modelling, SAP BI tools, reporting techniques).
• Certification Preparation: Additional 2-3 months if pursuing SAP certification.

Again, these time periods are guidelines and may vary depending on individual learning speed, previous experience and available resources. Continuous learning and practical implementation are crucial to ensure that this knowledge is permanently anchored.

‍

Here is more information and resources for you:

1. [SAP Community]  

2. [SAP Developer Center]

3. [SAP Learning Hub]

4. [SAP Training]

5. [SAP Dev Tutorials]