SAP Experts: In Demand

  by April Brinkley

SAP Experts in high demand and rare to find

 

	It’s a good time to be an SAP expert. One quick scan of the technology job boards reveals that SAP Consulting and Project Management are some of the most in-demand areas. A closer examination reveals that it’s not likely high turnover or lack of appeal in the positions that accounts for the demand for the SAP-savvy. It’s simply that the supply of qualified, experienced candidates is lacking.
For those who are qualified, the potential salary and perks are attractive. The average salary, for instance, of an SAP Project Manager in Los Angeles is just shy of $90,000—and that’s before bonuses and benefits. In New York the average earning power for the position is $92,000. In Chicago, it’s $87,000. According to Computerworld magazine, SAP Consultants continue to command salary premiums and sizable sign-on bonuses. So, why is the demand so high? What makes this specialized set of skills such a hot commodity? The secret lies in the overall importance of the technology. Although there are many areas of technology that are important to businesses, perhaps none is as crucial for ensuring smooth, across-the-board compatibility as SAP. SAP has set a new paradigm in the world of business. It is the ubiquitous force that ties platforms, departments and, in fact, most of the business world together. It enables tight integration and proper internal communication so that no matter what language powers the various computer systems throughout a company, the people within can operate compatibly and “speak” the same language. Also known as Enterprise Resource Planning, SAP is such a basic component of today’s business technology infrastructure that its very complexity seems juxtaposed to the simplified solutions it lends.
“Great consultants and great clients go hand-in-hand. By having one, we attract the other. We’re committed to excellence in all that we do, and it shows.”
One industry expert who has made this in-demand technology work for him and for his clients is Tom Michael, founder and President/CEO of Michael Management Corporation (MMC). A leading consulting firm specializing in business strategy and e-business issues, MMC has been highly involved in SAP consulting since 1993. Focused on capital investment functionality, MMC’s consultants and developers regularly work to develop innovations and advances in the field. The California-based firm has never had trouble attracting top-notch consultants and quality clients. “Great consultants and great clients go hand-in-hand. By having one, we attract the other. We’re committed to excellence in all that we do, and it shows,” says Tom Michael. Even in his estimation of MMC’s accomplishments, Tom Michael may be a bit modest. After all, clients like Whirlpool, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Johnson & Johnson, and other household names don’t come on board without good reason. Ralph Groetzinger of Proctor and Gamble says of his company’s experience with MMC, "[W]e have been very pleased with your services and have recommended you highly at every opportunity. I hope that we can continue a long and productive relationship." When asked about MMC’s success and impressive client list, Tom Michael points to the basic tenets of economics. “In good economic times, companies look for ways to further improve productivity. In less lucrative times, companies want to streamline operations to cut costs,” says Michael. “Either way, smart SAP solutions help them become more efficient and achieve their goals.” Beyond the technicalities of MMC’s technological endeavors, it seems that what Tom Michael and his company really supply is smooth business operation—a commodity that will always be in demand.