Getting out of ERP. Eeek....

anfearr

Hi.

Just looking for some general advice, I'm currently working for a certain German ERP software provider as a Support Consultant in Software Logistics in the Basis area. And although they are an excellent company to work for in every aspect, I have this itch I am making a mistake as the career path is limited unless you’re willing to relocate to Germany. Classic cost centre v profit centre location. Basically I can specialise into a global expert in a functionality such as transports or Installations but you would be so specialised nowhere bar an international consulting company would require your skills if even.

The market for their software/skill set is rather small in my home country and I feel I may be heading into a dead end career wise. In the UK i.e. London etc my role would pay 75 - 85k sterling but that is not an option as I have a young family I don't want to uproot either. Cisco (CCNP/CCIE with 5 years exp) seems to pay similar in my home market as my current role would pay externally, same for the UK, and I think in my home country this would be a better career option as obviously small/large data networks are more common that large multinational ERP implementations and specifically Basis Administrator roles in such companies.

Thing is every time I see a Cisco Manual I think yeah that’s me and I have completed a CCNA/CCNA Voice in the mean time. I'm thinking either about a MCITP: SA/EA and the CCNP to up my skill set and get something more general.

Just looking for some of your opinions on this, what would be your opinion, ERP is very heavy on DB but it’s specifically their Software and I feel this is a dangerous path to head down. Specifically I suppose I am asking, would you consider heading into an ERP application support role a poor career move and I suppose MCITP:EA would also fall into this area versus an equally specialised but more open skill set such and Networking.

N2IT

anfearr wrote: »

Hi.

Just looking for some general advice, I'm currently working for a certain German ERP software provider as a Support Consultant in Software Logistics in the Basis area. And although they are an excellent company to work for in every aspect, I have this itch I am making a mistake as the career path is limited unless you’re willing to relocate to Germany. Classic cost centre v profit centre location. Basically I can specialise into a global expert in a functionality such as transports or Installations but you would be so specialised nowhere bar an international consulting company would require your skills if even.

The market for their software/skill set is rather small in my home country and I feel I may be heading into a dead end career wise. In the UK i.e. London etc my role would pay 75 - 85k sterling but that is not an option as I have a young family I don't want to uproot either. Cisco (CCNP/CCIE with 5 years exp) seems to pay similar in my home market as my current role would pay externally, same for the UK, and I think in my home country this would be a better career option as obviously small/large data networks are more common that large multinational ERP implementations and specifically Basis Administrator roles in such companies.

Thing is every time I see a Cisco Manual I think yeah that’s me and I have completed a CCNA/CCNA Voice in the mean time. I'm thinking either about a MCITP: SA/EA and the CCNP to up my skill set and get something more general.

Just looking for some of your opinions on this, what would be your opinion, ERP is very heavy on DB but it’s specifically their Software and I feel this is a dangerous path to head down. Specifically I suppose I am asking, would you consider heading into an ERP application support role a poor career move and I suppose MCITP:EA would also fall into this area versus an equally specialised but more open skill set such and Networking.

Sorry have to keep this short heading to work but........

If you enjoy your job and you are good at it I would stick with it.
There are no guarntees and making decisions based off of what if's can get you in trouble. I understand your concerns, but I think this a classic case of the grass is greener on the other side. My personal opinion would be to stay in the field you are in. Before I leveraged my way into IT service management I was trying like crazy to get into an SAP shop and start from the ground up supporting one module and moving up and on. I like where you are at and think you should stick with that. You mentioned basis adminstrator. Are you one now or can you move into that role?

Good Luck!

Turgon

anfearr wrote: »

Hi.

Just looking for some general advice, I'm currently working for a certain German ERP software provider as a Support Consultant in Software Logistics in the Basis area. And although they are an excellent company to work for in every aspect, I have this itch I am making a mistake as the career path is limited unless you’re willing to relocate to Germany. Classic cost centre v profit centre location. Basically I can specialise into a global expert in a functionality such as transports or Installations but you would be so specialised nowhere bar an international consulting company would require your skills if even.

The market for their software/skill set is rather small in my home country and I feel I may be heading into a dead end career wise. In the UK i.e. London etc my role would pay 75 - 85k sterling but that is not an option as I have a young family I don't want to uproot either. Cisco (CCNP/CCIE with 5 years exp) seems to pay similar in my home market as my current role would pay externally, same for the UK, and I think in my home country this would be a better career option as obviously small/large data networks are more common that large multinational ERP implementations and specifically Basis Administrator roles in such companies.

Thing is every time I see a Cisco Manual I think yeah that’s me and I have completed a CCNA/CCNA Voice in the mean time. I'm thinking either about a MCITP: SA/EA and the CCNP to up my skill set and get something more general.

Just looking for some of your opinions on this, what would be your opinion, ERP is very heavy on DB but it’s specifically their Software and I feel this is a dangerous path to head down. Specifically I suppose I am asking, would you consider heading into an ERP application support role a poor career move and I suppose MCITP:EA would also fall into this area versus an equally specialised but more open skill set such and Networking.

If that is 75 - 85K GBP for a permanent job in London then that salary wipes the floor with most people on TE or those working in IT in London quite frankly. You will be pushed to find Cisco jobs that pay much more except in banking and the competition is fierce. You also need banking experience and want to be heading into the architect space as opposed to operations. 85K is not a lot of money if you are the sole bread winner, have children and want to live very decently in London. The cost of housing and the pressures of a well paid London job will add up. Stick to SAP.

anfearr

I just wanted to update this post. Well it's five years later and my original concerns came true, when it came to leaving my employer I found on average there was at max one or two positions in Ireland a year for Basis administrators, one recurring due to poor working conditions in the company, in addition several large organisations I am aware have offshored their basis resources. In fact the position I applied for was the only permanent positon to come up in two years prior and the people I work with are also the last full time employee hires in the Irish market in the prior years. All others were contract positions or consulting firms with limited to no vertical career opportunities. In the mean time all other areas of IT such as IT Project Management, Security and Networking are booming with great career progression.

So I now find myself a highly trained ERP specialist having to start again career wise if I want to remain in my home country, in the mean time I did achieve my CCNP R&S so will move into networking or ICT Security in the new organisation I am part of. Had I left originally as I posted I feel I would be in a better place career wise now. SAP can be a great career but I would warn those in Ireland if you leave SAP itself then your facing into a career of working for small consulting companies and you should look to move up internally within the organisation out of a technical role else you face a limited job market of short term contracts.