Ramp-up challenges for SAP team members

𝗦𝗔𝗣 𝗦𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗗𝗼𝗲𝘀𝗻'𝘁 𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁: 𝗔𝗻 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿'𝘀 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗛𝗮𝘂𝗹 Making the move into SAP can seem daunting, but with the right mindset and preparation, it can set you up for a rewarding career. As an SAP Solution Architect, I've seen many make a successful transition. Here are some of the key challenges I’ve seen people face, along with my best tips for overcoming them: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝘂𝗿𝘃𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗽. SAP has a vast portfolio spanning countless business processes. Don't get overwhelmed. Focus first on mastering the foundational modules like SD, MM, FI/CO - they provide the core DNA needed for other areas. 𝗣𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗸𝗲𝘆. Becoming fluent in SAP takes diligent and consistent study over months. Set realistic expectations on ramp up time. It's a marathon, not a sprint. Celebrate small wins along the way. 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗴𝘂𝗮𝗴𝗲. Memorise commonly used SAP terms and master the phonetic alphabet. This establishes credibility and allows you to follow SAP conversations. 𝗛𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀-𝗼𝗻 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲. Reading alone isn't enough. Take advantage of whatever on-the-job training or hands-on learning opportunities available. Real-world experience builds intuition and crystallizes theoretical knowledge. 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗮 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸. Connect with other SAP professionals to exchange ideas, ask questions and learn from their experiences. The community is welcoming and wants you to succeed. 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘆 𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀. SAP is continuously evolving. Subscribe to blogs, take continuing education courses and stay on top of new developments so your skills remain relevant. Remember why you chose SAP. A career in SAP consulting offers great rewards for those willing to put in the work upfront. Keep your motivation front and center. Wishing you much success on your SAP journey. :::: :::: :::: :::: 📌 Resources to Support Your SAP Upskilling Journey SAP SD Processes Mindmaps: https://lnkd.in/gk72sp8G SAP Basics E-Books: https://lnkd.in/dvYG7iS7 :::: :::: :::: ::::

Beyond Config Screens: 7 Real-Life Challenges from the Field (And How We Overcame Them) Implementing SAP Extended Warehouse Management (EWM) is never just about customizing software. It’s about managing change, aligning systems with warehouse reality, and ensuring everything runs like clockwork — even under pressure. As an SAP EWM consultant, here are 7 real-world challenges I’ve encountered across greenfield implementations 1. Master Data Messiness Problem: Inconsistent material masters, missing units of measure, or incorrectly classified storage types. Fix: Data cleansing workshops with business teams and deploying data validation bots before loading into EWM. 2. Resistance from Warehouse Teams Problem: Forklift operators hesitant to use RF guns or mobile terminals. Fix: Conducted hands-on simulations and gamified the training process — converting sceptics into super users. 3. Integration Nightmares (EWM + ERP + TM) Problem: Missed IDoc triggers, failed queue updates (SMQ2), and inconsistent stock updates. Fix: Real-time monitoring dashboards, daily SMQ2 clearance routines, and a cross-functional war room for go-live.  4. Picking Strategy Confusion Problem: Business insists on FIFO but expects LIFO behaviour in certain zones. Fix: Implemented a hybrid stock removal strategy using Quantity Classification and Storage Type Search Sequence in EWM. 5. Reporting Blind Spots Problem: Operations asked for KPIs like bin aging and operator efficiency, not available out of the box. Fix: Built custom CDS views and Fiori tiles for real-time monitoring of warehouse performance.  6. Deadline Pressure During Cutover Problem: Go-live coincided with month-end stock reconciliation and annual audit. Fix: Built a phased cutover plan, mocked with dry runs and established a hypercare command center. 7. Over customization Trap Problem: Over-engineering for every exception case led to performance issues and user confusion.  Fix: Rolled back certain enhancements and followed SAP’s best practices for leaner design. Key Takeaways for Fellow Consultants: ✔️ Don’t underestimate people change management. ✔️ Always validate master data early. ✔️ Avoid customizations unless necessary. ✔️ Post-go-live support defines client satisfaction — not just the config. If you’re an SAP EWM consultant, which challenge resonates most with you? Have more stories to share? Let’s connect and build a smarter warehouse world together. #SAP #EWM #WarehouseManagement #DigitalTransformation #ConsultingLife #S4HANA #LogisticsExecution

Why SAP Implementations Feel So Hard for People? A customer told me something recently that I can’t stop thinking about: “Our people aren’t resisting SAP. They’re resisting feeling incompetent.” Most SAP projects don’t struggle because the software is too complex. They struggle because of what change does to people. For years, your team members have worked in familiar systems, with processes they know inside out. They feel: ✅ Competent ✅ Confident ✅ In control When a new SAP system goes live: Processes change. Screens look different. The sequence of steps they’ve mastered for years no longer applies. Suddenly: ❌ They feel unskilled. ❌ They feel slow. ❌ They feel exposed. They fear making mistakes in front of peers. They fear slowing down their team. They fear losing their value in the organization. It’s not resistance to SAP itself. It’s the fear of losing competence and identity at work. Why This Matters? We often say: “Change management is important.” But what we really need to acknowledge is: ✨ Change challenges identity. ✨ Change creates emotional discomfort. ✨ Change exposes fears people don’t say out loud. In every SAP project I’ve led, here’s what I’ve learned: ✅ Listening matters as much as configuration. People need to feel heard. ✅ Small wins rebuild confidence. Training shouldn’t just be functional but empowering. ✅ Pace matters. Change too fast and people shut down; too slow and momentum is lost. ✅ Leaders set the tone. If leaders show vulnerability, teams feel safer learning. ✅ Celebrate progress, not perfection. Encourage questions and acknowledge the learning curve. 💡 The Hard Truth: SAP implementations are not just about technology. They are deeply human journeys. We are asking people to let go of who they were so they can grow into who they need to be. That’s uncomfortable. And it’s where the real work of transformation lies. If you’ve led or been part of an SAP project: Have you felt this fear of “losing competence” yourself? Have you seen your teams struggle with the emotional side of change? How did you navigate it? Share your experience. Let’s have the real conversation about why SAP change is hard and how we can support people through it. #SAP, #ERP, #SAPImplementation #ChangeManagement, #DigitalTransformation, #BusinessTransformation #Leadership, #PeopleFirst, #GrowthMindset #teamASAR #ASARDigital