I am quite a busy fella. So I only have 1 free day in a week. I don't have time to attend classes. So I decided to go for e-learning (learn from PC).

But I tell you what sucks when I check out with SAP (M)

1. It cost RM14k for 200 hours??? dang, expensive
2. They give you 5 months to complete the e-learning. If I take one Sunday every week, I only got 160 hours. For every 1 mth I extend I have to pay $635, sucks !
3. I thought SAP is high tech, but instead of having to log on from home, I have to go to their training center to view their e-learning. Sucks !
4. Their training center open monday to friday (9am-9pm) and weekends (9am-6pm). Who can go there during weekday, KL is freakin jam.
5. CITRIX only open for 2 months after the 5 months e-learning, if I pass exam, I wanna do my own revision, practice my own t-codes, no chance at all. By the way, I am not working for a co using SAP. So after pass, have to change job and pray co with SAP hire me, for the correct SAP module, if not, I get rusty, 14k down the drain.

Positive side:
1. SAP doesn't upgrade too often, latest upgrade to ECC 6.0 was only last year. Last upgrade was 7 years ago. So after passing, knowledge not so fast obsolete.
2. Can learn for fun and knowledge, not intending to be consultant. Paygrade is manager level, not willing to restart.
3. No plans to take up ABAP programming, only want to master as user.

Negative side:
1. SAP doesn't allow e-learning from home
2. 5 months for 200 hours is too short
3. Too many consultants around
4. Takes 10 years to be Master consultant.
5. If not e-learning, is attending classes (which I am not free) and it cost a whopping RM23k.

This post has been edited by Pete the great: Sep 3 2013, 09:36 PM

Are you doing Basis or functional? It'll be easier to get a job if it is Basis.

What is basis?

If you don't know then you probably haven't done enough research.

SAP Basis deals with the implementation, configuration and support of all SAP systems.

I'm guessing you're planning on doing functional then? HR, MM or something like that?

Obviously functional la, I did write that I am only interested in the user functions. For eg, the FI module. No I am not interested in HR or warehousing.

So have you actually signed up for it already? It's not that clear from your post.

It'll be much easier if you already have a background in finance. You just have to learn a bit more about SAP but nothing too technical.

If you go ahead with it then I can give you some recommendations on some consulting firms to apply for.

i am finance background. had short stint with sap but right now i am.using different erp.

i know tis is unlikely but i am looking for sap course i can do e learning from home rather than going to training centre.

yes particular in kl less pj, i stay in kl want near.

no i haven't sign up.

This post has been edited by Pete the great: Sep 4 2013, 08:43 AM

You can try checking with MDEC to see if they are still offering any training related to FICO. Normally they will subsidise part of the fee, sometimes with the condition that you pass the certification. For this, don't think it will be through e-learning.

MDEC directly offer training?

SAP Malaysia told me got this subsidy but they say govt can pull any time, so like any house/car salesman, they say better take now before the subsidy remove.

But I am in midst of job change, I dunno new environment would allow me time, I gotta adapt and get confirm first before deciding to take up SAP.

I definitely got no time to attend classes, definitely don't want to pay RM23k even with subsidy.

These courses are usually the intensive type (can be up to 4 or 5 weeks straight) so those that go for it are mostly fresh graduates or those that are company-sponsored.

HCL Axon used to run bootcamps in collaboration with MDEC where they would then offer permanent positions to some of the participants after the training but I think that's been put on hold for now. Mostly for ABAP though and not that much for functional.

I am not interested in ABAP. I am not IT background. To pay 23k for 4-5 weeks is not logical.

I am not keen to work as consultant, I am already a manager, I don't want to restart my career and pay grade.

I using this as opportunity to enhance my marketability, knowledge enhancement and have future chance to work at MNCs that uses SAP (finance or project).

Btw where is HCL Axon?

I think you could subscribe online SAP server access and self learning from there via tutorials or documents since you don't need the certification.

If you're not keen on being a consultant then there's no need to go for any training.

If you just wish to be an end user then usually whatever company that uses SAP will just conduct some short end user training. You might only need to remember some relevant transaction codes if you're using SAPGUI or else it'll just be through the portal.

Your marketability won't really be enhanced if you're just an end user. If you're already a manager then I guess it's too late to start being a consultant. Still, I've heard of a case of an experienced FICO consultant in an O&G company getting around 30k a month. A lot of experienced people have had to take pay cuts to get a start in SAP consulting so it's up to you if you're interested.

HCL Axon is in Technology Park Malaysia, Bukit Jalil. They also have a small office in Penang.

This post has been edited by IronLionZion: Sep 4 2013, 11:59 AM

It takes 10 years to be a Master consultant. I don't have that luxury.

I don't mind because it enhances my marketability. The thing is without SAP experience, lots of MNCs are not hiring me. I sort of thought of taking up the course and passing it, to enhance my marketability.

It takes more than just transacting t-codes to be end user. Most of the time, the consultant does a screwy job of delivering the SAP to end user. If the end user knows how the whole concept, logic and parameters work, it be huge advantage.

Hi Pete,

Based on what I read on your post, below are my comments:

1. It cost RM14k for 200 hours??? dang, expensive

-> SAP is an expensive system. Everybody in the industry knows that and imagine if it only cost 1.4k to take the course. The market will be filled with SAP consultants and your value goes down the drain. Also, compare this to a MBA program and a good MBA program probably cost 4-5 times of that amount and it is a year. Take that if you feel that is more worth the money spent. You also have MDEC sponsored which is totally free if you do more research on this.

2. They give you 5 months to complete the e-learning. If I take one Sunday every week, I only got 160 hours. For every 1 mth I extend I have to pay $635, sucks !

-> If you are unable to complete the course within 5 months then it is not for you. I believe the training takes about 22 days for the entire course. So why not take 3 weeks off and get it done and over with? It's much more effective and learning continuously will give you the momentum to ensure you study consistently.

3. I thought SAP is high tech, but instead of having to log on from home, I have to go to their training center to view their e-learning. Sucks !

-> Every system has its own training curricular and methods. I believe logging on to SAP in a dedicated classroom will be a better environment for the students.

4. Their training center open monday to friday (9am-9pm) and weekends (9am-6pm). Who can go there during weekday, KL is freakin jam.

-> SAP has many training partners and you can sign up with any of them and I know there is one at PJ SS13/14. KL is our CBD area and most of the companies that uses SAP are based in KL and thus opening one training center in KL is logical as the target students are usually around that area. NOwadays, which part of Klang valley isn't jam?

5. CITRIX only open for 2 months after the 5 months e-learning, if I pass exam, I wanna do my own revision, practice my own t-codes, no chance at all. By the way, I am not working for a co using SAP. So after pass, have to change job and pray co with SAP hire me, for the correct SAP module, if not, I get rusty, 14k down the drain.

-> I highly doubt that you can maintain the knowledge that you obtained if you do not work for a company that uses SAP. Again, whatever you learn from the books are purely technical and like everyone that been through the course, we have to pray as well to get hired but if you are good, i dont see the issue.


I am getting the impression that your expectation on SAP and getting certified in FI is too high and if you expect quick returns just by getting certified, i am sorry but you are in the wrong field.

1. No I am not expecting quick returns. As I said, I have no plans to be SAP consultant. But one day I do want to apply for work at a MNC manufacturing co that uses SAP, this could enhance my CV, because they will know I can understand how the whole thing works.

2. I heard SAP force us to go their training centers because of piracy concerns. There was a time, students can log on to e-learning from their home. SAP (M) tells me that some countries in Europe allow that.

3. Why not Citrix have unlimited access for people like me to practice? Companies like HP have test/pre-production environment for their staff to trial and error before they do the actual transaction in productoin environment.

4. The 22 day course cost 23k. I wanna take up the e-learning because its cheaper. I am not doing it to become consultant, just to enhance my knowledge.

If you have use any accounting system or erp.to me ,is kinda the same. No diffirent at all. By the way,it's up to your company business logic to implement each erp specialize. The best must know basic accounting .is enough. In the end just a form entering data.
FICO->financial something
Warehouse something
more more i don't la their term

Learning Online.
1. Youtube .Got what.
2. Website SAP .Got What.. Who ask your to learn basis

Want to try SAP
1. Just find sap by design something..

I think it's a bit extreme that you're planning to just take the training and then decide to not become a consultant. A cheaper option would be to get training from a freelance trainer but there aren't that many of them around.

You should just try to learn the basics of SAP yourself as there are lots of free learning material around. When you apply for an end user position in a company that uses SAP, at least you have an idea of SAP and I guess that would be enough to impress them.

I have a colleague who actually bought some SAP materials on his own and studied them before being accepted into a training program.

Youtube got ah? Interesting..

SAP website, forget it...i check b4, they are like Q&A forums. Don't really get into detail. No screen shots.

I've used basic ERP like JDE and SUn System. Trust me, they are nothing like SAP. The whole logic sequence is very different.

Yes can be done. I saw a lot of good books from Amazon.com, not cheap though.

But you see, how do I reflect this in my CV? I can't put it anywhere especially if its like those rigid jobstreet.com

Freelance trainer is good, but they provide tution? Trouble is, its pointless if these freelancers can't get you to access SAP, because its when you try out the SAP exercises is where you learn stuff.

Besides the trainers can't issue certis to you. I know, its only paper qualification but without it, you can't prove to prospective employer you know SAP.