SAP INITIATIVE TO BOOST ERP TALENT POOL

Logistics Insight Asia, 1/7/2008

German software giant SAP is partnering with Singapore's SIM University (UniSIM) to offer a SAP Global Certification Programme via full e-learning mode. IT and business professionals who desire to become certified SAP consultants in enterprise resource planning (ERP) can pursue the certification in a shorter time, with greater flexibility and at a lower cost than a classroom-based course, says SAP.

Globally, there is a critical shortage of skilled manpower in the area of ERP system customization, implementation and support, which has resulted in the current strong demand for SAP professionals. SAP is the market leader in ERP, with almost one-third market share in Asia Pacific and Japan. A typical SAP consultant may earn 15 to 20 percent more than his IT peers.

At the newly set up UniSIM-SAP eAcademy students can choose to e-learn from one of six different SAP tracks at the eAcademy. Each course comprises 200- 250 e-hours of learning or contact time spread over four months. Course fees range said to be 40 percent lower than conventional SAP certification courses.

The Provost of UniSIM, Prof Tsui Kai Chong, said, "The e-learning mode of this programme is consistent with UniSIM's firm advocacy for e-learning. As a university dedicated to adult learners and working professionals, e-learning approaches enable our students to learn anytime, anywhere."



Kowshik Sriman, Vice President and Country Manager, SAP Singapore: "We are pleased to partner UniSIM in developing more SAP talent in Singapore. SAP's vision is to bring industry knowledge and business best practices to companies that want to leverage IT to transform their business models and processes to become more competitive."