A surprising number of people who plan to take a SAP Certification course don't know that SAP means “Systems, Applications, Products in Data Processing.” This name comes from the German company established in 1972 that is located near the picturesque town of Hiedelburg. Five engineers who had previously worked for IBM started this company, whose full name in German is “Systeme, Andwendungen, Produkte in der Datenverarbeitung” (hence the initials).

Invariably, those who are planning to start SAP get confused. There are so many modules to choose from that they have problems gauging which modules will suit them best. To solve this dilemma, you should reexamine your own area of expertise. What are the needs of your field? What could be improved? How much do you need to know to come out ahead? What skill will give you a competitive edge over your peers? Knowing the answers to these questions will help you to select the right modules.

SAP covers a wide variety of business fields such as administration, programming, warehousing, finance, and distribution. Each area encompasses many aspects in and of itself, so you have to be sure where you fit in best before proceeding.

Having a SAP certification is like having a direct passport to the business world because there is hardly any other globally recognized credential that carries the same weight. Employers know that those who have earned one have honed their skills by gaining direct experience and have studied rigorously. Their abilities have been demonstrated by acing the demanding and process-oriented examinations full of practical questions that are specific to certain software.

Before going ahead, you have to know more about the three levels of SAP certification. The competitive advantages one gains by completing them are detailed below.

Associate certification: This particular certification covers the basic knowledge one needs to be a SAP consultant, which ensures successful attainment of wide SAP solution information and skills. With this type of certificate one can:

·Gain the highly valued mark of excellence sought by clients.

·Stand out in a crowd.

·Execute tasks skillfully and confidently.

·Have access to a wide community of SAP peers.

Professional certification: This is an advanced certification and requires proven experience on project handling, knowledge about business processes, and also a detailed knowledge of SAP solutions. With this certification one can:

·Demonstrate experience through a meticulous testing process.

·Lead engagements and tasks as well as execute them.

·Have access to a wide community of SAP peers.

Masters certification: This certification demonstrates expert knowledge of specific areas of SAP software and also the prowess to drive improvement and solution optimization with the help of solid understanding and vision. Gaining certification at this level means that one has extensive project experience, thorough project knowledge of SAP, and also the capability to create a future information technology vision inside intricate project environments. On achieving the masters certification, one can:

·Secure a position in an elite group of visionary experts.

·Succeed in a peer-reviewed, all-inclusive admissions process.

·Have the ability to guide and define long-term strategies.

Have the right to involve yourself in master-level conferences, colloquiums, and industrial events.