Oracle Apps

Skill Review – Oracle Applications
Oracle Applications (Financials, SCM, CRM, HRMS) is very similar to SAP applications (read this). The work and domain knowledge may be similar for competing products of Oracle and SAP.

What are the main modules in Oracle Applications?

Oracle modules like Payables, Receivables, GL, iExpense, HR Suite, Projects Suite, Property Manager, SCM, Advanced Planning, etc.

HRMS domain of the Oracle E-business suite includes: Core HR, Payroll, Oracle Learning Management (Oracle Training Administration), Self Service HR, Time & Labor, and iRecruitment, Standard and Advanced Benefits, Compensation Workbench, Student System Technical

SCM suite includes: Order Management, Advanced Supply chain planning, Procurement, Sourcing, Warehouse Management System, Product Configurator, Discrete Manufacturing, Process Manufacturing, Product Life Cycle Management, Enterprise Asset Management
Financials suite includes: General Ledger, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Fixed Assets, Cash Management, Public Sector Financials, Grants Management, Public Sector Budgeting, Purchasing, iExpenses, iPayment, iReceiving, Lease Management
Project Accounting: Projects Billing and Costing, Project Management, iTime, PJRM, Project Connect, Collaborative Project Mmt, Project Contracts

Which companies recruit Oracle Apps Consultants? And how are the prospects for Oracle Apps Consultants?
Services companies like Accenture and Infosys recruit Oracle Applications Consultants. For Infosys the majority of revenue for Enterprise Solutions comes from Oracle Apps.

Technical or Functional Consultants can look for purely technical/functional or techno-functional roles at Tata Consultancy Services, Infosys Technologies, Wipro Technologies, Satyam, Computer Services, Accenture, IBM, Cognizant Technology Solutions, Deloitte, Oracle Corporation (for development/testing of new products).
Some other companies which are into Oracle Apps Consulting but are not as big in headcount are HCL Tecnologies, Sierra Atlantic, Patni Computers, Intelligroup, Polaris Software Lab, Zensar Technologies, GenPact, Birlasoft, Cap Gemini, iGate, etc. Though most of the organizations in India provide basic consultancy services in Oracle Apps, not many of them provide services in Oracle Business Intelligence. Also, some of these organizations predominantly work in some core areas of Oracle Apps like Oracle Process Manufacturing, Oracle CRM, Oracle HCM, Oracle SCM, etc. Many of the MNC’s like Deloitte, Cap Gemini, Unisys, Bearing Point are yet to ramp up their India operations upto the levels of TCS, Infosys, Accenture and IBM. In all probability, most of the big MNC’s will further consolidate their India operations and outsource substantial part of their development and support work back to India. So, it seems exciting times are ahead of Oracle Apps consultants in India.

How is the nature of work for an Oracle Apps Professional?

The nature of work can be more of understanding the application and using it. It does not require technical skills or MBA degree, but you would find Engineers being labeled technical consultants and MBAs being treated as consultants, but actual role and work may be similar. You can find it boring if you are interested in technical stuff.

For example read the following paragraph, most of your time will go in understanding documents with similar content.

Oracle Projects is meant primarily for organizations that are project-oriented. Using this module, it becomes easy to track costs, budget and track the project status.

Oracle Projects consists of the following products:

• Oracle Project Costing
• Oracle Project Billing
• Oracle Project Connect for Microsoft Project
• Oracle Activity Management Gateway
• Oracle Project Analysis Collection Pack

Prior to Oracle Projects Setup, one has to setup the Set of Books in GL, setup Organization and Organization hierarchy in Oracle HRMS, define employees and job in HRMS and create customer in Oracle Receivables. However if Oracle Projects is being installed as a standalone package then one needs to define all above in Oracle Projects itself. Some other mandatory setups include defining locations, defining implementation options, defining Project Accounting periods, defining expenditure types and categories, define revenue categories, etc. Also one has to create a burdening hierarchy in Oracle HRMS which may vary from the Project or Task Organization hierarchy.
See this link for more information.

Dot Net

Microsoft .NET (Skill Review)

The .NET Framework is a key Microsoft offering, and is intended to be used by most new applications created for the Windows platform. Its truly Object oriented framework like J2EE.

Different terms used with .Net
* C#.Net: A new language which is 70% java, but in whole better and more robust than Java.
* VB.Net: Considering the success of VB (Visual Basic), VB.Net is made a new language for .Net framework. But in no way is similar to old VB.
* ASP.Net: Web technology of .Net
* ADO.Net: Data base access technology.
* Windows Forms: For Desktop applications.
* CLR: Common Language Runtime just like we have JVM in Java
* Ajax: It’s a technology using JavaScript, XML and not a language
* VB script: Server side scripting language.
* JavaScript: Client Side scripting language.

One big question is “what is .Net?”
* Its not a language, but it’s a platform
* .NET is Microsoft’s new Internet and Web strategy
* .NET is a framework for universal services with server centric computing model
* .NET will run in any browser on any platform
* .NET is based on the newest Web standards like HTTP (the communication protocol between Internet Applications), XML(the format for exchanging data between Internet Applications), SOAP (the standard format for requesting Web Services) and UDDI (The standard to search and discover Web Services)
Language it supports: 20 programming languages
C++, C#, J#, Visual Basic, JScript (The Microsoft version of JavaScript) and COBOL. Third-party languages – like Eiffel, Perl, Python, Smalltalk, and others – will also be available for building future .NET Framework applications.

Now .Net Vs Java?
I will only summarize my view on this in this article. In some other post I will discuss more technological difference b/w two. .NET is superior to Java as a platform in many areas, while Java is superior in others. The key difference though is that .NET will close the gap in the future with little need for change, while Java cannot close the gaps without a major redesign into something quite different than it is now.

Advantages that .NET has over Java are:
– .NET is language independent
– Coexist with and even integrate with existing Win32 code.
– Moving to Java from Win32 is a complete paradigm shift. Moving to .NET is a more natural path for Win32 developers.
– Better for building applications that require rich graphical user interfaces and that deliver content to Web browsers.
– Microsoft tools have an edge over Java for, analysts say. Microsoft’s tools are generally considered easier to use, while enterprise software vendors such as SAP AG, IBM, BEA and Oracle Corp. lean toward Java. Easy-to-use tools may increase programmer productivity.
– Java Swing environment’s ability to build graphical user interfaces has limitations
– May cost less, due in part to built-in application server in Windows, unified management, less expensive tools.

Advantages that Java has over .Net are:
– Java is an established platform with its own merits.
– Runs on any operating system and application server while .Net only on Windows
– Offers a wide range of vendor choices for tools and application servers
– Handles complex, high- volume, high-transaction applications
– May cost more to build, deploy and manage applications
– Lacks built-in support for Web services standards

Job scenario In India:
In India all services companies like Infosys, TCS, Wipro, Satayam, IBM, Accenture, etc along with mid or small sized companies use both the technology. Enterprise applications are mainly developed on Java while as business is moving on Internet, Microsoft .Net is catching up fast. Day by day more and more fortune 500 companies are taking interest in .Net. Mostly Financial, Consultancy or Investment banks use Java for their enterprise applications, so in recent times more high paying jobs are created in Java from companies like Citi bank, HSBC, Goldman Sachs, HDFC, PWC, and Merrill Lynch.
The number of jobs are more in Java but at the same time job applicants are more while still its very hard to find good .Net programmer. So in whole job scenario in both is balanced if we compare nos of applicants per job.

Salaries:
.Net or Java programmers are offered almost equal salaries in India, while it may be different in US. NET salaries are running 10 to 15 percent higher in some scenarios.
A guy with 1 year of experience in .Net or Java can earn 4-6 lakhs in India, while this varies a lot between companies. Many Indian startup companies like Techspan, Yasu, Pramati, Talentica, Persistent pays well on these technologies but they prefer guys from Premier colleges. Companies like Microsoft, Google, Oracle, SAP, Verizon, Qwest, Sum Total pay handsomely.
I came to know that, In US .Net developers earn least around $30-50 per hour and while Java is little more at $40-60 per hour. While the actual winner remains SAP or Data warehousing professional who can earn up to $100-120 per hour in early stage of career itself.

Some useful links:
Microsoft .NET vs. J2EE: How Do They Stack Up?
The great debate: .Net vs. J2EE

Dot Net

Microsoft .NET (Skill Review)

The .NET Framework is a key Microsoft offering, and is intended to be used by most new applications created for the Windows platform. Its truly Object oriented framework like J2EE.

Different terms used with .Net
C#.Net: A new language which is 70% java, but in whole better and more robust than Java.
VB.Net: Considering the success of VB (Visual Basic), VB.Net is made a new language for .Net framework. But in no way is similar to old VB.
ASP.Net: Web technology of .Net
ADO.Net: Data base access technology.
Windows Forms: For Desktop applications.
CLR: Common Language Runtime just like we have JVM in Java
Ajax: It’s a technology using JavaScript, XML and not a language
VB script: Server side scripting language.
JavaScript: Client Side scripting language.

One big question is “what is .Net?”
· Its not a language, but it’s a platform
· .NET is Microsoft’s new Internet and Web strategy
· .NET is a framework for universal services with server centric computing model
· .NET will run in any browser on any platform
· .NET is based on the newest Web standards like HTTP (the communication protocol between Internet Applications), XML(the format for exchanging data between Internet Applications), SOAP (the standard format for requesting Web Services) and UDDI (The standard to search and discover Web Services)
Language it supports: 20 programming languages
C++, C#, J#, Visual Basic, JScript (The Microsoft version of JavaScript) and COBOL. Third-party languages – like Eiffel, Perl, Python, Smalltalk, and others – will also be available for building future .NET Framework applications.

Now .Net Vs Java?
I will only summarize my view on this in this article. In some other post I will discuss more technological difference b/w two. .NET is superior to Java as a platform in many areas, while Java is superior in others. The key difference though is that .NET will close the gap in the future with little need for change, while Java cannot close the gaps without a major redesign into something quite different than it is now.

Advantages that .NET has over Java are:
– .NET is language independent
– Coexist with and even integrate with existing Win32 code.
– Moving to Java from Win32 is a complete paradigm shift. Moving to .NET is a more natural path for Win32 developers.
– Better for building applications that require rich graphical user interfaces and that deliver content to Web browsers.
– Microsoft tools have an edge over Java for, analysts say. Microsoft’s tools are generally considered easier to use, while enterprise software vendors such as SAP AG, IBM, BEA and Oracle Corp. lean toward Java. Easy-to-use tools may increase programmer productivity.
– Java Swing environment’s ability to build graphical user interfaces has limitations
– May cost less, due in part to built-in application server in Windows, unified management, less expensive tools.

Advantages that Java has over .Net are:
– Java is an established platform with its own merits.
– Runs on any operating system and application server while .Net only on Windows
– Offers a wide range of vendor choices for tools and application servers
– Handles complex, high- volume, high-transaction applications
– May cost more to build, deploy and manage applications
– Lacks built-in support for Web services standards

Job scenario In India:
In India all services companies like Infosys, TCS, Wipro, Satayam, IBM, Accenture, etc along with mid or small sized companies use both the technology. Enterprise applications are mainly developed on Java while as business is moving on Internet, Microsoft .Net is catching up fast. Day by day more and more fortune 500 companies are taking interest in .Net. Mostly Financial, Consultancy or Investment banks use Java for their enterprise applications, so in recent times more high paying jobs are created in Java from companies like Citi bank, HSBC, Goldman Sachs, HDFC, PWC, and Merrill Lynch.
The number of jobs are more in Java but at the same time job applicants are more while still its very hard to find good .Net programmer. So in whole job scenario in both is balanced if we compare nos of applicants per job.

Salaries:
.Net or Java programmers are offered almost equal salaries in India, while it may be different in US. NET salaries are running 10 to 15 percent higher in some scenarios.
A guy with 1 year of experience in .Net or Java can earn 4-6 lakhs in India, while this varies a lot between companies. Many Indian startup companies like Techspan, Yasu, Pramati, Talentica, Persistent pays well on these technologies but they prefer guys from Premier colleges. Companies like Microsoft, Google, Oracle, SAP, Verizon, Qwest, Sum Total pay handsomely.
I came to know that, In US .Net developers earn least around $30-50 per hour and while Java is little more at $40-60 per hour. While the actual winner remains SAP or Data warehousing professional who can earn up to $100-120 per hour in early stage of career itself.

Some useful links:Microsoft .NET vs. J2EE: How Do They Stack Up? http://www.oreillynet.com/pub/a/oreilly/java/news/farley_0800.html
The great debate: .Net vs. J2EE http://www.javaworld.com/javaworld/jw-03-2002/jw-0308-j2eenet.html

SAP (Skill Review)

This review is for SAP as a skill (not for SAP company in Banglore).

What is SAP as a technology/skill?
SAP makes business suites or applications that can be used for managing business needs of companies. There are various modules in SAP and all these can be customized for different needs of companies. These modules are business solution products made by SAP AG. For example, take SAP HR Payroll, apparently any company in this world can use this for generating employee pay slips, but laws and salary structure differ from country to country and company to company, all this needs certain level of customization.
SAP sells these products and services companies like IBM, TCS implement them for companies. The time taken for initial implementation for these suites can be as long as year or two depending on the size of data to be migrated. Supposing the company was using paper/book for managing the processes, the time period can be longer, as it has to be designed by consultants after understanding the needs of the client. And most importantly the client has to agree to the solution. These modules cover all the needs of the clients and require customization, but maintaining these applications can be huge job with ever changing business needs. Many of the projects for foreign clients can be maintenance of these business suites. For Indian clients these can be pure implementation projects.

What are the different roles in SAP projects?

Roles/Position are

1) Program Manager
2) Lead
3) Architect
4) Functional Consultant – A functional consultant evaluates the demands in talking with the customer’s representatives, transforms the essence into an abstract and algorithmic business model. Hence, he identifies the use cases and transforms them into logical and technical views.
5) Technical Consultant

What are the different SAP modules/skills?

Following are the various SAP modules; the names are self-explanatory and it can be inferred what business need they are meant for.
1) SAP MM (Materials Management)
2) SAP SRM (Supplier Relationship Management)
3) SAP SD (Sales & Distribution)
4) SAP FI/CO (Finance & Controlling)
5) SAP PP (Production Planning)
6) SAP SCM (Supply Chain Management)
7) SAP BW (Business Information Warehouse)

8.) SAP BASIS
9) SAP WM (Warehouse Management)
10) SAP HR (Human Resource/Payroll)
11) SAP PS (Project System)
12) SAP APO (Advanced Planner and Optimizer)
13) SAP CRM (Customer Relationship Management)
14) SAP HCM (Human Capital Management)
15) SAP BCM (Business-Change-Management)
16) SAP BCS (Business Communication Services)
17) SAP PM (Plant Maintenance)
18) SAP AM (Asset Management)
19) SAP xMII (xApp Manufacturing Integration and Intelligence)
20) SAP SEM (Strategic Enterprise Management)
21) SAP BPS (Business Planning and Simulation)
22) SAP PLM (Product Lifecycle Management)
23) SAP EHS (Environment, Health, and Safety)
24) SAP QM (Quality Management)
25) SAP (Mobile Infrastructure)
26) SAP (Exchange Infrastructure)
27) SAP SOLMAN (Solution Manager)
28) SAP WAS (Web Application Server)
29) SAP Netweaver
30) SAP EP (Enterprise Portal)
31) SAP ALE (Application Link Enabling information)
32) SAP ABAP (Advanced Business Application Programming) – ABAP is a programming language and used with other modules, like ABAP netweaver.

Knowledge in following areas can help you for respective modules

Asset Management (AM):
* Purchase
* Sale
* Depreciation
* Tracking

Controlling (CD):
* Cost elements
* Cost centers
* Profit Centers
* Internal Orders
* Activity based costing
* Product Costing

Cross Applications (CA).
* Work Flow (WF)
* Business Information Ware house (BW)
* Office
* Industry Solutions
* Work place
* New Dimension products

Financial Accounting (FI). :
* General Ledger
* Book close
* Tax
* Accounts receivable
* Accounts Payable
* Consolidation
* Special Ledger

Project systems (PS):
* Plant shut downs
* Make to order
* Third-party billing
* Human resources

Plant Maintenance (PM):
* Labor
* Down time & outages
* Material

Material Management (MM):
* Requisitions
* Purchase Orders
* Accounts Payable
* Goods receipt
* Inventory Management

Sales and Distribution (SD):
* From order to delivery
* Shop Floor
* Sales orders
* Pricing
* Picking
* Shipping
* Packing

Quality Management (QM):
* Planning
* Inspections
* Executions
* Certificates

Production planning (PP):
* Capacity Planning
* Master production scheduling
* RFQ

Which is the best SAP module?

Best SAP skill will depend on your background, if you have worked as recruiter, SAP HR will be the best for you. SAP CRM, SAP HR, SAP BIW (great in Europe and North America), SAP- FI/CO, SAP –ABAP, SAP –MM, SAP – SD, ABAP are the hottest ones.

Where can I get job in SAP skills?

All services companies have requirements in SAP skills including IBM Global Services, HCL Infosystems, Wipro, and TCS.

Datawarehousing Jobs

What is data warehousing?

A datawarehouse typically is repository of all the historical data of a company. For a retail company like WalMart, the datawarehouse has all the sales and customer preference data. This historical data can be effectively used to forecast/predict their sales, and using business intelligence techniques they can also be used to increase their sales. Let me give you an example of how it is used. When the September 11 2000, Twin Tower crash took place in US, WalMart was able to predict within 5 hours the items which are going to having increased sales in coming days. During events of national tragedy sales of US flags increase so Walmart bought all the flags available in market to sell in the next few days.

How good a field is datawarehousing? Which companies have these projects?

Data warehousing is one of the hottest fields in the IT industry, may be because it is difficult to find experienced people in this field and almost every big company has some kind of data warehousing system or is planning to upgrade it, which means lot of projects for Software Services companies. All services companies like IBM, Accenture, Capgemini, EDS, Covansys, Wipro and TCS have projects in this fields. Amongst Indian companies Satyam has been aggressively building datawarehousing project handling capabilities. Most of the clients for these projects are retail chains, telecom companies and banks.

What are various job profiles in datawarehousing projects?

The following are the different profiles in a typical datawarehouse project.

# Project Manager: This person will oversee the progress and be responsible for the success of the data warehousing project.

# DBA: This role is responsible to keep the database running smoothly.

# Technical Architect: This role is responsible for developing and implementing the overall technical architecture of the data warehouse.

# ETL Developer: This role is responsible for developing the extraction, transformation, and loading routine for the data warehouse.

# Front End Developer: This person is responsible for developing the front-end, whether it be client-server or over the web.

# OLAP Developer: This role is responsible for the development of OLAP cubes.

# Trainer: A person on the data warehouse team needs to work with the end users to get them familiar with how the front end is set up so that the end users can get the most benefit out of the data warehouse system.

# Data Modeler: This role is responsible for taking the data structure that exists in the enterprise and model it into a schema that is suitable for OLAP analysis.

# QA Group: This role is responsible for ensuring the correctness of the data in the data warehouse.

What are the skills required for a datawarehousing job?

Data warehouses use a database as the heart of the datawarehouse and several other tools for analysis of data. In fact the market for applications and tools built around data warehouses is much larger than market for databases. But strong skills in SQL are a must for these jobs. Following are some of the popular databases and tools used in DW, technical expertise with these tools and databases are key to a good job in this field. You can be an expert in any one of the following databases/tools.

Databases
Oracle
Microsoft SQL Server
IBM DB2
Teradata
Sybase
MySQL

ETL (Extraction, Transformation and Loading) Tools
IBM WebSphere Information Integration (Ascential DataStage)
Ab Initio
Informatica

OLAP (Online Analytical Processing) Tools
Business Objects
Cognos
Hyperion
Microsoft Analysis Services
MicroStrategy

Reporting Tools
Business Objects (Crystal Reports)
Cognos
Actuate

For more information go to the following link