Knowing the latest in ERP software platform is very important to get satisfactory result. Oracle ERP platform is one of the widely used ERP software platforms in business fields. Today, you can find a wide range of formal training programs to make you aware of ERP applications. For satisfactory result, never hesitate to join in formal training program. If possible, it is recommended to go for advanced studies in ERP software application field. Doing advanced studies can only assist you in getting dream job. Apart from knowing various application fields, doing advanced studies will also give you an experience in consulting field.

At present, ERP consultant work is one of the highly competitive jobs in business field. Those who wish to go in depth on ERP topics are advised to learn from the basics of ERP. How many of you know Oracle basics like pl/sql and SQL? If you wish to become a consultant, it is very important to know these Oracle basics. You can also learn to implement applications using Oracle forms and Oracle reports. For better understanding, fundamentals of Oracle are divided into different modules. Accounts Payables, General Ledger and Purchase and Inventory are some of the important modules that an ERP consultant should know.

Getting proper training is very important to provide you good knowledge. If you wish to have a thorough study, never hesitate to order some CBTs from Oracle University. Apart from Oracle University, today you can find a fantastic range of ERP training programs online. Apart from studies, knowing the purpose is another main requirement to become a consultant. The main function of a consultant is to get involved in ERP implementation activities. Optimization of system is very important to promote business gain. An ERP consultant will do this function by fine tuning of business procedures.

Apart from good ERP knowledge and problem solving efficiency, good communication skill is another requirement to become an ERP consultant. A consultant should be able to convince and solve the queries of clients efficiently. To get priority in job, make sure that you have good experience in solving business problems and redesigning business procedures. Similar to Oracle training programs, studies in Microsoft and SAP are also found to be very beneficial in ERP business field. If you follow the above specified guidelines, you can definitely go for dream job as an ERP consultant.

Read about Institutions for ERP Courses Fees. Also know Web Based ERP System.

Functional consultant is required to generate ‘As Is’ document, this document is the study of whole present business process and work flow of the organization where ERP has to be installed. In ‘As Is’ document functional consultant describes the current business processes, current business flows, identification of complications in current business processes and flows, flow diagrams and DFDs of the present system. This document describes ongoing working process of entire organization.

After ‘As Is’ document gets approved ERP consultant joins the technical team and consultant to do GAP analysis and Mapping. This effort is required to identify the GAP between present work flow and processes and ERP. The complications in the present system, redundant processes, manual processes which can be automated and areas which can be automated completely through ERP are identified and solutions are worked out.

After GAP analysis and Mapping the DFDs and ERDs are prepared which are called as ‘To Be’ document, this document is description of future way of working after implementation of ERP. Even in this step ERP functional consultants are expected to play a role and contribute.

ERP consultants are also expected to prepare test cases. These test cases are designed to check the functioning of new system, this may include unit testing, system integration testing, performance testing, user acceptance testing, regression testing or any other software testing. Functional ERP consultant is expected to get the results approved by relevant authorities before allowing the software for practical use.

ERP functional consultant prepares a document which describes all the changes been made to match up the ERP with ‘To Be’ document. With the help of this document the in-house team of the organization in future can make changes and refinements according to their newly developed needs.

In the end of the implementation, functional ERP consultant is expected to provide training to the end users. This training includes introduction of ERP and it’s functioning, attributes of the new system, ways to perform daily tasks and precautions that one has to take while doing his job. Enhanced training includes meaning of error messages and their implications on overall system so that end users are well aware of the consequences of the mistakes they might make during their daily routine work.

To perform well as functional ERP consultant one has to be an able listener and communicator. An ERP functional consultant understands, explains and convince people from low to high end of the organization and also he has to participate in the discussions held with his team leader and technical consultants. Even excellent written communication is also expected in ERP functional consultant as he needs to document all the steps of the implementation, prepare user manual, generate reports and send E-mails to users, customer and his own team.

Read about ERP Functional Consultant. Also know How to Become a Top ERP Consultant.

In implementation functional consultant steps in first and prepares ‘As Is’ document. This document contains detailed description of present working of the entire organization, it also explains problem areas, areas which can be improved through ERP, replacement of redundant processes and ways to increase efficiency of the company through ERP. This document once approved by the customer allows functional consultant to Map the requirements of the customer with ERP and also do GAP analysis which describes the gaps between requirements of the customer, present work flow and the working process of the ERP. After Gap analysis and Mapping functional consultants work with technical consultants to find out ways to bridge the gaps and fulfill customer’s requirements without compromising the benefits of ERP. These are roles and responsibilities of ERP consultants in the pre-implementation process.

Technical consultants identify the requirements related to technology, they suggest solutions and give technical advice about servers, database, hardware, operating system and number of license etc. Functional consultant suggests the best suitable option to the customer according to allocated budget. Together functional and technical consultants also identify the crucial data which has to be transferred to the new system. These are roles and responsibilities of ERP consultants fulfilled by functional and technical consultants together.

Later, for time being, technical consultants take over all the roles and responsibilities of ERP consultants. They install server, operating systems and ERP application, they link ERP database with all the points of input and also with other databases. If it is internet based system it is installed and tested along with security features. Technical consultants design business processes and architecture of the system and also write test cases to test the entire system before handing it over for practical use.

Once ERP has been installed and tested, functional consultants train the staff and provide all the details of the system to run it smoothly. They document entire handling mechanism so that system does not shut down or malfunction later due to bad or wrong entries or mishandling. Functional consultants also document the changes made in the ERP for matching-up with company’s working so that these can be referred for future changes.

The roles and responsibilities of ERP consultants are very important and crucial for ERP’s success, in order to shoulder these consultants shall posses sound knowledge of their respective fields and also good communication and presentation skills. ERP consultants shall remain impartial during entire process and strive to implement the software in a way that it gives maximum benefits to the customer.

Read about ERP Implementation Cost Timeframe. Also know Causes of ERP Failure.