Many times, I have been asked by customers if being SAP-certified really brings about any value. Some have thought that having SAP product knowledge is enough. In my opinion, of course you need practical experience with SAP. However, being SAP-certified is considered a valid, reliable and valuable credential in the market.
I have compiled below the value that SAP Global Certification may bring to organizations (with certified employees), SAP partner companies (with certified consultants) and to individuals themselves.
Value of SAP Certification for Organizations
- Return on investment (ROI): SAP-certified individuals help organizations achieve a return on their software investment. When users fully utilize SAP software and systems, and adopt them, companies achieve ROI much faster. SAP-certified individuals understand the full functionalities of SAP systems and can leverage this knowledge to drive the maximum business outcome.
- Improved job performance: When users fully understand the system and are certified in their solution area, it reflects on their job performance. They are more productive, get maximum value from the system, achieve greater efficiency and improve job performance.
- Employee retention: By investing in professional development and up-skilling, organizations can reduce employee turnover. Studies show that individuals are more satisfied and happier working for companies that invest in continuous learning and that are committed to the professional development of their workforce. According to LinkedIn’s 2018 Workforce Learning Report, a whopping 93% of employees would stay at a company longer if it invested in their careers.
- In-house SAP expert capability: Organizations can build their own in-house SAP expertise by hiring knowledgeable experts with proven SAP capabilities. Their expertise can be validated by SAP Global Certification. Building organization’s own capability increases confidence in successful business outcomes, as the internal staff is trained and professionally qualified. Also, companies become more independent from external suppliers.
- Manage employee skills globally: Large organizations with a presence in multiple geographies, can easily manage their employee skills. SAP Global Certifications are globally recognized and standardized. They provide validation that the certified individual has the required proficiency and expertise in the SAP solution in which he or she is certified. This makes it very easy for organizations to manage the SAP skills of their employees worldwide.
- Use of digital badges for recruiting and employer branding purposes: Organizations can verify the candidates’ professional SAP qualification quickly and easily via digital badges. These badges can be used either in company’s external recruitment process or internal hiring for a specific SAP project. Employees who share their badges on social platforms like LinkedIn also positively contribute to the employer’s brand.
Value of SAP Certification for Partners
- New customer wins, increased loyalty and business growth: Customers always prefer to work with knowledgeable and skilled partners. It’s not just about doing the job but doing the job right. So, when it comes to SAP projects, customers usually prefer partners who have certified and qualified SAP consultants to manage SAP projects. SAP Global Certification helps partners to demonstrate their skills in the latest SAP technologies and earn the trust of customers.
Check out the total number of certified consultants at SAP’s Services Partners around the world. These statistics clearly illustrate the value SAP Global Certification has in proving real-world expertise by solution area. As a SAP partner company, it is important to develop and certify consultants to win new customers, increase loyalty and expand your business.
- For system integrators, knowledge is a key differentiator in the market: Cap Gemini, with more than 6,500 certified consultants worldwide, is the number-one SAP partner in terms of certifications. It differentiates itself as a certified provider of SAP solutions, with market-leading expertise in the deployment of SAP S/4HANA. It is helping companies successfully deploy intelligent solutions, with the support of its skilled SAP-certified personnel.
Value of SAP Certification for Individuals
- Global recognition: SAP certification is one of the most popular technology certifications, and it is recognized globally. By earning SAP Global Certification, you can validate your SAP skills in the global market. If you have obtained you certification in one country, it will still be valid and recognized if you relocate to a new country in the future.
- Strengthen your SAP skills: In order to pass SAP Global Certification, you need to prepare well and undertake extensive training and hands-on practice. In the process, you will strengthen and enhance your SAP skills and knowledge.
- Achieve SAP mastery: Along with knowledge, experience and skills, SAP Global Certification provides personal recognition, and supports your career progression from proficiency to mastery, through different certification levels (associate to professional).
- Up-to-date SAP skills: SAP exams are continuously updated for every SAP cloud product release. Being SAP-certified ensures that your knowledge is always up to date, with regular assessments and ‘stay-current’ exams.
- Competitive advantage in recruitment processes: With SAP Global Certification, job recruiters can shortlist your application at a glance. SAP Global Certification gives you a competitive advantage in the recruitment process.
- Staffing in internal SAP projects: During internal hiring for SAP projects, project managers prefer to recruit staff members that are SAP-certified. If you are professionally certified, you are more likely to be preferred for SAP projects over your other non-certified colleagues.
- Promote your expertise and employability: These days, professionals are increasingly showcasing their work experience, skills, qualifications and professional certifications on their social and professional networks. And rightly so. Recruiters and hiring managers are constantly scanning profiles through sites like LinkedIn to find their next hire. If you are a SAP-certified professional, it is very easy to promote your proficiency in various SAP subject areas, using SAP Global Certification digital badges.
