What's your job about?

I am an Associate Functional Analyst at DXC Technology. Post-merger between CSC and HPE, DXC Technology has become the largest IT services provider globally with 170,000 employees in more than 70 countries, serving some 6,000 clients. We help clients solve complex IT challenges in ways that minimise business risks and maximise opportunities.

My role as an Associate Functional Analyst (SAP) involves working closely with clients to identify issues and challenges in their SAP systems. The nature of my work can be summarised into, but is not limited to, the following 2 categories:

• Support –supporting the client’s SAP system, investigating and solving issues that affect the client’s daily business tasks. 
• Enhancement – developing and enhancing the client’s SAP system functionalities.

As a graduate, I have been assigned to different mentors on various projects and clients. These opportunities gave me great exposure in different areas of SAP. My daily tasks and responsibilities vary from one project to another.

In one project as a Business Analyst – with a PPM I worked on:

• Project Change Request Business Process Planning – investigated the client’s current as-is business processes and designed the future to-be plans.
• Post Go-Live Release Plan – co-ordinated the project stakeholders and drafted the project plan for September Project Release.
• End-User Communication Management – managed feedback from end users and categorised them into responsibilities for various SAP consultants to improve the implemented system to fit the needs of the end user.

As a Functional Analyst in the number one manufacturing client ‘s project I worked on SAP support:

• SAP Development – developed a User Notification Program within the client’s current SAP’s system, to validate user ID expiry dates and send notifications through the system, preventing users being locked out from the system, which will affect their performance of daily tasks.

SAP System’s Admin – DXC (SAP system installation)

• Installed various SAP training systems in the DXC environment for training purposes - team was formed by a group of SAP graduates, mentored by senior peers.
• Managed and maintained systems, including user access, system upgrade, database backup, and checking SAP software compatibility.

Fun Fact:

SAP is an ERP software company where they solely focus on the ERP software product development, SAP focus on developing the best practice for key business functions of today’s organisations, these functions are grouped from Sales & Distribution, Materials Management, Product Planning, Logistic, Financial, and the lists goes on.

So, for SAP to continue the focus of developing better products, SAP depends on partners to sell, implement and maintain SAP products for clients. Hence, most SAP consultants, project managers, and analyst client facing roles are conducted by partners or IT services providers such as DXC Technology.

What's your background?

I grew up in a small town in Malaysia. I came to Australia when I was 21 to pursue my Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce. This has been the most fascinating and terrifying experience for me yet. It has also been the most important period of my life - having to live apart from my family has made me appreciate the value of families even more. I learned that the only way to make things happen, is to work hard for it. Before securing my role at DXC, I tried applying for numerous jobs in different companies and went for countless lengthy interviews, which actually built up my confidence. If you are reading this as a fresh graduate, please do not be afraid of trying. You will never know what opportunity awaits next, so be brave to take every opportunity.   

Could someone with a different background do your job?

Yes. If you are interested in understanding how SAP can help organisations create value and gain competitive advantages, this job could be for you.

There are lots of technologies and key functions embedded within the many industry-based solutions across SAP products. If you are tech savvy and would like to learn more about SAP, you can explore Basis (System Admin) and SAP HANA (In-Memory Database).

For business functions, explore and focus on areas of: FI-CO (Finance and Controlling), PP (Production Planning), HR (Human Resources), MM (Material Management) and PS (project system).

For development, explore and focus on areas of: ABAP (OpenSQL), XSJS (Server side JavaScript), SAPUI5 (User interface - HTML5) and HCP (HANA cloud platform – web app development).

The SAP e-learning platform is available to me to access online classes and training materials as part of DXC and SAP’s partnership, allowing me to get the required certificates to further develop my career.   

What's the coolest thing about your job?

I am currently pursuing my career in the area of ABAP and FI-CO, the most satisfying moment for me has been being able to solve problems in clients’ systems using the code I wrote. It can be very frustrating sometimes, but once the problem is solved the reward is enormous.

I am grateful that I joined DXC as a graduate. I’ve learned so much from my mentors, managers and peers, who are all willing to help, teach and guide me throughout my journey. I also appreciate all the opportunities I’ve been given to work on exciting SAP projects and deliver real value to clients.

What are the limitations of your job?

As a graduate, my knowledge and experience started relatively lower compared to other members in my team. Extra efforts and hard work were needed at the early stage of the program.

I need to constantly work on:

• Understanding and adapting to the organisation structure, process and people.
• Learning and developing the skills required for my role.
• Problem solving and solution thinking. 
• Adapting to different environments at the client sites.
• Learning to get comfortable with changes.
• Communicating in a professional manner.  

3 pieces of advice for yourself when you were a student...

• Keep Learning – University is not the last stop of the station.
• Always Be Curious – Be curious about new technologies and new ways of thinking, do not be afraid be to try and test new things.
• Be Yourself – Do what you think is right. After all, it is YOU who defines who you are.