Handbook for Technical Recruitment

Programming Language

• A set of rules that instruct a computer what operations to perform.

• Sequence of instructions that can be processed and executed by the computer

Type of languages

• Procedural (C, BASIC, FORTRAN, COBOL)

• Structural or Object Oriented (C++, VC++, Java, Perl)
• Event Driven (Visual Basic, VB .Net)

Types of Applications

• Stand Alone (C/C++, VC++, PASCAL, FORTRAN)

• Client – Server (Java, .Net, Visual Basic, ASP, JSP)

Object oriented Approach

• A style of computer programming which entails building of independent pieces of code which interact with each other.

Object / Class:

•Object is any tangible and visible entity

•Class is a grouping of data having similar characteristics

What is SDLC?

•SDLC stands for Software Development Life Cycle.

It is a Methodology, which is followed in design and development of software, so as to ensure the Correctness, Cost Effectiveness, and Timely
Delivery of Software Application. It consists of different phases to be followed in order.

Phases of SDLC

•Analysis Phase
•Design Phase
•Development Phase
•Testing Phase
•Implementation Phase
•Maintenance Phase

Analysis Phase:

•Studying the existing system with the aim of understanding the business process and to identify the shortcomings.
•List out the Alternate Solutions.
•Carry out the feasibility study of all the solutions.
•Identify the most feasible solution and call it as the Proposed solution.
•Output Of the Analysis Phase is a Requirements Specification Document generally known as SRS or URS etc
•Output Of the Analysis Phase is a Requirements Specification Document generally known as SRS or URS etc.
•This document also acts as a legal document between Client and Developer.
•It is later used to establish the correctness and completeness of the system.
Design Phase:

•During Design phase we plan “How to do”?

•Identify the processes and interaction between processes in detail.
•Flow of Data between various stages of Business Process.
•Identify the source of Data and Data stores.
•Input from environment and output to environment.
•Identify the various entities and their relationships.
Note:
•Output Of the Design Phase is various documents such as DFD, ERD, Screen Designs etc. using VISIO or MS Project
•These documents act as the basis of the later phases like Coding and Testing.

Development Phase
•Development phase or Coding Phase marks the implementation of business logic and enhancements using Programming language.
•Main activities performed in this phase are: -
•Development of Forms (Interface to User, GUI).
•Development of Reports.
•Validations to Implement Business Logic are put in this phase.
•Database is created during this phase. Output of the Development Phase is working software is the Build released to QA for testing.
•Documentation for software developed is also prepared in this phase
Testing Phase

•In this phase Released build is tested by QA Team and report for bugs using Reporting tools like Rational Clear Quest.
•The main aim of this phase is to ensure that all the modules of the software are working fine as independent entity as well as unison.
•Main activities performed in this phase are: -

•Creation of test plans and test cases

•Unit Testing, Black box and White Box Testing.
•Alpha and Beta Testing.
•Integration Testing
•Load, Stress and System Testing.
•Output Of the Testing Phase is tested working software.
•Along with software in this phase few documents are prepared, like Test plans and Test cases, which describe the critical parameters
against, which software is tested.

Implementation Phase

This is the phase where the software is installed / deployed at the client side and works in the real time environment.
Implementation can be done under 2 strategies: -

•Parallel Implementation
•Pilot Implementation

Maintenance Phase

This is the longest and most expensive phase in SDLC and stretches till the life cycle of the software.
It includes all the activities, after the software is successfully installed, to keep it running and adapt to the changing business conditions.

Major Job Profiles In IT Industry

Software Developer
:

•Leverage tools to eliminate need to write code.

•Complete and deploy projects faster and on schedule.
•Create data integration conduits spanning disparate applications.
•Eliminate need to write code for creating cross-application data access layers.
•Focus on business process and business applications, and not developing tools.
•Enhance productivity. Deliver applications faster.
•Focus on application development and presentation layers.
•Develop, debug and deploy cross application solutions.

Software Architect

•Expedite business process integration initiatives.

•Create component based and compartmentalized systems that can be re-structured and updated quickly
•Ensure to develop the entire project architecture according to the guidelines of the specific technology framework. E.g. A J2EE project
follows - MVC architecture and >NET Architect for .NET Project.
•Enable Web Services applications requiring cross application integration.
•Eliminate need to develop data access, integration and management layers.
•Integrate internal and external applications, leveraging best of breed technologies
•Integrate disparate enterprise systems – RDBMS, EJBs, HTTP, Legacy...
•Participate quickly in emerging initiatives. Example in XML: ebXML, xCRL

Business Analyst

•Study the existing system with the aim of understanding the business process and to identify the shortcomings.
•List out the Alternate Solutions.
•Carry out the feasibility study, estimation, budget and manpower needed for the project.
•Identify the most feasible solution and call it as the Proposed solution.
•Finally create Business Requirements Specification Document (e.g. SRS, URS)
•Make the requirements and solutions understandable to both User as well as to the development team.

Project Manager

•Methodology Management for the Business and System Analysis

•Configuration Management, Planning and Administration
•Gap Analysis, Risk Management (assessment and Mitigation)
•Software Quality Analysis- SEI-CMM, ISO 9000-2000
•Project Metrics Development and Task Management for Development and Sustainability

Data Base Concepts

What is a DBMS?

It is an acronym for Data Base Management System. It is an application, which stores data in an efficient manner, allows the authentic users
to manipulate data, retrieve it at some later time and has mechanism for data security.

A collection of computer programs that allow storage, modification, and extraction of information from a database. There are many different
types of DBMS ranging from small systems that run on personal computers to huge systems that run on mainframes.
Examples--
Computerized library systems, automated teller machines, flight reservation systems, computerized parts inventory systems.
Kinds of DBMS

•Network e.g. IDS Server

•Hierarchical e.g. IMS
•Relational (RDBMS):Oracle 9i/8i, SQL-Server 2000/7.0/6.5,Teradata, Sybase (SQL Anywhere),
DB2, Informix,
MS-Access, FoxPro 2.6/2.5,dbase IV/3 +, MySql, Ingress

SQL:

It is an acronym for Structured Query Language.

It is the language in which, the client sends the request to the database for data.
E.g. Select name, address from emp Where city = ‘NOIDA’;

This request from client will be responded by the database with the records of all the employees in the emp table who live in NOIDA.

PL/SQL:

It is an acronym for Programming Language/Structured Query Language.

In this apart from writing the SQL you also have the programming language constructs like
•If then else (checking conditions)
•Looping (Executing the set of statements more that once)
•Exception and Error Handling (Taking care of run time errors)

Important RDBMS Objects

•Tables
•Views
•Triggers
•Stored Procedures
•Functions
•Primary Key
•Foreign Key

Kinds of Database Consultants

•Designers
•Developers
•DBA (Data Base Administrator)
Designers:
These consultants define the complete schema i.e., they design all the tables, views, constraints, relations etc.
Typical keywords found in the CV’s of such consultants are:
•Normalization
•ERD Entity Relationship Diagram

Developers:
These consultants write stored procedures, triggers, functions etc.
Typical keywords found in the CV’s of such consultants are:
•Triggers
•Stored Procedures
•Packages
•Unix Shell Scripting

DBA:
These consultants are involved with installing and configuring of database. They are the once to give different permission to the various
users. They are also involved in Query optimization and Performance tuning.
Typical keywords found in the CV’s of such consultants are:
•Backups and Recovery
•Query Optimization
•Performance Tuning
•Identifying Bottlenecks.

Related Skills:
•Data Warehousing
Development of a data warehouse includes development of systems to extract data from operating systems plus installation of a warehouse
database system that provides managers flexible access to the data.

•Data Mining
A class of database applications that look for hidden patterns in a group of data that can be used to predict future behavior.

•Data Modeling
The analysis of data objects and their relationships to other data objects. Data modeling is often the first step in database design and object-
oriented programming as the designers first create a conceptual model of how data items relate to each other. Data modeling involves a
progression from conceptual model to logical model to physical schema.

•Data Management

Data Modeling

•An analysis method that models data objects and their relationships. It is independent of technologies.

Need for Data Modeling

•To create logical view of data
•First step in converting data in to information.
•Use of OLAP

Methodology:
•Two methodologies are there to create data model:
•E-R Diagram approach.
•Object Model Approach.

Data Modeling Tools:

•Erwin
•Rational Rose
•Acrobat Distiller
•Oracle Designer 2000
•Microsoft Visio
•Power Soft
•Power Designer (Sybase)

Some Roles And Responsibilities:

•Designing Conceptual, Relational, Logical, Physical data model.

•Normalization of tables.
•Data analysis.

Data Warehousing:

•Data Warehouse is a repository of integrated information, available for queries and analysis.
•
•This makes it much easier and more efficient to run queries over data that originally came from different sources.
Data warehouse is a collection of data with certain characteristics. This collection of data is typically used for analysis purposes,
integrated and optimized to support the DSS/BI tools and functions of an organization.

•Product Analysis
Which of my products is most profitable?
Which products are least profitable but have the
highest pull-through?
What product affinities exist for households with
annual income >$60,000?

Sales Analysis
How are sales trending in stores West of the Mississippi, that have
been open for at least two years, where there is a competing store
within a two mile radius?

What product lines have upward revenue trends and which customer
group[s] purchase those products?

Customer Analysis
What characterizes the top 10% most profitable customers?
What is the churn rate for customers three months after buying
product/service X?
Who are the most profitable customers among those who have made
purchases greater than two standard deviations above the average for the last six months?
Structure of Data warehouse:

Snowflake Schema
Star Schema

Concept of ETL

• Extraction
• Transformation
• Loading

Business Intelligence/Business Process:

Business intelligence (BI) is a broad category of applications and technologies for gathering, storing, analyzing, and providing access to data
to help enterprise users make better business decisions.

Need of Data warehousing:

•Decision Making
•Data Integration
•Prediction

ETL/BI Tools:

•Ab Initio
•Informatica
•Business Objects
•Cognos
•Micro Strategy
Brio suite
Warehousing Tools:

•Ab Initio
•Informatica
•Business Objects
•Cognos
•Hyperion
•Microsoft Analysis Services
•Micro Strategy
•TRelational
•XCase

Data Mining:
Data Mining is a method of searching data that uses algorithms to identify trends, profile customers, and predict how these trends or
customers will behave in the future.

Need of Data Mining:

•Extraction of hidden patterns.

•Association with existing patterns
•Clustering.
•Summarization

Tools used for data mining

:

•Business Objects
•Cognos
•Hyperion
•Microsoft Analysis Services

MicroStrategy:

MicroStrategy is high-performance, open business intelligence platform, that provides insight into your business operations through solid
analysis of the business information stored in your system.

MicroStrategy Software:

•MicroStrategy Intelligence Server

•Narrowcast Server
•MicroStrategy Transactor
•MicroStrategy MDX Adapter
•MicroStrategy Administrator

MicroStrategy Intelligence Server: Analytical server is optimized for enterprise querying and reporting as well as OLAP analysis. It
processes report requests from all users of the MicroStrategy 7 Business Intelligence platform through windows, web, and wireless
interfaces.

Narrowcast Server :It is proactive information delivery server that distributes personalized business information to users via email, pagers
and cell phones.

MicroStrategy Transactor: Transactor directs and manages the workflow required to take business intelligence information from a web
report, email, wireless message or voice alert and complete a closed-loop transaction with any back-end information system.

MicroStrategy MDX Adapter: It opens the analytical power and scalability of the MicroStrategy 7i platform to other business intelligence
reporting tools. Used to connect MicroStrategy with other business intelligence tools.

MicroStrategy Administration: Suite of tools that provide the most comprehensive systems management environment for business
intelligence. The MicroStrategy Administrator tools are –

•Object Manager- Consolidated interface used for centrally managing users and their object libraries
•Enterprise Manager- Monitoring tool that uses statistics logs generated by business intelligence application

•Command Manager- create and execute configuration commands in a text-based form and save these in script files

Tools/Components of MicroStrategy:
•MicroStrategy Architect
•MicroStrategy Desktop
•MicroStrategy Office
•MicroStrategy Web

Sample Req: Developers will have at least 2-3 years of MicroStrategy development experience, experience with major data warehousing
and business intelligence tools, and certification in MicroStrategy 7.x Desktop, Web and Narrowcast. Development experience with
MicroStrategy 7, (Desktop, Administrator, Web, and Project design. Narrowcast Server experience is required!

The Business Intelligence developer will be responsible for deployment of the user interface from the data warehouse. This includes the
setup and administration of the BI software environment and the creation of the logical user interface and pre-defined reports. In order to
accomplish these tasks, the developer will work closely with the business users to define an intuitive interface that supports the users'
information needs.

Introduction To Mainframe
Technology

What is Mainframe?

•A very large and expensive computer capable of supporting hundreds, or even thousands, of users simultaneously.
•Mainframes are more powerful than supercomputers because they support more simultaneous programs. But supercomputers can execute
a single program faster than a mainframe.

A Mainframe Computer Has:

•1 to 16 CPUs
•128 to 8 GB RAM
•Processing Power ranging from 88 to 550 MIPS.

Example of Mainframe Computers:

•ENIAC
•BINAC
•UNIVAC
•IBM 701
•IBM 360

Operating Systems Used:

•Unix
•Linux
•Z/OS (IBM)
•OS 390
•MVS (Multiple Virtual Storage for 1+ processor)

RDBMS Used:

•DB2
•IBMS
•ADABAS

Programming Language Used:

•COBOL
•FORTRAN
•ALGOL
•JCL (JOB CONTROL LANGUAGE)
•CICS (Customer Information Control System)

Tools:

•Xpediter
•FILE AID
•Eztrieve
•AbendAid
•PANVALET
Mid Range Application:

•AS/ 400
•Operating System Used--- OS/400

Quality Assurance - Process adopted to ensure that a company delivers products or software that conform to SEI/CMM level standards.
Quality processes are defined by SEI/CMM (3,4 and 5) levels and Six sigma.

Certifications from QAI:

 Certified Software Quality Analyst (CSQA)
Certified Software Tester (CSTE)
Types of Testing:

• White Box/Black Box Testing

• Functional Testing
• Unit Testing
• Integration Testing
• Regression Testing
• System Testing
• Acceptance Testing
• GUI Testing
• Load Testing

Automated Testing Tools:

•Mercury Tools:

WinRunner, LoadRunner, TestDirector, Astra and Topaz

• Rational Suite:

TeamTest, Robot, Rational Requisite Pro, PurifyPlus, ClearQuest, RUP

•Segue:

Silk Test, Silk Performer, QA Partner and Silk Radar

Use of Automated Testing Tools:

Functional/Regression Testing: WinRunner

Load/Stress Testing: LoadRunner
Test Management Tracking: TestDirector
Web Load/Stress Testing: Astra SiteTest
Web Performance Monitoring: Topaz
Hosted Web Load Testing: LoadRunner

Manual Testing Tools:

• FTP
• HTTP
• XMLSPY
• CODEWRIGHT
• Telnet
Works on troubleshooting methodology.

Reporting Tools:

•Rational Clear Quest

•PVCS
•VSS (Visual Source Safe)
Captures, manages, and communicates myriad issues, change requests, development tasks, and other day-to-day items that
constitute organization's daily workflow. Team members are relieved of time-consuming manual task management, and managers can pull
reports from real-time data to support project decisions with facts rather than guesswork.

Test Cases/Test Plans:

Test cases are prepared to verify that application meets requirements given in the specification (SRS) document and defines the
specification for which system has been tested.

Testing Environment:

• Client/Server Application (Web-based application)

• Standalone Applications
• Product Testing
• Server Testing (Linux Machine, Solaris Machine)
Requirements from Clients:
QA POSITION
•Work with different teams and document the processes
•Understand the system functions and prepare test-plans
•Perform test, analyze and produce test results for various Java-based web applications involving Oracle database backend
•The successful candidate will have to work with little or no guidance and be creative in gaining insight into the applications
•Ability to read Java code and perform preliminary problem analysis will be a plus.

QA Position
Exposure to testing automation tools, creates, prepares, and conducts quality assurance reviews and develops and executable test plans and
test scripts. Analyzes, tests, and certifies application specific software and performs ambiguity reviews of business
Requirements and functional specification documents. Uses functional knowledge of applications to provide technical assistance in
identifying, evaluating, and resolving moderately complex test problems. Logs, tracks, and verifies resolution of software and
Specification defects. Documents all phases of QA process
MRP (Materials Resource Planning)

ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning)

XRP (eXtended Resource Planning)

MRP (Materials Resource Planning)

Systems defined as set of techniques to calculate requirements for materials that uses

•Bill of material data

•Inventory data
•Master production schedule

Enterprise Resource Planning is a software which attempts to integrate all departments and functions across a company on to a single
computer system that can serve all those different departments’ particular needs:

•Engineering
•Finance
•Human Resources
•Projects Management

eXtended Resource Planning (XRP)

•A synonymous acronym for XRP is IRP, which stands for Integrated Resource Planning or Infinite Resource Planning.
•XRP includes many components, such as call centers, sales force automation, inventory management and EDI. It also includes tools to target
customers and conduct business electronically-whether they are e-commerce, e-procurement or interactive marketing.

ERP Vendors

•SAP
•Oracle Applications
•PeopleSoft
•Baan
•JD Edwards
•Lawson

Enterprise Resource Planning

SAP stands for Systeme, Anwendungen, Produkte in der Datenverarbeitung or in english ' Systems, Applications, and Products in Data
Processing'.

SAP is the leading Enterprise Information and Management Package worldwide. Use of this package makes it possible to track and manage,
in real-time, sales, production, finance accounting and human resources in an enterprise.

SAP is the third-largest software company in the world. Founded in 1972, The company now employs more than 22,000 people in more than
50 countries. SAP global headquarters are located in Walldorf, Germany, and the company is listed on several stock exchanges, including the
Frankfurt DAX and the New York Stock Exchange, under the symbol "SAP."
SAP America is a subsidiary of SAP AG, the recognized leader in providing collaborative, inter-enterprise software and e-business solutions.
A truly global software provider, SAP AG has more than 1000 partners, 22 industry solutions and 10 million users at 30,000 installations
around the world. SAP America has contributed significantly to this leadership position, and it is the foremost provider of e-business and
enterprise software in the United States.

Why use SAP?

SAP software was developed to be modular, scaleable, open and flexible, allowing companies to tailor it specifically to their needs. SAP calls
this approach to implementing software "configure to order" because each implementation will be different according to each customer's
needs.

But SAP solutions don't stop there. Information integration is a major tenet of the SAP philosophy, and SAP places great emphasis on the
creation of tools that facilitate it. SAP provides integration tools and methods for linking legacy and distributed systems as well as a host of
third party software solutions, to get your information into the right hands, internally and externally.

Solution from Traditional approach

Traditional Information technology systems used by many business today have been developed to accomplish some specific task and
provide reports and analysis of events that have already taken place. Examples are accounting general ledger systems. Occasionally, some
systems operate in a "real-time" mode that is, have up to date information in them and can be used to actually control events. A typical
company has many separate systems to manage different processes like production, sales and accounting. Each of these systems has its own
databases and seldom passes information to other systems in a timely manner.

SAP takes a different approach. There is only one information system in an enterprise, SAP. All applications access common data. Real events
in the business initiate transactions. Accounting is done automatically by events in sales and production. Sales can see when products can be
delivered. Production schedules are driven by sales. The whole system is designed to be real-time and not historical.

SAP structure embodies what are considered the "best business practices". A company implementing SAP adapts it operations to it to
achieve its efficiencies and power.

The process of adapting procedures to the SAP model involves "Business Process Re-engineering" which is a logical analysis of the events
and relationships that exist in an enterprise's operations.

Multiple country implementation

 Comprehensive multi-currency translation
 Multiple language support
 Customized reporting and document generation for individual countries
 Multi-company support
 Local support in most major industrialized countries
 Country specific functionality

Flexibility
 Customers can customize business modules to realize best business practices
 System provides necessary interfaces to incorporate external software.
 Scalability, accommodates acquisitions and growth
 System can be configured the way you want to do business in the future
 Allows customized screens processing and reports
 System runs on multiple hardware platforms

Enterprise-Wide Integration
Enterprise-wide integration is the main functionality of SAP R/3 System. No other application software offers the breadth of open systems,
client/server functionality, functional links between processes that multiply the power of each person's work. The R/3 System's components
are fully integrated. Once you enter data, it resides in the central database shared by all R/3 components. Transaction-related process chains
trigger the next activity as needed from engineering to production planning to sales and distribution. The R/3 System's full integration pulls
your enterprise together, promoting data access, flexibility, and productivity.

Real-Time Information
SAP provides up-to-the-minute, real-time information.

Architecture

SAP R/3 system is based on Client/Server architecture that is comprised of three tiers:

Presentation server: Your local PC that has SAPGUI.

Application server: The application server is used to run the business application programs in the R/3 client/server concept. The
application modules are loaded from the data base server to the application server as required. Thus the application server requires only
storage capacity to accommodate UNIX, Swapping and the SAP runtime environment.

Database server: The data base server stores the SAP application programs and data in the R/3 client/server concept. It also handles the
SAP update program and batch jobs.

SAP Application Modules

SAP has several layers. The Basis System is the heart of the data operations and should be not evident to higher level or managerial users.
Other customizing and implementation tools exist also. The heart of the system from a manager’s viewpoint is the application module. These
modules may not all be implemented in a typical company but they are all related and are listed below:

FI Financial Accounting
CO Controlling
AM Asset Management
PS Project System
WF Workflow
IS Industry Solutions
HR Human Resources
PM PlantMaintenance
MM Materials Management
QM Quality Management
PP Production Planning
SD Sales and Distribution

Financial Accounting -- is designed for automated management and external reporting of general ledger, accounts receivable, accounts
payable and other sub-ledger accounts with a user defined chart of accounts. As entries are made relating to sales production and payments
journal entries are automatically posted. This connection means that the "books" are designed to reflect the real situation.

Controlling -- represents the company's flow of cost and revenue. It is a management instrument for organizational decisions. It too is
automatically updated as events occur.

Asset Management--is designed to manage and supervise individual aspects of fixed assets including purchase and sale of assets,
depreciation and investment management

Project System -- is designed to support the planning, control and monitoring of long-term, highly complex projects with defined goals.

Workflow -- links the integrated SAP application modules with cross-application technologies, tools and services.

Industry Solutions -- combines the SAP application modules and additional industry-specific functionality. Special techniques have been
developed for industries such as banking, oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, etc.

Human Resources -- is a complete integrated system for supporting the planning and control of personnel activities.

Plant Maintenance--In a complex manufacturing process maintenance means more than sweeping the floors. Equipment must be services
and rebuilt. These tasks affect the production plans.

Materials Management--supports the procurement and inventory functions occurring in day-to-day business operations such as
purchasing, inventory management, reorder point processing, etc.

Quality Management--is a quality control and information system supporting quality planning, inspection, and control for manufacturing
and procurement

Production Planning--is used to plan and control the manufacturing activities of a company. This module includes; bills of material,
routings, work centers, sales and operations planning, master production scheduling, material requirements planning, shop floor control,
production orders, product costing, etc

Sales and Distribution--helps to optimize all the tasks and activities carried out in sales, delivery and billing. Key elements are; pre-sales
support, inquiry processing, quotation processing, sales order processing, delivery processing, billing and sales information system.
SAP Hardware Platforms

The SAP R/2 system that was released in 1979 runs on mainframes like IBM, BS 2000 ( Seimens machines ) or Amdahl. The next version,
SAP R/3 client/server software system has been designed for open systems like UNIX. SAP has established a partnership with IBM which
provides a wide choice of servers, operating systems and databases for implementing R/3. These servers provide scalability, performance,
high availability and investment protection needed to support a successful R/3 implementation. Some of IBM's server and database offerings
include:

RS/6000 for UNIX , AS/400 Advanced Series for integrated server and database platform, PC servers for reliable Microsoft NT solutions,
S/390 database servers and DB2 family for database support. IBM Netfinity 7000 and IBM PC Server 330 and 704 provide the reliable
foundation you need for SAP R/3 applications for Microsoft NT. The platforms offered by IBM provide latest Pentium Pro technology, Ultra
fast throughput, Storage flexibility and upgradable system components.

SAP R/3 runs on a variety of databases such as Oracle, Informix, Online, ADABAS-A, DB2 for Unix, DB/400, Microsoft SQL Server 6 and on an
experimental version on DB2 for MVS.

SAP R/3 is based on various hardware and software architectures. It scales very well on SMP systems and MPP architectures. The latest
version of R 4.1, which is still in the developmental stage, provides the Internet compatible business application package.

Hardware Partners
Since there are so many different platforms available in today's market, compatibility between SAP and the customer's platform, Hardware
partners play a very important role. Hardware partners are leading hardware vendors who provide the computing hardware necessary to
meet a customer's system requirements. Working with both SAP and customers, hardware partners continually develop and optimize
products to meet the running business applications with SAP software. Hardware partners have developed organizations to provide strong
SAP support, from product selection to system set-up, installation and ongoing performance tuning.

Some of the hardware partners are Amdahl, IBM, Bull, NCR, Compaq, NEC, Data General, Sequent, Dell, Tandem, Digital, Siemens Nixdorf,
Fujitsu, Sun, Hewlett-Packard, Sun, Unisys, Hitachi and Intergraph.

ABAP / 4

What is ABAP/4?
Advanced Business Application Programming.ABAP is SAP's fourth generation language. All of R/3's applications and even parts of its basic
system are developed in ABAP. ABAP is used for customization and modification of SAP applications.

Business Programming Application Interfaces (BAPI)

BAPI's are programming interface to access SAP Database from within SAP or other development platforms external to R/3 that support the
Remote Function Call (RFC) protocol. The main objective of BAPI is to achieve integration between the R/3 System and external applications,
legacy systems etc. This gives you the option to have non-SAP front-end for occasional users.

BAPIs are defined in the Business Object Repository (BOR) as methods of SAP Business Objects or SAP Interface Types and enable object-
oriented access to Business Components (application components) in the R/3 System.

BAPIs can be accessed from various programming environments, for example, Java, C++, Visual Basic.

This also allows Web based access to SAP database.

BAPI is like a Function module. BAPIs used for outbound processing.

Transaction code to list all BAPI's: BAPI

RFC
 Initiate SAP RFC call from SQLServer
 Develop SAP ABAP RFC module that can be called by custom application (Client) developed in C or VB from SQLServer
 Advantages

o Short Development time
o Low Development Cost
 Disadvantages

 o Development of SQLServer Client in C or VB
o Maintenance of C or VB Programs

BDC (Batch Data Commands)

The Batch Input is a SAP technique that allows automating the input in transactions. It lies on a BDC (Batch Data Commands) scenario.

BDC functions:
· BDC_OPEN_GROUP : Opens a session group
· BDC_CLOSE_GROUP : Closes a session
· BDC_INSERT : Insert a BDC scenario in the session
BDC techniques used in programs:
1) Building a BDC table and calling a transaction,
2) Building a session and a set of BDC scenarios and keeping the session available in SM35,
3) Building a session and launching the transaction right after closing the session.

SAP Script

Where do you use SAPscript?

1. Printing forms such as invoices, sales order etc.

2. Correspondence (e.g. letter to third party) in SAP applications
3. Documentation

ALE (Application Link Enabling)

ALE provides integration for separate R/3 systems, keeping full interaction. This makes possible distributed enterprise applications.

Workflow Management System

A workflow consists of a collection of activities, which support a specific business Process. Classical examples range from claim management
in an insurance company to production scheduling in a manufacturing company to patient care management and support within a hospital.
Workflow management is now emerging as a challenging application for active databases.

System, Applications and Product (SAP)

SAP Modules
SAP now are moving away from describing their system as a set of modules, and now are using the term ‘solutions’,

Human Resources
Customer Relationship Management
Supplier Relationship Management
Product Lifecycle Management
Supply Chain Management
Business Intelligence

We think that this is a quite intuitive way of breaking it down, and a big leap forward for SAP. Of course, most recently (this year) SAP have
unveiled their latest initiative which is Capps – but that is the subject of a yet to be written article (as soon as we understand it ourselves,
that is).
If you’re still looking for that list of modules, here they are

FI Financial Accounting – essentially your regulatory ‘books of record’, including

General ledger
Book close
Tax
Accounts receivable
Accounts payable
Consolidation
Special ledgers

CO Controlling – basically your internal cost/management accounting, including

Cost elements
Cost centers
Profit centers
Internal orders
Activity based costing
Product costing

AM Asset Management – track, value and depreciate your assets, including

Purchase
Sale
Depreciation
Tracking

PS Project Systems – manage your projects, large and small, including

Make to order
Plant shut downs (as a project)
Third party billing (on the back of a project)

HR Human Resources – people, including

Employment history
Payroll
Training
Career management
Succession planning

PM Plant Maintenance – maintain your equipment (e.g. a machine, an oil rig, an aircraft etc), including
Labor
Material
Down time and outages

MM Materials Management – underpins the supply chain, including

Requisitions
Purchase orders
Goods receipts
Accounts payable
Inventory management
BOM’s
Master raw materials, finished goods etc
QM Quality Management – improve the quality of your goods, including
Planning
Execution
Inspections
Certificates

PP Production Planning – manages your production process, including

Capacity planning
Master production scheduling
Material requirements planning
Shop floor

SD Sales and Distribution – from order to delivery, including

RFQ
Sales orders
Pricing
Picking (and other warehouse processes)
Packing
Shipping
CA Cross Application – these lie on top of the individual modules, and include
WF – workflow
BW – business information warehouse
Office – for email
Workplace
Industry solutions
New Dimension products such as CRM, PLM, SRM, APO etc

Applications delivered with each R/3 systems

Logistics:

•Production Planning & Control

•Materials Management
•Project Systems
•Sales & Distribution
•Plant Maintenance

Financials:

•Financial Accounting
•Controlling
•Asset Management
•Treasury
HR:

•Personnel Management
•Organizational Management
•Payroll Accounting
•Time Management
•Personnel Development
Three types of consultants:

Technical

•ABAP
•Basis
•BW

Functional

•Business Analyst
•Module Configurators
•Trainers

Techno-functional

•BW + Config.
•ABAP+ Config.

Technical Consultants

Key phrases on a Technical resume:

•Implementation of applications
•Upgrade of versions
•Maintenance of package
•Development of applications
•Modifying reports and menus
•Run scripts to load data
•Defining table loading sequence
•Conversion of legacy system into current application
•Mapping of tables
•Expert in debugging
•Post sales/implementation support
•Creating documents

Key words on a Technical resume:

•· Install
•· Customization
•· Migration
•· Support
•· Developing
•· Maintenance

Key phrases on a functional resume:

•Performing business/gap analysis

•Preparation of business requirements to application features
•Review processes to identify new & existing features to be used
•Prepare ‘As-Is’ report or ‘To-Be’ report
•Evaluate options and present findings
•Demonstrate end-to-end functionality to business managers and capture additional business requirements
•Implement post go-live support structure
•Hold business blueprint with key business units
•Experience in complete lifecycle and implementation
•Preparation of proposals and project estimations
•Implement additional features on need basis

Key phrases on a Techno-Functional resume:

•Knowledge of sales/accounting/HR practices and thorough understanding of local business

•Streamlining business processes
•Analyzing business requirements
•Determining solution alternatives
PeopleSoft:

What is Peoplesoft ?
•Founded in 1987, focus on client server application development
•A leading vendor of ERP software
•Flagship product – Human Resources Management System
•Financials, CRM, Student Administration, E-procurement, Supply Chain
Peoplesoft offers software solutions for global enterprises. Peoplesoft creates markets and supports enterprise software solutions that
support core business functions.
Industry-specific Enterprise Solutions:
Health Care, Manufacturing, Financials Services, Higher Education, Public sectors , US Federal government
Peoplesoft Select offers package solutions including:
Hardware Software Services

What does it offer?

Human Resource Management

Enterprise Performance Management
Enterprise Service Automation
Customer Relationship Management
Supply Chain Management
Financial Services

Human Resource Management

 Benefit products
 Human Resources
 Time and Labor
 Compensation products
 Payroll products
 eDevelopment
 Directory Interface
 Pension Administration
 eProfile Products
  Employee Portal
 Recruiting Solutions
 HRMS Collaborative Applications
 HCM
 Stock Administration products
 HRMS Enterprise Applications

Enterprise Performance Management

 Customer Relationship Management Analytics

 Supply Chain Analytics
 Workforce Analytics
 Financial Analytics
 Profitability Management for Financial Services
Enterprise Service Automation

 Services Procurement
 Financial Management
 Human Resources Management
 Projects
 Resource Management
 Workforce Insight
 Expenses
 Contracts
 Travel
 Mobile Time and Expense

Customer Relationship Management

 CRM Interaction Management

 CRM CTI Integration
 CRM Analytics
 CRM Field Service
 Accelerated Customer Relationship Management
 CRM for Communications
 Customer Portal
 CRM Sales
 CRM for Financial Services
 Mobile Sales for WAP Phones
 CRM Helpdesk
 CRM Order Capture

Supply Chain Management

 Manufacturing
 Sales and Logistics
 Supply Chain Planning
 Supplier Relationship Management
 eProcurement Solutions

Financial Services

 Financial Management
 Project Management
 Treasury Management
 Travel and Expense Management

PeopleSoft Functional
Functional team members

•Are ‘module experts’

•Understand business processes from a campus and system perspective
•Are primary resource for configuration of application, data conversion specifications, business process integration, system testing, end-user
training
•Use knowledge of existing systems for conversion of legacy data and implementation of PeopleSoft

PeopleSoft Technical
Technical team members:

•Have application development expertise in PeopleSoft, databases, batch scripting and web development
•Shoulder dual responsibility – support existing production systems and the PeopleSoft implementation
•Who have knowledge of existing PeopleSoft systems are beneficial for conversion and integration

PeopleSoft DBA

•Performs database management for enterprise application

•Coordinates and collaborates with the HRMS/SIS teams to create and maintain databases for PeopleSoft
•Works with team to deliver the infrastructure required for PeopleSoft

Next Big Thing

Services Process Optimization (SPO)

To date, there are approximately 10 major vendors in this space; however, PeopleSoft is one of the strongest — if not the strongest — in
terms of in-house financial strength, sales force depth and global market reach.
That said, PeopleSoft is late to the SPO game, officially launching version 1.0 of its integrated ESA product suite almost two years behind its
closest competition, some of which are on version 7.0 of their product release. ‘--Gartner: Services Process Optimization: The Next Big Thing
for PeopleSoft’.

Application Environment
•PeopleTools
–Runtime
–Development Environment
•PeopleCode – scripting language
•Cobol
•SQR