Over the years, enterprise resource planning has continued to gain popularity as companies make effort to integrate their departments and functions. ERP consultants help businesses to create and implement ERP solutions, which optimize services, business processes as well as human resource management. When it comes to hiring an ERP consultant, an employer should ensure to pick the most qualified candidate in order to get the best performance. These top 20 ERP consultant interview questions and answers feature the main areas you should test to identify the right candidate.
Candidates must ensure to be clear with all the fundamentals to answer ERP interview questions easily. Questions may be asked more about their previous work experiences and projects too. Candidates with good fundamental knowledge and also having trained for ERP are mostly preferred. Companies will look for analysts who are the most suitable for them, so candidates must know the essentials.
Top ERP Consultant Interview Questions & Answers
These common ERP interview questions will help them in their preparations.
Below are the list of Best ERP interview questions and Answers
1. Tell Us About Yourself
I hold a bachelor’s degree in information technology. I also have an ERP certification. I have worked as an ERP consultant for nine years. Over this period, I gained extensive knowledge about enterprise resource planning. I understand the ins and outs of ERP systems. Therefore, I will use my expertise to support your company to use integrated applications to automate different functions related to human resource, services, and technology.
2. Why Do You Want to Work in This Organization?
Your organization has made a name in the industry for developing solutions that have empowered many people across the globe. It refines and improves its processes to maintain that leading position. I also know that your organization empowers its workforce in various ways including training. For these reasons, I would want to work with you to not only help to enhance your services even further but also benefit from your employee empowerment program.
3. What Roles does an ERP Consultant Perform?
The primary role of an ERP consultant is to implement and offer support for ERP systems. He or she analyses systems and works hand in hand with the management and the client to define system requirements. ERP consultants select and implement ERP solutions as well as train and support users about those systems. They also ensure that everyone across the organization stays informed about ERPs.
4. As an ERP Consultant, What are Your Duties?
One of my responsibilities is to examine the existing system to identify its strengths and setbacks. Another duty is to develop and configure customized ERP systems. Next, I will be organizing and conducting user training. Other duties include performing routine maintenance of the ERP system and upgrading it, resolving system issues, providing technical support, documenting ERP processes, and determining ERP needs.
5. Name Three Vital ERP Consulting Skills?
Technical or coding skills are critical in this role because it involves upgrading and troubleshooting the ERP software. Another essential skill is problem-solving. An ERP consultant is often called upon to resolve ERP software issues. Effective communication skills are also vital in this role as the consultant communicates with various people including the management and users.
6. Why Would You Advice a Company to Implement SAP
There are several technical features that make SAP better than other ERP systems. SAP is highly configurable, maximizes data consistency, and minimizes data redundancy. Also, it is highly secure when it comes to data handling. Besides, the system offers tight integration across different functions.
7. What is IDES in SAP?
IDES is an acronym for the Internet Demonstration and Evaluation System. In SAP, it represents a model global company with subsidiaries in various countries. It has application data regarding several business scenarios, which can run on SAP systems. The model reflects a real-life business. IDES depicts the possibility of integrating SAP in your business.
8. Differentiate Native Sql from Open Sql
Native Sql permits the inclusion of database-specific Sql statements in ABAP programs. These statements cannot run with a different database. On the other hand, Open Sql helps to access all the database tables available in SAP r3 systems, irrespective of the manufacturer.
9. What Do You Understand by Datasets
Datasets are a collection of related sets of data. Although they have separate elements, one can manipulate them as a unit using a computer. In the case of tabular data, a dataset is one or multiple database tables with every table representing a certain variable.
10. What Do You Understand by OLAP?
OLAP means Online Analytical Processing. This is a reporting tool that is configured such that it can understand your database schema, dimensions, and composition facts. Using this feature, users can run several user-designed reports even without any knowledge about Sql or the schema.
11. Describe Internal Tables and Transparent Table.
Internal tables are standard data type object that only exists during the runtime of a program. Transparent Tables, on the other hand, appear in the same structure in a database as fields and data.
12. Why are ERP Systems Important?
ERPs help to integrate all functions and departments across the entire organization into a unified system. These systems serve all the needs of each function and department. For instance, an ERP integrates the HR, finance, marketing, and manufacturing departments. The importance of this integration is that all departments can communicate and share information easily and promptly. Besides, an ERP streamlines workflows and processes, reduces redundant data entry processes, improves information access, reduces expenses, and improves customer satisfaction.
13. What are the Components of an Average ERP System?
An average ERP system has a management view, transactional database, workflow management, and analysis and reporting tools. Other additional components include logistics and human resource functions.
14. What is Your Programming Background?
I am skilled in PHP, C++, Java, and Ruby. With these programming abilities, I can work with, configure, and upgrade different ERP systems. I am also knowledgeable about SQL and Oracle databases
15. What is the Importance of Data Dictionaries?
Data dictionaries have definitions for the data types used in relational databases. They are particularly vital for cross-functional projects. They direct users about inputting data even when one isn’t familiar with the system. Additionally, they assist development teams to reach an agreement on data requirements.
16. What is your Experience with ERP Training Programs?
Training is among the essential elements of ERP implementation. Investing in the best system is a waste of resources if proper user training is not conducted. Thus, users should know how to perform their work using the new ERP system. Moreover, they should understand how different functions can simplify their job.
17. Why can it be Troublesome to Bring a Project Under Budget?
Deployments and upgrades of ERPs can be expensive and result in costs that surpass initial budget estimates. This arises particularly when there is a need to include modules that were not planned for. When a decision is made to have additional modules, it becomes challenging to work on the project within the budget. This is because the cost of the extra modules was not considered from the beginning.
18. How will Technological Developments Affect ERPs?
Technological developments will affect ERPs in many ways. Advancements in robotic process automation continue to get more sophisticated, thereby eliminating manual interventions from workflow processes. The integration of such advancements in ERPs will mean that more workflows and processes will be automated. Similarly, advancement in artificial intelligence will make ERPs more sophisticated and give them the ability to analyze and react to data. Besides, these systems will have the ability to process more data and more storage capacities.
19. What is ERP according to you?
ERP systems is a set of techniques that help to drive the fundamental business processes. It is a cross-functional enterprise that is completely used for integrated business management and improving the efficiency of companies. The optimum utilization of ERP in companies can be beneficial for planning, managing and supervising. The areas where ERP is used are production, financial markets, accounting, sales, manufacturing and services. So, ERP is a software tool that makes management simple for companies.
20. Tell about the important components of ERP.
There are six main components in ERP.
- Transactional databases
- Management portals
- Human Resources
- Supply chain management
- Workflow management
- Customization reports
21. Why do you think companies should opt for an ERP system?
An ERP system is capable of integrating every department and their functions under one computer. This forms a platform for all departments to share information and communicate easily. All the departments in a company including the HR, production, design, supply chain management and finance can be integrated into software that is run by a single database.
22. What are the different types of ERP?
The popular types of ERP preferred by companies are SAP, Oracle Financials, Microsoft Dynamics, PeopleSoft, BAAN, and JD Edwards. SAP is more successful than any other ERP because it has many advantages over all of them. There can be drastic improvements made if ERP is installed and maintained in the right way.
23. What type of ERP systems are you familiar with?
Today, many organizations have designed a complex system that contains multiple ERPs. Some companies develop their own system along with the available open system software. Thus, a candidate can answer this question according to the requirement of the company’s system requirement.
24. What is implementation in ERP and how was your previous experience in implementing?
The implementation process is the primary purpose of ERP systems. This involves installing the software, updating it with the financial data and then the users, processes are configured. After this, the users should become familiar with all processes and the software. There is a systematic way of implementing ERP in a company for effective utilization. Candidate can explain the objectives of how they implemented previously and how helpful it happened to be for the company.
25. Tell about the possible steps in implementation.
Firstly, we must analyze the problem and define the objectives required. The infrastructure required for this should be checked too. Then we must clearly define its scope for the future. According to the present condition, we must evaluate the options in ERP for future improvement. This will identify the required ERP solution, so it can be updated with important and necessary data. The users should check on the system now and then; they can also customize it when required. Employees must be capable of using the right technology, knowledge of ERP and training should be conducted for them. In the end, the implementation process ends with project management and testing.
26. What are the variables in ERP?
The parameters of a query that are not filled with values are called variables. These will not be defined with a value unless the query is inserted into workbooks. The types of variables in ERP are texts, characteristic variables, user entry, formulas, replacement path and hierarchy nodes.
27. How knowing many functional areas can help you in the development of the enterprise?
Knowing many functional areas can be beneficial because we can comprehend the drawbacks that each department is facing currently. We can create a secured platform for all departments to coordinate and communicate together. This helps us to rectify and recover major flaws for improving the enterprise.
28. What are the different functional areas that you are familiar with?
The major purpose of ERP is the integration of all departments of a company. Candidate can explain in which functional area they worked previously. They can also explain the process of integrating two different departments effectively using ERP. Also, explain how they managed to overcome errors and problems.
29.) What is a data dictionary?
In ERP, the data dictionary is used to compile the internal structure of databases in its different iterations. This is the primary component that guides all the users after ERP is declared in a company. We have to develop good data dictionaries as it is helpful to everyone in the enterprise.
30. Why do you think ERP is the most effective with large enterprises?
ERP requires multiple server connections to integrate all the departments in a company. It requires large hardware components and multiple workstations to set up ERP in an enterprise. The financial sector is also included under ERP, which means it makes long accounting processes for large companies simpler. However, many types of ERP software are available to meet the different company’s requirement. Some of them are open source ERP, small business ERP, generalist, and vertical ERP.
31. Explain the new trends and improvements in ERP.
Mobile ERP is now available in the form of mobile apps on Apple, Windows and Android. Social ERP has evolved with which we can connect the social media data of the company with the customized ERP systems. There is a two-tier ERP that can be used for very large companies across countries. The first tier is designed for the main corporate office while the second tier is for the subsidiary level. These are some of the new trends that ERP is witnessing right now.
32. How you develop your own customized transaction software?
When the implementation of ERP is stable in a company, we can track every detail about the inventory in all departments. A customized transaction software can help users to make real-time inventory easily. So candidates who have developed one become more preferable. You can explain briefly of how and why you developed a customized transaction software.
33. What protocol do most ERP systems use?
Most ERP systems or programs use TCP/IP protocol for communication with the clients. This protocol is considered safe and quick because it sends information in packets and then reassembles it to the user.
Pros and cons:
ERP increases the profitability of big companies when it is implemented in the right way. Here are some more advantages and disadvantages of using ERP systems.
Advantages of ERP:
- Single integrated system
- Better workflow and greater efficiency
- Low inventory costs
- Provides a clear picture of the working of departments
Disadvantages of ERP:
- Complex and expensive
- Implementation takes time
Conclusion
If you are planning for your next ERP consultant interview, you can count on these interview questions and answers to make the process stress-free. They cover the areas that are commonly tested by employers from different industries. You take less time to assess the skillsets of different candidates. Moreover, these questions and answers help to eliminate confusion concerning the correct responses. Using the sample answers makes it quick to know if a candidate has given the right response or not. If you are a candidate, you now know what to expect during the interview.
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