The many paths in SAP development

Ian Kerkhove (23) is one of the team’s youngest developers. He studied Applied Computer Science at the Erasmus Brussels University of Applied Sciences and Arts – one of the few programs in Belgium that offers SAP development courses. What kind of developer has he grown into?

When did you join delaware?

“I graduated two years ago and started my first job at delaware in 2018. I had such a good time during my internship here that it wasn’t a difficult choice to make at all. The fact that I had received ABAP development training in school also gave me a head start.”

Over the years, how did your career path evolve?

“My path as a developer has been fairly linear, with the occasional side step. My ABAP skills proved to be a good base at first: I’ve learned how to program using many different languages (such as Java) and really developed my own style. Did you know there are over 4 ways to get the same result? In recent months I have actually gone ‘back to basics’ and picked up ABAP development again, for client-specific customizing requests.”

What are you currently working on?

“Lately I’ve been working as a developer for a Belgian lighting architecture firm for three days a week. I mainly keep their SAP HANA Cockpit running and add new features onto their existing environments. Next to that, I am the lead developer for the delaware B2B self-service portal. This platform allows business partners to interact – think of it as a web shop for businesses. I’ve been experimenting with new technologies and getting involved in bigger cloud projects, too. There’s a small group of cloud lovers in our team and we regularly connect to share knowledge."

Which steps are you planning to take in the future?

“In a niche field like SAP development, innovation is key. SAP developers get to combine basic programming knowledge with the latest technologies – and I wanted to be one of them. My ABAP skills have definitely come in handy, but I’d really like to continue on the path towards cloud solutions. Because they are the future, and that’s what SAP is focusing on as well.”

What tips would you give your younger self?

“Stop doubting – just do it! If you love programming, SAP development is one of the most enriching environments for a developer to be in. It is, of course, very important that you end up in a good team (which I did). Surprisingly enough, I regularly organize training sessions. We learn so much from each other.”

What are you most proud of?

“I’m very proud of our B2B portal. My colleague Karel and I have been working on it for over a year and a half. As we built it on the latest cloud platform, it was a period of trial & error, but now, it works without flaw. We’ve actually developed this as a template, so other customers can easily implement it as well.”

Can you describe your career as an SAP developer in one word?

“Unique! While other junior colleagues were learning more about ABAP, I immediately jumped on the cloud bandwagon. And I’m not planning on getting off any time soon.

Jolien Lipkens (26) is a bioengineer turned developer. When did she first come into contact with IT and why did she make the switch? Jolien’s story is proof that you don’t necessarily need prior experience with programming to become an SAP developer. 

When did you join delaware?

“In 2017, I obtained a Master’s degree in Bioscience Engineering. I was actually planning on getting a job in the pharmaceutical industry, but while working on my thesis I realized I really liked writing basic scripts. Then, at my first job, I was asked to validate in SAP. That’s when I knew I wanted to learn how to program and develop something in SAP myself! I talked to a friend who worked at delaware and he convinced me to apply. Long story short: I joined the SAP Development team in November 2018.”

Over the years, how did your career path evolve?

“My path to SAP development may seem a bit unusual. Since I had little to no experience in IT, I did a lot of self-study and collected plenty of tips and tricks from colleagues. Danny, my team lead, pushed me out of my comfort zone and put me on a project right away. I helped a colleague to set up the launchpad for one of our customers and managed the authorizations, which allowed me to get to know Fiori. Later, I got the hang of ABAP development through other assignments. My first year as a developer involved a substantial amount of learning by doing. I felt useful and appreciated. Today, I’m comfortable with programming, but I still do some authorizations, too.”

What are you currently working on?

“In 2020, I have been alternating between programming and setting up authorizations, since many of our customers are making the switch from SAP ECC to SAP S/4HANA. My problem-solving skills definitely help with the technical part of the job. I guess I have my engineering professors to thank for that! I’ve also been organizing workshops together with customers and I truly appreciate the close contact and the growing number of responsibilities I am taking on.”

Which steps are you planning to take in the future?

“When looking back at the first lines of code I wrote, I go ‘oops’. I’ve definitely grown as a developer. In the future, I want to sharpen my ABAP skills and continue working with Fiori. How cool would it be if I could write some Fiori apps? I love learning new things so I’m eager to get into front-end development, too. The opportunities are endless – here you write your own story.”

What tips would you give your younger self?

“My mother is in IT and she always thought developing would be something for me. I’m so glad I listened to her advice! My tip would be not to worry too much. Give yourself time to learn. I remember thinking: ‘What did I get myself into? I don’t understand a thing!’. But here’s the thing: no one starts off being an SAP expert. Also: Stay in touch with colleagues who may be doing something entirely different than you are. You never know what they could teach you.”

What are you most proud of?

“One of our customers is planning to build a car. We guided them through their S/4HANA implementation, and I did the styling of their launchpad and the authorizations. So when I see this company being mentioned on tv, knowing that our work, our developments, are being used on a daily basis to actually make a car, I think to myself: How cool is that?”

Can you describe your career as an SAP developer in one word?

“Exciting.”

Nathan Van Lombeek (28) is what you would call ‘a man with a plan’. He strongly believes in setting goals for himself and grabs every opportunity that comes his way with genuine enthusiasm. What’s his secret to being a successful SAP developer? 

When did you join delaware?

”I joined delaware in 2016, after graduating as a Business Engineer in Operations Management. Back then, I knew what ERP was and had some rudimentary programming skills. Fresh out of school, I was intrigued by the combination of IT and consultancy. I knew consultancy meant getting in touch with all kinds of industries and customers – and that’s what I wanted: entering a real-life business context without committing to one specific sector.”

Over the years, how did your career path evolve?

“Starting out as a developer was a deliberate – and perhaps surprising – choice (given my non-IT related studies). I intended to sharpen my technical skills first and then go from there. I am one of the few developers with a business background, so you could say I’m not one to take the well-trodden path. Over the years, I have discovered what my strengths are: transforming ideas from theory into business reality, asking critical questions, and being a coach. I have definitely grown into a more coordinating role; that is how I aim to create value for customers and colleagues alike.”

What are you currently working on?

“This year I have ventured out of my comfort zone and looked for new ways to challenge myself. About once a year I take a step back and decide what direction to take my career. I am currently experimenting with leading a development team. Building and implementing ways of working to make a complex development process run smoothly. I am responsible for development operations and delivery, which is a management role I haven’t explored before. Managing the project is almost a full-time job, but I still do some development work myself, too.”

Which steps are you planning to take in the future?

“I’m assuming that when my current project as a lead developer is complete, there will be room for other projects and building long-term relationships with customers. My goal is to become ‘expendable’: I want to set up a project and create continuity, in preparing my team for my absence. I believe that’s how I can create value.”

What tips would you give your younger self?

“Be ambitious, but think before you act. I often ask people (including myself) the question ‘Do you think you’re ready for that?’. Thinking you’re invincible is not the way to go in your career. So take the time to decide for yourself whether or not you feel good in your current role as a developer, and if you don’t, have the courage to change something about it. At delaware, you get the freedom to carve out your own path, but you need to take matters into your own hands if you want to grow.”

What are you most proud of?

“I am proud of myself for growing into a lead developer role. I was able to bond with colleagues, through mutual interests but also through coaching. These relationships are what gives me energy! I’ve also tried to bring a level of entrepreneurship into my work, building things which we might be able to commercialize later. I love how supportive delaware is of this mindset I have.”

Can you describe your career as an SAP developer in one word?

“Focused.”

Stef Van Wienendaele (28) just became a father for the second time. How is he combining life as a new dad with that of an SAP developer? What choices have led him here?

When did you join delaware?

“I have always had great respect for entrepreneurs, and felt inspired to start a business myself after completing my studies in SME Management. In my second year, however, I was introduced to web development, which made me reconsider my options. I decided to enroll in Graphic and Digital Media and knew right away that I had made the right choice. I joined the delaware SAP Development team in 2016.”

Over the years, how did your career path evolve?

“I spent my first 6 weeks in the delaware office in Ghent, but I soon left for Harbin (China) to give our colleagues there some basic development training as part of my internship. Such an exciting and enriching experience for the rookie web developer I was back then! In just a few months’ time, I got to grips with SAP’s basic principles. Back home, I became part of the team that helped delaware migrate to the cloud. After that, I was staffed on my first project as an SAP Fiori developer for a customer close to where I live – 3 years later, we’re still going strong.”

What are you currently working on?

“I have always felt drawn to newer technologies, so I have been mainly focusing on building Fiori applications. Even though SAP development is a niche field, there are so many different components and features, which makes it hard to choose a favorite. Besides Fiori, I’m also getting into Angular development. I’m happy with the variety I’m getting in my work as a developer, and, above all, the freedom to select projects with customers who are located closer to home. It makes maintaining a healthy work-life balance that much easier.”

Which steps are you planning to take in the future?

“I actually like both front and back-end development, so I plan on sharpening my skills in both areas. SAP Fiori, Java and Angular should keep me busy for the next few years 😉. I’m also convinced that a good relationship with colleagues and customers is vital for success, so I look forward to meeting with end users, developing user-friendly interfaces and becoming an even better developer and sparring partner. ”

What tips would you give your younger self?

“Something that everyone in our team knows and lives by: Try out as many different things within SAP development as you possibly can – especially in the beginning. Be open to programming languages or methods that are new to you, and ask for help when you need it. You never know what skills may come in handy at a later point in your career. Aim to become a ‘widely deployable’ developer.”

What are you most proud of?

“I have helped build a Fiori web app that allows end users to easily add business partners into the system and follow up on them. While this was one of my longest-running projects – because we went through several iterations to get it right – it also happens to be one of the best and most high-quality apps I’ve ever built. The effort that went into creating this app, combined with the harmonious interaction with the customer definitely makes this a project to be proud of. ”

Can you describe your career as an SAP developer in one word?

“Challenging – in a good way. From a technical point of view, SAP is the kind of software that keeps developers on their toes.“

Tim Leys (32) has been working at delaware since 2010. In ten years’ time, he has seen the SAP Development team triple in size. What kind of developer has he grown into? And what motivates him the most?

When did you join delaware?

“I joined delaware right after graduating in Applied Information Technology. I was going to be a software developer, that much was certain. Back then I already took an interest in everything that had to do with ERP systems and business processes, so delaware was an obvious choice.”

Over the years, how did your career path evolve?

“I still remember my first project like it was yesterday – it felt a little like being thrown to the wolves. But before I knew it, I was building project after project. After about 2-3 years, I had a good talk with a more experienced colleague and he made me realize I didn’t have to do it all by myself. If I wanted to grow as a developer, it was time to start delegating tasks to other team members and sharing my knowledge by helping them. Slowly but surely, I took on more responsibilities and stepped into my role as a manager and solution lead (a role that focuses on the go-to-market strategy, P&L – financials – and overall purpose of the team).”

What are you currently working on?

“Innovation has always been key in our team: SAP S4/HANA and Fiori were already on our radar since day 1. That’s also why I’m currently mainly working on our team’s vision and strategy: which projects are we taking on, how are we defining our IP, etc. I’ve also gotten pretty good at ‘putting out fires’ – that’s what we call it when there’s an urgent technical issue that needs solving asap. These days I don’t get to develop as much, as I spend most of my time guiding the team and convincing customers to make use of our services.”

Which steps are you planning to take in the future?

“There’s still so much I want to learn! The thing about SAP is that you may never know all of its possibilities, as new features are being added all the time. We’re now focusing our attention on SAP Cloud, and I plan on continuing to motivate colleagues to try something new. There are now more than 60 SAP developers in our team, each with their own specialization and career path.”

What tips would you give your younger self?

“I used to think I could work faster alone, but the opposite is true. Letting go of certain tasks allows the people in your team to grow. In the long run, that turned out to be our strength. My mentor always told me: ‘Do what you do best and delegate the rest’. I’ll always remember that.”

What are you most proud of?

“Every day, I am impressed and humbled by the determination of our developers to build the most amazing things. I am proud of the team’s phenomenal growth – and not just in numbers. The fact that people only rarely leave the team, also speaks volumes. Similarly, the awards that we receive from SAP (e.g. the SAP Pinnacle Awards) show that our technological partner also recognizes our outstanding contributions.”

Can you describe your career as an SAP developer in one word?

“Fast-paced.”

Elio Lopez Vazquez (30) is quite the traveler: he studied Computer Sciences in his home town Granada (in Spain), was an Erasmus exchange student in Lyon (France) and then did an internship at delaware in Kortrijk (Belgium). What a journey!

When did you join delaware?

“Back in France, I was combining work and study. I was in charge of the maintenance of the public contract app for the department of Rhône, which they would use to manage all contracts between the government and companies. Then, in the summer of 2015, I did an additional 2-month internship at delaware, during which I assembled a 3D printer from scratch and ran some tests on it. I went back to Lyon to finish my masters before ultimately settling down in Belgium. I joined the delaware SAP development team in 2016.”

Over the years, how did your career path evolve?

“I have always been inquisitive and creative. Before starting at delaware, I didn’t actually know much about SAP, so I obviously still had a lot to learn. It think it took me about 6 months to finetune my skills and lay the groundwork for my career in SAP development. Now, after four years, I feel most comfortable working in ABAP solving complex developments . But my specialty lies with SAP Business ByDesign: I’m one of the go-to guys if there are any technical issues. Over the years, I have discovered that I really like doing things that haven’t been done before. Designing and building an entire solution from scratch, that’s what makes my developer heart beat a little faster.”

What are you currently working on?

“These days I’m developing an RF application for one of delaware’s biggest customers. The data coming from the scanners in their warehouse needs to be available in SAP, so I design the program that allows users to see that information. I’ve also recently become a first-time dad, so keeping my work-life balance in check certainly is one of the things I’m focusing on as well.”

Which steps are you planning to take in the future?

“I suspect that my project management skills may come in handy in the future. I want to take the lead more often and really try to build strong customer relationships by communicating more. Yes, I’m a developer, but I’m also a consultant; I advise customers and really guide them through technically challenging projects.”

What tips would you give your younger self?

“Don’t be afraid to ask questions, even if they seem silly. At the beginning of my career at delaware I used to keep a list with all of the acronyms I heard people use, as I wasn’t confident enough to just ask them what they meant. Young Elio still needed to come out of his shell 😊.”

What are you most proud of?

“My favorite development project was the one I did with a company that makes military clothing and equipment (amongst other things). Their goal was to waste less fabric when making bulletproof vests. A complex task, because there are so many layers and patterns to take into account. Together with the IT manager, I custom developed a template for them to use. It was an incredibly intense project, but therefore all the more satisfying.”

Can you describe your career as an SAP developer in one word?

“Enriching. I’ve made great strides already and can’t wait to discover what’s next.”