ARTICLE TABLE OF CONTENTS
This is what a techno-functional consultant is.
Techno-functional consultants contribute to the expansion of technology in workplaces.
This career is likely to grow in importance as technology advances.
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Techno-Functional Consultant Job Description
A techno-functional consultant oversees coding, data fixes, applying code for bugs, and drafting technical documents to meet client requirements. They also gather and implement information for software systems.
Techno-functional consultant roles and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Data analysis of information flowing through Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems.
- Testing code to ensure that it works properly within the system.
- Customization of a software system per the requests of clients.
- Implementing the statistics and workings of real-time logistics into a system.
- Assisting co-workers with the development of software and systems to provide services for both individual clients and companies.
Techno-functional consultant skills include, but are not limited to:
- A thorough understanding of Coding and Developmental Standards.
- An understanding of ERP functions and technology.
- Fluency in the process of Implementation Methodology.
- Familiarity with the functional configuration of ERP.
- Knowing how to implement business requirements into ERP solutions.
This particular career is a mix of both a technical consultant and a functional consultant.
What is the Difference Between a Functional and Technical Consultant?
A technical consultant oversees all of the technical aspects of both a workplace and a client’s request. They may be required to perform such tasks as writing code, software customization and modification, and implementation procedures.
Technical consultants almost always have backgrounds in careers such as software development and engineering. They may also oversee processes within a company that does not involve clients, such as data entry and customization and system product modifications.
Technical consultant jobs can be in any workplace that uses a software system in their day to day operations.
Meanwhile, a functional consultant oversees clients’ requests and uses the non-technical information that the client provides to assist technical consultants in implementing that information into a system.
Functional consultants also oversee the main details of enterprise resource planning (ERP). While they focus on the details of a company’s supply chain, they inform the technical consultants on the ERP details so they can implement them into the software system.
After a considerable amount of time learning the workings of both a company’s logistics and software specifications, both a functional and technical consultant can become a techno-functional consultant.
Here are the differences between functional, technical, and techno-functional consultants in detail.
How To Become a Techno-Functional Consultant
Both technical and functional consultant jobs require an educational background that extends beyond high school. One study found that a staggering 98% of functional consultants had either a bachelor’s or master’s degree. Therefore, before you become one of such consultants, it is time for you to study.
Degrees that would apply to a career as a technical functional consultant include:
- B.S./M.S. in Informational Technology
- B.A./B.S./M.S. in Computer Science
- B.S./M.S. in Data Science
- B.S/M.S in Logistics Engineering
A career as a techno-functional consultant requires years of experience in different scenarios and situations to properly prepare you to deal with complex requests from both co-workers and clients. It is not a career that you can immediately apply for after earning a degree.
Careers as a techno-functional consultant are reached after successful years in related careers. The best way to reach a career as a techno-functional consultant is to first either have a career as a techno consultant or a functional consultant.
You need to accomplish important goals before you can have a substantial chance at succeeding as a techno-functional consultant. These specific goals apply further beyond the educational requirements.
Though the importance of ERP in a career as a techno-functional consultant has already been discussed, both CRM (Customer Relationship Management) and SAP (System Applications and Products in Data Processing) are just as critical.
Types of Techno-Functional Consultants
Do you have questions regarding the types of techno-functional consultants and their meanings? Check out the answers to these questions below:
What is the Role of a CRM Techno-Functional Consultant?
While an ERP techno-functional consultant oversees software that handles the day to day operations of an organization, a CRM techno-functional consultant focuses specifically on customer interactions.
CRM systems handle every function involving customers, including sales, services, and support. A techno-functional consultant that works exclusively with CRM will deal with more customer requests and customizations rather than overseeing other company operations.
Another critical aspect of working with a CRM system is communication between businesses and customers, including promotions and order information. The communication occurs exclusively through the automated system.
Therefore, a CRM techno-functional consultant’s overall profile is one that ensures that the important messages are sent from the company to customers through the system while also making sure messages from customers are received through the system.
What are the Roles of an Oracle Techno-Functional Consultant and an SAP Techno-Functional Consultant?
While other software companies use an ERP system, Oracle revolves around its object-relational database management system.
An object-relational database management system combines the object-oriented database (ORDBMS) management system’s functions and the relational database management system (RDBMS).
The object-oriented system revolves around objects in object-oriented programming (OOP). OOP works by classifying entities as objects before they are stored in the memory.
The relational database system works by organizing related data using tables and establishing a relationship between those tables.
Therefore, the ORDBMS combines a system of objects and tables to process different types of data into storage. Oracle is a leading company in using ORDBMS.
An Oracle techno-functional Consultant oversees data management involving factors such as data security, easy accessibility, and recovery. This job requires fluency with the Oracle system of data management to input and handle important data correctly.
What Makes an Oracle Techno-Functional Consultant Different?
As a techno-functional consultant, this particular career applies further than using an ORDBMS system, as Oracle also specializes in CRM software and supply chain management (SCM) software.
An Oracle techno-functional consultant works for a company that uses a data management system from Oracle, and these companies are spread across most industries and businesses both big and small.
As of 2019, SAP is the third-largest software company in the world. SAP is another company that provides exclusive software for data management, though the most efficient of these assets is undoubtedly their ERP software.
An SAP techno-functional consultant that works for a company that uses SAP will likely focus more on their ERP system.
As the digital age reaches new heights, SAP and Oracle both compete for superiority in data management. If you are aspiring to be a techno-functional consultant, it is important that you become knowledgeable about both systems.
How Do I Become a Techno-Functional Consultant?
Though the previous educational requirements have been listed in the article, there is much more that you should do aside from what most jobs would require. This factor is essential because learning about a system and working with one are two different things.
First, before having any career involving programming, you should make sure that you learn about different programming languages in getting your degree.
Remember, the base of all systems involving computers involves using a programming language. Programmers also use a programming language to implement algorithms. Algorithms have become an essential part of systems involving all kinds of functions that use computers.
Instead of simply learning how a system works for new users, you will be better off in the long run by understanding the foundations of a data management system, whether it is ERP, CRM, or any other system.
You will be better off as you will gain an intimate and detailed understanding of the system’s ins and outs, and it can help prepare you for situations such as glitches and errors. These are not 100% perfectly oriented systems, and therefore you should be prepared.
What Else Should I Learn?
Setting computers aside, it is also important that you understand how to classify types of data when processing it for a company. Different types of data are not equally important.
For example, a message telling a customer that their order has been shipped does not hold the same significance as a message to the same customer thanking them for placing an order.
Therefore, to develop data management skills, you should learn how to handle more important information. Developing this skill will also allow you to communicate better with the more essential needs of your customer.
Another important aspect of being a techno-functional consultant is learning how to sort information based on category properly. No matter their size, most companies process too much information to be put by workers in one specific area.
Therefore, you must develop swift skills to classify different kinds of information and establish relationships between this information when necessary.
Understanding Data
For example, information related to finances would typically be placed in an area like accounting. However, if the information is very specific, you may need to place it in a particular section within the finances area.
While the system automatically handles most information, there will be times when you will need to attend to data that is lost or questions about where it belongs, as the system will face factors that it was not designed by programmers to handle automatically.
Therefore, it is important that you understand what information you are dealing with, as it may not always be simple for you to handle. The goal is that no information is lost or misplaced, as accessibility is at its highest demand.
Furthermore, while technology has made handling all types of data easier and more efficient, it is still essential that you know how your particular system works in classifying data, as part of the job is to oversee the system doing its job.
Where can I Find an Employer?
Once you have developed all of the important skills in overseeing and working with data management systems, it is time for you to look for a job.
Because of the increasing reliance that most industries have on technology, the good news that many companies, both large and small, are looking for aspiring consultants like you.
When you find a potential employer, it is important to remember to stand out from the rest of the crowd. Therefore, here are some tips to help you stand out in your resume:
- Mention your college education. But instead of just showing your degrees, be sure to write about how you learned about programming in detail and how it helped shape your understanding of data management.
- Talk about the most important aspects of your previous jobs as a technical and functional consultant. Because this career is a mix of skills from both jobs, you must describe in detail your previous role and responsibilities.
- If you have any impressive projects related to programming, add them to your resume. Employers will be looking for creative skills that can be applied in both technology and logistics.
Career Benefits
While this particular career choice seems like it has a difficult path, the good news is that it can be very rewarding. A typical techno-functional consultant salary is $71,319 per year. While that may not sound the most appealing, remember that is for the average consultant job.
Meanwhile, an SAP techno-functional consultant can earn you around $147,000 per year, while working with Oracle can earn you around $94,000 per year. Hopefully, these salaries are much more appealing to you.
You may be wondering which particular option should you choose, as this article has now told you about the different companies and areas where working as a techno-functional consultant is available.
It is a big decision when you are applying for these jobs, but remember this: jobs involving the use of computer systems have never been more essential in getting work done quickly and efficiently, especially during this pandemic that we are all facing.
Finally, such high paying jobs will likely provide you with benefits extending beyond your pocket. You may receive benefits such as provided health insurance and a decent 401k plan, along with job security as this career will only be more essential in the foreseeable future.
