I’m glad to see that you are interested in growing your skills Jacquelyn! This group is a great resource for me and I’m loving reading the recommendations here.
I started off in manufacturing almost 25 years ago. I’ve worked in every department from logistics to technology management after starting out on the shop floor. I learned sales, accounting, data analysis, operations, lean production practices, inventory control, forecasting, material optimization, pricing, commissions and project management. Those that are telling you to focus on business practices are giving valuable advice. I’m not a skilled programmer - I can hold my own but I don’t consider myself a programmer. I didn’t finish college. I learned customizations, BPM’s, how to build a configurator and how to influence business process by working alongside some great consultants, getting my hands on every piece of information I could find on the system I was working on and attending every business process and management training that my company offers.
At my first “real” job, I was an assistant to the Sales Director. I developed an Access database to manage our sales data that, up until that point, was being done monthly with green bar reports, a calculator and a pad of paper. They were thrilled to have data “automation” and that led to us purchasing our first ERP. I was the project lead on that implementation and learned how to code a configurator along side a seasoned pro. It was a German system but the logic was the same. If you can define a rule for the business process, you can make it work. If you can’t define the rule, then there has to be discussion about what the rule should be, ie. “If the material is plywood and the sky is purple and it is raining on Tuesday, the price is $5”. I started as an Epicor admin over 12 years ago and have implemented and supported it for 3 companies. I attend Insights, read these forums, attend any lunch and learns and user group meetings I can find and, most importantly, learn by asking questions and then doing.
As for learning code, I tell people all the time that my 7-year-old niece can code. Coding is a valuable tool to put in your toolbox but many people can code now. Fewer people can code and understand the business processes they are trying to optimize and implement. Fewer people still have the communication skills to work along side the shop floor associates and the management team and speak their language in order to help facilitate growth and change. I’m not taking anything away from coders as I admire their skills and am always trying to get better myself, but the most valuable advice I can give you has been stated by others on this thread. Learn the business, learn the people, learn how to bring efficiency to your organization and you will go far.
Like you, I also have interest in AI and learning more about REST. I’m learning PowerBI right now and have integrated that with Epicor. Always keep learning and keep up with new technology that can bring efficiency to business processes and you will have a fantastic career in ERP Development and Admin. Best of Luck to you!!
, and I happened in the math and comp. sci. community because of the program’s requirements.
… Unless you really like comics.