71. What is the SAP Linux Lab?

The SAP Linux Lab assists in the releasing of SAP software on Linux and drives the porting of SAP software to new platforms, like the Intel Itanium or IBM Power PC. Furthermore it helps other SAP departments with developing on and for the Linux platform and processes Linux-specific support problems - internal ones, as of external - or forwards them to the appropriate hardware or software partner. Currently, developers from Bull, Dell, Fujitsu-Siemens, HP, IBM, Intel, Novell/SUSE, RealTech, Red Hat, SAP, SUN and a number of temporary “guests” share the same rooms in the Linux Lab. Despite our hardware partners being competitors, the cooperation is excellent and we had a number of very successful projects. The Linux Lab also closely cooperates with (and is located directly next to) SAP’s Server Infrastructure department, which is responsible for the development of the SAP kernel, the basis layers on top of the native operating systems, which make SAP’s business applications platform independent.

72. What role does SAP play in the Open Source scene?

We are supporting Open Source when it comes to Linux as an operating system or MaxDB (formerly Adabas/D or SAP DB) as a database. In fact, back in 1999, we were the first business software provider to support Linux as an operating system for running SAP solutions. We work closely with the Linux distributors and our partners to ensure our solutions work smoothly on Linux. Our main focus with SAP on Linux is helping our customers build the IT environment that is right for them. More and more customers are requesting help with SAP on Linux. And we are there to provide them with the high quality support they expect from SAP.

73. Interested in offering your software to SAP customers so they can enhance functionality of their SAP servers running Linux?

SAP is open to third party software and hardware products. As SAP only uses standard APIs provided by the Linux OS, third party software is usually transparent to us. Whereas we usually do not certify third party software, Linux Lab is open for joint development efforts.

74. What does “SAP NetWeaver on Linux” mean?

SAP is the market leader of inter-enterprise software solutions with the world’s largest enterprise software customer base. SAP has more than 10 million licensed users, more than 20,000 installations in more than 100 countries and supports 28 different languages. More than half of the world’s top 500 companies use SAP software! SAP supports the mySAP Business Suite in a productive environment under Linux. This also includes the database server (IBM DB2/UDB, Informix, Oracle and SAP DB) as well as the application server and the front end. You can run SAP on Linux in homogeneous and heterogeneous environments. The mySAP Business Suite is running upon the SAP NetWeaver, which includes components like the SAP Web Application Server or the SAP Enterprise Portal.

75. Tell me about a time when it was necessary for you to communicate technical information, clearly, to an audience.

76. What plans have you in the near future to take extra technical training, and how will it help your career prospects?

Applicant should want to acquire new technical knowledge.

77. Give me an example of an assignment, which you have recently worked on, that involved the learning of a new technical development.

78. How computer literate are you, and which software programs are you familiar with?

79. Could your work performance be improved by incorporating new technical knowledge and developments?

80. What is your level of experience with software used in your job? What resources do you use when faced with a PC problem?