Academic Practicum

Fasttrack Solutions Inc. Internship

Mark Anthony Zaraspe05 JUNE 2023

Overview of the Practicum Engagement

Company Background

The student had the privilege of taking an internship at Fasttrack Solutions Inc., a leading software products and consultancy service company serving the Enterprise and SMB Markets. Established in 2005, Fasttrack Solutions Inc. has been at the forefront of providing innovative solutions. The company's main office is located at 10/F The Valero Tower, 122 Valero St., Salcedo Village, Makati City, with a branch at 2F AMV Bros Bldg., #9 F. Cabahug St., Mabolo, Cebu City.

With a focus on delivering exceptional business solutions, Fasttrack has emerged as an industry leader, specializing in ERP implementation and sharing best practices to enhance businesses globally. As the first Filipino company to attain SAP Platinum Partner status, Fasttrack demonstrates unparalleled expertise in SAP's enterprise software solutions and is a member of United VARS, a global alliance of SAP solution providers, fostering collaboration and international exposure.

Fasttrack's core strengths lie in its deep knowledge of enterprise resource planning (ERP) solutions and complementary add-on products. The company showcases a team of certified ERP professionals with extensive experience, ensuring top-quality project execution. With a strong commitment to research and development (R&D), Fasttrack's dedicated team drives innovation, continuously enhancing its product offerings and staying at the forefront of technological advancements.

Beyond ERP implementation, Fasttrack provides comprehensive support services, offering ongoing assistance and maintenance to maximize client benefits. The company also extends its expertise to assist clients in areas such as Computerized Accounting System (CAS) implementation, Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) accreditation, and compliance with the BIR Electronic Invoicing System (EIS). Fasttrack's experienced consultants guarantee seamless compliance and operational efficiency, backed by an impressive 99% approval rate.

MISSION
To be the best software solutions consulting company in Southeast Asia.
VISION
By producing the best quality consultants in the region. By making Fasttrack’s customers delighted as their businesses are improved through the use of technology. Through the use of an effective consulting organization that is agile and responsive to the market needs.
MANTRA
The consulting mantra of Fasttrack emphasizes business process over business system; business scoping versus technology hype; business experience and know-how versus purely technical knowledge.

Nature of Tasks Given

In the CODEX (Consultant Online Development and Excellence) Program offered by Fasttrack Solutions Inc., student interns are provided with a diverse range of tracks to choose from, varying from functional and technical consulting. The student has been assigned to the Oracle Netsuite Technical track, which focuses on building a solid foundation of knowledge for success in Netsuite ERP Consulting.

The CODEX program comprises three phases. Phase 1 and Phase 2 are dedicated to training, while Phase 3 involves practical application. Phase 1 involves comprehensive training in general IT skills and soft skills, providing a review and strengthening of the fundamental technical and interpersonal abilities required in the field. Phase 2 entails product-specific training, specifically focusing on Oracle Netsuite Technical skills. This phase is designed to facilitate learning and familiarity with the Oracle Netsuite platform.

Phase 3 is a combination of a case study and work immersion, allowing students to apply their acquired knowledge. During this phase, the student was given a Business Requirements Document (BRD) and tasked with solving the problems presented. The case study serves as a practical application of the skills learned throughout the program. Furthermore, the work immersion phase offers an invaluable opportunity to work directly with real-world clients within a company, gaining hands-on experience in dealing with industry-specific challenges and requirements.

Total Hours Rendered

As a part of the course practicum requirement, students are expected to fulfill a minimum of 486 hours of practical training. Throughout the CODEX program, specific hours are allocated to each phase to ensure a comprehensive learning and development experience. During Phase 1, a total of 28 hours is dedicated to training in general IT skills and soft skills. Phase 2 involves 90 hours of training specifically focused on the Oracle Netsuite platform. For the case study in Phase 3, 40 hours are allocated to applying the knowledge gained from the training phases. The 328 hours, which are the remaining hours, are dedicated to the work immersion phase, which provides an opportunity to engage with real-world clients and industry professionals. This phase allows students to gain valuable industry experience, further enhancing their skills and knowled

Presentation of Output

Preboarding Training

During the pre-boarding training, the student intern underwent comprehensive preparation before commencing their internship. A crucial aspect of this process was the walkthrough of the CODEX LMS portal, which serves as a central hub for his learning and development during the training phases. The portal offers a user-friendly interface, facilitating easy navigation through its various sections and menus. Through the portal, interns are enrolled in courses, and can access relevant materials such as videos, documents, presentations, and complete phase assessments. The student intern's progress and performance are tracked within the portal using assessment exams. By effectively utilizing the portal, the student intern can maximize his learning opportunities and ensure a successful internship experience.

Phase 1 Training

The Phase 1 Training, focused on general IT skills and soft skills training, providing the student intern with a comprehensive learning journey. He commenced courses spanning various disciplines to develop a strong foundation in programming, cloud computing, database management, accounting principles, and advanced Excel techniques.

Beginning with PHP programming, the student intern gained a solid understanding of fundamental programming concepts. He further expanded his knowledge by taking the CompTIA Cloud Essentials+ training, delving into key business principles and fundamental cloud concepts. Refreshing his understanding of databases and data manipulation using SQL commands, he undertook the "Basic SQL using MSSQL'' course.

To enhance his understanding of business processes, the student intern took the "Accounting for Non-Accountants" course, covering fundamental accounting principles. Additionally, he honed his proficiency in Microsoft Excel through an advanced course, acquiring advanced data analysis skills. Furthermore, the student intern engaged in courses such as Microsoft Visio, which focused on creating data-driven visual representations, and the "Fundamentals of Enterprise Resource Planning'' course, providing insights into streamlining operations using ERP systems.

As Phase 1 drew to a close, the student intern successfully completed the courses and passed the Phase 1 assessment, demonstrating his acquired knowledge and skills. This achievement signifies their readiness to proceed to Phase 2 Training, showcasing their commitment and preparedness for the subsequent stages of the internship program. Training Phase 1 was a valuable period of learning and growth, laying a strong foundation for the student intern's work immersion phase and fueling their enthusiasm for further skill enhancement in the dynamic field of technology and consulting.

Phase 2 Training

The student intern's experience during Phase 2 of his internship at Fasttrack Solutions Inc was marked by in-depth training and specialized courses focused on Oracle Netsuite. The student intern began his training journey by taking the "Introduction to Learning Cloud System" course, which made him familiarized with the Oracle Learning Cloud System (LMS), the platform for the training materials. He then proceeded to the "Oracle Netsuite Overview and Industry Acumen" course, gaining comprehensive insights into Netsuite's features and its relevance in various industries.

The student intern's learning continued with the extensive "Netsuite ERP Fundamentals" course, which covered various aspects of Netsuite, including basic navigation, account configuration, data model, role overview, finance and accounting setup, inventory management, and more. Throughout the course, he immersed himself in the training materials, honing his understanding of Netsuite's capabilities and its role in streamlining business processes.

Building upon his knowledge, the student intern took supplementary courses such as "Using Accounts Payable," "Using Accounts Receivable," and "Using General Ledger" which were provided in the Oracle University LMS. These courses provided insights into effectively utilizing these modules within Netsuite, enhancing his understanding of financial processes and management within the system.

To further expand his customization capabilities, the student intern was also enrolled in the "Suitescript 1.0 Fundamentals" course, which empowered him to create flexible business logic within Netsuite using SuiteScript. He also undertook the "Advanced PDF/HTML Templates: Customizing Printouts and Emails" course, focusing on customizing advanced templates for printouts and emails within Netsuite. Additionally, they explored the SuiteCloud Development Framework in the "Building and Deploying" course, learning to manage and deploy account customizations effectively.

Continuing his development journey, the student intern dived into the "SuiteScript 2.0: Custom User Interface Development" course. This training focused on using SuiteScript 2.0 to create custom user interfaces within Netsuite, emphasizing the embedding of UI objects and custom HTML. Finally, he also completed the comprehensive "SuiteScript 2.0 Fundamentals" course, which enabled him to customize Netsuite functionality using SuiteScript 2.0 which is the latest version of SuiteScript in order to improve user productivity in contrast to using the legacy version of SuiteScript which is 1.0.

With the completion of Phase 2's Product Specific Training, the student intern prepared and took the Phase 2 Assessment. Fortunately, he received an email from his intern coordinator from Fasttrack congratulating him on successfully passing the assessment, signifying their progress and readiness for the next phase of the internship program. As the phase 2 training concluded, the student intern reflected on his achievements during Phase 2 and felt a sense of accomplishment. The intensive training and hands-on experiences had deepened his understanding of Netsuite and its ERP customization capabilities. With the Phase 2 Assessment successfully completed and the work immersion at CloudTech came on the horizon, the student intern looked forward to applying their skills and expanding their knowledge in the upcoming phases of the internship program.

Phase 3 Case Study

During Phase 3 of the internship program, the student intern delved into the Case Study, which involved working on a fictitious company and applying his knowledge and skills in a practical scenario. The intern was provided with all the necessary information about the company, including its overview, business units, departments, organization chart, and purchase flow.

In the Case Study, the student intern was given three specific tasks to complete. The first task involved updating an existing printout template for the Purchase Order using the Advanced PDF/HTML Template feature in Oracle Netsuite. This task required the student intern to utilize their knowledge of customizing printouts and emails within Netsuite to enhance the visual representation of the Purchase Order template. By leveraging the Advanced PDF/HTML Template feature, the intern aimed to create a more personalized and professional-looking template that aligns with the company's branding and requirements.

In the second task of the Case Study, the student intern was presented with a code snippet and tasked with predicting the possible output it would generate when executed. To accomplish this, the intern carefully analyzed the code, considering factors such as variable values, functions used, and sequence of the code. By understanding the logic and behavior of the code, the intern provided an accurate assessment of the expected output based on their analysis.

The third task in the Case Study required the student intern to debug a code snippet that was not producing the expected output. To accomplish this, the intern conducted a systematic analysis of the code, identifying errors, logical issues, or potential bugs that could be causing the unexpected behavior. By leveraging their proficiency in SuiteScript 2.0, the intern applied debugging techniques such as code inspection, logging, and step-by-step execution to isolate and fix the problem. Through their careful testing and troubleshooting, the intern aimed to rectify the issues and ensure the code performs as intended.

Phase 3 Work Immersion

During the Phase 3 work immersion, the student intern had the privilege of being deployed in CloudTech, a partner company of Fasttrack Solutions Inc. and an esteemed Implementation Partner of Oracle Netsuite Philippines (See Figure 10). As a member of the NetSuite Business Group department, I was primarily assigned tasks related to NetSuite ERP implementation and enhancements. While my initial responsibilities were centered around producing printouts, it is important to note that his upcoming tasks will encompass a diverse range of assignments, providing him with valuable experience in various areas of NetSuite ERP.

In the production of printouts, he focused on tasks involving the creation and management of transaction forms and advanced PDF/HTML templates. This required attention to detail to ensure that the generated printouts aligned with the branding and specific requirements of our client, Kambi. By configuring templates in WYSIWYG mode, adjusting layouts using HTML source code, and incorporating pertinent information through record mapping, he honed his skills in delivering customized printout solutions tailored to meet the needs of their clients.

As he looks forward to future tasks, he is excited about the prospect of exploring different areas within NetSuite ERP implementation and enhancements. He will be getting involved in producing workflows, which involves streamlining and optimizing business processes within the NetSuite system.

Additionally, he is eager to delve into scripting using SuiteScript 2.0, enabling him to extend the functionality of NetSuite ERP through custom scripting and automation.

Furthermore, he is also eager to attend and contribute to User Acceptance Testing (UAT) phases of their clients, playing an active role in ensuring that the configured NetSuite ERP system meets the expectations and requirements of their clients.

While he has not yet had the opportunity to engage in these specific tasks, he is confident that his upcoming assignments will provide him with the hands-on experience and skills necessary to excel as a technical consultant. The diverse range of tasks he will undertake in NetSuite ERP implementation and enhancements will undoubtedly contribute to his professional growth and proficiency in this field. The student intern is grateful for the opportunity to expand his knowledge and expertise as he continue his work immersion with CloudTech and the NetSuite Business Group.

Synthesis of the Practicum Engagement

The student intern embarked on a learning journey that encompassed various phases, each contributing to his growth and development. Throughout the process, the intern adopted a proactive and immersive learning style, actively engaging with the training materials and hands-on experiences. As he progressed, he made several realizations about their skills, interests, and the practical applications of their knowledge.

During Phase 1 Training, the student intern recognized the importance of building a strong foundation in both technical and soft skills. They embraced a comprehensive approach, delving into diverse disciplines such as programming, cloud computing, database management, accounting, and advanced Excel techniques. This exposure allowed them to grasp fundamental concepts and develop a well-rounded skill set. They realized that their passion for problem-solving and logical thinking was well-suited for the field of technology.

Moving into Phase 2 Training, focused on Oracle Netsuite, the student intern approached the specialized courses with enthusiasm and a thirst for in-depth knowledge. As he delved into Netsuite's features and functionalities, he realized the power of ERP systems in streamlining business processes. He grasped the significance of customization capabilities using SuiteScript and advanced PDF/HTML templates, enabling them to tailor Netsuite to meet specific organizational requirements. These realizations sparked their interest in ERP implementation and customization, motivating them to explore further.

The Case Study in Phase 3 presented the intern with practical scenarios to apply his newfound knowledge and skills. As he worked on tasks like updating printout templates and debugging code snippets, he realized the value of their training and its direct applicability in real-world situations. This hands-on experience provided them with a deeper understanding of the challenges and problem-solving techniques required in a professional setting. He also recognized the importance of attention to detail and the impact of customization on enhancing user experience and meeting client expectations.

During the work immersion phase at CloudTech, the student intern's realization of his growing proficiency in Netsuite ERP implementation was a significant milestone. They recognized their ability to create customized solutions for clients, such as producing printouts and implementing workflows. This realization instilled confidence in his skills and reaffirmed his career aspirations in the technology consulting field and the business side of the IT industry. He understood the value of continuous learning and the need to stay updated with emerging technologies and industry trends.

Overall, the student intern's learning journey was characterized by a proactive and immersive learning style. Through his engagement with the training materials, hands-on experiences, and practical applications, they gained valuable insights into their skills, interests, and the potential of his knowledge in the dynamic field of technology and consulting. His realizations fueled their enthusiasm for further skill enhancement and professional growth, laying a solid foundation for their future endeavors.