5.SEATWORK

 Imagine that you are conducting a field based research project for your ERP class in a small local business. Assume that the business is a custom furniture manufacturer. In the course of your project, you tell the owner that you are using SAP B1 in your ERP class. The owner asks if he should be using SAP or some other ERP system in his business. What would be your response? What questions would you ask or what information would you need to answer that question?

SAP is quite extensive and designed on best practices but how to handle the implementation is the key and most of the implementations fails because they dont evaluate product , features and plan the project carefully.The implementer plays vital role in SAP projects.SAP as a product is robust , secure and can give insight of your business and eliminates gaps in business process if its planned , designed and implemented properly.For growing small to midsized enterprises (SMEs) or large enterprises with new subsidiaries, success depends on access to critical business information for informed decision-making to seize new market opportunities and stay competitive.As your business continues to grow, so does the requirement for access to accurate and timely information. With key pieces of information residing in spreadsheets, different systems or within a small business accounting package, your business is faced with efficiency challenges that create bottlenecks, tie up cash flow, and reduce profitability.To stay competitive, you need an integrated Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software solution that streamlines your business processes and provides real-time access to the information you need to make better business decisions that 

4.)SEATWORK

4. Choose a familiar Web Site, such as Dell, Amazon, and so on. Describe the order – to – cash process from the customer’s perspective as illustrated by that site.

The importance of outsourcing the order-to-cash cycle transcends the reduction in cost by bringing working capital in desirable condition. By giving boost to working capital, deals can be helpful to company in improving its debt-to-equity ratio, in reducing its external financing needs and in enhancing its credit ratings. In order to reinforce A/R functions and improve cash position, more and more businesses are moving towards to third-party service providers. There is inclusive set of A/R functions, often term as order-to-cash cycle, in which people are increasingly outsourcing their full range of accounts receivable processes: order management; credit; invoicing; collections; dispute management; cash application; and, in some cases, reporting and analysis. The order-to-cash cycle kickstart with a customer credit check and concludes when the customer's payment is received.Order-to-cash outsourcing arrangements improve the A/R process in such a way that it delivers much more than the efficiency gains. According to the notion of advocate,” It's not just about cost per transaction; it's also about making sure that you are accelerating working capital."Transferring the order-to-cash cycle to a third-party provider may be a huge challenge to go through but it offers potentially hefty rewards. The F&A outsourcing growth curve is still in its early stages, and order-to-cash outsourcing has taken pledge to fuel that growth.Order management: percentage of orders received electronically, percentage of customer calls taken on initial contact and number of order input errors Credit management: average credit approval cycle time and percentage of debtOrder fulfillment: percentage of orders delivered to customers in full quantity at the specified time Invoicing: percentage of invoice accuracy (i.e., the proportion of invoices with invoice errors relative to the total number of invoices raised); percentage of invoices requiring manual intervention; and percentage of invoices issued electronically Cash collection: percentage of cash collected within agreed credit terms (excluding invoices subject to customer query) and percentage of cash collected electronically.To reap these benefits, finance executives need to master the intricacy of the order-to-cash cycle, which tends to cross several corporate functions and which varies, sometimes significantly, from one business to another. Yet, they must remain highly sensitive to customer satisfaction metrics as many A/R processes directly touch customers and the revenue they deliver.

3,SEATWORK

3. Conduct research on an ERP package, such as Microsoft Dynamics GP or Microsoft Dynamics NAV, for small – to – medium sized (SME) organizations (between $30m and $ 1b in revenue). Compare that package for available modules, functionality, and so on to the SAP system.

1C was founded in 1991 by Boris Nuraliev in Moscow, Russia. The company goal was to provide a software solution to business owners giving them a system that required little or no accounting and development experience.

Both Akella's Sea Dog studio and 1C:Ino-Co (founded as Ino-Co) were acquired in 2007, and 1C Company began to take substantial steps aimed at expansion into the North American video gaming market with distribution deals with Atari, and an appearance at E3 2007.In 2008 the company signed deals for exclusive rights to distribute PC and console games in Russia and CIS countries with titles by Electronic Arts and Gamecock Media Group,and began to offer games for online distribution. By 2009, 1C owned and operated 280 stores with another 4000 franchises based on the 1C license in 600 locations across the former Soviet bloc, and in February of the same year 1C merged with SoftClub (the largest Russian console game publisher and distibutor).

In October 2011, 1C Company secured $200m from Baring Vostok Capital Fund and launched an international service for developers entitled 1C:Developer Network (1C:DN).

2.SEATWORK

2. Conduct research on an ERP package other than SAP that would be suitable for a large organization (>Php 1 billion in revenue) and compare the modules that it has to SAP modules.

While virtually unknown in the West, 1C:Enterprise is a market leader in Russia. The comprehensive suite, current version being 8.2.18, includes Accounting, Contact Management, Inventory Management, Document Management, Web Client, and more. The suite is used by tens of thousands of Russian corporations. 1C was one of the first Russian private companies to be awarded with the Russian Federation Government Award in Science in 2002 for development and implementation of 1C:Enterprise.one of the largest independent Russian software developers and publishers. Its headquarters are in Moscow,Russia. It is best known outside of Russia as a video game developer whose presence has come to dominate events like the KRI, and whose products have begun to show up for international platforms like the Xbox. On the internal Russian market, 1C is considered a leader in business software as well, however game software represents 98% of the 13 tons of software they have been reported as shipping daily.

1C's comprehensive business software suite 1C:Предприятие (1C:Predpriyatiye, 1C:Enterprise) has held an overwhelming market share for over a decade. 1C is also a leader in localizing and publishing Russian-language versions of international software. For instance, more than half of popular Western video games are licensed and published by 1C. The company has over 700 employees, 10,000 business partners, 4,500 authorized retailers, 1,200 training centers, 200 authorized certification locations and over 280 stores in 100 cities. The company goal was to provide a software solution to business owners giving them a system that required little or no accounting and development experience.

Both Akella's Sea Dog studio and 1C:Ino-Co (founded as Ino-Co) were acquired in 2007, and 1C Company began to take substantial steps aimed at expansion into the North American video gaming market with distribution deals with Atari, and an appearance at E3 2007.In 2008 the company signed deals for exclusive rights to distribute PC and console games in Russia and CIS countries with titles by Electronic Arts and Gamecock Media Group, and began to offer games for online distribution. By 2009, 1C owned and operated 280 stores with another 4000 franchises based on the 1C license in 600 locations across the former Soviet bloc, and in February of the same year 1C merged with SoftClub (the largest Russian console game publisher and distibutor).

In October 2011, 1C Company secured $200m from Baring Vostok Capital Fund and launched an international service for developers entitled 1C:Developer Network (1C:DN).

1.SEATWORK

1. Conduct research on the Web Sites of either CIO Magazine or CFO Magazine for stories about ERP implementation successes and failures. Using specific examples, describe the reasons for the successes and failures. What conclusions can be reached?

Purpose - Enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems are software packages that allow companies to have more real time visibility and control over their operations. This paper aims to investigate and analyze common circumstances that occur within most ERP projects, and determines the areas that are key to success versus those that contribute to failure.the significant benefits of implementation, and identify the missteps (which may lead to failure)/steps to success in implementing an ERP system.

Enterprise resource planning (ERP) is an enterprise-wide information system that integrates and controls all the business processes in the entire organization.   According to Muscatello and Chen, “a typical ERP system integrates all of a company’s functions by allowing the modules to share and transfer information freely.”   The information is centralized in a single relational database accessible by all modules, eliminating the need for multiple entries of the same data.   An ERP system allows management to understand what is happening with customers, suppliers, and employees.

There are four components to an ERP system: ERP software, business processes, the users, and hardware/operating systems.   The ERP software is the first component and core of the ERP system.   The ERP software consists of modules and each module provides unique functionality for a specific business process.   Some of the modules are accounts payable, asset accounting, financial accounting, general ledger, human resources, material management, plant maintenance, project systems, and travel management.   Business processes is the next component to an ERP system.   There are three levels to business processes: management control, operational control, and strategic planning.   ERP streamlines and supports business processes at all three levels.   The users are an important component because they input data into the ERP and use the information to make decisions.   Hardware/operating systems are another vital within an ERP system. The software should be designed specifically for the industry it is being used in. ERP implementation is a very in-depth process that affects most, if not all aspects of your business, and choosing the wrong software could ruin your ERP implementation attempts before they really start.

I conclude that Changing software means changing processes, procedures and even policy. Organizations willing to change are most successful with ERP implementations. Change must be accepted and communicated from the top of the organization to the bottom.A good plan is the foundation to any project. Set clear attainable goals, identify the right people to involve and set a reasonable time line.The key to long-term success with ERP is that all functional areas participate in the implementation even if only certain applications are deployed first. It's important that those who will use the new system every day accept it. If employees are not properly trained to use the new system, the lack of understanding could lead to disdain for the new way of doing things. New methods take some getting used to, which some employees may adjust to better than others. If your employees fail to come around, though, it may lead to failure.

LAB Act #1 : ERP Systems

2 Proprietary ERP Software

1.)mySAP from SAP

a.)features/description

SAP R/3 through version 4.6c consisted of various applications on top of SAP Basis, SAP's set of middleware programs and tools. When SAP R/3 Enterprise was launched in 2002, all applications were built on top of the SAP Web Application Server. Extension sets were used to deliver new features and keep the core as stable as possible. The Web Application Server contained all the capabilities of SAP Basis.

b.)Modules available for the ERP Systems and give a short description

1.     Basis

2.     ABAP/4 Programming

3.     FI (Financial Accounting)

4.     CO (Controlling)

5.     EC (Enterprise Controlling)

c.)Industries served by the ERP System

• Aerospace and defense

• Automotive

• Banking

• Chemicals

• Consumer products

• Engineering, construction, and operations

• Financial service providers

• Healthcare

• High tech

• Higher education and research

• Industrial machinery and components

• Insurance

• Media

• Mill products

• Mining

• Oil and gas

• Pharmaceuticals

• Professional services

• Public sector

• Retail

• Service providers

• Telecommunications

• Utilities

d.)Programming languages

ABAP programming language, but also uses C (programming language), C++, and Java EE.,

e.)reference links

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SAP_ERP

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SAP_NetWeaver

2.)Coda Financials from Unit4

a.)Coda Financials is an award-winning suite of best-of-class financial management software designed to integrate with your industry- and company-specific applications. Our solution provides real-time financial visibility and control across people, processes and systems.

By acting as the financial information backbone for companies with fast-changing and mixed application environments, it offers a "no compromise" approach to financial modelling, process controls and application choice.

features

• unparalleled interoperability 
• a single financial model

b.)Modules available for the ERP Systems and give a short description

 Coda Financials is a powerful accounting and financial management application that supports all the major functions that any organization requires; however, some specifics offer additional capabilities to users. First of all, Coda Financials is a single ledger package, which means all the typical modules of GL, AP, AR, etc. are part of the same data structure and the data is always live.

c.)Industries served by the ERP System

Raven Industries

d.) Programming languages

C++, and Java EE.,

e.)reference links

http://www.unit4.com/products/coda ,http://www.erpsystem.net/proprietary-erp-software/

http://www.erpsystem.net/proprietary-erp-software/

2 OPEN SOURCE

1.)Adaxa Suite

a.)features/description

daxa Suite is an ERP Suite which is open source and fully integrated. It’s released under the GPL/GPL2 license, with its code being contributed to the community.

Adaxa Suite is being used in a variety of situations. Among the fields and industries where it’s being used, you can find eCommerce, Retail, Electrical, Government, Services, Manufacture of Agricultural Chemicals, Supply Chain, Distribution, Electronics, Law, Scientific Instruments, Banking and so on.

As for the business areas which are covered by this software, you will find the Integrated POS (Point of Sale), CRM (Customer Relationship Management), Asset Management, SCM (Supply Chain Management), Integrated Webstores (such as eGility) and MRP (Material Requirement Planning).

b.)Modules available for the ERP Systems and give a short description

As for the business areas which are covered by this software, you will find the Integrated POS (Point of Sale), CRM (Customer Relationship Management), Asset Management, SCM (Supply Chain Management), Integrated Webstores (such as eGility) and MRP (Material Requirement Planning).

c.)Industries served by the ERP System

eCommerce, Retail, Electrical, Government, Services, Manufacture of Agricultural Chemicals, Supply Chain, Distribution, Electronics, Law, Scientific Instruments, Banking and so on.

d.)Programming languages

C++, and Java EE.,

e.)reference links

http://www.erpsystem.net/open-source-erp-software/adaxa-suite/

2.)ADempiere

a.)features/description 

ADempiere is an ERP software package, which is available as open source. The meaning of the name is “to accomplish” in Italian. The license under which ADempiere is available is GNU GPL.

The origins of ADempiere can be traced back to the second half of 2006, when there was a disagreement between the corporate sponsor of the Compiere ERP and the community of developers which were working on it. The result was that the community started working on its own Compiere fork.