Main Cause Hinder Implementation of Enterprise Essay Example for Free

Main Cause Hinder Implementation of Enterprise Essay 1. Background: Thirty years ago, companies started to develop software to automate their business functions. Enterprise Resourcing planning (ERP) evolved from  Material Requirement Planning (MRP) systems which were created to support inventory functions. MRP system later expanded to support manufacturing tasks, then merged with accounting systems to become ERP software (Jutras, 2011). 2. Definition: Enterprise Resourcing planning ERP is software package to integrate internal and external company’s business functions such as accounting, supply chain and human resources (Wong, Scarbrough, Chau, Davison, 2005). (Typical functionality is summarised in Figure 3. 1). [pic] Figure 3.1: Module Functionality Overview of an ERP System, Source: Adam Sammon (2003). The implementation of ERP consists of all tasks needed to achieve the ERP, start from getting the software and hardware until working properly on that software. ERP implementation goes through interconnecting phases. Those phases start from gathering all information about the current business process and applying that on the software, then testing phase to ensure the software is working accurately. Furthermore, ERP phases like any project may be execute sequentially such as business analysis should come before business setup or may be overlapped with each other such as user training can start at same time with business analysis (Wong, Scarbrough, Chau, Davison, 2005). ERP software is installed in a centralised database to be available to all company’s departments which all information can be accessible at anytime from anywhere. Moreover, consolidate data in one single installation can increase data integrity, avoid data redundancy because the main function for the software that to prevent the duplication. ERP has built based on standard business process which can improve internal business functions for the companies apply the ERP software (Zhang, 2005). 3. Research Methodology 1. Primary research: The primary data for this project was collected using the questionnaire. The questions focused on the implementation cost as a main factor involved in the ERP implementation. In addition the questions tracked other factors can hinder implementing the ERP software such as business analysis, management, technologies and training. The questionnaire sent via emails to over than 140 respondents from different companies providing ERP implementation services, 82 respondents answered the questionnaire. Moreover, the sample selected to represent various regions over the world such as the US, the UK, the Middle East and India. Also respondents were chosen in random from many levels such as project managers, business analysts and pre-sales specialists to collect different ideas from different positions. 2. Secondary research: The main source for secondary data collected which studies conducted in the same subject. Those research contain data about most recent reasons can fail ERP as well as case studies in many companies such as Hershey Foods Corporation. Also secondary data collected from: A. Internet: Sites of all ERP provider where can find updated information about the ERP products such Oracle and SAP sites. Also some sites include articles about ERP failure reasons. B. Books: which contain basics information about ERP software and implementation methods. C. Newspapers and business journals. 4. Findings 1. Findings from the secondary research: Companies spend the money for implementing the ERP software to automating their business which can accelerate the process time. In addition the main target of ERP software that to integrating business functions such as supply chain functions with accounting functions (Mehta, 2010, Davenport, 1998). Moreover after the supplier delivers items to inventory department the next step is to collect the money from the accounting department. Therefore, all information about quantities delivered and accepted inside the store should be shared and secured to the accounting department before pay the money (J.Umble, Haft, M.Umble, 2003). Although, ERP provides a significant improvement, there are frequent studies indicating that companies stopped using the ERP or cancelled implementation task due critical problems faced during the business analysis, training and testing process (Hawari, Heeks, 2010). Consequently, from 50% to 75% of the ERP projects are ended (Hawari, Heeks, 2010). Contrary to expectation in current study hypothesis that the cost is the main cause hindering implementation of the ERP software, this study found there were other significant factors than the cost. The first and substantial factor which can prevent the ERP implementation is the business analysis phase. Because of company’s business process unclearly, the implementation of business functions on the ERP software becomes different than the original needs. The second factor can fail the ERP implementation is the management in consultancy companies who lead the project as well as the companies who apply the ERP software. The former are hiring poor project managers which can underestimate the scope, size and complexity of the project and the later have top management which not committed to applying the ERP software (J.Umble, Haft, M.Umble, 2003). Also, turnover of project personnel such as project managers, consultants and employees in the customer site after the project started which lose key staff experienced with the project and may be the new staff can request more changings (Markus, Axline, Petrie, Tanis, 2000). The third factor is inadequate  training due users did not get enough practice on the new software which affects the operation of the ERP (Ligus, 2007). The cost of ERP implementation comes lately as a factor might fail the ERP implementation (Ligus, 2007). According to Aberdeen group (Jutras, 2008) the average total cost for ERP implementation is $366.583 for company size under $50 million and 35 average users, which including software licenses cost, implementation services cost and maintenance cost. The last factor can hinder the ERP implementation is the hardware and software technology. Moreover, technologies have been changing rapidly which means that the current hardware and software should sustain the upgrades and need new installations. As a result, more upgrades can reflect miss integration with other systems or data loss as well. 2. Findings from the primary research: Firstly, the participants were asked about the cost elements can fail the ERP implementation, 55% of respondents agreed that the software costs are too high, followed by strongly agree, disagree, 33% and 12% respectively. Moreover, the second element is the hardware cost, 51% respondents agreed that the hardware cost is too expensive. While, 34% thought the cost is not expensive. In addition, for the third element, it appears the respondents were distributed equality which 49% agreed that the upgrade costs too high and other 49% disagreed with that element. Also, for the training, 59% of participants disagreed that training cost is too high. However, 33% agreed that the cost is too high. The last element is the cost of skilled employees, by combining answers of strongly agree and agree, the result show that 81% of the sample believed that companies need to hire skilled employees with high salary. Regarding to the next question, about 91% respondents opposed that the software is difficult. In addition, 72% thought that unskilled employees might fail the ERP implementation. As far as the third question whether the ERP implementation influenced by the technologies, answers almost distributed between agree and disagree  for all elements that software updates, hardware Obsolescence, software Incompatibility and integration fails with other third party applications. In terms of question number four, this finding was unexpected and suggests that the business analysis factor is substantial for the ERP implementation failure where 80% of respondents answered that customers do not deliver enough or wrong information about their business process. Also, 92% thought that business processes are not clear in the company which reflects wrong implementation and 90% of the sample concerned that more changes during implementation time could effect on the ERP implementation. Another important finding was that largest set of significant respondents agreed with the management is the most important factor could hinder the ERP implementation where 97% of respondents said the lack of top management commitment had negative consequence on the ERP implementation and 98% believe that inefficient project controlling could prevent the ERP implementation. 5. Discussion 1. Discussion explanation: Based on results indicated from the primary and secondary research, there are five common factors failing the ERP implementation. Moreover, this research reveals that inefficient management is the first and most critical factor. Because of companies assign the project to staff members do not have enough information about current ERP characteristics or without defining company requirements. As a result, poor ERP package will be selected (Ligus, 2007). In addition, 97% of respondents agreed that the lack of top management commitments have an effect on the ERP projects, owing to the fact that, the top management delegates the controlling to the lower level, consequently, conflict of communication between the company and consultants can be happened. Another important factor is the business analysis phase. Due to business processes are unclear, more changes during the implementation process will be required. Apart from the business analysis  factor, consultancy companies are not providing experienced consultants or the turnover during the project because the salary of experienced consultant is too high or they want to reduce the project cost. Based on the result collected from the primary research, the cost factor came as a third reason has an effect on the ERP implementation. Whereas, the finding from the secondary research indicated that the cost factors is the last reason might prevent the ERP projects. Because of companies can pay to get more benefits of the ERP software that can improve their business processes and services. This means that the cost. The next factor might fail the ERP implementation is the training, 91% of respondent disagree that the software is difficult and the reason might affect the ERP implementation that companies hire unskilled employees. Consequently, they cannot use or understand the software. Also, (Ligus, 2007) believes that companies attempt to save dollars by hire inadequate resources or working on overtime basis. As far as the technology factor, results collected from the primary research spread equally between agree and disagree. Due to the fact that companies do not upgrade the ERP software frequently, they did not face problems with the software updates and the hardware. 2. Limitation on research: †¢ Number of samples did not represent all countries fairly. †¢ The questions did not mention company’s business size, which could effect on answers. †¢ Questionnaire did not deliver to all specialists’ equally. †¢ No more information about the ERP implementation costs for all products available which can compare between them. †¢ No more studies about ERP products and technologies for last two years in comparison to two years earlier, which can measure weather the software and hardware improved. 6. Conclusion 1. Conclusion explanation: The aim of this study to examine whether the cost is a major problem can hinder implementing the ERP software. Findings show that there are other critical factors can prevent the ERP implementation which can be summarised from the most critical to less critical factor as poor management, unclear business process then the cost factor came as a third reason can hinder the ERP implementation then inadequate training and the last factor is hardware and software technologies. But with more analysis for the output which can explore chain of factors can affect each other. Owing to poor management, unskilled managers will defect the ERP project and companies should pay more salaries to hire skilled managers. As a result, poor ERP will be selected. Moreover, the problem started from the cost of hiring skilled managers. In addition, Due to consultancy companies want to deliver the implementation services with low cost to compete with other companies, they hiring inexpert consultants because of the salary. In conclusion that, the cost is the major factor can hinder implementing the ERP software but with indirect consequence. 2. Recommendations: Companies only installing a hardware with ERP software, but are in fact, changing the culture of management and improve the business process are essential before implement the ERP software (Davenport, 2000). Regarding to the primary research, there are some points need to mention in the future: †¢ Number of samples should represented many countries based on some factors such as number of software usage, area and business volume. Namely, the US should represented by at least 520 respondents, 52 states*10 samples. †¢ Business size should be indicated in the questionnaire. The need of software varies from small, medium and large business. In addition,  employee skills are difference referring to the business size. Also, medium and large business size can pay more for the ERP software than the small business size. †¢ Questionnaire should be targeted the specialization. Information available to the sales specialists is about prices and they do not have more information about the business or management problems which can be collected from the project managers and consultants. 7. References and bibliography Adam, F. Sammon, D. (2003),The Enterprise Resource Planning Decade: Lessons Learned and Issues for the Future. Idea Group Publishing: Hershey. Ada,W., Harry, S., Patrick, K., Robert D., (2005). Critical Failure Factors in ERP Implementation. Ligus, G., (2007), 12 Cardinal Sins of ERP Implementation. Rockford Consulting Group LTD. IL.US Jutras, C. (2011), An ERP history. Retrieved from (http://www.mbtmag.com/articles/2011/08/erp-history-lesson)(23 Aug, 2012). Markus, L., Axline, S., Petrie, D. Tanis, C. (2000). Learning from Adopters Experience with ERP Problems Encountered and Success Achieved. Journal of Information Technology. 15(2). PP 245-265. Mehta, A. (2010), A Study on Critical Success Factors for Successful ERP Implementation at Indian SMEs. Dissertation for Master of Philosophy in Management. Muscatello, J. Parente, D. (2006), Enterprise resource planning (ERP): a post implementation cross-case analysis, Information Resources Management Journal, Vol. 19 No. 3, pp. 61-80. Parr, A. Shanks, G. (2000), A model of ERP project implementation. Journal of Information Technology 15(2). PP 289-303. Shanks, G., Seddon, B., Leslie, P. Willcocks (2003), Second-Wave Enterprise Resource Planning Systems Implementing for Effectiveness.

A Capitalist Economy vs Socialist Economy Essay -- Capitalist Economic

A Capitalist Economy vs Socialist Economy There are a variety of economic systems today, which can influence how prosperous we will be as individuals or as a group. Socialism is an economic system where the government will be greatly involved in the economy. In a socialist economy the government can control many industries, provide public institutions such as health care and education, and equalize incomes of the population. A socialist economy is one of low unemployment and stability, where the government sets production quotas and price regulation upon their perception of the needs of the economy. On the other hand, a capitalistic economy is an economic system where there is a very limited amount of government involvement. The capitalistic economy is based on the demand of consumers and the supply of producers. There is a great advantage of living in a nation where there is a low amount of government intervention in the economy, because government intervention reduces the freedom of markets, causes a slow growing economy, and exploits the consumers in the economy. Firstly, high government intervention reduces the freedom of the markets. When the government controls an economy, the population is taxed in order to fund national programs. Taxing the consumers of the economy will reduce the personal spending, therefore causing the economy to grow in areas of public service such as education and health care instead of technology and fashion. Furthermore, the industries in a social economy are directed by quotas, which is production targets set by the government. The quotas don’t often represent the need in the economy, therefore causing a surplus or a deficit of products, which leads to small profits.... ...ions placed on industries in a social economy will affect the price, variety, and quality of products produced in their economy. In conclusion, there is a great advantage of living in a nation where there is a low amount of government intervention in the economy, because government intervention reduces the freedom of markets, causes a slow growing economy, and exploits the consumers in the economy. Capitalism provides a marketplace where industries compete in order attract more consumers, therefore providing more efficient, qualitative and plenty of variety for consumers. This efficiency, quality, and variety will help the economy grow in whatever way it wants to, making capitalism the most flexible economic systems. The nature of human beings is, one is satisfied, when he/she has provided the necessities for himself first, then the people around him.

Equal in the workplace for men and women Essay

First of all, I find it imperative to emphasize the characteristics that make women and men so different. It’s more than obvious that by nature’s default, women and men were given different features. In fact, people are having their own particularities that make each individual unique. Only known facts so far, but what I need to say is that these natural differences can’t be allowed to be the reason of social discrimination. And if the education system has become more and more efficient, providing women the opportunity to learn and specialize in many fields, statistics still say that the number of excellent specialists is smaller for women than for men. But we must ask ourselves why this is happening. Could women be less native gifted? Or could it be the social pressure that doesn’t allow them to express themselves? Or may the statistics research have been made by the men who do not wish to lose their supremacy? It’s difficult to answer. And even if women have better scores when it comes to school, men are always ranked better and have a higher prestige. For example, a male engineer is often more appreciated than a female engineer. Next, work is still discriminating for the two sexes, even if the discrimination is not an official one. These inequalities are also present in the private life, as women are the victims of a pervert social progress. For example, even if women are more independent in their couple life, there will be more single and divorced women due to that. One of them could be the fact that working women don’t have time for a successful private life. Another reason could be the fact that some men feel intimidated by some women’s qualities and can’t stand being inferior to them. At the same time there is a fragile compatibility between motherhood and career and the family policies that exist encourage women to give up working for a domestic way of living. This way, women find themselves forced to give up their independence. But even a family life without having children means compromise to women. It’s natural for the women who have a full-time job not to have the strength to do all that housewives do. The woman’s duties at home are more numerous than the men’s, but at the same time, the equality between women and men  force them to work the same time and way at their jobs. This situation is due to the fact that there are still a lot of men who think in the terms of the patriarchate system. There are also men who treat women socially right, but this situation isn’t quite the happiest, as they somehow forget their manners or act thinking something like: † If we’re equal and we do our own laundry, why should I hold her coat or open the door for her?!† This is also an abnormal situation. While in the first case the problem was that women were equal to men only when it came to work, in the second one the issue is about the equality that takes away women’s right of being respected as women. Women have entered the workforce and have risen in the ranks, but they still haven’t become male clones. Indeed, men and women can be just as different in the professional world as they are in their personal lives. What executives are just beginning to understand is that these differences can be great for business. Women and men are not equal in the workplace. The differences between constitutions In general, men are more interested in objects and things rather than people and feelings. They like doing things by themselves is a symbol of efficiency, power and competence. A women value love, communication, beauty and relationships. A woman’s sense of self is defined through their feelings and the quality of their relationships. They spend much time supporting, nurturing and helping each other. They experience fulfillment through sharing and relating. Opportunities for promotion I will tended to promote more men than women. I would even generally given men higher salaries. Why? Am I sexist? Do men do a better job? The answer is a resounding no to both. Actually, it is mostly women’s fault. They are too shy and simply don’t ask for raises or promotions as often as men do. Most bosses won’t fire you for saying you’d like to move ahead. Very often bosses don’t even think about who should be advanced and who shouldn’t. They’re busy juggling too many things. You have to sell them on the idea of promoting you. Gender Discrimination Although there are regulations within the workplace there is still discrimination. Women are facing discrimination in their income, unemployment and occupational distribution. Women’s salaries average only 72-88% to men’s salaries. Many types of discrimination in the workplace are partly to blame for the wage gap. Allocate discrimination describes the phenomenon that women are differentially allocated to occupations and establishments that pay lower wages. Sexual Harassment Sexual harassment is a clear form of gender discrimination based on sex, a manifestation of unequal power relations between men and women. An employer forcing an employee to perform sexual favors in exchange for some reward or to avoid negative consequences. Women should not use overt sexuality to get ahead. Occasional mild flirting may have its place, but to be taken seriously, focus on business. Look professional and attractive but not sexy. The same goes for men. Guys who dress too flashily likewise aren’t taken seriously, except in the entertainment world. Women and men are equal in the workplace Equal opportunity in education In the modern world, female and male have equal opportunity for education. Therefore, the knowledge of women will not less than men even more than men. So now in the society, there have a lot of women university graduates. In the past, most of the engineers, doctors, lawyers and businessmen are men while tailors, nurses and teachers are women. The principle are does not to be change. But now they have equal opportunity for education and knowledge so the careers of engineers, doctors, lawyers and businessmen are no longer for mens’ world and women can be also as good in these occupations than men even better than men. Hence, women have an ability to complete with men in the workplace. More careful, calm and conscientious More of the employer prefer to hire women in the work, especially in calculation field because women have more careful, calm and conscientious. Most of the men are more impatient, they do not pay attention to details. As long as there is something get wrong they will feel very irritable. So man’s patience will be less than women. When you cannot deal the things calmly,  the thing will getting more complicated. Therefore, woman’s carefulness, calmness and conscientious will better than man. Mentally strong Women must have strong mental to handle their work. That is because, in the work place they need to challenge with men. They need to become a super woman to secure their ability, position and a lot of pressure from the workplace. When they go back home, they need to change their mental to become a loving mother and gentle wife. In addition to, they need to do a lot of housework and take care about their family. And they do not put any pressure to home from the workplace and do not vent pressure to their family. So women need have strong mental than men to handle it. That is why, women can equal with men in the workplace. Entrepreneurs in business Nowadays, many women have an ability to earn money and be independent in the competitive society. Women have rely on their own ability, interpersonal relationships, knowledge and effort to be a successful entrepreneurs in their own business.

Poverty and Filipino Drug Mules - 3094 Words

Poverty and the Filipino Drug Mules Introduction Among the most admired Filipinos today are the Overseas Filipino Workers or OFWs. They have been dubbed as New Heroes or Bagong Bayani by no less than the late Corazon â€Å"Cory† Aquino because of the way they willingly leave their families and the comforts of home to pursue high-earning jobs abroad. An estimated 8.2 to 11 million Filipinos or 11% of the total Filipino population work in other countries to support their families and to make their dreams of a better life into a reality. But today, the honor and reputation of OFWs have become marred because of controversial drug mules among them who have been arrested in various countries, with a number sentenced to die in China (â€Å"Overseas†,†¦show more content†¦Internal characteristics of the economy also cause poverty. These included lack of adequate resources; inefficient use of resources; low levels of savings; lack of discipline, diligence and entrepreneurship; lack of integration among productive sec tors; sociocultural reasons; and unequal distribution of income. Graft and corruption among national leaders and the presence of multinational and foreign interests that sapped the countrys resources also added to the poverty problem in our country (Tullao, 1993). Facts and Figures As we all know, the Philippines is a third world country with many people living in extreme poverty and want. The poverty problem has been here for a long, long time (â€Å"Overseas†) and it is due to such extreme poverty that many Filipinos have been driven to seek work abroad, only to be tempted to do things such as knowingly or unknowingly becoming drug mules. According to 2011 figures, there were 630 Filipinos who have become involved in drug-related cases worldwide. Derrick Arnold Carreon of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency said that 250 Filipinos are in Chinese prisons alone, with 75 of them in death row (Drug mules†, 2011). The number of Filipinos who are in prison for acting as drug mules seem to indicate that too many Filipinos have been tempted to get much-needed money from international drug syndicates due to poverty. The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs revealed numerous cases involving Filipino drugShow MoreRelatedProject Mgmt296381 Words   |  1186 Pageslimited to the private sector. Project management is also a vehicle for doing good deeds and solving social problems. Endeavors such as providing emergency aid to the Gulf Coast devastated by hurricane Katrina, devising a strategy for reducing crime and drug abuse within a city, or organizing a community effort to renovate a public playground would and do benefit from the application of modern project management skills and techniques. Perhaps the best indicator of demand for project management can be seen