Factors influencing ERP projects success in the vendor selection process

Successful implementation of an ERP system is the result of knowledgeable and dedicated people working together. It entails company-wide commitment, openness to change, good planning and experienced guidance. These primary criteria determine the probability of gaining significant return on investment (ROI) from an ERP system. Using these criteria as guidelines during the system selection process and subsequent implementation can ensure that the chosen system will support and enable the business improvements envisioned. Among the numerous critical success factors (CSFs) in the implementation of ERP systems, identified and demonstrated by practitioners and academic researchers in the last few years, we will synthesize and analyze the vendor selection issues, in connection to the implementation aspects, as we consider implementation the essential “ingredient” of the ERP success.ERP implementation, ERP vendor selection process, critical success factors, ROI, ERP success

ERP Selection at Custom Fabrics: A Teaching Case

As firms try to replace outdated legacy systems and modernize their information systems, they seriously consider implementing Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) packages. However, the firm selecting an ERP vendor is faced with several difficult issues besides the typical issues of software vendor selection, and the process is fraught with risks. Such issues include: the degree of fit of the package with existing business processes, the possible restructuring of the business, and the degree of business integration. In addition, the typical factors include vendor selection criteria as well as the management of the selection process. In this case, Custom Fabrics wrestled with many of the issues either implicitly or explicitly. The case describes many of the objective and subjective processes Custom Fabrics went through. In spite of much care and attention to the process, what is interesting is that in the end Custom Fabrics reversed its original decision

Understanding Knowledge Flow Dynamics during the Pre-implementation Phase of an Enterprise Resource Planning Project

Knowledge flows unevenly throughout an organization and the problem is that the fundamental dynamics of these flows are still not well characterized in theoretical and computational models. This study built on existing work-”knowledge-flow theory, need knowledge generation, and the critical success factors for enterprise resource planning implementation-”to examine the multidimensional knowledge-flow phenomenon in context, using the case study methodology to collect three sources of evidence-”project-related documentation, internal archival records, and open-ended interviews-”to address the research question: How can need knowledge and its flow across different stakeholders in an organization be explained using a multidimensional knowledge-flow model

Multidimensional Knowledge Flow Dynamics in Context

Knowledge is a sustainable advantage and knowledge assets can increase value with use. A snowball effect of knowledge advantage advocates effective knowledge management and fosters its continual growth as it flows. Knowledge, however, flows unevenly throughout an organization and the problem is that the fundamental dynamics of these flows are still not well characterized in theoretical and computational models. This study built on existing work—knowledge-flow theory, need knowledge generation, and the critical success factors for enterprise resource planning implementation—to examine the multidimensional knowledge-flow phenomenon in context, and used the case study methodology for knowledge-flow theory building. The research question was two-pronged: how can need knowledge and its flow across stakeholders within an organization be explained using a multidimensional knowledge-flow model and how can Nissen’s five-dimensional knowledge-flow model be validated using a real-life immersion case? The researcher relied on three sources of evidence for this case study: project-related documentation, archival records, and interviews. Data triangulation yielded three results components: (a) a chronology of key events that obstructed knowledge flow, (b) a logic model depicting themes that contributed to knowledge-flow obstruction, and (c) explanations of the knowledge-flow patterns. This case study suggested enabling need knowledge determinants and obstructing conditions are in play that determine the path of need knowledge flow. These two research artifacts should be considered together to provide a fresh research avenue towards better understanding of knowledge flow dynamics

ERP inside Large Organizations

Many large companies in Romania are still functioning without an ERP system. Instead they are using traditional application systems built around the strong boundaries of specific functions: finance, selling, HR, production. An ERP will offer lots of advantages among which the integration of functionalities and support for top management decisions. Although the total cost of ownership is not small and there are some risks when implementing an ERP inside large and very large organizations, having such a system is mandatory. Choosing the right product and vendor and using a correct risk management strategy, will ensure a successful implementation.Enterprise Functions, ERP Functionalities, Process Lines and Solutions, Cost Implementation, Total Cost of Ownership, Risk Management, Active Global Support, ERP Advantages, Success Factors, Return of Investment

e-Procurement by Local Governments in Tennessee

https://digitalcommons.memphis.edu/govpubs-tn-advisory-commission-intergovernmental-relations-miscellaneous-reports/1014/thumbnail.jp

Road Pricing: The Potential for Comparative Monitoring. A Report to the London Planning Advisory Committee.

This study was designed to review the proposals for road user charging in the Randstad, Stockholm, Oslo and Singapore, to determine the intentions for monitoring of each of these proposed schemes, to assess the implications for the development of policy in London, and to identify any opportunities for obtaining experience which would help in clarifying the uncertainties associated with proposals for road pricing in London. The study reviewed the objectives and operational requirements for road pricing in London and the criticisms levelled against such proposals. On this basis it developed a series of requirements for monitoring and information gathering to help clarify the outstanding uncertainties. These were used as a check list for a series of discussions with those responsible for proposals in the case study cities. Discussions indicated that the proposals in most cities had changed markedly in the period since the study was commissioned. These changes, and the resulting nature of the proposals, meant that only the proposals for Stockholm were sufficiently similar to those in London to justify collaborative monitoring. The report recommends that such collaboration be developed. However, both the Randstad and Oslo schemes offer the opportunity for obtaining information on actual or predicted user response, while the Singapore proposals will provide valuable experience of new technology. It is recommended that all of these are pursued. The discussions highlighted several lessons of direct relevance to the development of policy in London. In particular it is seen as important to keep the specification of the measures simple; to pursue extensive consultation with those who might be affected and with all political parties and government bodies who might be involved in policy decisions; to provide clear guidance on the anticipated uses of the revenue: and to develop a system which is implemented flexibly, so that problems can be remedied as they arise. In this context, the role of assessment and monitoring is limited. It should not be used to delay decisions; however, once a commitment is made to proceed, experience from elsewhere will be of value in informing the consultations. A carefully designed monitoring programme will be important in assessing and enhancing a scheme once implemented. It is recommended that the monitoring programme should be based on the requirements identified in this report

Service Orientation and the Smart Grid state and trends

The energy market is undergoing major changes, the most notable of which is the transition from a hierarchical closed system toward a more open one highly based on a “smart” information-rich infrastructure. This transition calls for new information and communication technologies infrastructures and standards to support it. In this paper, we review the current state of affairs and the actual technologies with respect to such transition. Additionally, we highlight the contact points between the needs of the future grid and the advantages brought by service-oriented architectures.

From supply chains to demand networks. Agents in retailing: the electrical bazaar

A paradigm shift is taking place in logistics. The focus is changing from operational effectiveness to adaptation. Supply Chains will develop into networks that will adapt to consumer demand in almost real time. Time to market, capacity of adaptation and enrichment of customer experience seem to be the key elements of this new paradigm. In this environment emerging technologies like RFID (Radio Frequency ID), Intelligent Products and the Internet, are triggering a reconsideration of methods, procedures and goals. We present a Multiagent System framework specialized in retail that addresses these changes with the use of rational agents and takes advantages of the new market opportunities. Like in an old bazaar, agents able to learn, cooperate, take advantage of gossip and distinguish between collaborators and competitors, have the ability to adapt, learn and react to a changing environment better than any other structure. Keywords: Supply Chains, Distributed Artificial Intelligence, Multiagent System.Postprint (published version

Developing end-user requirements for the design of an eProcurement portal

During the 2015 South African budget speech, the country was made aware of the proposed changes to be introduced to the tendering process. These changes were to be implemented from 1 April 2015 and were to span over two years. The changes were to facilitate the transition of the tendering process from a paper- based system to a completely digital process, where the majority of the processes will take place on an eProcurement portal (www.etenders.gov.za). This means that businesses will be obligated to use the portal, in order to access tender opportunities and ultimately, to submit tenders on this portal, with the phasing out of all paper-based tender processes. If the portal is to succeed it has to be well adopted by its users. If the portal is not adopted or is used incorrectly, businesses might struggle to access tender opportunities for their business. This research searches to address this problem by helping the users of this portal to gain efficient and effective access to tendering opportunities, through finding and developing user requirements for successful adoption from a user experience perspective. The primary objective of this research is to develop end-user requirements for the design of an eProcurement portal. To achieve this, a general understanding of the legal policies in place for tendering is necessary, as well as a first-hand experience of the users. Case study research methodology and a mixed method approach are used to gather both qualitative and quantitative data. The case study is conducted in the Eastern Cape and directed at business within the construction sector that do tender, as this research is only focusing on the end user and their roles within the tendering process and not on the government internal tendering processes. The outcome of this research is to offer a list of user requirements that can be used within the design of the eProcurement portal that will function as valuable material towards the adoption and effectiveness of the eProcurement portal