Existing Enterprise Resource Planning Systems Research Articles

Blockchain Coupled Oracle Fusion

With stricter compliance and policy requirements, demanding customers, commercial competition, geographically spread businesses, and vulnerable cyber security, today's multifaceted business sees a lot more challenges than ever before. To overcome these challenges, there is a need to track and trace each aspect of the business process. Maintaining an extra protected automated system with transparency, security, reliability, and traceability has a big impact on the bottom line of business organizations. A technology called Blockchain provides a viable solution to the problems associated with the complex business process traceability. The blockchain architecture and design is based on distributed ledger technology (DLT). The Blockchain technology was first theorized to be used for a cryptocurrency called 'Bitcoin' for a peer-to-peer online payment in 2008 (in a white paper published by Satoshi Nakamoto). Off late, it has begun to witness success in finding applications in many other fields like banking, asset management, healthcare, travel, supply chain, logistics, identity management, etc. Here we discuss industrial applications of Blockchain in an Oracle Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Cloud environment. As per a study by Forbes, about 90% of the Fortune 500 companies work on some or the other Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) platform (single or multi-ERP systems). By 2020, four out of every ten large organizations will have atleast 60% of their businesses on Cloud. Hence, Blockcha,in in a business scenario needs to have an integration with already existing ERP systems and furthermore with future cloud systems. Oracle Blockchain Cloud service offers easy application integration with plug-and-play adapters providing PaaS delivery.

Measuring Performance Through Enterprise Resource Planning System Implementation

The evaluation of enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems for performance enhancement in public sector organizations is a crucial concept due to its different nature from private concerns. The objectives of this paper are to explore the relationship of the common performance enhancement factors in the context of the gap between the real and ideal ERP performance of public sector organizations in Pakistan and to explore the overall difference between the ideal and real ERP performance in those organizations to provide some guidelines to the public sector in Pakistan. The difference between the ideal, i.e., the expectations of the organization before implementing ERP, and the real performance of ERP in Pakistani public sector organizations is the main source of identifying the impact of common performance indicators on the ERP overall performance. Different researches have been conducted to find the critical success factors in various areas of ERP, like strategic, managerial, technical, and contextual factors, but the impact of the common factors that affect the ERP performance as a whole has never been investigated. Little research has been conducted on the performance factors, especially in the large-scale public sector organizations in developing countries like Pakistan. We performed data analysis considering descriptive statistics, reliability analysis, correlation analysis both in ideal and existing situations, and paired sample t-test. We found, based on the paired sample t-test, that there is no gap between the ideal and existing ERP systems for time and database variables, but there is a gap between the ideal and existing ERP systems in functionality, user-friendliness, flexibility, reliability, service, vendor support, and the overall performance of the ERP system deployed in the government sector of Pakistan.

Blockchain or bust for the food industry?

There has recently been a wave of enthusiasm for applying Blockchain technology in the food sector. This article aims to clarify many of the questions surrounding Blockchain technologies, in particular: is Blockchain the future for the food industry and therefore does my company need a Blockchain? Traceability has been achieved for many years using systems that connect core business processes with strategic management of product and supply chain data, namely Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) platforms. Companies must determine what Blockchains can offer that is different from existing ERP systems and what is the value of using them. Working within a secure cloud platform is mainstream today but this was not the case five years ago. While ERP systems have significant benefits that can be realised, they are often very expensive to implement, with the cost of implementation linked to the operational complexity. The full costs can range broadly from £150,000 to £1,000,000+ and therefore are prohibitive for many SMEs, which make up 96% of the UK Food industry.

Is there a prescription for strategic IT decisions?

Strategic IT decisions are complex and critical since they significantly influence an organisation's growth and long-term survival. The large number of strategic IT failures reported in the media and academic literature indicate we have limited understanding of how to make optimal IT strategic decisions. More work is needed to understand the factors influencing strategic IT decision processes and outcomes. By exploring the key influence factors presented in this case study, students will be more informed about how senior decision makers can better manage strategic IT decision-making processes. This improved understanding will help reduce project cost overruns and enable organisations to realise the expected benefits of large-scale IT investments. This teaching case study provides insights into the key factors that influenced the strategic IT decision-making process at a major Australian pharmaceutical company (PHARMA). A decision was made under pressure to upgrade the existing enterprise resource planning system at PHARMA in order to meet an increased need for demand forecasting and planning. The implications of strategic IT decision-making theory and practice are discussed in relation to this case study.

The construction of a mobile business application system for ERP

Purpose – In today’s complicated and competitive business environment, companies commonly use enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems to integrate management information and enhance efficiency. In recent years, due to the development of cloud computing and portable devices, a new mobility era is starting. The popularity of smartphones and tablet computers has changed the behavior of mobile-phone users and enhanced the rapid development of mobile commerce. ERP companies have discovered this trend and want to provide more convenient services and develop more integrated functions for their ERP systems in which practitioners can operate and access company information through various mobile devices anywhere, anytime. However, mobile ERP is still in the development stage. On the whole there has been relatively little research into the framework and system implementation of mobile ERP until recently. The purpose of this paper is to propose a mobile ERP framework for the sales function in an ERP system. The authors also design a mobile type sales application based on an android-based mobile device. In addition, the authors provide sale practitioners and supervisors with a more convenient and rapider service interface in which they can quickly respond to customers’ needs. Design/methodology/approach – The authors develop a mobile ERP framework taking into account the requirements of sales and distribution modules. The proposed framework can directly access the ERP system and perform more efficiently than a web service-based framework since middleware services are not involved. Findings – For the purposes of demonstrating the efficiency of the proposed mobile ERP system, the authors examine three scenarios which are commonly used in world-wide integrated circuit (IC) design companies. In this kind of company, salespersons travel to various cities and collect sales information. The three various scenarios include: (A) sales order creation; (B) order status inquiry; (C) order modification. The results of simulation show that the mobile ERP system indeed enhances the efficiency of processing operations in sales and distribution modules, particularly for salespersons visiting outside offices and traveling world-wide. Research limitations/implications – The authors investigate and propose a mobile ERP framework for a world-wide ERP system company, SAP, which is a research limitation in the paper, since SAP ERP system is not installed for all companies. In addition, from this investigation, two possible concerns might be useful in further research. The first involves other modules may be included in the proposed mobile ERP framework. The second is the need to integrate other useful analysis systems, such as business intelligence, for a more complete mobile ERP system. Practical implications – To demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed mobile ERP system, three various scenarios which are commonly used in world-wide IC design companies are considered. In addition, the comparisons of the typical procedures in terms of average processing time for existing ERP systems and the proposed mobile ERP system are provided. The simulation times finding show that the mobile ERP system indeed enhances the efficiency of processing operations in sales and distribution modules, particularly for the salespersons visiting outside offices and traveling world-wide. Social implications – The popularity of smartphones and tablet computers has changed the behavior of mobile-phone users and enhanced the rapid development of mobile commerce. Mobile ERP systems can provide more up-to-date information than typical ERP systems involving order-tracking, real-time stock quantity checking, and sales order creations since salespersons still can access or update their collected information wherever they are world-wide. The contributions of this paper have a great impact on behavior changes of mobile-phone users. It can enhance efficiency and quality of life for users. Originality/value – In the paper, the authors propose a mobile ERP framework for the sales function which can provide sale practitioners and supervisors a more convenient and rapider service interface in which they can quickly respond to customers’ needs. The proposed framework of mobile ERP perform more efficiently than typical ERP systems and a web service-based framework since middleware services are not involved.

A model for evaluating the potential impact of integrating ERP systems with BI systems on organisational performance: an empirical study of the semiconductor industry

There is currently a trend towards the integration of Business Intelligence (BI) systems with existing Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems in order to improve organisational decision-making capabilities. Although much attention has been paid to the decision-making benefits of integrated systems, limited research has examined the business value of BI systems. Therefore, the main purpose of this study is to examine the impact of integrated ERP and BI (hereafter ERPBI) systems on organisational performance. This study develops a multidimensional measurement for assessing organisational performance. Data collected from 139 companies in the Taiwan’s semiconductor industry were tested using partial least squares approach. Our results suggest that ERPBI system usage in organisations results in significant and sustained organisational performance gains. The theoretical implication of the work is the development of multidimensional measurement scales for assessing the impact of ERPBI system usage on organis...

Do green information systems impact performance?

A structural model depicting the impact of green information systems on environmental, economic, and operational performance is theorised and assessed. Data were collected from 159 manufacturing managers and analysed using a structural equation modelling methodology. Green information systems positively and directly impact environmental, economic, operational performance. Green information systems also indirectly impact operational performance through environmental performance and indirectly impact economic performance through environmental performance. Organisations striving to improve environmental sustainability and operational performance are encouraged to modify existing enterprise resource planning systems to capture data and information related to environmental sustainability efforts. Evidence supports the need for manufacturers to develop green information system capabilities to improve environmental and operational performance. The results of this investigation support the proposition that green information systems are necessary to achieve environmental and economic sustainability.

Critical Success Factors for Enterprise Resource Planning System Implementation: A Case Study in Malaysian SME

Implementing Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system for Malaysian Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) is not just a technological challenge. It is a socio-technological endeavour which mandates modifying existing applications and redesigning business processes to facilitate ERP system implementation. Most Malaysian SMEs cannot afford to adopt an existing ERP system due to the extremely high cost and complex implementation. The ERP system implementation literature contains many case studies of organizations that have implemented ERP system successfully. However, many Malaysian SMEs do not achieve success in their ERP system implementation. There are very few studies have represented and developed critical success factors of ERP system implementation projects highlighted for SMEs. This research seeks to explore the critical success factors for successful ERP system implementation in Malaysian SMEs. The research method is based on a case study within Malaysian SME to perform a critical success factors model of ERP system implementation adoption which has validated by a number of SMEs in Malaysia. The proposed model will help outline the critical factors that should be considered by Malaysian SMEs in uccessfully adopting ERP system.

Determination of Key Performance Indicators with Enterprise Resource Planning Systems in Engineering Construction Firms

The study focuses on developing a unified approach to define information specificities for key performance indicators (KPIs). Borrowing from the time-system theory, the paper defines different types of KPI and identifies that a KPI has two dimensions—knowledge specificity and time specificity. Different approaches are presented to analyze knowledge and time sensitivities. This paper addresses a key question related to enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems applications in the engineering construction industry: what are the areas of business processes within the engineering construction industry where ERP cannot be used to collect KPIs related to business processes? The writers review empirical and specialized processes within the construction industry to identify business processes not covered by existing ERP systems. A survey focused on qualitative aspects of ERP systems implementation in engineering construction firms was conducted among ERP-enablers in the construction industry and provided a basis...

An object oriented intelligent environment for ERP systems

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to demonstrate object‐oriented (OO) features in a language, suitable for artificial intelligence (AI), which will execute in a web environment. Earlier researchers have claimed that such a possibility will pave the way for better enterprise systems of tomorrow.Design/methodology/approachIn this paper, the key OO features, inheritance and polymorphism, are presented using suitable examples. Visual Prolog™ is the language used to demonstrate the examples and the same executes in web environment.FindingsThis premise definitely matches the fundamental rethinking and radical redesign of existing systems which can aptly be called business process reengineering (BPR) in this field of study. A monolithic/homogeneous expert database design based system supporting AI and OO capabilities which executes in web environment is the result of this study.Research limitations/implicationsThere is no argument about the optimality of the search which is carried out while using this environment, which is purely based on the computer language used.Practical implicationsThe power of similar environment has enormous potential in developing better enterprise systems of tomorrow. This declarative environment helps enterprise resource planning (ERP) evolve faster towards strategic decision making rather than remaining as transaction processing systems.Originality/valueIt is hoped that this paper will inspire other researchers in the field of BPR of existing ERP systems.

Challenges in enhancing enterprise resource planning systems for compliance with Sarbanes‐Oxley Act and analogous Canadian legislation

PurposeThis paper aims to examine major challenges faced by companies in enhancing their enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems for compliance with regulatory internal control requirements, specifically those imposed by the Sarbanes–Oxley Act (SOX) of 2002 and analogous Canadian legislation.Design/methodology/approachData were collected through case studies of four medium‐sized and large companies that use ERP systems and that have operations in the USA and Canada, thus being subject to SOX and/or similar Canadian regulations.FindingsThe companies faced some technical, process and cultural challenges in implementing regulatory control compliance. In all companies, existing ERP systems were not able to meet all control requirements without some modifications or add‐on applications. Control implementations have been long, complicated and costly processes, which are not fully completed. Detailed analyses and documentation of existing systems, controls and processes were required in all companies. The protection of systems security and the segregation of duties were perceived to be major technical obstacles. Cultural factors resulted in additional challenges, notably resistance to change.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings of this study enhance the understanding of ERP systems design features, processes and challenges in implementing regulatory controls. As such, they provide a foundation for further empirical studies and for building models of ERP systems effectiveness in implementing effective controls.Practical implicationsThe study provides managers insight into challenges in enhancing ERP systems for regulatory control compliance. Lessons learned can contribute to the development and sharing of best practices and to overall organizational effectiveness.Originality/valueUsing an interdisciplinary approach, the study provides new evidence on the extent to which ERP systems meet regulatory internal control requirements.

Change and uncertainty in SME manufacturing environments using ERP

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to investigate how enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems could create a competitive advantage for small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs). The objectives of this study are to examine how responsive and agile the existing ERP systems are to change and uncertainty, and to identify the types of change and uncertainty in SME manufacturing environments.Design/methodology/approachA mixed methodology is used in this study, which involves literature review, questionnaire survey and follow‐up, in‐depth telephone interviews. An uncertainty diagnosing business model is applied to collect data from SME manufacturers in make‐to‐stock (MTS), make‐to‐order (MTO) and mixed mode (MM) manufacturing environments in a structured manner, and to analyse the effects of the underlying causes of uncertainty on product late delivery in MTS, MTO and MM manufacturing environments in SMEs. Some 108 enterprises responded (86 per cent response rate), of which 64 are SMEs. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) is carried out in SPSS to analyse the effects of the underlying causes of uncertainty on product late delivery in MTS, MTO and MM manufacturing environments in SMEs.FindingsANOVA results show that a different group of underlying causes of uncertainty significantly affects the product late delivery performance in MTS, MTO and MM manufacturing environments in SMEs. This study found that ERP could improve responsiveness and agility to change, but not to uncertainty. SMEs could create a competitive advantage by being more responsive to change in the ERP system before generating purchase and work order. ERP systems could not deal with uncertainty due to its stochastic and unpredictable nature. SMEs use a range of buffering or dampening techniques under uncertainty to be competitive in delivery.Originality/valueIt can be concluded that the application of the business model in SMEs that use ERP has provided useful knowledge about the significant underlying causes of uncertainty that affect product late delivery performance in MTS, MTO and MM manufacturing environments. Using this knowledge, similar SMEs could then prioritise the effort and devise suitable buffering or dampening techniques to manage the causes of uncertainty and hence prevent any changes to the ERP system.

ExPlanTech: Applying multi-agent systems in production planning

This paper presents work carried out within the 'ExPlanTech' project (IST-1999-20171) funded in part by the European Commission's Information Technologies Programme. The mission of the ExPlanTech technology transfer project is to introduce, customize and exploit the multi-agent production planning technology (ProPlanT multi-agent system research prototype) in two specific industrial enterprises. An agent-driven service negotiations and decision process, based on usagecentred knowledge about task requirements, substitutes the traditional production planning activity. We introduce a methodology for integration of the projectdriven production planning based on agent-based engineering within the existing enterprise resource planning system. This novel production planning technology will facilitate optimization of resource utilization and supplier chain while meeting the customer demands. This paper describes a FIPA-compliant implementation of the ExPlanTech technology at the LIAZ Pattern Shop manufacturing company. We describe the structure of the agent community, types of agents, implementation of the planning strategy and its incorporation within the real production environment.