Understanding ERP: Advantages, Disadvantages, and Application Service Providers
This presentation by Dr. Merle Martin and Dr. Yan Xiong at CSU Sacramento explores the critical aspects of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP). It defines ERP as software designed to integrate various departments and functions of a business into a single system. The discussion covers the advantages of ERP, including improved organizational efficiency and real-time data access, as well as disadvantages like high costs and long implementation times. The session also highlights Application Service Providers (ASP) and provides a case study related to FHC, outlining the evolving landscape of ERP applications in modern business.
Understanding ERP: Advantages, Disadvantages, and Application Service Providers
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Presentation Transcript
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Models Dr. Merle Martin Dr. Yan Xiong College of Business CSU Sacramento 10/06/03
Agenda • What is ERP? • ERP Advantages and Disadvantages • Application Service Providers (ASP) • FHC – a Case Study
What is an ERP System? “Packaged software designed to process an organization’s transactions and facilitate integrated and real-time planning, production and consumer response.” Daniel O’Leary
ERP Definition • “ It attempts to integrate all departments and functions across a company onto a single computer system that can serve all those different departments’ particular needs” Koch, C 2002
ERP Suppliers • In order of $ sales • SAP • People Soft • Oracle • Baan • J. D. Edwards
ERP Market • Info-Tech Consulting Group • 70% of Fortune 500 firms • 37% growth over next 5 years • Global market projected to $15 billion in 5 years
Functions • Integrated suite of software application models • Real-time database update • Supports organizations with multiple companies in multiple locations • Supports any number of currencies
Functions (Cont.) • Supports multiple languages • Suitable to wide range of industries and organizations • Industry specific templates
SAP (R/3) Functions • Financial • AM Asset Management • CO Controlling • FI Financial Accounting • WF Work Flow • IS Industry Solutions
SAP (R/3) Functions • Manufacturing • PM Plant Management • PP Production Planning • QM Quality Management • MM Materials Management
SAP (R/3) Functions • Other • HR Human Resources • PS Project System • SD Sales and Distribution
SAP • Targets very large companies • Industry templates • “ Best Practices” most efficient methods for doing business • Modular design – can choose functions • SAP not just software • “way of doing business”
People Soft • Pure Internet environment • Entire CSU system converting over next few years. • Ease if use
Oracle • Has leveraged database dominance • Emphasis on security • Integration: linking applications, data. Web services, users and partners
BAAN • Unique vertical market capabilities Chemicals Food& Beverage Pharmaceuticals Cable & Wire Pulp & Paper Primary Metals
JD Edwards • Focus on mid-sized companies • Easy integration with current systems • Open, scalable, and flexible
Agenda • What is ERP? • ERP Disadvantage and Disadvantage • Application Service Providers (ASP) • FHC – a Case Study
Why ERP? • Highly competitive markets • Continually changing business environment • Need for integration • Within company • Between dispersed operations • Between alliance partners
Why ERP? • Reduce operating costs • Integrate operations (more control) • Increase organization’s time efficiency • Encompass different types of software
ERP Advantages • Integrates firm’s activities • Uses “ Best Practices” • Enables organizational standardization • Eliminates information asymmetries • Provides on-line/real-time information
ERP Advantages • Allows simultaneous access to information for planning and control • Facilities intra-organization collaboration
ERP Advantages • Eliminates redundant efforts and duplicated data • 33% of companies had sales order cost savings • 34% significantly reduced personnel needs • Faster movement of goods, services • more sales generated per month
ERP Intangible Advantages • Keeping up with competitors • Save vendor, customer frustration • Savings occur over several years • Implementation takes years • Some companies don’t make ROI calculations • too many intangibles • cultural change (e.g., FHC)
ERP Disadvantages • High cost (particularly for small business) • Privacy and security • Long implementation time • Displaces clerical employees • May have to change business to fit software
ERP Costs • Total Costs: • License • Training • Implementation • Maintenance • Customization • Hardware required
ERP Cost Percentages • Norris et al. 2000 • Software 15% • Hardware 12% • Training 15% • Data Conversion 15% • Reengineering 43% tailor to fit software
ERP Critical Success Factors • Top management commitment • Management of change • Resistance to “over-customization” • Heavy infrastructure difficult to change • Similar to battleship changing course
Evaluating ERP Software • Functional fit into company’s business • Flexibility and scalability • Complexity (Usability) • Shortened ROI periods • Ability to support multi-site planning and control
Evaluating ERP Software • Technology: • Client / server capabilities • Database independence • Availability of regular upgrades • Local support infrastructure • Availability of reference site
Agenda • What is ERP? • ERP Advantages and Disadvantages • Application Service Providers (ASP) • FHC – a Case Study
Outsourcing ERP • High costs ERP maintenance • ERP outsourcing? • install upgrades • maintain modules • trouble-shoot problems • police platforms
Why Outsource ERP? • Lack of specialized ERP staff skills • ERP specialists expensive • cheaper to use ERP outsourcer if don’t use skills on full-time basis • ERP upgrade releases very frequent • Firms want IT to focus on activities that “add value to core processes”
Application Service Providers • ASP • Lease expensive software packages such as SAP • Allow multiple users over internet • Charge users by the transaction • Provide startup services • tailoring and training
Applications • Deloitte & Touche • SAP • “Hyper Deploy” over Web • One change rather than many • Prospective customers can “play” with application
ASP Problem • Confusing array of emerging ASPs: • “Pure Play”: founded explicitly for new ASP market • Application Vendor (e.g., SAP) • Telecommunications Carriers and ISPs; • add ASPs to existing networks • e.g., AT&T, US West
ASP Problem • Info-Tech Research predicts that, by year-end 2001, 60% of today’s ASPs will fail due to: • poor business models • choice of partners • failure to execute / consolidate their offerings • KEY DECISION: Gamble early or wait for market to “shake out”?
Agenda • What is ERP? • ERP Downsides • Application Service Providers • FHC – a Case Study
FHS • Foundation Health Systems • Fortune 500 firm • Was FHC (Corporation) before merger with Health Net • Created by merger of diverse heath provider companies throughout country
FHS • Needed to standardize language, culture, and “business rules” • IT Department proposed complete centralization of IT operations • IT centralization attempted, but met with severe resistance from local units • Abandoned shortly after merger
FHC ERP Goals • Main objective: to standardize “back office” business rules • Wanted to change organization culture by means of software • Back-end centralized using SAP • Front-end decentralized by business unit • e.g., Dental Care in Texas
Sales Offices FHC ERP Model Warehouse Accounting HQ Factory
Decentralized Foundation Network Organization Front-line Specialists Field sales and service Front-line Support Local Offices Back-line Specialists Management Centralized (SAP)
FHC SAP Implementation • Implementation took 4 years 1996-2000 • Hired specialized expensive, full-time SAP analysts and programmers • Ran into problems and had to reimplement portions of systems
FHC ERP Problems • Problems integrating with existing legacy applications • Extensive upgrades
FHC ERP Issues • Why did they choose “ best practice” approach? • When didn’t they outsource ERP or ASP? • Why did they hire expensive SAP specialists who would not be needed in future? • Should ERP be used for organizational redesign?
Issue Compare what is happening in the E-Business arena and the features of ERP. Is ERP compatible with the future of business? Why or why not?
Topics Discussed • What is ERP? • ERP Advantages and Disadvantages • Application Service Providers • FHC – a Case Study