SCM 412 SID 1 QUESTIONS WITH
COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
What is the top driver of change in the supply chain? - answer-Digital technology
v v v v v v v v v v v v v
Supply chain transformation is about...
v v v v
1)
2) - answer-1) driving efficiency and effectiveness today for ROI
v v v v v v v v v
2)building resilience to disruption tomorrow (almost 60% believe their business will be
v v v v v v v v v v v
disrupted in 2018).
v v v
What advice is given for the Top 10 Trends in SC? - answer-Invest in technologies that
v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v
provide efficiency/effectiveness today yet enable future capabilities that may be as yet
v v v v v v v v v v v v
undefined.
v
Not "technology for technology's sake" but solving business problems or seizing on
v v v v v v v v v v v
opportunities.
v
Work w/ small and large partners to accelerate your IT capabilities and serve the line of
v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v
business.
v
Review your supply chain to make sure it's ready for increasing levels of digitally
v v v v v v v v v v v v v
enabled products and processes.
v v v v
Evaluate your relative maturity in the adoption of new technologies and, more
v v v v v v v v v v v
importantly, your ability to translate those technologies into digital transformation.
v v v v v v v v v v
ERP systems designed to do -- problem they are designed to solve? - answer-bring
v v v v v v v v v v v v v
together the fragmentation of information in large organizations.
v v v v v v v v
Biggest issue with ERP? - answer-companies failing to reconcile the technological
v v v v v v v v v v
vimperatives of the enterprise system with the business needs of the enterprise itself.
v v v v v v v v v v v v v
- ERP systems push you toward integration
v v v v v v
What is an ES at its core? - answer-a comprehensive database. It collects data from and
v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v
feeds data into modular applications supporting virtually all of the company's business
v v v v v v v v v v v v
,vactivities- across functions, across business units, across the world. When info is
v v v v v v v v v v v
ventered in one place related information is automatically updated.
v v v v v v v v
When an ES is continually customized what happens? - answer-the less able it will be to
v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v
communicate seamlessly with the systems of suppliers and customers.
v v v v v v v v v
Who derives the greatest benefits from ES? - answer-those that, from the start, viewed
v v v v v v v v v v v v v
them primarily in strategic and organizational terms
v v v v v v v
An ES streamlines a company's data flows and provides management with direct access
v v v v v v v v v v v v
to real-time operating information. For many companies, these benefits have translated
v v v v v v v v v v v
into dramatic gains in productivity and speed. T/F - answer-T
v v v v v v v v v v
What is the scope of an enterprise system? - answer-Financials, Human resources,
v v v v v v v v v v v
Operations and Logistics, and Sales and Marketing
v v v v v v v
Can companies that compete on cost and forgo getting an ES, actually gain a cost
v v v v v v v v v v v v v v
advantage over competitors that are using enterprise systems? Yes/No - answer-Yes.
v v v v v v v v v v v
They may not have the best integration, but if customers are only concerned with price,
v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v
that may not matter. Using/paying for an ES may cause the company to raise its prices.
v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v
It would be hard today for a company to survive in business without an ES. T/F - answer-
v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v
T
What are the pros of an ES on a company's culture? - answer-They provide universal,
v v v v v v v v v v v v v v
real-time access to operating and financial data, the systems allow companies to
v v v v v v v v v v v v
streamline their management structures, creating flatter, more flexible democratic
v v v v v v v v v
organizations.
v
What are the cons of an ES on a company's culture? - answer-They involve the
v v v v v v v v v v v v v v
centralization of control over info and the standardization of processes, which are
v v v v v v v v v v v v
qualities more consistent with hierarchical, command-and-control organizations with
v v v v v v v v
uniform cultures. It can be argued they came from European companies that are more
v v v v v v v v v v v v v v
rigid.
v
Some big companies have used their enterprise systems to introduce what? - answer-
v v v v v v v v v v v v
More consistent operating practices across their geographically dispersed units.
v v v v v v v v
What is a federalist operating model? - answer-Rather than implementing a single,
v v v v v v v v v v v
global ES, companies roll out different versions of the same system in each regional
v v v v v v v v v v v v v v
unit, tailored to support local operating practices. ex. HP, Monsanto, Nestle
v v v v v v v v v v v
They all share financial information but allow other information to be collected, stored,
v v v v v v v v v v v v
and controlled locally.
v v v
, What is a difficult challenge for a manager implementing a federalist model in the ES? -
v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v
answer-Determining what should be common throughout the organization and what
v v v v v v v v v v
should be allowed to vary.
v v v v v
Where does a company get its value from? - answer-Shareholders and/or customers
v v v v v v v v v v v
The most successful companies think of their enterprise systems as _________ and
v v v v v v v v v v v
___________, not ____________. - answer-STRATEGIC AND ORGANIZATIONAL
v v v v v v v
TECHNICAL
Every company that installs an ES struggles with cost and complexity, but the biggest
v v v v v v v v v v v v v
problems come from that that install an ES without thinking through its full business
v v v v v v v v v v v v v v
implications. T/F - answer-T
v v v v
Choosing Vendors and Consultants - answer-Not one singular person or group can fully
v v v v v v v v v v v v
understand an ERP System, so most companies turn to consultants --> Before choosing
v v v v v v v v v v v v v
a vendor companies will hire software consultants to study their needs to choose the
v v v v v v v v v v v v v v
right vendor and best approach for implementing ERP
v v v v v v v v
6 Important Questions about ERP - answer-How much does an ERP Cost?
v v v v v v v v v v v
Should Everyone Buy an ERP Package?
v v v v v
Is ERP Software Inflexible?
v v v
How Big of a Return Can a Company Expect from its ERP Investment? and How Long
v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v
vwill it Take to See?
v v v v
Why Do Some Companies Have More Success with ERP than Others?
v v v v v v v v v v
How much does an ERP Cost? (ERP Q's) - answer--Depends on size - hundreds of
v v v v v v v v v v v v v v
vmillions $ or free v v v
-Need for new software that's capable of running complex ERP software
v v v v v v v v v v
-Consultant and Analyst fees v v v
-Time --> for Implementation and Training
v v v v v
v-->cost time and $ and can cause disruptions in business
v v v v v v v v v
Should Everyone Buy an ERP Package? (ERP Q's) - answer--If you can execute your
v v v v v v v v v v v v v
vprocesses already end-to-end, then just keep doing what you're doing
v v v v v v v v v
-Some business's operations might not be best w/ the constraints of ERP and some
v v v v v v v v v v v v v
vbusinesses aren't eve ready for one v v v v v
-Biggest issues arise when management does NOT fully understand the current
v v v v v v v v v v
vbusiness processes and therefore can't make implementation decisions in a timely
v v v v v v v v v v
vmanor
Is ERP Software Inflexible? (ERP Q's) - answer--Standard Versions are inflexbile, but
v v v v v v v v v v v
vmore expensive cloud versions that offer customization can be more flexible
v v v v v v v v v v
-Once an ERP system is in place, trying to reconfigure it while maintaining data integrity
v v v v v v v v v v v v v v
vis expensive and time-consuming
v v v
COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
What is the top driver of change in the supply chain? - answer-Digital technology
v v v v v v v v v v v v v
Supply chain transformation is about...
v v v v
1)
2) - answer-1) driving efficiency and effectiveness today for ROI
v v v v v v v v v
2)building resilience to disruption tomorrow (almost 60% believe their business will be
v v v v v v v v v v v
disrupted in 2018).
v v v
What advice is given for the Top 10 Trends in SC? - answer-Invest in technologies that
v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v
provide efficiency/effectiveness today yet enable future capabilities that may be as yet
v v v v v v v v v v v v
undefined.
v
Not "technology for technology's sake" but solving business problems or seizing on
v v v v v v v v v v v
opportunities.
v
Work w/ small and large partners to accelerate your IT capabilities and serve the line of
v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v
business.
v
Review your supply chain to make sure it's ready for increasing levels of digitally
v v v v v v v v v v v v v
enabled products and processes.
v v v v
Evaluate your relative maturity in the adoption of new technologies and, more
v v v v v v v v v v v
importantly, your ability to translate those technologies into digital transformation.
v v v v v v v v v v
ERP systems designed to do -- problem they are designed to solve? - answer-bring
v v v v v v v v v v v v v
together the fragmentation of information in large organizations.
v v v v v v v v
Biggest issue with ERP? - answer-companies failing to reconcile the technological
v v v v v v v v v v
vimperatives of the enterprise system with the business needs of the enterprise itself.
v v v v v v v v v v v v v
- ERP systems push you toward integration
v v v v v v
What is an ES at its core? - answer-a comprehensive database. It collects data from and
v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v
feeds data into modular applications supporting virtually all of the company's business
v v v v v v v v v v v v
,vactivities- across functions, across business units, across the world. When info is
v v v v v v v v v v v
ventered in one place related information is automatically updated.
v v v v v v v v
When an ES is continually customized what happens? - answer-the less able it will be to
v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v
communicate seamlessly with the systems of suppliers and customers.
v v v v v v v v v
Who derives the greatest benefits from ES? - answer-those that, from the start, viewed
v v v v v v v v v v v v v
them primarily in strategic and organizational terms
v v v v v v v
An ES streamlines a company's data flows and provides management with direct access
v v v v v v v v v v v v
to real-time operating information. For many companies, these benefits have translated
v v v v v v v v v v v
into dramatic gains in productivity and speed. T/F - answer-T
v v v v v v v v v v
What is the scope of an enterprise system? - answer-Financials, Human resources,
v v v v v v v v v v v
Operations and Logistics, and Sales and Marketing
v v v v v v v
Can companies that compete on cost and forgo getting an ES, actually gain a cost
v v v v v v v v v v v v v v
advantage over competitors that are using enterprise systems? Yes/No - answer-Yes.
v v v v v v v v v v v
They may not have the best integration, but if customers are only concerned with price,
v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v
that may not matter. Using/paying for an ES may cause the company to raise its prices.
v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v
It would be hard today for a company to survive in business without an ES. T/F - answer-
v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v
T
What are the pros of an ES on a company's culture? - answer-They provide universal,
v v v v v v v v v v v v v v
real-time access to operating and financial data, the systems allow companies to
v v v v v v v v v v v v
streamline their management structures, creating flatter, more flexible democratic
v v v v v v v v v
organizations.
v
What are the cons of an ES on a company's culture? - answer-They involve the
v v v v v v v v v v v v v v
centralization of control over info and the standardization of processes, which are
v v v v v v v v v v v v
qualities more consistent with hierarchical, command-and-control organizations with
v v v v v v v v
uniform cultures. It can be argued they came from European companies that are more
v v v v v v v v v v v v v v
rigid.
v
Some big companies have used their enterprise systems to introduce what? - answer-
v v v v v v v v v v v v
More consistent operating practices across their geographically dispersed units.
v v v v v v v v
What is a federalist operating model? - answer-Rather than implementing a single,
v v v v v v v v v v v
global ES, companies roll out different versions of the same system in each regional
v v v v v v v v v v v v v v
unit, tailored to support local operating practices. ex. HP, Monsanto, Nestle
v v v v v v v v v v v
They all share financial information but allow other information to be collected, stored,
v v v v v v v v v v v v
and controlled locally.
v v v
, What is a difficult challenge for a manager implementing a federalist model in the ES? -
v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v
answer-Determining what should be common throughout the organization and what
v v v v v v v v v v
should be allowed to vary.
v v v v v
Where does a company get its value from? - answer-Shareholders and/or customers
v v v v v v v v v v v
The most successful companies think of their enterprise systems as _________ and
v v v v v v v v v v v
___________, not ____________. - answer-STRATEGIC AND ORGANIZATIONAL
v v v v v v v
TECHNICAL
Every company that installs an ES struggles with cost and complexity, but the biggest
v v v v v v v v v v v v v
problems come from that that install an ES without thinking through its full business
v v v v v v v v v v v v v v
implications. T/F - answer-T
v v v v
Choosing Vendors and Consultants - answer-Not one singular person or group can fully
v v v v v v v v v v v v
understand an ERP System, so most companies turn to consultants --> Before choosing
v v v v v v v v v v v v v
a vendor companies will hire software consultants to study their needs to choose the
v v v v v v v v v v v v v v
right vendor and best approach for implementing ERP
v v v v v v v v
6 Important Questions about ERP - answer-How much does an ERP Cost?
v v v v v v v v v v v
Should Everyone Buy an ERP Package?
v v v v v
Is ERP Software Inflexible?
v v v
How Big of a Return Can a Company Expect from its ERP Investment? and How Long
v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v
vwill it Take to See?
v v v v
Why Do Some Companies Have More Success with ERP than Others?
v v v v v v v v v v
How much does an ERP Cost? (ERP Q's) - answer--Depends on size - hundreds of
v v v v v v v v v v v v v v
vmillions $ or free v v v
-Need for new software that's capable of running complex ERP software
v v v v v v v v v v
-Consultant and Analyst fees v v v
-Time --> for Implementation and Training
v v v v v
v-->cost time and $ and can cause disruptions in business
v v v v v v v v v
Should Everyone Buy an ERP Package? (ERP Q's) - answer--If you can execute your
v v v v v v v v v v v v v
vprocesses already end-to-end, then just keep doing what you're doing
v v v v v v v v v
-Some business's operations might not be best w/ the constraints of ERP and some
v v v v v v v v v v v v v
vbusinesses aren't eve ready for one v v v v v
-Biggest issues arise when management does NOT fully understand the current
v v v v v v v v v v
vbusiness processes and therefore can't make implementation decisions in a timely
v v v v v v v v v v
vmanor
Is ERP Software Inflexible? (ERP Q's) - answer--Standard Versions are inflexbile, but
v v v v v v v v v v v
vmore expensive cloud versions that offer customization can be more flexible
v v v v v v v v v v
-Once an ERP system is in place, trying to reconfigure it while maintaining data integrity
v v v v v v v v v v v v v v
vis expensive and time-consuming
v v v
