Enterprise Resource Planning Systems: Process and Implementation

Aim

The aim of the course is to develop understanding of and present methods for purchasing, implementing and using enterprise systems, particularly Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, both from buying and selling points of view. The course also presents the fundamentals of ERP systems' architecture.

On completion of the course you should:

• understand the meaning of the concept ERP system
• be able to assess challenges and possibilities in selecting, implementing and using information systems
• be able to find and interpret academic articles with relevance for ERP use
• be able to orally and in writing present your own analyses and constructively contribute to and discuss others' analyses.

Content

Buying packaged software instead of bespoke systems has become increasingly common the past 15 years. ERP systems today handle a large proportion of the administrative data processing in contemporary organisations. Different types of ERP companies, different systems architectures and strategic market perspectives are presented in the course.Part 1: Selection and evaluation of business systems. There is an abundance of ERP systems, offering a variety of information support solutions for organisations. The choice of ERP system can have far-reaching consequences for the organisation for many years to come.Part 2: Implementation. An implemantation can take anywhere between weeks and years. This part of the course aims to convey the complications arising in an organisation when changing ERP system. It also deals with challenges from a supplier perspective, for example the assessment of the customer's needs and capabilities.Part 3: Use. An implemented system will contiue to be used for many years. Building on the first two parts of the course, the discussion in part three deals with the mutual influence between the users, the ERP system and the activities which the use is intended to support. An important aspect of use is how ERP systems affect - and enable - change and development of the organisation's accounting and control systems. Theoretical perspectives and empirical cases will be analysed and discussed.