ERP: The Implementation Cycle

by Harwood; Stephen Allan

• ISBN13: 9780750652070
• ISBN10: 0750652071
• Format: Nonspecific Binding
• Copyright: 2003-01-29
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

The ERP implementation cycle is characterized by complexity, uncertainty and a long time-scale. It is about people and issues that affect the business - it is a multi-disciplinary effort. This book will provide you with the practical information you will need in relation to the many issues and events within the implementation cycle. After reading this book you will be fully equipped and alerted to what is involved in an ERP implementation. ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) can be described as an Integrated Enterprise-wide Information System. As well as handling many of the transactions found within a business, it has the potential for meeting many of the information requirements of busy personnel. If used in the right hands, it may provide the business with a competitive edge. However, an ERP application does not just "appear" and everyone starts "using it". A cycle of events can be identified. Much can go wrong during implementation since there are many problems and issues to deal with. From the content of this book you will gain an understanding of what can go wrong - you will be prepared in advance, and will be equipped to take preventative steps to smooth the progress of the implementation. This book: covers the multidisciplinary subject of ERP looks at a range of relevant topics including ERP market-place development, vendor selection, project management, process design and post GoLive improvements reveals a range of issues which an implementer should be alert to contains a wealth of detail about the ERP implementation cycle features a unique way of thinking about processes introduces the next generation of software application: ERPII

Table of Contents

Computer Weekly Professional Series	ix
Preface	xi
Acknowledgements	xiii
About the author	xv
Introduction	1	(6)
Using this book	2	(5)
Historical perspective	7	(20)
Executive Information Systems (EIS), Business Intelligence (BI) and data value	12	(2)
Electronic Data Interchange (EDI)	14	(2)
Emergence of e-commerce	16	(3)
Supply Chain Planning (SCP)	19	(2)
Customer Relationship Management (CRM)	21	(3)
Convergence	24	(3)
The present generation	27	(12)
ERP or enterprise application software	27	(2)
Features of ERP software	29	(6)
Implementation phase	29	(2)
On-line phase	31	(3)
Adaptation phase	34	(1)
Application functionality	35	(4)
The next generation	39	(4)
Marketplace dynamics	43	(10)
An appreciation of the ERP marketplace as a turbulent global pool of software providers and support services	43	(1)
Software providers	43	(6)
VARs, business partners, consultants	49	(1)
`Buyer beware'	50	(3)
Initial need	53	(10)
Why	53	(1)
Cost	54	(3)
Justification -- cost-benefits	57	(6)
Requirements definition	63	(6)
Getting started	64	(2)
How to meet these requirements	66	(3)
Vendor selection	69	(20)
Decide how to select a vendor	70	(1)
The short-list route	71	(18)
Stage 1: finding out who is out there (generating the first list)	72	(1)
Stage 2: potential vendors	72	(2)
Stage 3: reduce the short-list to those who are deemed most suitable	74	(3)
Stage 4: the final selection	77	(12)
`Closing the deal'	89	(4)
Contract negotiation	89	(2)
Reflection	91	(2)
Introduction to implementation	93	(4)
Lessons from history	94	(3)
Implementation methodology	97	(26)
The general approach	97	(1)
Management of the project	98	(15)
Organization	99	(5)
Scope	104	(1)
The project plan	105	(3)
Budget	108	(1)
Problem resolution	108	(1)
Risk assessment	109	(1)
Performance	110	(1)
Vendor management	111	(2)
System issues	113	(1)
Training and the need for a training strategy	114	(9)
Define learning objectives	115	(1)
Determine content	116	(1)
Plan	117	(2)
Assess	119	(1)
Review	120	(1)
Cost/budget	120	(3)
Implementation	123	(32)
Implementation of the training strategy -- phase 1	123	(3)
Content -- understand application functionality	124	(1)
Planning	125	(1)
Define processes	126	(10)
A theoretical framework	127	(3)
`Collage'	130	(2)
Understand what is being done now	132	(2)
Quick fixes	134	(1)
Business process re-engineering	135	(1)
Prototyping	136	(4)
The issues list	137	(1)
Software modifications -- compromise between process and software functionality	138	(1)
Usability	139	(1)
Pilot	140	(3)
Preparation	140	(2)
Simulation	142	(1)
Follow-up	143	(1)
Responsibilities	143	(1)
Documentation	144	(5)
Procedures and work instructions	144	(1)
Job descriptions	145	(1)
Reports	146	(1)
Stationery	147	(2)
Implementation of the training strategy -- phase 2	149	(3)
The programme	149	(1)
Plan	150	(2)
Deliver and assess	152	(1)
Review	152	(1)
Data set-up	152	(2)
Migration of data	153	(1)
Last minute check	154	(1)
GoLive/review	155	(4)
Problems and problem resolution	155	(2)
The user help-desk	156	(1)
The first month end	157	(1)
Review	157	(2)
On-going	159	(10)
Continuous improvement	160	(6)
The cultural dimension	163	(1)
Organizational learning and the learning organization	164	(2)
Upgrading versus new software	166	(3)
Finale	169	(2)
Selected reading	171	(2)
Useful sources	173	(2)
Acronyms and abbreviations	175	(2)
References	177	(4)
Index	181