Technology and Innovation Management

TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION MANAGEMENT

Presented to: Fernando Aparicio Varas

By: Leila Rachid Tahri - S5

Contents

Introduction        

Question 1 ERP providers find the best combination for this company        

Sap        

Oracle        

Risks in the implementation of the ERP at Company A        

For question 2 we can check the mango case and see slides: How the organization can improve online acquisition of customers        

Reasons for hybrid outsourcing for customer acquisition        

Scaling        

Diversifying operations        

Retention of organizational relationships        

Question 3        

Need to know the conversion rate (need to Google the average conversion rate that might be interesting?)        

Additional analysis        

Manufacturing software module to map out all production processes, provided by a local developing company. This module also controls the stock of the manufactured products.        

Manufacturing quality assurance coupled with CAPA system        

2.  Financial statements and HR-related issues are controlled through Excel spreadsheets managed by the Financial Director and the General Manager of the company. An external law firm is providing the Company with an outsourcing service through a monthly fee including payroll maintenance activities and bookkeeping.        

Technological advances        

Globalization Phenomena        

3. Since the company did not have a direct sales channel the sales negotiations were restricted to one-on-one contacts with a small network of distributors and franchisees, thus no real CRM strategy were ever developed.        

Partnership outsourcing        

References        

Introduction

            Business operations depend highly on the use of the internet for successful outcomes. Through the internet, a business can obtain distinctive services from different companies that are technology centric. Most evidently, the enterprise resource planning (ERP) applications have become sound tools for profitable outcomes. Through the implementation of the given approaches, a business necessitates flexibility in operations thus profitable outcomes. Furthermore, to generate more customers, the use of search engines such as Google is mandatory for customer acquisition. Thus, this paper will examine ERP and other facets of technology at Company A as per the case questions.

Question 1 ERP providers find the best combination for this company

            It is noteworthy that the implementation of an ERP system is not only a complex and time-consuming process, but it also opens up the organization to many opportunities. However, the project comes with a myriad of risks (Ethie & Madsen, 2005). It is, therefore, important that the organization take advantage of the potential opportunities rather than get caught by the risks of these implementation projects. Thus, from the above analysis of the different facets of ERP, the different vendors that are applicable to the organization A include:

Sap

            Commencing operations in 1972, the organization is considered to be one of the pioneers of ERP system. The organization has a highly formidable due to the extensive experience that the organization exudes. Additionally, the company has a highly competitive ERP and CRM system that provides a wider portfolio of organizational applications. Through the applications available, Company A can improve the different aspects of their performance mandate.

Oracle

            Oracle stems its operations to more than 30 years ago. The company provides innovative software applications that focus towards necessitating ease in operation mandate. Thus, the company has been focusing on the extension of the portfolio in its ERP solutions through focusing on acquisition approach. The company has managed to acquire organizations such as Siebel and PeopleSoft. Through the mergers and acquisition, the organization provides the portfolio of services and applications thus a profitable management of the resources of the organizations.

Risks in the implementation of the ERP at Company A

In spite of the significant growth of ERP today, organizations often face some challenges when implementing these systems.  Dillard and Yuthas (2006) studies ERP implementation in the multinational organization. Their research found that a majority of the multinational firms use ERP systems more than smaller and midsized companies. Despite all the promises that ERP would benefit the organization as well as offer substantial capital investment, not all of the ERP implementations have been successful. Studies have found that ERP implementations have delayed schedules and overrun the initial budget (Ehie and Madsen, 2005).

A majority of the existing research report that the challenges associated with implementing ERP systems may not be caused by the software themselves. Researchers argue that these challenges arise from the numerous changes caused by implementing ERP systems in organizations (Maditinos, Chatzoudes and Tsairidis, 2012, Scott and Vessey, 2000).

The failures of ERP implementation can be explained by the fact that implementing ERP systems force organizations to follow the principle of ‘best practice.' Organizations are required to form the appropriate reference models (Zornad and Velkavrh, 2005).