2009/06/05

Session 2: Assignment One Question

Session 2 Question:
Scroll down the page and click the "View the Demo" link under the "Inventory and Operations" section.The demo will launch within your web browser. There are 4 tracks in the video. You only need to view Track 1: Introduction and Track 2: Automate the Order-to-Delivery Process.Answer the following questions after viewing the video:
Visit the
SAP Small Business web site.

Q1. Which departments within the company are integrated within the Order-to-Delivery process?

Answer as below:
In Track 1: Introduction demo from SAP Business One, Sales and marketing Department, Warehouse and shipping Department, Inventory and Operations are integrated within the Order-to-Delivery process.

Q2. Which steps are included in the Order-to-Delivery process?

Answer as below:
From Track 1: Introduction of the “Inventory and Operation” section, we know that the benefits for SAP Business One and Inventory and Operations are as follow:
1. Automate the order to delivery process
2. Manage inventory in real time
3. Adapt to changing business needs
4. Streamline end to end operations
5. Serve customer faster and better
6. Achieve profitable growth

When Sales Department received the purchase order from key customers, just like the demo, the customer require same day delivery. Then the salesman use SAP Business One to access real time inventory data to confirm the items are in stock.

The Salesman can create the sales order with just a few clicks, e.g. item code and customer account number etc. Once the order is ready, the software automatically alerts the Warehouse Department the order requires same day delivery.

Warehouse representative received the sales order alert from Sales Department. He can easily drill down to see the complete details of the customers, e.g. item order and customer ship to address and more. He quickly assembly the order use the pick and pack feature in SAP Business One. Each of the order assigns a unique serial number for future checking.

Warehouse use the SAP Business One to print the delivery note and packing slip for the shipment.

When the shipment is pick up by the carrier, the software automatically update the order status, so the Salesman knows the package is ship and also e-mail the customer to complete tracking details.

With SAP Business One, you can automatically the order to the process and streamline your entire business operation.

Q3. What factors would you consider when deciding whether ERP is suitable or not for a small business ?
Answer as below:

Enterprise resource planning (ERP) software helps integrate management, staff, and equipment, combining all aspects of the business into one system in order to facilitate every element of the manufacturing process.
Enterprise resource planning (ERP) software helps integrate management, staff, and equipment, combining all aspects of the business into one system in order to facilitate every element of the manufacturing process.

ERP groups traditional company and management functions such as accounting, human resources (HR) manufacturing management, and customer relationship management (CRM) into a coherent whole. Manufacturing management also includes inventory, purchasing, and quality and sales management.

Advantage:
ERP systems aid in the control and communication of business activities, such as
• Efficient handling of order processing and production scheduling
• Produce and access information in a real-time environment
• Management and analyses of business processes within an interactive environment
• Synchronization of departmental activities (e.g., within human resources or finances) with the needs and output from production facilities
• Monitoring, sharing, and tracking of information throughout the organization
• Ensures quicker processing of information and reduces the burden of paperwork.
• Serving the customers efficiently by way of prompt response and follow up.
• Disposing queries immediately and facilitating the payments from customers with ease and well ahead of the stipulated deadline.
• Minimize the mistakes by double entry or duplicated files.
• Ensure proper communication, productivity and efficiency

Disadvantage:
In spite of rendering marvelous services ERP is not free from its own limitations. ERP calls for a voluminous and exorbitant investment of time and money. The amount of cash required would even be looming on the management given the fact that such an outlay is not a guarantee to the said benefits but subject to proper implementation, training and use. In the ever expanding era of information theft ERP is no exception. It is alarming to note the time taken to implement the system in the organization. These means large amounts of workers have to shun their regular labor and undertake training. This not only disturbs the regular functioning of the organization but also runs the organization in the huge risk of losing potential business in that particular period.



Conclusion
We would consider efficiency and costing when deciding whether ERP is suitable for a small business or not. If we do implement the ERP system, somehow it usually requires the business to re-engineer some of its existing business processes. For my opinion, I think it is certainly worth to do so. We've trebled in size without having to hire additional staff members. Thus, the business can be expanding.

ERP is recommended in an organization not only because the advantages outnumber the disadvantages but also by keeping in mind the ways to overcome the disadvantages. An organization has to correctly weigh the advantages and disadvantages of ERP before going for them.

The foremost advantage of an ERP system is bringing down the costs and saving the valuable time. The database not only becomes user friendly but also helps to do away with unwanted ambiguity.

That’s why small business should also enjoy the ERP system.

reference link from YouTude for CRM:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0Ln4H_deGU&feature=related

2009/06/04

Try to upload the pictures~

Hi Jenny,



I am trying to see whether I can capture the picture to the right location or not. (In class now)


Is that my PC have problem? or....just I am so silly don't know how to do it...


I tried at home on 6 Jun 09, it really can't make it...


However I Can Try it out at class~~what happens?????????



Thanks,
Samantha

Name and Student ID

Hi Jenny,

Sorry it is me again, I forgot to provide my name and student ID to you. =_="

Name: So Lai Chong Samantha
Student ID: 10425273

By the way, are you from Singapore?? My ex-boss was came from Singapore~ She is now back to SG and doing a VP there~~

Can you read Chinese?

Cheers,
Samantha

How can I upload the image to the correct places?

Hi Jenny,

I just finish my first assignment, however, I don't know how to upload the image to the correct paragraph, so I just insert all the image to the assignment first...

Could you advice where I can choose the location of the image?

Sorry for my late submission. I will put more effort on it later on.

It is rainy heavily outside~ it is time to sleep now~

See you tomorrow evening. :)

Thanks,
Samantha

Session 1: Assignment One Question

Session 1 Question:
This week we talked about the role of information systems in a business (Slide 9 of Lecture 1).Think of a business or organization that you admire, then describe two examples of how that business is supported by information systems. For example, do they use it for operational excellence? Or do they use it to create new products and services?


Answer as below:
Debuted in 1997, the Octopus Card instantly became widely used in the public, as it simplified the transportation payment process to take only a couple of seconds! No need to carry coins, pay in exact fees, it's simple. Want to prove how popular it is? There are now over 10 million Octopus Cards in circulation, which exceeds Hong Kong's population of 7 million!

The Octopus Card can be purchased from any public transportation company's customer service centre, such as MTR's or KCR's. When first purchasing the Octopus Card, HK$50 is included as refundable deposit, and the remaining value will be stored in the card for normal payments.

On-Loan Octopus is available in four different types:
Child - for ages 3-11 (Deposit $50 + Stored Value $20= Price HK$70)
Adult (Deposit $50 + Stored Value $100 = Price HK$150)
Elder (Deposit $50 + Stored Value $20 = Price HK$70)
Personalized - can apply to child, student, adult and elder

Octopus has become an integral part of the daily life of almost all Hong Kong people. “Dood and go”. Its fast and convenient payment method widely used for our daily public transportation and purchase, Moreover it available at over 2,000 different service providers including apparel stores, bakeries, car parks, cinemas, convenience stores, fast food chains, household stores, leisure facilities, personal care stores, photo finishing stores, photocopiers, supermarkets, and vending machines, making it the pride of Hong Kong in the international arena.

With the Octopus payment service now extending to all sorts of merchants, a “Dood” on your Octopus is not only convenient when you’re shopping, but also provides a wide range of exclusive privileges for customers. Octopus has become not only an everyday payments means, but also an effective marketing and promotional tools welcomed by both consumers and businesses. Octopus is pleased to offer companies from all sectors innovative solutions to help them identify new business opportunities

As of today, over 200 types of Octopus cards and products have been produced. Apart from the common on-loan Octopus and sold Octopus for open purchase, many of them are Special Octopus uniquely created for individual corporations as premium gifts, company cards, membership cards or access control cards. Some are in the form of generic Octopus or Mini Octopus, and others of different sizes and shapes are embedded with Octopus functionality.

Special Octopus are very well received by both businesses and consumers, as they can not only be tailor-made to meet an individual company's requirements, but also function in the same way as any other Octopus. Corporate clients are welcome to provide their own card or product design that complies with specific guidelines, and Octopus Cards Limited will proceed to the manufacturing stage according to stringent quality control requirements

For instance, Octopus has recently produced exquisite Mini Octopus and handset chain sets for Beverley Pacific International Limited, sole agent for Sony Ericsson in Hong Kong and Macau.
In additional with Octopus Automatic Add Value Service (AAVS), your credit card account will automatically reload HK$250 or HK$500 to your Octopus (maximum once a day) when the remaining value reaches zero or a negative balance. In order to avoid hassle of manually reloading your Octopus. You can enjoy the convenience and pay smart to earn credit card reward points or cash rebates by using your Octopus. For security issue, Octopus with AAVS can be automatically reloaded for a maximum of once per day and customer are protected with lost-card reporting service.

If you wish to have added security against card loss, use a Personalised Octopus or the Octopus Automatic Add Value Service. Through these services, Octopus Cards Limited will have your personal particulars, allowing verification of your identity as an Octopus holder, and therefore protection by the Octopus Lost Card Reporting Service. If you lose your Octopus, simply call the Octopus Lost Card Hotline on 2266 2266, a 24-hour interactive voice response system, complete the lost card reporting procedure and minimize your possible loss. The system will activate the card blocking procedure, and you only need to bear the loss arising from unauthorized use by others of the Octopus for six hours after successfully reporting the loss. The balance of the deposit will be returned to you after deduction of relevant charges.

If you want to become a member of the newly-created "Friends of Octopus" activities, a program designed to strengthen their communication with customer and help them improve their services and products. You will be invited to take part in online surveys while they will also ask some of you to join face-to-face gatherings with Octopus representatives with a view to seeking your input on our services and products.

If you want more information about your recent transactions, make use of the 377 self-service Octopus Enquiry Machines across MTR stations. A simple "Dood" will show you the last 10 transactions free of charge.

With an Octopus in your hand, you can even download music, purchase movie tickets and pay for sporting and leisure activities at LCSD facilities – or in short, you can enjoy endless convenience and privileges!
Marking everyday life easier. Enjoy a relaxing and convenient way of living!

2009/06/03

I can catch up before 4 Jun 09~

Hi Jenny,

Seems I have to hurry up to send the link to you, as I just have two days leave...haha...anyway I am here finally :)

IT system, software is a stranger to me. For me I can survive without the Net / PC, as I just like an ancient people.

However from now on, I have to learn more about it and maybe treat it as my friend...because I can gain more
useful knowledge from the lesson and from the Net.

Since your note said we have to include the name and student ID in the first blog, so I better add it here as well~


Name: So Lai Chong Samantha

Student ID: 10425273

Cheers,
Samantha