Fated4Life
Accounting 484x / 584x Name _____________________
Quiz 2 Fall 2012
20 points
1. Briefly describe two of the four components of the architecture underlying an enterprise system. (4 points)
Components of the architecture underlying an ERP system: a) Systems configuration a. Organizations with concerns about the high cost of ERP and uncertain benefit may choose to purchase ERP services that are accessed through the internet (save the purchase price, hardware costs, and maintenance and upgrade expense) b) Centralized database a. Database stores information about each data item just once and makes it immediately available to all functions in an organization (avoiding redundant data) c) Application interfaces a. An organization may forego the “one-system approach” in choosing the ERP system that best meets their needs. Instead the organization might choose to combine systems (e.g. implement an ERP system from SAP and interface it with SCM or business intelligence product from a different software manufacturer). b. Enterprise application integration (EAI): useful method of combining multiple systems, it allows companies with legacy applications and databases to integrate and continue to use those systems. d) Internet portals a. A portal: is a gateway to other Web Sites or services that enhances communication and productivity among employees, customers, partners, and suppliers.
2. Briefly describe why ERP vendors tend to devote significant resources into creating executive dashboards. (4 points) ERP vendors tend to devote significant resources into creating dashboards because the digital interface dashboard capture and present key performance indicators for the executives to view overall picture of the business. In absence of executive dashboards, it will be very difficult to gauge how well the ERP meets organizational objectives or how to correct any performance gaps.
3.
Quiz 2 Fall 2012
20 points
1. Briefly describe two of the four components of the architecture underlying an enterprise system. (4 points)
Components of the architecture underlying an ERP system: a) Systems configuration a. Organizations with concerns about the high cost of ERP and uncertain benefit may choose to purchase ERP services that are accessed through the internet (save the purchase price, hardware costs, and maintenance and upgrade expense) b) Centralized database a. Database stores information about each data item just once and makes it immediately available to all functions in an organization (avoiding redundant data) c) Application interfaces a. An organization may forego the “one-system approach” in choosing the ERP system that best meets their needs. Instead the organization might choose to combine systems (e.g. implement an ERP system from SAP and interface it with SCM or business intelligence product from a different software manufacturer). b. Enterprise application integration (EAI): useful method of combining multiple systems, it allows companies with legacy applications and databases to integrate and continue to use those systems. d) Internet portals a. A portal: is a gateway to other Web Sites or services that enhances communication and productivity among employees, customers, partners, and suppliers.
2. Briefly describe why ERP vendors tend to devote significant resources into creating executive dashboards. (4 points) ERP vendors tend to devote significant resources into creating dashboards because the digital interface dashboard capture and present key performance indicators for the executives to view overall picture of the business. In absence of executive dashboards, it will be very difficult to gauge how well the ERP meets organizational objectives or how to correct any performance gaps.
3.