Case Study: Chocolat Stella Bernrain’s ERP Implementation Presentation BUS 103

Instructions: This case is not listed in any case study directories. It is an original case. The case study logically fits the company names that are used and much of the data is accurate. There is no “one right answer” to the case study questions. Students are evaluated on their use of facts to develop and present their answer. Please use the facts of the case to respond to the questions as best as possible. Overview: The Case Study ERP Project Constant company growth and strengthening of in-house innovation were the decisive reasons for the management of the leading Swiss chocolate manufacturer Stella Bernrain to look for a new and long-term business software partner. In the fourth quarter of 2016, Stella Bernrain’s management set out to upgrade its patchwork of legacy IT systems into an integrated ERP environment, gaining operational efficiencies and cost savings. To deal with the complexity of its production processes, the increasing interconnections between the two production sites, and timely distribution to customers, Stella Bernrain decided on a comprehensive (all-in-one) ERP solution from BE-terna. BE-terna’s experience in the food industry and the ERP solution from Infor M3 are the perfect combination for us – all from a single source, said Stella Bernrain CFO Matthias Lauffer. Matthias went on to say that Stella Bernrain went on to say that “we have hired BE-terna as project manager to help us foresee the risks and challenges that could derail the completion of the project and apply their proven methodologies to make our ERP project a success”.Definition: ERP implementationDefinition - ERP implementation is the process of examining current business practices, strategic planning, streamlining operating procedures, installing and testing software, cleansing and migrating data, managing change, training users, going live and maintaining support. It’s not a one-time event, but rather a continuous process or life cycle.About BE-terna BE-terna is one of the leading European integrators for business software solutions headquartered in Innsbruck, Austria. As a full-service provider, the company specializes in implementing and optimizing business processes on Microsoft and Infor-based ERP, CRM and Big Data platforms. Customers include global corporations and innovative midsized companies, who want to gain competitive advantages by implementing and using modern, broad and cloud-based business software applications. With a highly motivated team, consisting of 850 consulting and technical specialists, BE-terna serves more than 1,400 customers – mainly within internationally orientated projects. With a comprehensive portfolio of software products and services, and industry-specific know-how, BE-terna offers perfectly tailored solutions for Manufacturing, Fashion, Retail, Process Industries, Trade and Project-based enterpriseOverview: Chocolat Stella Bernrain AGChocolat Bernrain AG is located in Kreuzlingen, Thurgau, Switzerland and is part of the Candy Manufacturing Industry. Chocolat Bernrain AG has 165 total employees across all of its locations and generates $20.25 million in annual sales (USD). There are 5 companies in the Chocolat Bernrain AG corporate family.Please note, “AG is an abbreviation of Aktiengesellschaft”, which is a German term for a public limited company. It is used in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria.As an inventive and powerful Swiss chocolate producer, Chocolat Stella Bernrain turns creative ideas into high-quality chocolate specialties, perfectly geared towards what customers want. Chocolat Stella Bernrain is an independent, globally-oriented family company that manufactures products for private label and the brand Bernrain and Stella. The culture of innovation that has been implemented since 1925, the knowledge of the markets and the long-standing experience in development and manufacture allow the company to spot market opportunities early on and exploit them systematically. Chocolat Stella Bernrain has high-performance requirements. The diverse product portfolio of the Swiss family company ranges from Stella Bernrain’s fine creations such as pralines and truffles to chocolates with innovative sweeteners such as organic agave nectar, to private label chocolate products made to customer requirements, and even supplying industry and commerce customers with couvertures and semi-finished products. The chocolate manufacturer gives particular priority to the origin of the raw materials and their processing, as well as the top quality of the final products. Accordingly, the company has high-performance requirements for its business software.History: Chocolat Stella Bernrain AG1925 - Walter Müller lays the foundation for his later entrepreneurship with an apprenticeship to become a confectioner, fills his rucksack in various confectioneries and French hotels and finally learns the craft of the chocolatier in Zurich from scratch.1928 - Achille Vanotti establishes Chocolat Stella, earns a reputation for himself with outstanding chocolate and makes imaginative investments across Switzerland in the "Stella" brand. 1932 - In Kreuzlingen Switzerland, Henry Weibel establishes the Bernrain chocolate factory and delights his customers with confectionery products, chocolate marshmallows, 'hüppen' (filled wafer rolls) and 'branches' (chocolate twigs). 1947 - Following World War II, Walter Müller decides to start up his own business. Working together with his wife, Karin, he produces chocolate marshmallows, 'branches' (chocolate twigs) and liqueur-filled miniature chocolate bottles in the 300-year-old family home. The products become extremely popular and the production premises rapidly become too small. .

Case Questions (100 Points) Question 1a.) Did Chocolat Stella Bernrain's top management clearly state the business goals for an ERP Implementation project? Please answer directly “yes or no”. 

1bi.) After answering directly “yes or no”, students will answer one of two questions below depending on their “yes or no” answer. 

If you answered “yes” to Question 1a.), What specific business goals does Chocolat Stella Bernrain's top management have for ERP Implementation project? Please answer in one or two sentences.

1bii.) If you answered “no” to Question 1a.), What specific business goals should Chocolat Stella Bernrain's top management have for ERP Implementation project? Please answer in one or two sentences.

Question 2.) What specific internal technical and operational problems are Chocolat Stella Bernrain top management trying to solve by an all-inclusive ERP Implementation project? Please write at least two or three sentences answering this question. Support your answer using the case.

Question 3.) Based on their track records prior to this project, are BE-terna and Chocolat Stella Bernrain a good match for a successful ERP implementation project? Please answer directly “yes or no”. Then, support your answer with three or four sentences. 

Question 4.) At the beginning of the project, evaluate whether BE-terna and Chocolat Stella Bernrain are communicating in a professional honest manner regarding the probability of a successful ERP implementation project. 

Question 4a.) At the beginning of the project, is BE-terna communicating in a professional honest with Chocolat Stella Bernrain regarding the probability of a successful ERP implementation project? Please answer directly “yes or no”. Then, support your answer with two or three sentences. (For this question, use the definition that: “Communication has two parts, talking and listening”.) 

Question 4b.) At the beginning of the project, does the top management of Chocolat Stella Bernrain communicate in a professionally honest manner with BE-terna regarding the enabling a successful ERP implementation project? Please answer directly “yes or no”. Then, support your answer with two or three sentences. 

Question #5.) What are the key lessons from the case about implementing an ERP project correctly? Please list at least two lessons. After listing the two lessons, explain the importance of the key lessons. 

5a.) The two key lessons are:

5b.) The importance of two key lessons explained are:

Question 6.) Please evaluate Chocolat Stella Bernrain’s ERP implementation project. 

6a.) Was Chocolat Stella Bernrain’s ERP implementation a success or a failure? Answer the question directly stating “success” or “failure”. 

6b.) When did the “success” or “failure” happen? Please state the single business event or situation in the case that best represents your response. Then support your answer with 2-3 sentences identifying and explaining the exact point in time that this ERP Implementation project became a “success” or “failure”. 

6c.) What was the responsibility of BE-terna? 

6d.) What was the responsibility by Chocolat Stella Bernrain? 

Question 7.) As a BE-Terna ERP Implementation Project Manager, what three pieces of advice would you provide future ERP Implementation project clients for success? 

Answer rating: 100% (QA)

Case Questions 100 Points Question 1a ANSWER No 1bi After answering directly yes or no students will answer one of two questions below depending on their yes or no answer 1bii ANSWER The specific busi... View the full answer