SECTION A $[100$ MARKS$]$

Read the case study carefully and answer ALL the questions in this section.

ERP

You$$ve heard of ERPs and have a general understanding of what they do but aren$$t sure how or if they

can add value and contribute to your current business process and systems.

I'll give you an explanation of ERPs including how they work and deliver value.

We$$ll also demonstrate how companies can benefit from an ERP using real$-$life examples of Amazon,

Starbucks & Toyota.

Key takeaways:

$$ ERP systems integrate business processes and data, improving decision$-$making and efficiency

across functions like finance, HR$,$ and supply chain, beneficial for various industries and business

sizes.

$$ ERPs centralize data management, combining diverse applications into one system for

streamlined information flow, enhanced security, and automated workflows, reducing errors and

improving efficiency.

An ERP $($Enterprise Resource Planning$)$ system is a powerful software platform that integrates business

data, process, and function into a unified system that streamlines management and facilitates datadriven decision$-$making.

Amazon using SAP

Amazon uses an ERP software called SAP $($Systems Analysis and Program Development$).$

SAP was created in Germany in $1972$ by five former IBM employees who envisioned a software

integration of all business and data processing in real$-$time.

It$$s regarded as being best ERP software for advanced analytics using AI and machine learning

SAP features include:

$$ Financial management

$$ Human resources management $($SAP SuccessFactors$)$

$$ Supply chain management

$$ Customer relationship management $($SAP C$/4$HANA$)$

$$ Analytics and reporting $($SAP Analytics Cloud$)$

$$ Manufacturing and production planning

$$ Project and portfolio management

$$ Database and data management

$$ Enterprise asset management

$$ Research and development$/$engineering:

$$ Procurement and networks

$$ Enterprise performance management

$$ Internet of Things $($IoT$)$ and digital supply chain QUESTION $1(30$ Marks$)$

It is clear from the extract above that the implementation of an ERP system in an organisation is beneficial.

$1\mathrm{.}1$ Explain the characteristics and business value of implementing an ERP system in an organisation. $(15$ Marks$)$

$1\mathrm{.}2$ Discuss the causes of ERP failure in an organisation. $(10$ Marks$)$

$1\mathrm{.}3$ Explain the trends in ERP. $(5$ Marks$)$