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STUDENT & FACULTY DEMAND TOP DRIVER FOR UNIVERSITY IT

By Kelly Ng | 30 January 2012

The new digital generation demands mobility and a seamless learning experience - from the classroom, to the library, and everywhere else on campus.

Fifteen CIOs of Singapore’s leading higher education institutions gathered over breakfast at St Regis Hotel to discuss fresh approaches to campus modernisation. The attendees focused their discussions on the opportunities and benefits of virtualisation and cloud computing technologies for education institutions.

Joining the party was Victoria University Australia to share two recent virtualisation deployments. “We rolled out virtualised desktops which allowed application access anywhere and enhanced collaboration,” said Pro Vice-Chancellor and CIO Professor Peter Creamer. “We also virtualised our servers which resulted in capital savings of A$1.8 million (US$1.9 million).” Victoria University has over 53,000 students and 2607 staff across 11 campuses.

A majority of the CIOs believed mobile-based technologies will have the biggest impact on the future of learning and teaching, and all are looking at virtualisation or cloud implementations.

“Transform IT into an on-demand service should give higher education institutions centralised simplicity, security, complete visibility, optimised delivery and mobility,” said Yaj Malik, Area Vice President ASEAN, Citrix Systems.
While there is cost pressure to deliver more with less, 60 per cent of the attendees identified increasing students’ and faculty’s demand as the top driver for IT initiatives in their institutions. They expected the growth of smart phone use on campus to be highest, followed by tablets and laptops.

“The concept of virtualisation enables access anytime and anywhere to information such as course materials, your personal work and desktop, and supports the notion of seamless learning. There will be challenges in terms of implementation, costs, software license issues, getting the early adopters going, and more,” said Professor Chee Kit Looi, Head, Centre of Excellence for Learning Innovation, National Institute of Education, Singapore.

The breakfast meeting was convened jointly by FutureGov Asia Pacific and Citrix Systems.

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Individual Assignment- Chapter 12

P/S: -Sorry about the diagrams, I made it by my own using 'Paint' application... quite childish..hehehe

- Kindly approach/comment me for any mistakes you notice in this assignment.

MGT 300

Individual Assignment

Chapter 12

“Enterprise Resources Planning”

Class                : J3BM1114C

Name               : Adibah Amira Bte Mohd Salehen

No. Matric       : 2010404638

Lecturer           : Tuan Syed Mazlan Bin Syed Mat Dom

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

First of all, I would like to say Alhamdulillah, for giving me the strength and health to do this assignment work until it done. Not forgotten to my family for providing everything, such as money, to buy anything that are related to this assignment work and their advise, which is the most needed for this task. Internet, books, computers and all that as my sources to complete this assignment. They also supported me and encouraged me to complete this task so that I will not procrastinate in doing it.

            Then I would like to thank my dedicate lecturer, Tuan Syed Mazlan for guiding me about this assignment and always encourage me and the whole class to perform better in this subject and also not forgotten my friends who is directly or indirectly helping me throughout this assignment. I had some difficulties in doing this task, but he taught me patiently until I knew what to do. He tried and tried to teach us in class until we understand what we supposed to do with this assignment.

Last but not least, my friends who were doing this assignment with me and sharing our ideas even thought our chapters are different. They were helpful that when we combined and discussed together, we had this task done.

Thank you very much… J

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Acknowledgments ………………………………………………2

Table of Content ………………………………………………3

List of Figures …………………………………………………..3

List of Tables ……………………………………………...........3

1.0 INTRODUCTION.…………………………………….…4

2.0 Data Flow of ERP Integration……………………………….5

3.0 The Evolution of Enterprise Resource Planning………………..7

4.0 Integrating SCM, CRM, and ERP…………………………....9

5.0 Integration Tools……………………………………………11

7.0 CONCLUSION…………………………………………….12

8.0 REFERENCES……………………………………………13

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 2.0 (i) Data flow of ERP system………………………......5

Figure 4.0 (a) Popularity of different e-business application in Europe

according to company size…………………………………..……9

Figure 4.0 (b) - Primary User and Business Benefits of Strategic Initiatives....10

Figure 5.0 (a) - Integration between SCM, CRM and ERP Application……11

LIST OF TABLES

Table 3.1 (a) The summarize evolution of EPR from 1960s to 1990s….…7

Table 3.2 (a) The summarize evolution of EPR from 1990s to present……..8

1.0 Introduction

What is Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)?  “Enterprise Resource Planning” is a term originally coined in 1990 by The Gartner Group to describe the next generation of MRP II software (Barton, 2001).  The purpose was to integrate all facets of the business enterprise under one suite of software applications. At the heart of all ERP system is a database, when user enters or updates info in one module, it is immediately and automatically update throughout the entire system.

1.1 Definition

·         Amy Philips, Paige Baltzan & Stephen Haag – Business Driven Technology

Enterprise Resource Planning serves as the organization’s backbone in providing fundamental decision-making support.

·         Dave Chaffey – E-Business & E-Commerce

Software providing integrated functions for major business functions such as production, distribution, sales, finance and human resources management.

·         Eric L. Keller – Manufacturing System

Enterprise Resource Planning would be broadened to include almost any type of large integrated software package.

·         James A.Senn – Information Technology Principles, Practices & Opportunities

Large scope, unified application programs that integrate many of the transaction processing and information systems application features.

·         James O’Brien & George Marakas – Introduction to Information Technology

Technological backbone of E-Business, an enterprisewide transaction framework with links into sales order processing, inventory management and control, production and distribution planning and finance. 

2.0 Data Flow of ERP Integration

Figure 2.0 (i)

The ERP system is automatically connected to every department link. The order process moves speedily though the organization. For example, when user takes a sales order, its details are entered to common database and are immediately available to other application function where it is needed. The order process moves like a bolt of lightning through the organization, and customer can get their order faster and minimize error. ERP can use the same technique to the other major business processes.

2.1 ERP System Integrates Functions

a) Human Resources

·         HR/ Benefits administration

·         Payroll

·         Self-service insurance management

·         Self-service retirement fund management

b) E-Business

·         E-Procurement

·         Employee self-service supply purchasing

·         Web-enabled transaction

·         E-Commerce

c) Customer Relationship Management

·         Customer descriptive information

·         Personalization of services

·         Real time access enterprise info

d) Supply Chain Management

·         Planning, scheduling and fulfillment application that address all procurement requirements across the enterprise.

e) Data analysis

·         Decision support software that provides capacity to analyze transaction data to track business performance.

f) Finance

·         General Ledger

·         Account Receivable

·         Procurement

·         Treasury and grant management

·         Cost Control

3.0 The Evolution of Enterprise Resource Planning

Enterprise Resource Planning is evaluation of manufacturing requirements planning (MRP) II. Form business perceptive, ERP has expanded from coordination of manufacturing processes to the integration enterprise-wide back end process. From a technological aspect, ERP has move from legacy implementation to more flexible tiered client-server architecture.

3.1 The summarize of evolution of EPR from 1960s to 1990s

Timeline	System	Description
1960s	Inventory Management & Control	The combination of Information Technology and business process of maintaining an appropriate level of stock in warehouse. The activities of inventory management include identifying inventory requirements, setting targets, providing replenishment techniques and option, monitoring item usages, reconciling the inventory balances, and reporting inventories status.
1970s	Material Required Planning	Utilize software application for scheduling production process. MRP generates schedule for operation and raw materials purchased based on the production requirement of finished goods, the structure of the production system, the current inventories level and lot of sizing procedure of each production.
1980s	Manufacturing Required Planning	Utilize software application for coordinating manufacturing process, from product planning, parts purchasing, inventory control to product distribution.
1990s	Enterprise Resources Planning	Use multi-module application software for improving the performance of the internal business processes. ERP system often integrates business activities across-functional department, from product planning, parts purchasing, inventory control, product distribution, fulfillment, to order tracking. ERP software systems may include application modules for supporting marketing, finance, accounting and human resources.

Table 3.1 (a)

Source: Adapt from Enterprise Resource Planning (2008)

3.2 The summarize of evolution of EPR from 1990s to present

Timeline	System	Description
1990s	Enterprise Resource Planning	Utilize software application for material planning, order entity, distribution, general ledger, accounting and shop floor control.
2000	Extended Enterprise Resource Planning	Utilize software application for scheduling, forecasting, capacity planning, e-commerce, warehousing and logistic.
Present	Enterprise Resource Planning II	Utilize software application for project management, knowledge management, workflow management, customer relationship management, portal capability and integrated financials.

Table 3.2 (a)

Source: Adapt from Business Driven Technology (2009)

4.0 Integrating SCM, CRM, and ERP

            According to Paige Baltzan, Amy Phillips and Stephen Haag “Application such as SCM, CRM and ERP are the backbone of e-business” (pg. 156). It is the key to success for every company. The approach of integrating different application through ERP is entirely consistent with principle of e-business, since e-business application must facilitate the integration of the whole supply chain and value chain.

For example, a European Union report (eEurope, 2005) also show surprisingly low rates of adoption of different types application. Figures 4.0 (a) shows the popularity of different types of e-business applications.

Figure 4.0 (a) – Popularity of different e-business application in Europe according to company size

Source: Adapted from E-Business & E-commerce (Pg 288)

ERP systems automate organization activity with an integrated software application. Their purpose is to facilitate the flow of information between all business functions inside the boundaries of the organization and manage the connections to outside stakeholders. The techniques and concept for integrated management of business as a whole from the viewpoint of the effective use of management recourses to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of enterprise management.

Figure 4.0 (b) - Primary User and Business Benefits of Strategic Initiatives

Source: Adapt from Business Driven Technology (Pg 157)

5.0 Integration Tools

Figure 5.0 (a) - Integration between SCM, CRM and ERP Application

Source: Adapt from Business Driven Technology (Pg 158)

Many company purchase module from ERP suppliers. A Customer Relationship Management vendor and Supplier Relationship Management must integrate the different module together to be absolute matching one with another.

Integration are achieved using middleware. It is a type of software that located in the centre and provides connectivity between two or more software application. It is act as translation between disparate systems.

If one of the applications is perform poorly, the entire customer value delivery system is affected to it. These system must be maintained and supervise accordingly to ensure the smoothness of the path link between them.

6.0 Enterprise Resource Planning’s Explosive Growth

All business nowadays is very complex and customer-orientation. The system and technology must be in advance to ensure the company earns its competitive advantages to thrive in the market. ERP system can generate significant business benefits for a company (O’Brien &Marakas, 2008). Many other companies have found major business value in their use of ERP in several basic ways.

6.1 Advantages of Enterprise Resource Planning

Installing an ERP system has many advantages both direct and indirect (Leon, 2008). The direct advantages include improved efficiency, information integration for better decision making, and faster respond time to customer demand. The indirect benefits include better corporate images, improve customer goodwill, customer satisfaction and so on.

·         Quality and efficiency

ERP creates a framework for integrating and improving a company’s internal business processes that result significant improvement in customer services, production and distribution.

·         Low cost

Reduce transactional processing cost, hardware and software.

·         Support decision making

ERP provide vital, cross-functional information on business performance to managers and help their ability to make a decision making in a timely manner.

·         Enterprise agility

ERP system breaks down departmental and functional walls of business processes, information system and resources. This will result in more flexible organization structures, managerial responsibilities, and work roles.

7.0 Conclusion

            In Brief, an enterprise is a group of people in an organization that have same goal to achieve. In the enterprise way the entire organization is considered as a system and all the in the department are its sub-system. All information from the sub-system in organization is store centrally and is available to all departments.

            The ERP system helps to make this task easier by integrating the information system, enabling smooth and seamless flow of information across department barriers, automating business process and function thus helping the organization to work more and move forward as single entity.

            A business process is a collection of activities that takes one or more kind of input and creates an output that is of value to the customer. Thinking in term of business processes helps managers to look at their organization from a customer perspective. Sharing data effectively and efficiently between and within the functional areas that lead to more efficient business process.

            Information systems can be designed so that accurate and timely data are shared between functional areas. These systems are called integrated information system. So, what is need is a system that treats the organization as a single entity to the information needed by the whole organization. Of this is possible and if the information generated is accurate, timely and relevant, then this system will lead the organization to realize its goal.

8.0 References

A.Senn, J. (2004). Information technology principles, practice & opportunities. (3 ed.). New     Jersey: Pearson.

Baltzan, P., Phillips, A., & Haag, S. (2009). Business driven technology. (International ed.). DOI: McGraw-Hill

Barton, P. (2001). Enterprise resource planning: factors affecting success and failure . Retrieved from http://scholar.google.com.my/scholar?q=enterprise+resource+planning&hl=en&btnG=Search&as_sdt=1%2C5&as_sdtp=on

Chaffey, D. (2007). E-business & e-commerce. (3 ed.). New York: Prentice Hall.

Eric L. Keller, Lessons Learned, Manufacturing Systems, v17, iss.11, pp. 44-50

Leon, A. (2008). Enterprise resource planning. (2 ed.). New Delhi: McGraw-Hill. Retrieved from

http://books.google.com.my/books?hl=en&lr=&id=pTGDy2GX_sUC&oi=fnd&pg=PT20&dq=enterprise+resource+planning&ots=Apr8Al4Tv6&sig=2rR_hrL96MJT7nOEMgiqa2dFw6s#v=onepage&q&f=true

O'Brien, J., & Marakas, G. (2008). Introduction to Information System. (14 ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.

IMU Expands Credit Transfer Options for Biomedical Science Students 16 February 2011

International Medical University (IMU) recently provided another credit transfer

option for students who have applied for its biomedical science programme, giving

these students an exciting new option to continue their education in an overseas university.

Through this arrangement, credit transfer students from IMU will be required to complete

the first part of their studies in IMU before transferring to University of Strathclyde.

These students will receive academic credit for the subjects they have successfully

completed in IMU and use this towards the completion of their degree. The degree

will then be awarded by University of Strathclyde.

"We are pleased to be able to provide an additional credit transfer option for students

in the biomedical science programme. Providing students with this additional credit

transfer option is an affordable way for IMU students to gain access to a UK education

and towards obtaining an overseas degree," said A/Prof Chen Yu Sui, programme

coordinator of the biomedical science programme at IMU.

The University of Strathclyde was founded in 1796 and is Scotland"s third largest,

with some 14,000 students from more than 90 countries. The University is recognised

as a centre of teaching excellence in Scotland and stands among the best in the world.

A/Prof Chen Yu Sui added, "Without doubt, this arrangement would offer vast benefits

to them as it uniquely allows students to experience the learning environments

of two leading universities in Malaysia and the UK. Another benefit for the

students is the discovery and understanding of cultures from around the world

as this is a critical component for a

healthcare professional. This is certainly one of the reasons for us to continuously

look for additional transfer options for students and part of its ongoing mission to train

and promote excellence in the healthcare industry."

University of Strathclyde has been a member of IMU"s network of partner universities

for more than 10 years. Prior to this, the university has collaborative and

credit transfer arrangements with IMU for its pharmacy and psychology

programmes. With this

collaboration, University of Strathclyde will be expanding the number

of IMU

programmes that the university is having collaborative agreements.

In addition to the credit transfer option with the University of Strathclyde, students

applying for the biomedical science programme also have the opportunity to transfer

the credits that they have earned in IMU to the University of Otago in New Zealand or

University of Newcastle in Australia after successful completion of the first part of their

course in IMU. Students also have the option to complete the entire biomedical science

degree in IMU and obtain a Bachelor of Science (Hons) Biomedical Science from IMU.

UPM and UM Enhance Learning Facilities and Empower Student Lives with 4G Mobile Internet

Kuala Lumpur, 13 September 2010 – Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) and Universiti Malaya (UM) today joined the Education Partner Program (EPP) spearheaded by YTL Communications Sdn Bhd (YTL Comms). Under the program, both universities will apply the power of 4G Mobile Internet campus-wide to give their students cutting-edge learning facilities and further enhance the quality of life on campus for both students and academic staff.

UM plans to utilise YTL's 4G Campus-wide Network to boost research activities and be among the top 100 universities in the world

UPM and UM are the third and fourth local university respectively to join the EPP program in the last two months after UTM and UTAR. All twenty of Malaysia’s public universities and selected private universities are expected to join the program by the end of the year.

“We want the students to access our enterprise, learning and research services from anywhere and at anytime and therefore we are pleased to partner with YTL Comms to give our students the freedom and the convenience of 4G Mobile Internet,” said Professor Tan Sri Datuk Dr. Nik Mustapha R. Abdullah, Vice Chancellor of UPM.

“We champion the model of Ubiquitous Learning at UPM. This means learning whatever, whenever, wherever. We call it www-learning, which is, incidentally, the way the real Internet should be, too”, said Associate Professor Dr. Suhaimi Napis, CTO and Director, InfoComm Development Centre (iDEC), UPM.

The Ubiquitous Learning Environment (ULE) at UPM, the brainchild of Dr. Suhaimi, relies on the Malaysian Research and Education Network (MYREN), a high-capacity broadband network that connects universities, colleges, research organisations and scientific laboratories. UPM was one of the founding proposers of this dedicated network that provides a platform for creating research communities and encourages them to exchange ideas and collaborate with international partners.

World Wide Web Domination Win is Malaysia’s Gain

The award-winning website team does it again and every time they score on the international stage they bring glory not only to the world’s creativity University but also to Malaysia for online creativity and innovation.

The young creators of the Limkokwing official website, World Wide Web Domination (W3D), is on the roll again by taking home 18 international awards over the last two months, probably the only university web in the country to do so with such regularity.

The awards are all the more significant because they are from established US-based organisations known for their high standards and criteria.

The judges who are industry professionals picked the Limkokwing University website based on design, innovation content, technology, interactivity, copywriting and functionality, and the awards are a testimony that clearly reflects Malaysia’s sophistication for producing outstanding multimedia products and services.

Young, talented and savvy

W3D is dominated by dedicated team players who are all alumni below 30 years of age and for them winning is all in a day’s to come up with some amazing stuff.

Along the way, these young men and women have placed the country on the same pedestal as world-class names such as DreamWorks, Paramount, Levi’s, Walt Disney, Nissan, Pizza Hut, FIAT, Hewlett-Packard, Alcatel Lucent, Mattel, Pepsi, MTV, Samsung, Yahoo! among other distinguished brands.

W3D comes under the able command of Dato’ Timothy Lim Kok Wing Jr who is a computer wizard in his own right. Working closely with the University Founder President, Timothy handles the day-to-day management of the outfit, which also includes conceptualization, content creation and direction of the creative team.

Winning streak

Since 2009, Limkokwing University has won 30 more international awards again proving that Malaysia has the talents, resources and professionalism to create great online work of international standards.

Recently, the World Wide Web Domination again proved that have what it takes to be an award-winning web team when they won two Outstanding Achievement Awards under the Education category in the 2011 Interactive Media Awards (IMA) for the Limkokwing Community Portal and iPhone Applications.

The second highest honour bestowed by IMA, it was based on specific criteria: design, content, feature functionality, usability and standards compliance and cross-browser compatibility. The Limkokwing Community Portal and iPhone Applications received an overall score of 464 from a maximum of 500 points.

Worldwide hit

The University’ official website is probably the such portal in Malaysia or in the world to register over 200 million hits annually from 220 countries and territories worldwide, or one that is yet to be matched by others.

This amazing achievement is again to the credit of the Limkokwing web team that is fast changing the landscape of the online skyline through their passion and creativity to excel in the field, and bring home more international awards so it may also be Malaysia’ gain too.

With more than 40 international awards showcasing their performance since 2009, the World Wide Web Domination is already strategising yet another global award, soon.