Information System Assurance for Enterprise Resource Planning Systems: Unique Risk Considerations

2002 ◽  
Vol 16 (s-1) ◽  
pp. 99-113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sally Wright ◽  
Arnold M. Wright

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems inherently present unique risks due to tightly linked interdependencies of business processes, relational databases, and process reengineering. Knowledge of such risks is important in planning and conducting assurance engagements of the reliability of these complex computer systems. Yet, there is little empirical evidence on this issue. To examine this topic, a semi-structured interview study was conducted with 30 experienced information systems auditors (from 3 of the Big 5 firms) who specialize in assessing risks for ERP systems. This approach allowed us to obtain detailed information about participants' views and client experiences. The results indicate that the implementation process of ERP systems has an important impact on system reliability. Further, interviewees identified a number of common implementation problems (e.g., improperly trained personnel and inadequate process reengineering efforts) that result in heightened risks. Interviewees also reported that ongoing risks differ across applications and across vendor packages. Finally, in providing assurance on ERP systems participants overwhelmingly indicate a focus on testing the process rather than system output.

Author(s):  
Loye Ray

Universities have deployed enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems to ease complexity and provide on-demand information. These systems also provide the opportunity to reengineer business processes to improve efficiency. However, these installations may not be as efficient or effective as expected. The use of ERP success factors provides a measure of these deployments that can overcome ineffectiveness in deploying an ERP system. This article looks at how well success factors impacted the deployment of an ERP system at a Maryland University.


Author(s):  
Magdy Abdel-Kader ◽  
Thu Phuong Nguyen

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems have been recognized as complex and costly, which limited their implementation in large organizations. However, an increasing number of small organizations have recently gained interest in this system. This paper investigates the implementation process of ERP in a small firm. The investigation focused on two perspectives of ERP implementation: successes achieved and problems encountered. Despite many problems encountered in the firm, the ERP system still exists. This gives evidence that small organizations are more flexible and motivated to adapt to change and implement an ERP system. Most problems were encountered at early stages of implementation, which can be minimized if deliberate decision making of ERP implementation and proper selection processes were in place. Further, ERP is a good solution for small organizations if they are able to build a relevant in-house system.


Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems are implemented in companies to improve their business processes. An ERP system entails extensive functional and technological aspects during its implementation. Teaching ERP systems for computer science students implies addressing these two aspects: ERP functionality and technological features. It is a challenge for teachers to design practical experimentation that students can perform in the teaching environment, due to the prerequisite of a deep understanding of the business processes, business user requirements, and the technological complexity of ERP systems. In order to improve student skills in ERP systems, we encourage active learning among students. In this chapter, we present a methodology using open and closed practicals to learn about both technical and functional aspects of ERP systems. Using these practicals allows us to prepare and organize this teaching/ learning process.


2011 ◽  
pp. 758-765
Author(s):  
Leopoldo E. Colmenares ◽  
Jim O. Otieno

An enterprise resource planning (ERP) system is an integrated set of programs that provides support for core organizational activities, such as manufacturing and logistics, finance and accounting, sales and marketing, and human resources. An ERP system helps the different parts of an organization share data and knowledge, reduce costs, and improve management of business processes. In spite of their benefits, many ERP systems fail (Stratman & Roth, 1999). Implementing an ERP system is a major undertaking. About 90% of ERP implementations are late or over budget (Martin, 1998), and the success rate of ERP systems implementation is only about 33% (Zhang et al., 2003).


Author(s):  
Cesar Alexandre de Souza ◽  
Ronaldo Zwicker

The 90’s witnessed an impressive growth of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems in the market of corporate IT solutions. For instance, O´Leary (2000) reports that a single ERP system (SAP´s R/3) is used by more than 60% of the multinational firms. Among the explanations for this phenomenon are the competitive pressures suffered by the companies that have forced them to seek alternatives for cost reduction, differentiation of products and services and integration of their business processes. The ERP systems evolved exploiting the need for quick deployment of integrated systems to meet these new business requirements, while companies were (and still are) under pressure to outsource all the activities that are not embraced by their core business.


Author(s):  
Monideepa Tarafdar

Enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems integrate various functions and processes in organizations. ERP software is developed in the form of different modules, each of which helps to perform distinct functions within the company. The modules interface with the same database and are integrated so that workflows can be designed across different modules. The software helps standardize business processes and ensures organization-wide availability of transaction data. ERP software evolved from earlier manufacturing resource planning (MRP) systems, which included inventory management, procurement and production planning functions. The implementation of ERP software started in the early 1990s and during the late 1990s, the growth rate of the ERP market was between 30 to 40%. As of 2001, 30,000 companies around the world had implemented ERP and the total value of the ERP market was at $25 billion. There is not much literature relating to ERP implementation and adoption in companies in Asia and other parts of the developing world. These organizations face issues that are significantly different from those faced by organizations in the developed world, because of differences in the sophistication of IT use, and in the cultural and social contexts. In this article, we describe some experiences that companies in India have gone through in implementing ERP systems. We present a framework for analyzing the critical factors and issues that influence the ERP adoption process, and highlight the areas of opportunity and risk. The framework is sufficiently general so as to be extended to other developing countries.


Author(s):  
Leopoldo E. Colmenares ◽  
Jim O. Otieno

An enterprise resource planning (ERP) system is an integrated set of programs that provides support for core organizational activities, such as manufacturing and logistics, finance and accounting, sales and marketing, and human resources. An ERP system helps the different parts of an organization share data and knowledge, reduce costs, and improve management of business processes. In spite of their benefits, many ERP systems fail (Stratman & Roth, 1999). Implementing an ERP system is a major undertaking. About 90% of ERP implementations are late or over budget (Martin, 1998), and the success rate of ERP systems implementation is only about 33% (Zhang et al., 2003).


Author(s):  
Dirk Werth ◽  
Paul Makuch

Nowadays the majority of enterprises use Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software to improve their business processes. Simultaneously, mobile technologies which can be used within ERP have gained further importance. This is because ERP, together with mobile technologies, offers a wide spectrum of synergies and both have a significant impact on enterprise efficiency. The improvement possibilities in ERP due to mobility range from sales activities, over logistic processes, up to effects on the human resource management.


Author(s):  
Dave Oliver ◽  
Celia T. Romm

This chapter outlines the significance of enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems and analyses the rationale used for their adoption. This study is structured around a theory of the motivations for investment in information technology (IT) to support core business operations. The data used for the study are documents published electronically on the Internet by universities. A content analysis was applied to this data. The chapter employs frequent use of quotes from the sources selected to assist the reader to understand the context and to verify the analysis. The findings are that the main reasons for adopting ERP are the modernization of systems, greater usability and flexibility, integration of data and systems, business process reengineering, an increase in the degree of electronic data interchange including the provision of Web-based interfaces to application systems, reduced maintenance and risk avoidance.


2011 ◽  
pp. 271-287
Author(s):  
J. Martin Santana ◽  
Jaime Serida-Nishimura ◽  
Eddie Morris-Abarca ◽  
Ricardo Diaz-Baron

The case describes the implementation process of an ERP (enterprise resource planning) system at Alimentos Peru, one of the largest foods manufacturing companies in Peru. It discusses the organization’s major concerns during the mid-1990s, including increasing competition, inefficiency of business processes, and lack of timely and accurate information. To address these concerns Alimentos Peru launched several projects, one of which involved the implementation of an ERP system. The case explains the criteria used to evaluate and select the system, as well as the main issues and problems that arose during the implementation process. More specifically, the case focuses upon a set of implementation factors, such as top management support, user participation, and project management. Finally, the case concludes with a discussion of the benefits obtained from the introduction of the system as well as the new organizational challenges.


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