Overview
In the mid-1990s, one of the world’s leading technology companies was growing fast but had outdated software that could not keep up. When the old system failed and caused serious problems with orders and communication, the company made a bold decision: to invest in a new enterprise resource planning (ERP) system from another technology company. The new ERP system helped company 1 connect its different departments—like sales, inventory, shipping, and customer service—into one powerful platform. As a result, the company could see and track products in real time, make smarter inventory decisions, and respond to customer needs more quickly and accurately. The change had a big impact on the company’s success and showed how valuable an ERP system can be.
Read this case study on the company's ERP system: Cisco Systems Inc.’s ERP Implementation.
For this assignment, you will analyze how the company successfully used an ERP system to fix major business problems and improve performance. Your paper will explore how the other company's ERP system helped company 1 improve supply chain visibility, manage inventory, and provide better customer service.
In a 5–7-page paper, answer the following:
- Introduce the company and the reason it needed to change its old system (e.g. how did the old system affect daily operations and customer service?).
- What is an ERP, and why do companies use it?
- How did the company choose and install the ERP system?
- How did teams and departments work together during this change?
- How did the new system help the company track products, shipments, and stock more efficiently? How did this help its customers?
- What can other companies learn from this? Are there any risks or challenges other companies should prepare when starting an ERP project?
Please use this template to complete the assignment: U4 IP Template.