INFO245: Introduction to Enterprise Resource Planning ERP Chapter 5: ERP Output

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INFO245Introduction to Enterprise Resource
Planning (ERP)Chapter 5 ERP Output
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Chapter Objectives

• To compare and contrast the availabilty of
  information before and after ERP implementation
• To discuss the various options for obtaining data
  from an ERP environment
• Focus data warehouses

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Quantum virtual data warehouse

• Based on the case, what is a data warehouse?
• Why did Quantum to implement a data warehouse in
  addition to implementing Oracles ERP system?
• What are some of the benefits of the data
  warehouse?

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Data Output - definition

• The ability to generate reports in order
  facilitate decision making or to assist with
  other aspects of someones job.
• Data output is not accessing a screen to
  update, for example, an order (this would be the
  continuation of the data input process)
• Examples
• Sales month to date vs. budget
• Profit margin month to date vs. budget
• Product hot seller report
• Product non-mover report
• Backorder over 30 days report
• Customer non-payment over 30 day report.

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ERP Output Capabilities

• Before
• Legacy systems
• Data not integrated
• Time consuming, manual process to assemble
  cross-functional data
• Issues with accuracy and validity
• Whos numbers are right?
• After
• Integrated data single version of the truth
• Information overload? How to effectively provide
  data to managers that need it
• Methods queries, standard reports,
  Intranet-based reports, data warehouses

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ERP Data Output methods

• Data output methods include
• ERP standard reports
• Database queries
• Custom reports
• Intranets / portals
• Data warehouses

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What is a report?

• Its a program that retrieves data from a
  database, formats and presents it to a user
• Can allow filtering, sorting, aggregation

• displayed online
• exported to excel or other software
• Emailed as an attachment
• printed

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ERP Reporting and Query Capabilities

• Standard ERP Reports
• ERP systems generate many useful, customizable
  standard reports can control which users
  access which reports
• Examples financials income statements and balance
  sheets
• ERP Reports Dont always meet the users needs
  (or likes) highly ineffective for supporting ad
  hoc/decision oriented processes
• EVERY organization is different in its decision
  support needs.
• Can overload system / impact response time
• Reports are generated from the Operational
  system
• Query times long impact transaction response time

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ERP Reporting and Query Capabilities

• Database Queries
• Permit ad hoc queries against the database ask
  any question you like
• Can be executed within the ERP system -or- within
  the database
• ERP ABAP
• Database SQL
• Advantage Users can ask any question they want
• Disadvantage Depends on skill level of user
• BIG issue user needs to be programmer.

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Ways to Improve/Extend ERP Reporting

• Customized Reports
• Develop a set of static reports tailored to
  specific needs
• Advantage decision makers get exactly what they
  want
• Disadvantages needs change, decision makers
  change, Please senior managers
• Intranets
• Easy to access / use environment for casual users
• Standard (or custom) reports spun-off for
  accessibility
• Only partially addresses performance issues (run
  offline)
• Easy to use..browser interface

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Customized Reports
Source IDC and DMReview, 2003 compiled by Dan
Vesset of IDC in answer to question What would
you estimate is the approximate useful life of a
standard report or custom analytic application
before it requires its first modification or
enhancement as a result of changing information
needs driven by business?

• Key industry statistic from IDC
• 71 of reports must be modified or redone within
  6 months of creation

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Data Warehouse Definition

• A data warehouse is a type of information system
  developed to provide an organization with
  business intelligence to support management
  decision making.
• Data and tools

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Data Warehousing

• Advantages
• Availability of information optimized for
  retrieval
• Easier development of new reports in real-time
• Ad hoc access users do their own reporting
• Costs
• Data Warehouse server hardware
• Data Warehouse software
• Generating and maintaining the data

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SAP offers its own data warehouse - BW
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Data Warehouse tools

• Data warehouse tools allow users (managers,
  executives) monitor their operations
• Demo of a data warehouse tool

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ERP Intranet Portals

• What is a portal?
• Browser based, customizable desktop access for
  ERP users
• Extras news, joke of the day, calendar etc.
• Access core ERP functions (just the ones the
  user needs)
• Access data and reports based on needs.
• Example sales person
• ERP functions
• Enter new order
• Modify an order
• Reports and data
• Orders requiring attention
• Sales month to date vs. quota
• Back order status report
• Operational AND DW