Enterprise Systems

What demands are placed on information systems due to cross-functional integration?

• Reduced accessibility

• Flexibility and fluidity across departmental boundaries

• Simplicity in data management

• No change in information system requirements

What is the role of business units (BUs) within organizations?

• To increase hierarchy

• To integrate personnel from various functional units

• To slow down operations

• To create information silos

In today's competitive business environment, what is required to compete effectively?

• Compartmentalization

• Silo information systems

• Cross-functional integration

• Fewer information systems

What challenges do silo information systems create for organizations?

• They enhance productivity

• They promote efficiency

• They simplify processes

• They create bottlenecks and interfere with productivity

Why are integrated information systems important in today's organizations?

• They are not necessary

• They enhance productivity and efficiency

• They interfere with productivity

• They create information silos

What do enterprise systems provide computer automation support for?

• All business functions

• Only accounting and finance

• Only customer service and operations

• Only finance and marketing

What is the key lesson for companies embarking on ERP journeys, as learned from Hershey's case?

• There are shortcuts to ERP implementation

• ERP projects should be rushed

• ERP projects should be kept secret from top management

• There are no shortcuts and projects should proceed slowly

What did Hershey's management learn from the initial ERP failure?

• To proceed slowly with the project

• To rush through the implementation

• To ignore testing

• To involve fewer people

What role did top management play in Hershey's initial ERP implementation?

• They were actively involved in decision-making

• They had no involvement in decision-making

• They supervised lower-level managers

• They led the implementation team

What lessons did Hershey learn from its ERP implementation in 1999?

• Go slowly and stick to the initial plan

• Use as many software applications as possible

• Don't test the new system thoroughly

• Ignore ERP scheduling