Strategic Information Systems for Enterprise Accounting Resource

Question: Discuss about the Strategic Information Systems for Enterprise Accounting Resource. Answer: Introduction This study deals with Strategic Information Systems. In this particular assignment, emphasis has been given on conducting research for selection of Accounting Information Systems or Enterprise Resource Planning. It will help in determining the systems requirements, business process as well as selection of vendor for the given case studies. There are two case studies given in the assignment that is majorly focused in the entire study (Ward and Peppard 2016). In case study 1, Disk4U is a Sydney-based company selling CDs as well as Vinyl records. This company is small family-owned business with four businesses spreading in and around Sydney Metropolis. Team of Disk4U called in for accounting as well as business systems consultants. This particular company desires in improving the operations of the company especially in the areas of accounting and financial business reporting. In case study 2, Sungate Foods is one of the companies producing rice especially at seasonal peaks. This company too called for accounting and business consultants. Both the companies are here to improve their current technological aspects for selection of Enterprise Resource Planning for future consideration purpose (Umble, Haft and Umble 2013). Analysis Process of selecting an AIS or ERP that helps in making informed decisions for investment in accounting software Adoption of Enterprise Resource Planning hugely affected evaluation of Accounting Information Systems. Accounting Information Systems has great potential in influencing over business performance (Tsai et al. 2012). The main purpose of the study is to develop clear understanding for influencing Accounting Information System in an Enterprise Resource Planning on checking on the performance of the firm. It is required to investigate on the direct effects of top management involving in external expertise enabling Accounting Information Systems (Sousa and Oz 2014). This requires examining the interaction effect of accounting staff competency in alignment with Accounting Information Systems in order to bring firm performance improvement. This study is conducted on Disk4U and Sungate for adopting Enterprise Resource Planning systems. From the accounting perspective, Enterprise Resource Planning describes as database software packages for supporting all business process as well as operations. It involves manufacturing, financial, human resources as well as marketing (Simon, Fischbach and Schoder 2014). The major goal of Enterprise Resource Planning is having one integrated system for the entire company in the upcoming financial year. It requires integration of all information from the company based upon areas such as departments, processes as well as operational aspects. It requires that implementation of Enterprise Resource Planning should be sophisticated in nature. This will turn further requirements for committing considerable resources in case of planning as well as training and implementation of Enterprise Resource Planning (Shaul and Tauber 2013). Enterprise Resource Planning for small business is becoming popular among organizations for facilitating greater productivity as well as streamlined data for all types of departments. There are different ways whereby Enterprise Resource Planning for small business for improving business process (Scheer 2012). This is one of the biggest benefits noticed from using Enterprise Resource Planning for small business for increased productivity in company bottom line. Business data takes into consideration regarding all departments whereby employees save time as well as hassle of having for contacting employees in other departments for gaining the required information. Several benefits can be pointed out below with proper justification. Disk4U and Sungate are the two companies that are small-based companys aims at implementation of Accounting Information Systems or Enterprise Resource Planning for some of the below-mentioned reasons: Conducting of Enterprise Resource Planning for Disk4U and Sungate will help in increase in the level of productivity. This is because data of these two companies will be easily available by all types of departments (Rainer et al. 2013). Conducting of Enterprise Resource Planning for Disk4U and Sungate will help in streamlined data flow of information. When this two company switch to Enterprise Resource Planning Software, they can enjoy streamlined flow of data in their business operations. This particular advantage is applicable to the fast-growing business that may run into problems in case of big data that needs to be compartmentalized in various types of departments. For Instance, need of financial data required by the inventory department for getting hold of it in the upcoming financial year. Enterprise Resource Planning gets in place for all kinds of authorized data for availability for each department. Conducting of Enterprise Resource Planning for Disk4U and Sungate will help in better collaboration. These two are small business struggling with collaboration after implementation of Enterprise Resource Planning system for changing the differences. It is important to understand the fact that poor communication as well as lack of collaboration leads towards employees not having access towards the data collection. It is advisable that employees should have access to all the data produced to bring better collaboration actions in the Conducting of Enterprise Resource Planning for Disk4U and Sungate for gaining information of true picture of business (Leon 2014). Conducting of Enterprise Resource Planning for Disk4U and Sungate will help in decrease in operating costs. Both the company business owners should find ways in implementation of Enterprise Resource Planning because it will help in reducing operating costs for future analysis purpose (Monk and Wagner 2012). It requires streamlining of data into one single software application. Most of the business owners often save money especially on the individual software as well as management systems for paying for all the departments. Conducting of Enterprise Resource Planning for Disk4U and Sungate will help in delivery of business insights. While taking decisions for small business, it is important for possessing all data in case of on-hand and up-to-date information. Implementing Enterprise Resource Planning for Disk4U and Sungate for resulting in greater peace as well as confidence for future analysis purpose Conducting of Enterprise Resource Planning for Disk4U and Sungate will help in improved decision-making process. It is requires to access data for updating for making best decisions for the growth for Disk4U and Sungate. Implementation of Enterprise Resource Planning for small business helps in boosting productivity, reducing operating costs as well as streamlining of data flow and improved decision-making process (Pearlson, Saunders and Galletta 2016). With the advancement of internet technology, it helps small business enterprise like Disk4U and Sungate for improving operational aspects in and around the globe. It is because of the proliferation of the cloud as smaller enterprises competes with bigwigs as well as taps into current markets in most of the locations (Kim, Nicolaou and Vasarhelyi 2013). This new era of competition runs into small business is becoming extremely difficult in nature after implementation of simple accounting software. New wave of online commerce brings out enforcement with selection of better solution so that it can reduce unnecessary strain that becomes slightly costly in the upcoming financial years. In other words, Information Technology will help in improving in the business activities for Disk4U and Sungate (Hunton, McEwen and Wier 2015). Small business like Disk4U and Sungate urgently needs Enterprise Resource Planning solutions for attainment of future objectives in current market condition. Enterprise Resource Planning means the creation of framework for business that aims at planning resources in an effective way (Hoch and Dulebohn 2013). Proper Enterprise Resource Planning helps in managing attributes starting from accounts receivable to inventory turnover. Enterprise Resource Planning can easily manage these aspects for achieving highly competent relationship management platform. Both the company named, as Disk4U and Sungate are small-scale company that should use Enterprise Resource Planning for bringing improvement and attainment of future profits. Enterprise Resource Planning provides specialized solutions for small-scale company. Some of the solutions to the above problems are as follows: Disk4U and Sungate should prepare invoices as well as reports by looking for experts professionals in compiling with each client preferences for running under Business to Business Model Disk4U and Sungate should file their financial documents in aligning with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (US GAAP) as well as International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). It is advisable in keeping the auditors for formatting the documents wherever necessary for the case company Disk4U and Sungate Enterprise Resource Planning software helps in managing with inventory as well as time sheets and expense reports. Addition to that, it enhances customer relationship management in managing with front-end of business entity (Galliers and Leidner 2014).. Enterprise Resource Planning for Disk4U and Sungate helps in streamlining data operations for bringing efficiency of business activities Implementation of Enterprise Resource Planning helps in bringing change in market as well as undertaking smarter decisions Conducting Research on AIS or ERP systems for- Client Conducting Accounting Information Systems or Enterprise Resource Planning by Disk4U and Sungate renders potential clients with complete data information on the data points. This will help business owners as well as senior executives for transforming their business by effective investments in Information Technology (Dwivedi et al. 2015). This will help CIO for bringing improvement for overall performance for their relative IT organization as well as function. In order to achieve the team, business consultants require providing strategic as well as advisory services that will ensure clients current as well as future IT investments. This aims at delivering maximum business support as well as support with bringing transformation of business information. It ensures providing suite of technology implementation services like data visualization, ERP optimization as well as Vendor selection and Post-Merger integration at the same time. It gives required information for Project Management, Tec hnology Infrastructure as well as Business Analysis and Security Services in an effective way (De Haes et al.2013). It is advisable to both the companies in recruiting talented, skilled as well as dedicates employees in the industry. This action will help in providing clients with sustainable competitive advantage in way of delivering highest level of expertise as well as expertise informational attributes for future analysis purpose (Davenport 2013). Defining business Process Business Process of Enterprise Resource Planning means that Disk4U and Sungate should conduct research on using best process for their activities. It requires naming main functional areas for operating used for business for Disk4U and Sungate. It aims at differentiating business process in aligning with business function of Disk4U and Sungate (Cassidy 2016). It ensures identification of kind of data based upon each main functional area of production in case of Disk4U and Sungate. Further, it needs identification of the data attributes for each unique functional area for Disk4U and Sungate. Addition to that, business process for Disk4U and Sungate requires defining integrated information systems as well as explaining the importance for bringing improvement at the same time (Bharadwaj et al.2013). Figure: Actors in Business Process Source: (Bezawada 2012) Enterprise Resource Planning programs for core software used by companies for coordinating information in each business areas for Disk4U and Sungate. Implementing Enterprise Resource Planning helps Disk4U and Sungate in managing companywide business process in the near future (Baltzan 2012). It requires usage of common database as well as shared management reporting tools. Business Process is the collection of activities that aims at taking some input for creation of output for creation of value to customers in case of Disk4U and Sungate. In order to under Enterprise Resource Planning, it is required to view at the functioning of business and functional areas of operation in final business process for Disk4U and Sungate. There are four major functional areas of operation starting from marketing and sales, supply chain management human resources and accounting and finance. Business functions are the activities that are specified in aligning with functional areas of operations for Disk4U and Sungate (Arvidsson, Holmstrm and Lyytinen 2014). Functional Areas of Business Operations for Disk4U and Sungate Functional areas of operations Marketing and Sales Department Supply Chain Management Accounting and Finance Human Resource Management Business Functions Disk4U and Sungate requires to market the product Disk4U and Sungate should engage in purchasing goods as well as raw materials Disk4U and Sungate should engage in financial accounting of payments from customers as well as suppliers Disk4U and Sungate should engage in recruiting as well as hiring Disk4U and Sungate advisable in taking sales orders Disk4U and Sungate aims at receiving goods as well as raw materials Disk4U and Sungate involves in cost allocation as well as control Disk4U and Sungate engages in training high-trained and experienced employees Disk4U and Sungate should involve in customer support Disk4U and Sungate ensures transportation and logistics activities Disk4U and Sungate ensures planning and budgeting for proper course of action Disk4U and Sungate employees should be under payroll of the company Disk4U and Sungate designs customer relationship management Disk4U and Sungate revolves around scheduling of production activities. Disk4U and Sungate should manage cash flow in an effective way Disk4U and Sungate should get adequate benefits in accordance with government compliance Disk4U and Sungate engages in sales forecasting process Disk4U and Sungate should engage in manufacturing goods for future analysis purpose Disk4U and Sungate should engage in advertising activities for making customer aware with business operations Disk4U and Sungate involves in maintenance of plant in its business operations Determination of systems requirements When considering ERP system, it is required to view at the training as well as scalability and performance of the address of vendor for meeting the needs of Disk4U and Sungate (Hoch and Dulebohn 2013). It is necessary to understand the ERP requirements in order to look for products as well as vendors for meeting the needs for Disk4U and Sungate. ERP system is required for bringing together business process for Disk4U and Sungate (Ward and Peppard 2016). ERP should be focused as well as address the immediate needs for next modules. Both the companies have decided for replacing current business management system, it involves several critical steps for reaching purchase decision. ERP system selection should be defined on exact form in alignment with new system process. Requirements documents indulge into two purposes. Firstly, it helps in describing on attributes for running business such as regulatory as well as strategic visioning and operations control at the same time. Secondly, it requires establishing identifying best-suited products (Umble, Haft and Umble 2013). There are various methodologies from related product professionals recommending when it comes for Enterprise Resource Planning System selection. Addition to that, some prefers fast track method that will be assumed as few pre-selected products as included in the final analysis. It is necessary to create system requirements that serve no useful purpose in case of business process as influenced by Enterprise Resource Planning for modification purpose. It is important to consider the fact that all software vendors spent millions dollars for creation of best practice process (Tsai et al. 2012). It widely depends upon the logical views for making positive assertions. Product Professionals believes in usage of Enterprise Resource Planning system for creation of one element for transforming business firm for efficient usage by competitive organization. It requires equal opportunity as contributed by achieving personal success as well as success of the business firm at the end. ERP Selection requires creation of solid foundation dealing in case of evaluating products for identification process. It enhances pointing out some of the critical weakness that might come down due to project failures. This may include complete failure or failure in achieving objectives or selection for any kind of wrong product. It is necessary in creating solid project foundation that will lead towards success for future financial years (Simon, Fischbach and Schoder 2014). Software Selection It is advisable to Disk4U and Sungate in using Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 as it helps in providing streamlined business process. It is mostly desirable for small-scale companies for two-tier deployment methods in and across international corporations. This particular software considers as powerful software as it is goal-driven for future thriving business (Pearlson, Saunders and Galletta 2016). Vendor Selection After gathering facts of lists on ERP Applications, it is necessary to send quotes, proposals as well as other related information to the vendors. In case of technical validation, it is required to submit informational request to the vendor for receiving appropriate responses as available under ERP systems. Demos and Proof concepts underlie facts for narrowing down the list of vendors. This implies using tech scorecards as well as proposal information in requesting demos from the selected vendors (Monk and Wagner 2012). It is important to understand the fact regarding the ERP system in action from reputable vendor for arranging information after demonstration. It requires demons as request in from the documentation purpose for addressing ERP system for meeting the needs of the above company. Disk4U and Sungate should take help of reputable vendors for carrying out the business in desired way. Virus required wiping out from various software programs. It is necessary in finding out vendor in handling malfunctions as well as service interruptions at the same time. In case of short-form approach, it aims at reducing time and spending time for evaluating for lengthy requirements documents (Kim, Nicolaou and Vasarhelyi 2013). Vendors need to spend huge money for developing their specified products as well as understanding their best practices at the same time. It involves following steps as critically analyzing current Enterprise Resource Planning system as well as identification of strengths and weakness. It further requires analyzing as well as improving on current business practices. It should meet the requirements in alignment with product professionals such as vendor or software resellers. It aims at determining on understanding the functionality or information management . This advancement of technology helps in competing for Disk4U and Sungate in an effective way. Addition to that, it aims at creation of vision as defining with various functionality for further reporting options for meeting the future requirements in the most appropriate way (Hunton, McEwen and Wier 2015). Enterprise Resource Planning Products enhances extreme usage of same business process for differentiating it from one product to other. Enterprise Resource Planning selection professionals such as vendor for Disk4U and Sungate for identification of important requirement mentioned in the industry Conclusion and Recommendations At the end of the study, it is concluded that Disk4U and Sungate operates as small-scale business activities. Both the companies desires in using Enterprise Resource Planning for bringing improvement in the business operations for future analysis purpose. Enterprise Resource Planning systems help in bestowing impressive strategic as well as operational and information-related benefits for Disk4U and Sungate. On the other hand, failed implementation leads towards financial doom. In recent business operations, information regarding failures as well as success based upon reports in case of implementation for Disk4U and Sungate. Enterprise Resource Planning vendors are becoming steadily turning towards achievement of marketing insights on small-sized firms as in case of Disk4U and Sungate. Researchers need to gather information that will help firms for project implementation on successful terms. This particular research aims at adopting for multiple case study approach on Disk4U and Sung ate. It aims at investigating on implementation of process in case of small-scale company named as Disk4U and Sungate. It is recommended to Disk4U and Sungate in using Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 for carrying out the business and boosting high rate of productivity in the near future. Enterprise Resource Planning system selection mostly takes lot of time as well as considered as frustrating process. It is required to involve in trying luck for finding out product for forming effective as well as efficient and competitive partnership. It requires developing complete understanding of becoming competitive and profitable condition. It aims at creating foundation for success and understanding system requirements of Enterprise Resource Planning software for bringing efficiency of business operations. It requires defining vision for future and creation of requirements documents for meeting the needs of future benefits. Disk4U and Sungate should give each employee that encourages with appropr iate software tools for future business activities. Reference List Al-Mashari, M. and Al-Mosheleh, H., 2015. Enterprise Resource Planning of Business Process Systems. Arvidsson, V., Holmstrm, J. and Lyytinen, K., 2014. Information systems use as strategy practice: A multi-dimensional view of strategic information system implementation and use. The Journal of Strategic Information Systems, 23(1), pp.45-61. Baltzan, P., 2012. Business driven technology. McGraw-Hill/Irwin. Bezawada, R., 2012. Enterprise Resource Planning. Available at SSRN 2142293. Bharadwaj, A., El Sawy, O.A., Pavlou, P.A. and Venkatraman, N.V., 2013. Digital business strategy: toward a next generation of insights. Mis Quarterly, 37(2), pp.471-482. Cassidy, A., 2016. A practical guide to information systems strategic planning. CRC press. Davenport, T.H., 2013. Process innovation: reengineering work through information technology. Harvard Business Press. De Haes, S., Van Grembergen, W. and Debreceny, R.S., 2013. COBIT 5 and enterprise governance of information technology: Building blocks and research opportunities. Journal of Information Systems, 27(1), pp.307-324. Dwivedi, Y.K., Wastell, D., Laumer, S., Henriksen, H.Z., Myers, M.D., Bunker, D., Elbanna, A., Ravishankar, M.N. and Srivastava, S.C., 2015. Research on information systems failures and successes: Status update and future directions. Information Systems Frontiers, 17(1), pp.143-157. Galliers, R.D. and Leidner, D.E., 2014. Strategic information management: challenges and strategies in managing information systems. Routledge. Hoch, J.E. and Dulebohn, J.H., 2013. Shared leadership in enterprise resource planning and human resource management system implementation. Human Resource Management Review, 23(1), pp.114-125. Hunton, J.E., McEwen, R.A. and Wier, B., 2015. Retraction: The Reaction of Financial Analysts to Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Implementation Plans. Journal of Information Systems, 29(2), pp.241-241. Kim, J., Nicolaou, A.I. and Vasarhelyi, M.A., 2013. The Impact of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Systems on the Audit Report Lag. Journal of Emerging Technologies in Accounting, 10(1), pp.63-88. Leon, A., 2014. Enterprise resource planning. McGraw-Hill Education. Monk, E. and Wagner, B., 2012. Concepts in enterprise resource planning. Cengage Learning. Pearlson, K.E., Saunders, C.S. and Galletta, D.F., 2016. Managing and Using Information Systems, Binder Ready Version: A Strategic Approach. John Wiley Sons. Rainer, R.K., Cegielski, C.G., Splettstoesser-Hogeterp, I. and Sanchez-Rodriguez, C., 2013. Introduction to information systems: Supporting and transforming business. John Wiley Sons. Scheer, A.W., 2012. Architecture of integrated information systems: foundations of enterprise modelling. Springer Science Business Media. Shaul, L. and Tauber, D., 2013. Critical success factors in enterprise resource planning systems: Review of the last decade. ACM Computing Surveys (CSUR), 45(4), p.55. Simon, D., Fischbach, K. and Schoder, D., 2014. Enterprise architecture management and its role in corporate strategic management. Information Systems and e-Business Management, 12(1), pp.5-42. Sousa, K.J. and Oz, E., 2014. Management information systems. Nelson Education. Tsai, W.H., Lee, P.L., Shen, Y.S. and Lin, H.L., 2012. A comprehensive study of the relationship between enterprise resource planning selection criteria and enterprise resource planning system success. Information Management, 49(1), pp.36-46. Umble, E.J., Haft, R.R. and Umble, M.M., 2013. Enterprise resource planning: Implementation procedures and critical success factors. European journal of operational research, 146(2), pp.241-257. Ward, J. and Peppard, J., 2016. The Strategic Management of Information Systems: Building a Digital Strategy. John Wiley Sons.