UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS: 2017/2018
EXAMINATION FOR THE DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF BUSINESS IN
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
BUSS 307 ENTERPRISE RESOURCE PLANNING
FULL TIME/PART TIME/DISTANCE LEARNING
DATE: AUGUST, 2018 TIME: 2 HOURS
INSTRUCTIONS: Answer Question One & ANY OTHER TWO questions.
QUESTION ONE (Compulsory)
a) Describe five function modules of an ERP (5 Marks)
b) Should every business invest in an ERP package. Justify your answer (3 Marks)
c) Differentiate between service-oriented architecture and Web services architecture for
ERP systems (4 Marks)
d) List the major differences between ERP life cycle and SDLC (4 Marks)
e) Identify four popular ERP software available in the market (2 Marks)
f) Identify the differences between a transactional and reporting database? (4 Marks)
g) Discuss the potential benefits and drawbacks of outsourcing ERP systems (8 Marks)
QUESTION TWO
a) Imagine that your uncle owns and operates a construction company. The company owns a
number of very expensive pieces of machinery, such as backhoes, for building houses and
apartment buildings. Up until now, your aunt has “taken care of the books” by keeping
financial records by hand. However, business is picking up, and she has gotten far behind
in filing taxes, paying bills, and so on. Write a persuasive proposal to your uncle about why he
needs an ERP system and how it would help with not only the burden of billing, payroll, and
filing taxes, but also with keeping track of the company’s expensive machinery.
(12 Marks)
b) Discuss how the Y2K (year 2000) problems affect the sales of ERP systems? (5 Marks)
c) Describe the steps involved in OPM3. (3 Marks)
QUESTION THREE
a) Many ERP vendors offer virtualization options for implementation.
i) Describe two common models used for ERP virtualisation implementation (6 Marks)
ii) Describe the virtualisation solutions offered by Microsoft and Oracle for their ERP systems
(6 Marks)
b) Corporate governance has become a key aspect of well run companies. Discuss how acts like
the SOX act have impacted ERP systems? (6 Marks)
c) What is the role of the project management office in an ERP implementation? (2 Marks)
QUESTION FOUR
a) Discuss how an organization with an ERP system should plan for a disaster (8 Marks)
b) What are some the key implementation considerations that should be addressed as part of the
planning process, especially related to using an integrated ERP and transforming the
organizational culture? (8 Marks)
c) In relation to ERP discuss what are third-party products (4 Marks)
QUESTION FIVE
a) ERP system architecture is organized in layers or tiers .Three-layer architecture is the
most prevalent today .
i. Identify the layers included (3 Marks)
ii. Using an ERP software example describe the role of each layer identified in (i)
(6 Marks)
b) The selection of a vendor that best meets the needs and long-term direction of the
company is a critical first step in a successful implementation. Describe the process you
would use to select an ERP vendor for your organisation
(11 Marks)
