UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS: 2016/2017
EXAMINATION FOR THE DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF BUSINESS IN
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
BUSS 307 ENTERPRISE RESOURCE PLANNING
FULL TIME/PART TIME/DISTANCE LEARNING
DATE: DECEMBER, 2016 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. (2 Marks)
c) Differentiate between service-oriented architecture and Web services architecture for ERP
systems. (5 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) Many ERP vendors offer virtualization options for implementation.
i) Describe two common models used for ERP virtualisation implementation.
(8 Marks)
ii) Discuss the benefits and drawbacks of using ERP virtualisation implementation.
(8 Marks)
iii) Describe the virtualisation solutions offered by Microsoft and Oracle for their ERP
systems. (4 Marks)
QUESTION THREE
a) How has the need for SOX compliance impacted ERP systems? (5 Marks)
b) Briefly describe the ethical considerations associated with ERP systems? (5 Marks)
c) In relation to ERP discuss what are third-party products and why are they needed.
(10 Marks)
QUESTION FOUR
a) Compare and contrast centralized, decentralized, and distributed IT architectures. Which
do you think is most appropriate for ERP and why? (12 Marks)
b) In addressing ERP implementations the infrastructure needs to be addressed also.
Describe the infrastructure components and what is involved in choosing and installing
the components (8 Marks)
QUESTION FIVE
a) Describe the steps involved in OPM3. (6 Marks)
b) What is the role of the project management office in an ERP implementation?
(7 Marks)
c) Why is change management critical to the success of a project from the beginning?
(7 Marks)
