UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS: 2018/2019
EXAMINATION FOR THE DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN
BUSINESS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
BUSS307 ENTERPRISE RESOURCE PLANNING
FULL TIME/PART TIME/DISTANCE LEARNING
DATE: APRIL, 2019 TIME: 2 HOURS
INSTRUCTIONS: Answer Question One & ANY OTHER TWO questions.
QUESTION ONE (COMPULSORY)
a) Describe five function modules of an ERP (5Marks)
b) Many ERP vendors offer virtualization options for implementation. Describe two
common models used for ERP virtualisation implementation (4 Marks)
c) Corporate governance has become a key aspect of well run companies . Discuss how acts
like the SOX act have impacted ERP systems? (4 Marks)
d) What is the role of the project management office in an ERP implementation?
(4 Marks)
e) Discuss the potential benefits and drawbacks of outsourcing ERP systems (6 Marks)
f) Discuss the reasons for the failure of ERP implementation (5 Marks)
g) Identify four popular ERP software available in the market (2 Marks)
QUESTION TWO
a) Describe impact of Internet and World Wide Web on ERP products (4 Marks)
b) Using a flow diagram, explain the various ‘Phases’ involved in the ERP implementation
life cycle (8 Marks)
c) Discuss how BPR helps to streamline the work process and achieve significant levels of
improvement in quality, time and cost (8 Marks)
QUESTION THREE
X Enterprises (XE) is a Tokyo Headquartered multinational that specialises in the production and
sales of home electronic entertainment products such as DVD players, televisions, stereo systems,
etc. It sources goods in twelve countries, manufactures in nine and sells through a network of
franchisees globally. It has grown in recent years as a result of acquiring smaller competitors, and
so now it is a rather decentralised, chaotic organisation. The CEO has decided that there is a need
to integrate XE’s activities rather more systematically than has been done in the past. He has given
this task to you, the CIO. He has not given you any specific guidelines on what to do or how, but
he does want to see dramatic improvements in the organisation within 12 months, as well as a
timetable for future integration. The CEO expects that a reorganised, centralised, integrated XE
will be a more effective competitor in this dynamic market.
a) In your first month as CIO, what are the key activities that you would want to do, and why?
(10 Marks)
b) ERP systems are an obvious choice on the technical side, given their potential to integrate
people, processes, data and indeed the organisation as a whole. However, ERP implementation is
also extremely risky. What do you consider would be the most significant risks of ERP
implementation in the case of XE? (10 Marks)
QUESTION FOUR
a) Discuss how an organization with an ERP system should plan for a disaster (8Marks)
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) Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems are premised on the benefits associated with
integrating business processes and the enabling of information systems across organisations.
i) Why is integration such a critical activity for global organisations? (5 Marks)
ii) How might the ERP-induced integration of information systems lead to a strengthening
of an organisation’s competitive position? Use at least two examples to illustrate your
answer. (10 Marks)
iii) If you were the CIO of a global firm about to consider buying or outsourcing an ERP.
What factors would you consider to decide on wther to buy or outsource
(5 Marks)
