Subject Overview Page
615-657 Enterprise Systems - Semester 2 2008
Coordinator
Dr Peter Seddon
Room 3.49, ICT Building, 111 Barry Street, Carlton
Phone: 03 8344 1576
Email: p.seddon@unimelb.edu.au
Subject Resources
Readings are in the printed Subject Notes.
Synopsis
Organizations around the world are increasingly turning to packaged enterprise application software vendors to provide computer-based applications to support their core business processes. Twenty years ago most such computer-based information systems were custom built. Today, most core systems are built around packaged software. The generic name for the suite of packaged-software-based systems such as Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and Supply Chain Management (SCM) systems is Enterprise Systems.
In this subject we explore the enterprise systems phenomenon in considerable detail. Our goal is to understand the advantages and limitations of enterprise systems, how best to implement packaged enterprise application software (PEAS), and future directions that PEAS are likely to head as vendors respond to market pressures for integration between heterogenous information systems. For students who do not have first-hand experience with such packaged software, it may be possible to do some exercises from our undergraduate subject 615-260 Enterprise Systems, which provides those students with approximately 30 hours of hands-on experience with software from a leading vendor, SAP.
Subject Explanation
This subject provides students with an understanding of the nature of enterprise systems and their implementation within organizations. Topics include:
- introduction to Enterprise Systems
- implementing Enterprise Systems
- benefits from Enterprise Systems
- organizational Issues with Enterprise Systems
- future Issues for Enterprise Systems
At the conclusion of this subject students will have
- a good understanding of the role of enterprise systems (including ERP, CRM, and SCM) in the worldwide software marketplace in the year of study;
- an appreciation of the factors that need to be managed if packaged enterprise application software (PEAS) is to be implemented on time, within budget, to specification, and produce ongoing benefits for its host organization;
- a good understanding of the factors likely to lead to increased benefits from ES use, including the importance of organizational learning and cultural factors in achieving ES success;
- considered opinions on the directions that the packaged enterprise application software market is likely to head in future, including the likely push to "adapative business solutions".
Prerequisite
Students must have completed one year of relevant information systems work experience or 50 points of postgraduate level study in any degree to be eligible to enrol in this subject.
Assessment
A 60-90 minute group class presentation, due date to be determined by a schedule that will be distributed in week 1 of semester (10%); a written assignment of up to 2000 words due at the end of week 3 of semester (20%); a written assignment of up to 3000 words due at the end of week 8 of semester (30%); a 2-hour written examination in the examination period (40%).
| Critique of a paper (leading class discussion) |
10 marks |
| Assignment 1 |
20 marks |
| Assignment 2 |
30 marks |
| Exam |
40 marks |
| Total |
100 marks |
Assignment Submission Details
Submit your assignment as an e-mail attachment to p.seddon@unimelb.edu.au
Description
Time requirements (8 hours per week for 12 weeks, plus study for examination). There will be one three-hour class each week during the 12 teaching weeks of semester. The classes are scheduled to commence at 5:30pm on Thursdays. You are required to attend all classes. Classes are expected to consist of lectures during the first hour followed by guest lecture or discussion of research papers in the second half of the class.
You are expected to devote a total of about 8 hours per week to this subject. This means that in addition to the three hours per week in class, you should devote roughly 5 hours each week reading and preparing for your presentations and working on the Projects.
Generic Skills
The key generic skill that students will develop through studying this subject is argument analysis. The ability to identify of arguments, and evaluate evidence that authors provide to support their arguments-use of the so-called "scientific method"-is one of the most important skills a person can develop. It is what has enabled human beings to progress from living in caves to living in the increasingly complex and prosperous world in which we live today.
Feedback for 615-657
Students appreciated the real life examples and guest speakers in this subject.
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