Enterprise Information Systems: Appunti di Sistemi

Chapter 11. Information-based business processes

A business process is a series of steps or tasks required to achieve a specific business goal of organizations. Business process modeling is the mapping of processes and sub-processes used in an organization or division, and it helps us to understand the various processes that occur at different levels in the organization and how they interrelate. Technology impacts business processes since it influences how work is done in work environments. Business process improvement can be achieved with Business Process Reengineering (BPR), which involves the redesign of business processes to improve how work is done.

Chapter 12. Enterprise information systems

Personal information systems, enterprise systems

Contrary to those that are applications for individuals only, enterprise information systems serve the needs of the organization or parts of the organization. The developing enterprise system can have three perspectives: hierarchical (application built to meet the needs of individuals at a given level in the organization, such as top management [strategic], middle management [tactical], and employees [operational]), functional (application developed to meet the needs of individuals in a functional area, reducing redundancy because of repetition for each department), and process perspective (application built to support the task being done).

Information systems must be developed with the organization as a whole in mind, otherwise there are problems related to redundancy or lack of communication, so it’s crucial to integrate. Business integration is the unification of business processes previously performed as separate activities, in order to create cohesive and streamlined business processes. With systems integration, data integration ensures everyone in the system can have access to information. With old and separate IS joined together, many of these Enterprise Systems are modular, so they can be implemented piece by piece, limiting efforts, costs, and chaos. Anyway, they are made to work together, so the faster they integrate, the more efficient the system. Because data are stored in one central database, companies avoid data redundancy and inaccuracy issues.

Enterprise resource planning (ERP)

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) is a set of information systems tools used to manage an organization’s resources and enable information flow within and between processes. It offers different modules such as financial, distribution, human resources, and marketing. ERPs can also include other enterprise systems like CRM, SCM, and so on. ERP systems are built on a centralized database and offer system and business integration. PRO: efficiency (data redundancy reduced, communication improved, and allow complex systems to work together), responsiveness.