1. ERP systems or Enterprise Resource Planning consists of many processes working in unison to aid the business in function and profitability. The system is designed to streamline processes and information for the entire company it is being utilized in. A few of the basic processes that are usually within the ERP system consist of, inventory and order management, accounting, human resources and customer service management. ERP systems can work for any organization, the system itself can be catered to any institution. If a business only wants to integrate a part of their operations such as HR, ordering and accounting it can be done fairly easily. On the other hand the system can be difficult to control, integrate and use. Most ERP systems are built for specific company. There are long learning curves, integration issues and the overall process takes time to become profitable. ERPs are not cost effective for all businesses, small business usually do not have the revenue, assets or need for ERPs. Typically these systems are used in large businesses with many different systems that are working independently and the business wants to combine information to streamline and become more profitable.
2. The primary benefits of implementing ERP include improved access to data for operational decision making, elimination of inefficient or outdated systems, improvement of work processes, and technology standardization" (Stair & Reynolds, 2014, p. 268). The implementation of an ERP system can be utilized to advance business operations. The use of ERP systems over older systems can lead to higher effectiveness of new systems, but it can also create issues while the old system is being phased out and new protocols are being developed and familiarity is gained with the new systems.
ERP, like many systems, must be chosen to fit the company which it is being used for. An overly complex system may not be a solution for a small organization. Page 269 of our text has a display of suggested ERP systems based on size. For larger organizations which may have significant technological changes to make, changing to ERP may not be cost effective. If the systems in place are still allowing ease of use, then why replace the system with a costly one?
3. Effective Communication is a two-way information sharing process, which involves one party sending a message that is easily understood by the receiving party. Effective communication by business managers facilitates information sharing between company employees and can substantially contribute to its commercial success. The last few years in the Army I have notice the day to day interaction has been removed and everything evolves around Email's , Instant Messaging mostly text messaging and Videoconferencing. I think many of the older generation managers in the civilian workforce have failed to fully adapt to new technology that has hampered effective communication with younger generations of workers that tend to use texting and emails to share and receive information. Not in the Army that is positive thing, but due to the limited daily conversations between superiors and subordinates barriers has been created which has effect on effective communication. Another barrier I have observed has to do with Positive Feedback has been lacking. Feedback is one of the best tools to improve communication; yet, it is one of the most underused and misused communication skills.
4. Communication comes in all forms from emails, text messages and fax's to business meetings, face to face and even actions. Not all communication is efficient and useful when it comes to the business world and can take practice in getting better at.
According to Beebe and Mottet (2013) the use of emails has become the new phone call and in order to maintain professional email communication there are a couple of rules to think of when writing an email: Be concise, use proper letter case, use blind copy and courtesy copy appropriately, use the subject line and of course, use correct grammar and punctuation. (p. 369). These will lead to formal messaging.
The company that I work for has mastered the art of emails, with emails coming daily and sometimes multiple times a day. The supervisors received even more emails as well as periodic meetings and phone calls.