Q.2 Using Sumner (2005), read the article on pages 149 – 150. Answer the following: a. What aspects of BI have been employed in this case example? b. What would you expect to be the challenges facing the development of a BI approach for such a large organisation? c. Would Dow Corning be a suitable candidate for a shared services approach using an ASP? Justify and argue your answer
My response:
a) Dow Corning is planning to adapt a Data Warehouse and they are going to do so by using SAP’s Business Information Warehouse module
b) The Dow Corning is a global organization and is operating world wide. The problem might arise when the organization will try transferring data within their branches and manufacturing plants situated in different parts of the world to the data warehouse system. Sophisticated computer programs and high performance server systems will be required to support the transfer process. However, prior to the establishment of the Data Warehouse the company will have to standardize their business practices and functions through all their branches and divisions to make sure a common data type is used.
c) The advantages of adapting ASP:
a) The company will not have to pay for expensive computer and servers anymore as they would if an ERP system was adapted
b) Lower maintanence cost.
c) Avoid upfront payment as it is required for an ERP system.
d) Save money on consultation fees as ASP will take care of such matters.
On the other hand, there are some risks associated as well with the adaption of ARP.
a) Depent on the reliability of ASP
b) Data security
d) Service quality.
e) Flexibility
f) Integration might become difficult.
At the end I would like to conlcude by saying that leaving the data in control of an external party is always a tough decision to make.
Rough outline of the presentation:
- Introduction.
- Purpose of the presentation and the topic of it.
- The problems faced by RMIT with their People Soft ES.
- My arguments toward selecting the option for RMIT.
- Concluding with my recommendation.
- Thanking the audience and welcome questions from them.
