Question 1

Because of the increasing pressure of global competition, businesses are becoming less integrated and more compartmentalized.

Accepted Answer

The statement is opposite to the actual trend. Businesses are becoming more integrated and less compartmentalized in order to remain competitive in the global market.

Question 2

ERP systems grew primarily out of MRP and MRP II.

Accepted Answer

ERP systems evolved from MRP (Material Requirements Planning) and MRP II (Manufacturing Resource Planning) systems in the 1990s to incorporate a wider range of business functions beyond manufacturing, such as finance, accounting, human resources, and customer relationship management (CRM).

Question 3

No single information system can support all the needs of a business.

Accepted Answer

No one system is capable of serving all the diverse needs of a business. Instead, various systems are typically utilized to meet different requirements, such as financial management, customer relationship management, supply chain management, human resources, etc.

Question 4

At the mid-management level, functions are highly structured and the resources are predefined.

Accepted Answer

The answer of At the mid-management level, functions are highly...

Question 5

ERP systems usually don't require businesses to change their business processes.

Accepted Answer

ERP systems often require businesses to change their business processes to effectively use the system and improve their overall efficiency. It is important for companies to evaluate and modify their existing processes before implementing ERP to ensure a smooth transition and optimal use of the system.

Question 6

eBusiness is an adaptive technology as opposed to ERP which is a disruptive technology.

Accepted Answer

It is the other way around. ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) is an adaptive technology that integrates various business functions to streamline operations, while eBusiness (electronic business) is a disruptive technology that fundamentally changes how companies do business by utilizing the internet and digital platforms.

Question 7

ERP systems are not much different from conventional software packages like Microsoft Office.

Accepted Answer

ERP systems are much more complex and comprehensive than conventional software packages. ERP systems cover various functionalities like finance, HR, supply chain management, manufacturing, etc., whereas software packages like Microsoft Office are limited to specific functionalities like word processing, spreadsheet management, etc.

Question 8

ERP II expanded to include B2B functions and EDI.

Accepted Answer

ERP II includes B2B functions and EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) for seamless communication and transactions between businesses.

Question 9

Quantitative requirements are usually much greater at the operational level.

Accepted Answer

Quantitative requirements at the operational level are usually more specific and detailed than at higher levels in an organization. This is because operational activities involve daily tasks, processes and production targets that require measurable and tangible goals to ensure effectiveness and efficiency. Therefore, the need for quantitative requirements is greater at the operational level.

Question 10

It is generally easier for an organization to modify the ERP software to fit their existing business processes.

Accepted Answer

Modifying the ERP software to fit existing business processes can be complex and time-consuming. It may require significant changes to the software and may not be feasible in all cases. It is often better for the organization to streamline their processes and adopt best practices that align with the ERP software, rather than the other way around.

Question 11

Historically, each department had its own separate computer system that was designed for the specific tasks in that department.

Accepted Answer

This was the case in many organizations before the development of enterprise systems that could integrate and streamline multiple department functions.

Question 12

The Hershey's example shows the complexity of implementing ERP systems in organizations.

Accepted Answer

The Hershey's example demonstrates the challenges of implementing ERP systems in large organizations, including the complexity of integrating diverse systems, managing change and ensuring employee acceptance, and the potential consequences of failures or delays in implementation.

Question 13

Strategic level functions are usually more unstructured.

Accepted Answer

Strategic level functions involve long-term planning and decision making, which often require more flexibility and creativity than structured tasks. Therefore, they tend to be more unstructured.

Question 14

The goal of an ERP system is to integrate data and support all the major functions across the organization.

Accepted Answer

The goal of an ERP system is to integrate data and support all the major functions across the organization, including finance and accounting, human resources, inventory and supply chain management, manufacturing, and customer relationship management.

Question 15

ERP systems today have evolved to the more flexible mainframe and centralized legacy application architecture.

Accepted Answer

ERP systems have evolved to more modern, distributed architectures such as cloud-based, multi-tenant platforms. Mainframe and centralized legacy application architectures are outdated and inflexible.

Question 16

In the 1960s and 1970s organizations first began to focus on developing integrated, enterprise systems.

Accepted Answer

The answer of In the 1960s and 1970s organizations first...

Question 17

In the early days of ERP implementation, management clearly understood the magnitude of organizational issues to consider before and during ERP implementations.

Accepted Answer

In the early days of ERP implementation, many management teams underestimated the organizational issues and the magnitude of change that would be required, often focusing more on the technical aspects than on the organizational and human factors involved.

Question 18

ERP implementations usually go beyond technical issues, to include people, process and change issues.

Accepted Answer

ERP implementations involve not only technical considerations but also organizational and human factors, including changes to business processes, job roles, and employee behavior. Effective change management and communication are critical components of a successful ERP implementation.

Question 19

One problem with ERP systems is that they do not update data in real-time.

Accepted Answer

ERP systems are designed to update data in real-time, so that users can access the latest information at any time. However, in some cases, there may be delays in updating data due to system errors, network issues, or other factors. It is important for organizations to have procedures in place for resolving these issues quickly, in order to minimize the impact on business operations.

Question 20

During the input phase of an Information System, the people components are most prominent.

Accepted Answer

During the input phase, people components are involved in providing input data to the system either manually or through devices such as keyboards, scanners, or touchscreens. Therefore, people's involvement is most prominent during this phase.

Quiz 1: Introduction to Enterprise Systems for Management