Introduction to Enterprise-Wide and Cloud Based Systems

Question 1

What are the goals of an ERP?

Answer 1

One system that binds the system together

Saves money (only one system to maintain)

Employee empowerment (improves communication and decision making by information availability)

Utilize and adopt best practices

Question 2

What is the ERP architecture?

Answer 2

EPRS usually are internet and intranet based

2-or-3 tier architecture:
* 3-tier separates application and database functions (needed in large or complex systems).

Question 3

T/F: ERP systems are typically purchased in components?

Answer 3

TRUE- because they are very expensive, companies only pick what they need

Buy individual modules.

Question 4

What is an online transaction process system (OLTP)

Answer 4

Include core business functions: Sales, production, purchasing, payroll financial reporting

Question 5

What is the online analytical processing system (OLAP)

Answer 5

• Data warehouse and data mining capabilities within the ERP

Question 6

What are cloud-based systems and storage?

Answer 6

A virtual data pool often managed by a third party vendor

Examples:
- Iaas: Access to virtual hardware (Amazon Web Services). Instead of buying computers and routers, we can use Iaas.

• Paas: Access to operating system and related service including development (salesforce).
• Saas: Access to software (Office 365, Google Docs)

Question 7

What are cloud deployment models?

Answer 7

Public clouds:
- Amiable to public or large industry group

Private clouds

• For one organization
• May be outsourced; on or off site

Community clouds:
- Shared by common users for one organization (municipal government, an industry association)

Hybrid clouds:
- Two (or more) of the above with partitions between types of services

Question 8

What are benefits of cloud-based systems?

Answer 8

• Universal access- Available at any site with internet access
• Eliminate multiple systems, pay-for-use “demand” pricing, no or low fixed costs
• Scalability- Grow with organization (know this term)
• Outsourcing and economies of scale- Outsource to provider with lower costs
• Enterprise-wide integration- Synergies with ERP
• Deployment speed- outsourcing often MUCH faster than insourcing

Question 9

What are some f the risks of Cloud-Based System and Storage?

Answer 9

• Data loss- all eggs in one basket risk of data loss and outages
• System penetration
• Vendor you trust (when the vendor fails)
• Your roommate may suck… data stored in community and public clouds more vulnerable to actions by other tenants
• Are we a “target”? Storing data with a high-profile cloud service provider can make one a high profile target for cyber-attackers