Question 1

Why are ERP systems strategic weapons for food manufacturers?
A)The threats and potential costs associated with food safety have decreased because of data transparency.
B)ERP systems have lowered global barriers to entry into the food industry.
C)ERP systems are needed for controlling costs,managing inventory,and meeting government regulations given the food industry's margin pressures.
D)ERP systems are needed to monitor competitors' business practices and quickly respond to them.

Accepted Answer

ERP systems are essential for food manufacturers to control costs, manage inventory, and meet government regulations due to the margin pressures in the industry. With increased data transparency and the ability to streamline processes, these systems can help food manufacturers stay competitive in a crowded market. While monitoring competitors may be a useful feature, it is not the primary reason why ERP systems are considered strategic weapons for food manufacturers.

Question 2

Under Armour Inc. ,the originator of performance apparel,was having had sharp spikes in orders.The company reduced the cost and effort of their order fulfillment process by replacing manual processes with __________ that provide data about resource availability and delivery dates.
A)available-to-promise (ATP)capabilities
B)enterprise systems
C)information silos
D)customer relationship management (CRM)capabilities

Accepted Answer

Available-to-promise (ATP) capabilities provide real-time information on resource availability and delivery dates, allowing for more efficient order fulfillment. Enterprise systems and customer relationship management (CRM) capabilities may also be useful, but ATP capabilities specifically address the issue described in the question. Information silos are not relevant to this scenario.

Question 3

__________ is the ability to thrive in a changing environment,which can be achieved by streamlining processes for quick response.
A)Agility
B)Scalability
C)Reengineering
D)Collaborative planning

Accepted Answer

Agility refers to the ability to adapt and respond quickly to changes in the environment. Streamlining processes can help organizations become more agile by enabling them to respond more quickly to changing circumstances. Scalability refers to the ability of a system, process, or organization to handle growth or increased demand without degraded performance. Reengineering involves redesigning and improving processes to achieve better outcomes, often using new technology or approaches. Collaborative planning involves working with others to develop and implement plans or strategies. While all of these concepts may be important for a business to succeed, agility is the best answer because it directly addresses the ability to thrive in a changing environment.

Question 4

Enterprise systems help managers and companies improve their performance by enabling them to __________.
A)distribute data and periodic reports via e-mail internally to authorized users.
B)seamlessly share real-time data internally among departments and with external business partners.
C)consolidate data stores into a central data repository.
D)outsource business processes to SaaS vendors and eliminate waste.

Accepted Answer

Enterprise systems facilitate seamless sharing of real-time data among different departments in a company, as well as with external partners, allowing for enhanced collaboration, informed decision-making, and improved performance. Options A and C relate to data distribution and consolidation, which are important features but do not fully capture the benefits of enterprise systems. Option D, on the other hand, is incorrect as it does not pertain to the functions of enterprise systems, which are designed to enhance rather than outsource business processes.

Question 5

The greatest challenges when implementing enterprise systems are due to _____.
A)the technologies
B)vendors
C)process and change management
D)end-users

Accepted Answer

Process and change management are the greatest challenges when implementing enterprise systems. This is because enterprise systems often require significant changes in business processes, which can be met with resistance from employees. Effective change management is therefore critical to successful implementation. While technology, vendors, and end-users can also pose challenges, they are typically not the primary source of difficulty.

Question 6

Consumer product and retail industries lose about $40 billion annually,or 3.5 percent of their sales,due to __________.
A)fraud
B)compliance failures
C)supply chain inefficiencies
D)quality control failures

Accepted Answer

The statement mentions that the losses are due to "supply chain inefficiencies." Therefore, option C is the best choice. Fraud, compliance failures, and quality control failures are not mentioned as the specific causes of the losses.

Question 7

Business-to-business integration (B2Bi)is vital for efficient and accurate flow of data across internal ISs and external business partners.B2Bi and secure data exchange over the Internet is done through __________.
A)wireless routers
B)B2B gateways
C)data sources
D)enterprise application integration (EAI)middleware

Accepted Answer

B2B gateways are specifically designed to facilitate secure data exchange between different internal and external systems. Wireless routers and data sources may be used as components of a B2B integration solution, but they alone cannot provide the necessary functionality. EAI middleware is a more general term that can refer to a variety of software tools and technologies aimed at integrating disparate systems, including B2Bi solutions based on B2B gateways.

Question 8

Lessons learned from ERP failures include each of the following except:
A)Several of the best companies have suffered devastating consequences from ERP failures that had led to multi-million dollar losses,bankruptcy,or lawsuits.
B)Most often,ERP failures are eventually fixed and remain in use,which gives the false impression that the ERP was successful from the start.
C)The success-as well as failure-of ERP depends on organizational and technological factors that occur prior to,during,and after the implementation.
D)Vendor blogs,white papers,and YouTube posts are good sources of objective data for selecting a compatible ERP solution.

Accepted Answer

Vendor blogs, white papers, and YouTube posts may not provide objective data as they have a vested interest in promoting their own product. Therefore, they should not be relied upon solely for selecting a compatible ERP solution. The other options (A, B, and C) are all valid lessons learned from ERP failures.

Question 9

Characteristics of enterprise systems include all of the following except:
A)Because of their complexity,enterprise systems are leased or licensed from vendors and customized with support from IT personnel who are familiar with their company's business processes.
B)There is a trend toward ERP as a service,which is increasing.
C)Enterprise systems automated existing business processes to minimize disruption and training costs.
D)To simplify and reduce the high cost of the ERP software selection process,there is an annual ERP Vendor Shootout to help ERP selection teams at companies with manufacturing,distribution,or project-oriented requirements.

Accepted Answer

Enterprise systems often require significant changes to existing business processes, which can lead to disruptions and necessitate training, rather than simply automating existing processes to minimize these issues.

Question 10

What is the first step toward becoming an agile manufacturer?
A)Reengineer financial business processes
B)Develop the means to monitor the marketplace
C)Develop new products and services for current and prospective customers
D)Implement inventory tracking systems

Accepted Answer

Developing the means to monitor the marketplace is the first step toward becoming an agile manufacturer. This involves keeping track of changing customer demands and preferences, as well as keeping an eye on competitor products and strategies. Once a manufacturer has a clear understanding of the marketplace, they can better adjust their operations to respond quickly to new trends and customer needs.

Question 11

Despite potential benefits,not all companies invest in ERP if they cannot meet requirements or overcome the challenges.Which of the following is not one of those requirements or challenges?
A)Applications must be tightly aligned with well-defined and designed business processes.
B)Initial costs to purchase or lease and set up the ERP are very low,but maintenance might be extremely high.
C)Selecting the appropriate ERP is time-consuming,complex,and expensive.
D)Apps may be too complex for employees to use correctly to improve efficiency and ROI.

Accepted Answer

The statement "Initial costs to purchase or lease and set up the ERP are very low, but maintenance might be extremely high" is inaccurate. In reality, the initial costs to purchase or lease and set up an ERP can be very high, but ongoing maintenance costs may be more manageable.

Question 12

Typically,as business strategies and technologies changed,older legacy systems were:
A)modified repeatedly and patched to the point where they just could not be modified anymore.
B)immediately replaced with the latest software,hardware,and network technologies
C)gradually replaced with cloud computing solutions.
D)interfaced with newer information technologies so they could exchange data without limitations.

Accepted Answer

Older legacy systems were often modified and patched repeatedly to keep up with changing business needs and technologies until they became too outdated or complex to modify further.

Question 13

Each of the following describes ERP systems except:
A)ERP apps interface with business partners through a B2B gateway,but cannot interface with legacy apps.
B)From a technology perspective,ERP is the software infrastructure that links an enterprise's internal apps and supports its external business processes.
C)ERP apps are modular,and the modules are integrated with each other to expand capabilities.
D)Departments can easily stay informed of what's going on in other departments that impact its operations or performance.

Accepted Answer

ERP systems can interface with legacy apps through various methods, such as APIs or middleware. Therefore, statement A is incorrect.

Question 14

Typically,how are ERP systems acquired?
A)By purchasing or leasing packaged software
B)Built in-house
C)Built with proprietary software
D)Custom built by consulting companies and vendors

Accepted Answer

ERP systems are typically acquired by purchasing or leasing packaged software from vendors or software companies. Building in-house or custom-building by consulting companies and vendors are less common options, as they require more resources and expertise. Using proprietary software may also limit the flexibility and compatibility of the ERP system with other organizational software and systems.

Question 15

With __________,suppliers and retailers collaborate in planning and demand forecasting in order to ensure that members of the supply chain will have the right amount of raw materials and finished goods when they need them.
A)CPFR systems
B)ERP systems
C)KM systems
D)SCM software

Accepted Answer

Collaborative Planning, Forecasting, and Replenishment (CPFR) systems facilitate collaboration between suppliers and retailers to improve supply chain efficiency and ensure that inventory levels are optimized based on demand forecasts. This helps to prevent stockouts or overstocking, which can result in lost sales or increased carrying costs. ERP systems, KM systems, and SCM software may all be components of a supply chain management system, but they do not specifically focus on collaboration and demand forecasting between suppliers and retailers.

Question 16

__________ are commercial software packages that integrate business processes,including supply chains,manufacturing,financial,human resources,budgeting,sales,and customer service.
A)CPFR systems
B)ERP systems
C)KM systems
D)SCM software

Accepted Answer

ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) systems are specifically designed to integrate various business processes, including those related to supply chains, manufacturing, finance, human resources, sales, and customer service. These software packages allow for real-time information sharing and collaboration across all departments within a company, helping to streamline operations, reduce costs, and improve overall efficiency.

Question 17

Which is not one of the reasons why companies might need to migrate from legacy systems to enterprise systems?
A)Legacy systems have high maintenance costs.
B)Monolithic legacy architectures are inflexible.
C)Legacy systems are hardwired by predefined process flows making integration with Internet-based apps difficult or impossible.
D)Enterprise systems require retraining of end users whose productivity will slow initially as they adjust to a new way of doing their jobs.

Accepted Answer

This answer is the odd one out as it does not provide a valid reason for companies to migrate from legacy systems to enterprise systems. The other options describe the drawbacks of legacy systems and the benefits of migrating to newer, more flexible enterprise systems.

Question 18

Prior to selecting and implementing an ERP or other enterprise system,it's essential that a company identify the _____.
A)problems to be solved
B)goals to be achieved and type of support the IS is to provide
C)problems to be solved,goals to be achieved,and type of support the IS is to provide
D)cost of implementation and maintenance

Accepted Answer

Prior to selecting and implementing an ERP or other enterprise system, it's essential that a company identify the problems to be solved, goals to be achieved, and type of support the IS is to provide. This comprehensive approach will ensure that the system selected will meet the company's needs and provide the intended benefits. While the cost of implementation and maintenance is an important consideration, it is not sufficient for effective system selection and implementation.

Question 19

Enterprise systems are integrated ISs that support core business processes and functions.How is integration achieved?
A)Integration is achieved by connecting wired and wireless computer networks so they can share applications.
B)Integration is achieved by outsourcing to vendors that replace stand-alone ISs with a single IS.
C)Integration is achieved by linking databases and data warehouses so they can share data.
D)Integration is achieved by using cloud computing.

Accepted Answer

Integration in enterprise systems is achieved by linking databases and data warehouses so they can share data. This allows for a seamless flow of information across all departments and functions of the organization. Cloud computing and outsourcing to vendors can also contribute to integration, but alone they are not sufficient to create an integrated IS. Connecting networks can also facilitate integration, but it is not the primary method.

Question 20

__________ help organizations identify,select,organize,disseminate,preserve,and share information and expertise.
A)CPFR systems
B)ERP systems
C)KM systems
D)SCM software

Accepted Answer

KM systems (Knowledge Management systems) are specifically designed to help organizations manage information and expertise. They provide tools and processes for identifying, selecting, organizing, disseminating, preserving, and sharing knowledge within an organization. CPFR systems (Collaborative Planning, Forecasting, and Replenishment), ERP systems (Enterprise Resource Planning), and SCM software (Supply Chain Management software) are all important systems for organizational management, but they are not specifically focused on knowledge management.

Quiz 10: Enterprise Information Systems

Why are ERP systems strategic weapons for food manufacturers?

Under Armour Inc. ,the originator of performance apparel,was having had sharp spikes in orders.The company reduced the cost and effort of their order fulfillment process by replacing manual processes with __________ that provide data about resource availability and delivery dates.

__________ is the ability to thrive in a changing environment,which can be achieved by streamlining processes for quick response.

Enterprise systems help managers and companies improve their performance by enabling them to __________.

The greatest challenges when implementing enterprise systems are due to _____.

Consumer product and retail industries lose about $40 billion annually,or 3.5 percent of their sales,due to __________.

Business-to-business integration (B2Bi) is vital for efficient and accurate flow of data across internal ISs and external business partners.B2Bi and secure data exchange over the Internet is done through __________.

Lessons learned from ERP failures include each of the following except:

Characteristics of enterprise systems include all of the following except:

What is the first step toward becoming an agile manufacturer?

Despite potential benefits,not all companies invest in ERP if they cannot meet requirements or overcome the challenges.Which of the following is not one of those requirements or challenges?

Typically,as business strategies and technologies changed,older legacy systems were:

Each of the following describes ERP systems except:

Typically,how are ERP systems acquired?

With __________,suppliers and retailers collaborate in planning and demand forecasting in order to ensure that members of the supply chain will have the right amount of raw materials and finished goods when they need them.

__________ are commercial software packages that integrate business processes,including supply chains,manufacturing,financial,human resources,budgeting,sales,and customer service.

Which is not one of the reasons why companies might need to migrate from legacy systems to enterprise systems?

Prior to selecting and implementing an ERP or other enterprise system,it's essential that a company identify the _____.

Enterprise systems are integrated ISs that support core business processes and functions.How is integration achieved?

__________ help organizations identify,select,organize,disseminate,preserve,and share information and expertise.