Republic Polytechnic Case Study Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Republic Polytechnic Case Study - Assignment Example Implementation of an ERP in any organization involves a life cycle from the decision to adopt it to successful roll out, with discernible implementation phases as characterized by the key stakeholders, typical activities, associated challenges and outcomes. Four broad phases can be discerned based on this framework. They are planning, configuration, testing and actual implementation (Kumar, Maheshwari and Kumar 2003, pp. 795). Other authors present the phases as involving planning, implementation, stabilization and improvement (Markus and Tanis 2000, pp.173-207: Shanks et al. 2000, pp. 2). In the case of Republic Polytechnic’s ERP, the latter framework is seen in action thus forming this paper’s line of discussion.The first stage that was undertaken in RP’s implementation of the ERP is planning. RP needed an Enterprise System that was able to support two considerations. These include their problem-based learning pedagogy and their commitment to an IT strategy tha t would render the campus paperless for faster, efficient and cost-effective processes. RP set out on an outsourcing path for the vendor of an enterprise-wide e-learning management system that would provide a package which could suit RP’s mission and strategic direction. All relevant stakeholders were involved in finding such a vendor, flexible enough to allow for the heavy customization that was necessary for RP’s strategy, to be rolled out dubbed LEO (Learning Environment Online). This step involved two representatives from RP.... o allow for the heavy customization that was necessary for RP’s strategy, finally leading to settling on Wizlearn Pte Limited and their Academic Version 7 package. Post-purchase tailoring was the next step aimed at customizing the vendor’s product to RP’s needs in the system to be rolled out dubbed LEO (Learning Environment Online). This step involved two representatives from RP. These are OAA (Officer of Academic Affairs) and OIS (Officer of Information Systems) and an external IS team from the vendor all of whom liaised together and held discussions that finally resulted in a heavily customized product plan ready to be rolled out. The next phase after the planning part was actual implementation of the settled upon system, done a few weeks before the opening of the school term. The system that was rolled out provided an optimum system for RP and her staff although it was not exactly like they had envisioned as it had not accommodated all their views. Stabilizati on was the next phase for the system. Although the roll out had determined that there would be no need for training of RP staff, it was still necessary to provide basic training on the core features of the LEO. In a similar fashion, the students were trained on a basic general IT course and then given a few lessons on the core features of the LEO by the facilitators. The last phase of RP’s implementation of their ERP was improvement. This involved addition of the features that had been suggested in the planning stage but had been left out in implementation. More improvements on the ERP were based on suggestions from three sources; the top management, the facilitators and the development team itself, with additional suggestions being drawn from the students. The LEO manager determined which improvements