Enterprise management System
This system internally and externally integrates management information in organizations. In takes place in an entire organization touching on various departments such as finance and accounting, customer service, sales and marketing.
According to Sheldon, the main aim of installing ERP’s in organizations is to help the smooth flow of information within organizations and other external stakeholders so that business transactions and functions can take place smoothly (2005 p. 347). The system runs on special software designed with databases where the information is stored and accessed by authorized parties at various levels.
ERP use in Airports
According to Hamilton, airports such as Sharjah implement ERP systems as part of their business support programs to help in the reduction of their existing systems, elimination of business processing and data constraints as well as supporting business support functions crucial in the running of the airport (2003, p. 205).
Stolzer et al says that implementation of ERP in airports usually involves drastic changes to organizational processes, practices and staff. Full-fledged implementation is preceded by consulting, customization and support by the implementing companies that have been chose (2008, p. 167).
Implementation Team
The implementation of ERP at Sharjah Airport is expected to take approximately two years. The process will involve process preparation, configuration, customization, data implementation, data migration and extensions.
The implementation will be spearheaded by an external team from Oracle and an internal team working under the information technology department. The Oracle team will comprise t
Of a project manager, business consultants of not more than four people and program developers. Business consultants will help in the engineering aspect as well as configuration of the production and supply chains of Sharjah Airport.
The internal team from Sharjah airport on the other hand will have a project manager, business analysts, program developers, engineers form various departments data migration experts, representatives from planning and configuration, supply chain management and production departments.
Purpose of Implementation
Sharjah Airport is growing at an unprecedented rate. The expansion of its operation has necessitated the need for a better management of its finance, logistics and human resource systems for better delivery of services.
The legacy systems that are in use at the airport are overwhelmed by the airport’s handling capacity fueled by growth. Similarly, the information technology infrastructure that is in use at the airport is almost obsolete having been upgraded in late 90’s.
The implementation of ERP at the airport will therefore increase efficiency in management of its resources as well as its core business. The system will provide a single integrated system capable of digitizing of paper based processes besides helping in asset management and human resources functionalities.
Implementation of ERP at Sharjah Airport
According to Camp (2004, p. 248), implementation of ERP systems in organizations takes quite some time depending on the size o the organization and complexity of the project. The implementation of the ERP project at Sharjah Airport will be done in five phases.
The first phase will involve the implementation of financial and logistical system features of the Oracle software that the airport authorities would have chosen. The phase will also involve the installation of human capital management applications into the new system.
Configuration of the asset management systems to manage the vast asset network of the company will be done at this phase. This will prepare the system for better accounting management based on the national and international standards
The second phase will involve the installation of databases that will hold company information. Oracle and the internal team will build a data warehouse as well as reporting tools that will enable employees of the airport to access personal information, submit requests and any other information that will be relevant to them.
The second phase work will help in rolling back the use of paper besides easing the burden on human resources department.
Systems of ERP helping in the maintenance and property management of the airport’s investments and properties will be installed in the third phase of the project.
The fourth phase of the project will involve the installation of a customer relationship management system. It will also include the installation of a supplier management system for suppliers. The systems will ensure speedy and effective service of both customers and suppliers of the facility.
The final phase will involve the installation of a new portal for the airport’s intranet as well as system for effective business intelligence gathering. After the above configurations are made, the system will go live, hopefully within the set timeline.
Conclusion
The system will is expected to boost management of the facility besides making it a premier choice in the region. It’s also important to note that implementation will involve training of the workers of the facility and reorganization of the workforce according to their capabilities and experience.
Oracle will provide a two-year maintenance service during which time they will provide support free of charge. Additionally, Oracle will provide training to IT debarment employees who will be charged with the responsibility of running the system after the two-year support program from Oracle runs out. The IT departments will be actively engaged in the management and running of the system from the time of going live.
References
Camp, O. (2004) Enterprise information systems. London: Springer.
Hamilton, S. (2003) Maximizing your ERP system: a practical guide for managers. New York: Mc Graw Hill.
Sheldon, D. (2005) Class A ERP implementation: integrating Lean and six sigma. New York: J. Ross Publishing Inc.
Stolzer et al. (2008) Safety management systems in aviation. Burlington: Ashgate Publishing Company.