SFDV2002 - Principles of Information

Systems

Lecture 15:

Enterprise Integration

2

Overview

How are information systems integrated? How is information moved around an

enterprise?What key business functions require

management?What kinds of software are required to

support these key functions?How is collaboration in an enterprise

supported?

3

Enterprise Integration is Important

Manage complexity of disparate information and functions

Streamline interactions between IT solutionsAutomate and manage business processesFacilitate collaboration around an enterpriseEnsure data quality!Strategise for:

Future IT investment Lifetime of systems Changing needs of enterprise

Regulatory compliance Projected growth …

4

[Source

: Whitte

n e

t al., 2

00

4]

5

Information Flows Around an Enterprise

[Source

: Whitte

n, 2

00

4]

Vertica

l Flow

Horizontal Flow

Information services: Most developers/analysts/IT specialists work hereSystems Development: might be assigned to a team broken down by functionDepartmental computing: Also technical support, business analysts, liaisons will work for a department

Executive management comprises smaller hierarchy in the form of CEO and then CIO, CFO, etc.

6

Main Business Functions[S

ource

: O’B

rien, 2

00

3]

Productions/Operations

Marketing

Human Resource Management

FinanceAccounting

7

Marketing:Planning, promotion, sale of existing products/servicesInteractive marketing: process based around Internet, extranets and intranets to establish communications between organisation and customers. Sales force automation: Enabling sales teams using ICT (i.e., laptops, mobile…). All activities are conducted electronically.HR:Recruitment, placement, evaluation, compensation, and development of employees of an organisation. Typical HR information system would be the payroll system.Finance:Support financial managers with financing the organisation and the allocation and control of financial resources within an organisation.Cash & Credit management: Forecast and manage cash position by collecting information & Monitor and control creditors informationInvestment management: Manage short-term investments and other securitiesFinancial forecasting: Forecast financial performance and financing needsAccounting:Most widely used information systems for recording and reporting on business transactions Production/Operations (Manufacturing and logistics):Planning and control of the processes producing goods or servicesSystems required to monitor and control inventories, flow of goods, etc.

8

Enterprise Collaboration Systems

Information systems

E-Commerce systems

Employee information portals

Knowledge management

Workflow management

Document management systems

Collaborative work systems

Communication systems

9

Summary

Enterprises need to manage business processes and data to ensure competitiveness

Information flows around an enterprise horizontally across main functions and vertically down an organisational structure

These information flows need to be integrated and well managed to ensure data quality

Other collaborative systems are used to manage work related processes and knowledge