Individual Assignment: Question One

Individual Assignment: Question One

Evaluate and compare the features, functions, pricing, available editions, technology etc. of any two sources of enterprise resource planning (ERP) software. Here are some sources you may choose from:

 

SAP

Lawson Software

Microsoft Dynamics NAV

OpenBravo - open-source ERP

Kingdee K/3

QAD

 

Based on your understanding of ERP, do you believe that a firm should implement enterprise resource planning software when it is a new company, or after it has had time to mature ? Explain your answer.

 

Minimum word count: 200

The understanding of ERP systems is improve the effectiveness of information systems in organizations. They are business process reengineering (BPR), Client-server networking, Integrated databases. The function areas of enterprise resource planning (ERP) software include are manufacturing and production ; finance and accounting ; sales and marketing ; supply chain and inventory ; human resoures. The system software used to collect and manage information across different funtction area in an organization.

SAP & OpenBravo both is the supplier of enterprise resource planning (ERP) software. I am going to evaluate and compare the features, functions, pricing, available editions, technology etc.

Features & Functions

SAP ERP redefines enterprise resource planning – delivering role-based access to crucial data, applications, and analytical tools such as “End-user service delivery”, “Human Capital Management”, “Operations”, “Corporate”.

OpenBravo ERP Functional Integrated Accounting, Sales & CRM, Procurement, Inventory, Production, and Project & Service Management

There have 5 main SAP system’s functions to reach the data integrate of manufacturing and production ; finance and accounting ; sales and marketing ; supply chain and inventory ; human resources.

End-user service delivery, Offers role-based access and self-services through the manager and the employee portals, Duet, and employee interaction center support. Plus, SAP Mobile Time and Travel enables employees in the field to report time and expenses offline.

Financials, Financials automates financial and management accounting and financial supply chain management.

Human Capital Management, The SAP ERP HCM solution automates talent management, core HR processes, and workforce deployment – enabling increased efficiency and better compliance with changing global and local regulations.

 

Operations, also helps discrete and process manufacturers manage the entire life cycle of product development and manufacturing.

Corporate, Services Helps organizations manage their most cost-intensive corporate functions by supporting and streamlining administrative processes in the areas of real estate; enterprise 

assets; project portfolios, corporate travel; environment, health, and safety compliance; quality; and global trade services.

On the other side, we can found that Openbravo ERP based on a single, integrated database model covering all key application areas of a complete business management system, including seamless integration to Business Intelligence (BI) and Point of Sale (POS).

Integrated ecosystem of add-ons: 3rd-party modules and industry verticals for a best fit implementation.

Scale with Ease: Grow seamlessly from single-instance to multiple tenants, organizations, localizations, warehouses.

Openbravo ERP's comprehensive business functionality is implemented on top of the robust Openbravo ERP Platform, which provides an equally strong set of cross-application functionality. 

Easy to Use Web Application: Simple and secure browser access to all functionality, with web services for easy interoperability with other applications.

Simple to Extend and Upgrade: Codeless & model-driven, allowing non-programmers to easily add new functionality adapted to unique needs.

Flexible Deployment: On premise or on the cloud, single or multi-tenant, on Windows or Linux, there are options for every need.

After above compare, SAP ERP function is manage and analytic ; Openbravo ERP Platform design is focus on user friendly and functional.

 

Pricing/financing

Payment plans are available through SAP financing. Depending on project scope, pricing from SAP Business One partners can start as low as $20,000 for five SAP Business One users, including software licensing and implementation. Per user is $149 per month; subscription-based pricing starting at 25 users.

Openbravo's Enterprise Edition is sold and serviced exclusively through official Openbravo Business Partners. It is a fully-supported commercial ERP solution for enterprises planning more than 25 concurrent ERP users to start.

Annual fee priced per concurrent user, which provides access to all Core Functional Modules. No limitations placed on the number of "named users". The volume discount per concurrent user and loyalty discount with annual renewals. And selection of Commercial Add-on Modules and Indutry Templates. Enterprise Edition is acquired independently of a technology stack. SMB Edition may be deployed on a "mix and match" basis, with your technologies of choice. Annual subscription: €1,500 +From €500 to €400 / per concurrent user.

After compare with boths of the Payment plans. SAP plan based pricing is € 20,745 ; Openbravo plan based pricing €11,500 with No limitations placed on the number of "named users" and loyalty discount with annual renewals. Therefore, Openbravo pricing is lower than SAP.

 

Available Editions

SAP Business by design is fully integrated business management software solutions designed for midsize companies or small businesses that want the benefits of large-scale business applications without the need for a large IT infrastructure. The software enables preconfigured process best practices for managing financials, customer relationships, human resources, projects, procurement, and the supply chain. SAP takes care of installation, maintenance, and upgrades – so user can focus on business, not on IT.

Openbravo ERP's QuickStart Edition provides small businesses a standard, entry-level best-practices ERP implementation that can be implemented quickly, and then easily adapted and extended going forward. It is based on Openbravo's Core ERP Platform, which provides a modern web-based ERP system that is cost-effective to acquire, operate, adapt, and upgrade. The QuickStart Edition features a Cloud Appliance Stack option to support fast and scalable deployment, with “pay-as-you-go” subscription pricing.

Both of them are support the midsize businesses or small businesses. But Openbravo web-based ERP system that is cost-effective to acquire, operate, adapt, and upgrade.

Technology

The SAP Business All-in-One solution is ideal for a midsize company seeking an integrated industry solution. SAP Business All-in-One to manage company entire business, including: Project, document, and product data management ; Sourcing and procurement ; Process manufacturing models and processes ; Sales and service delivery ; Postsales support ; Traceability, environmental compliance, and quality management ; Inbound/outbound logistics and inventory management ; Financials and controlling.

SAP ERP 6.0 delivers many enhancements to the comprehensive features and functions of SAP ERP. For those high-tech companies seeking to get up and running quickly to get up and running quickly with a manufacturing solution that supports general manufacturing solution that supports general manufacturing processes, This program helps user tailor a solution to suit your needs and complete the implementation. User can also configure a solution online and get cost estimates before user implement the solution. Designed for rapid implementation at a predefined price, it helps deliver a fast ROI to support increased  sales and decreased costs

Openbravo ERP is built using open standards, around a unique combination of well-proven MVC (Model, View, Control) and MDD (Model Driven Development) development frameworks, executed by Openbravo's WAD engine.

MVC is a proven web applications development framework, which helps to decouple the database, user interface elements, and business logic. The separation of these elements into different files results in a more structured code, facilitating development and maintenance.

MDD is a software design approach that relies on metadata stored in a dictionary to model the behavior of the application. This results in a drastic reduction in manual coding and fewer bugs, allowing business experts with little coding experience to configure the application to suit the needs of each enterprise.

Openbravo also leverages on a number of recognized open source frameworks for a more efficient development process.

Therefore, SAP Business All-in-One solution is more suitable and efficiency to larger company; Openbravo open source frameworks for a more efficient development process for the midsize businesses or small businesses.

 

In my opinion, a firm should implement enterprise resource planning software when it is a new company. It is because ERP replace traditional, disconnected information system and reduces incompatible data; Allows real-time sharing and monitoring of information across organization; also it could be minimizes response time to customer and suppliers; Management pushes decision making down to lower level staff; Improves operating performance; standardization of data and business processes. As a reason to be the price of entry for running a business because of ERP benefit. ERP also as a platform for decision support, data mining and supply chain management. As a new company should consider about it is for long term development. 

Hi.. Jenny I am going to re-post my assignment this morning

Hi.. Jenny I am going to re-post my assignment this morning.. with the purple letters.. sorry of too rush post last weekend :)

Assignment One: Question Three - PART 11

Assignment One: Question Three - PART 11

Asia Miles - http://www.asiamiles.com

Asia Miles is Asia's leading travel reward programme. Asia Miles is doing excellently in terms of internet marketing.

To earn Asia Miles, Customer just present Asia Miles card. Travel the world with our 20 airline partners, including Cathay Pacific and Dragonair. Stay at a huge range of international hotels. Then keep on earning with dining, transport and other activities. This program engage customer in multi-channel buying behavior.

Asia Miles partner categories cover Airlines, Hotels, Cars and Transport, Retail, Dining & Banquets, Travel and Leisure, Finance and Insurance, Telecoms, and Professional Services. We can found that Asia Miles got the online partnership link-building and co. branding.

The member can earn miles by dining at a partner restaurant, and earn again by paying for the meal with a partner credit card that converts the credit card points into Asia Miles. This can attract member more easy to earn Asia Miles in daily.

Whenever member fly with Asia Miles partner airlines on a paid ticket, simply quote your membership number at the time of reservation as well as during check in and member will earn Asia Miles based on the class and fares the travel.

Like a Business Class round-trip flight on Cathay Pacific from London to Hong Kong eared 14,958 Asia Miles ; Economy Class round-trip flight on Dragonair from Hong Kong to Beijing earned 2,474 Asia Miles ; Staying at a participating hotel earned From 250 per eligible stay (One night or above)

Member can use the Airline Earn Calculator and Non-Airline Earn Calculator to calculate how many miles they can earn from Asia Miles different categories.

After member earn the miles, they can redeem their rewards from Asia Miles nine categories: Flights, Hotel and Holiday Packages, Wine & Dine, Leisure & Sport, Electronics & Accessories, Household & Other Merchandise, Gifts, Flowers & Hampers, Car Rental & Transportation, and Health & Beauty which retain existing customers and extend customer relationships.

Member will find flight awards, the latest electronic devices, romantic dinners and getaways. Like 60,000 Asia Miles reward Economy Class round-trip flight from Hong Kong to Los Angeles on Cathay Pacific; 12,500 Asia Miles reward One-way upgrade from Economy Class to Business Class. For marketing strategies pull marketing is where you develop advertising and promotional strategies that are meant to entice the prospect to buy your product or service. Asia Miles reward is carrying pull marketing strategies.

Internet marketing could be takes advantage of greater hold on user's interest and personalized marketing, the service 24-hour global reach. Therefore, it wouldn’t have time, distance, country limited.

Also online provide stay up-to-date the latest news and advertising offers to acquire new customers, retain existing customers and extend customer relationship.

 https://www.asiamiles.com/am/en/offers 

For Mobile marketing, iphone.asiamiles.com via iPhone to manage member account, check Asia Miles latest offers and redeem favourite awards member. The member just add an Asia Miles shortcut to their iPhone. This is take takes advantage of personalization or one-to-one marketing strategies. One to One marketing referred to the business movement during Web 1.0 which leveraged database technology for targeting products, ads, and services to specific users with particular profile attributes. The concept was supported by technologies such as BroadVision, ATG, and BEA. Amazon is a classic example of a company that performs "One to One Marketing" by offering users targeted offers and related products. Personalization is the term that later followed as a way of describing this evolution in Internet marketing.

Because of Asia Miles member self-service function online. Thus, they will get a better understanding of customer behavior by thought the DMS to provide trackable and measurable reports. Also the Asia Miles hold users interest and attention more effectively. 

https://www.asiamiles.com/am/en/about/features/mobile 

Assignment One: Question Three - PART 1

Assignment One: Question Three - PART 1

Find two examples of what you consider to be an effective use of Internet marketing.

For each example, describe what Internet marketing method(s) or technique(s) are used, discuss what you think is the purpose of the marketing campaign (customer acquisition ? customer retention ?), and evaluate which of the following Internet properties the online marketing campaign takes advantage of:

interactivity or two-way communication
pull marketing
personalization or one-to-one
greater hold on user's interest
measurable and trackable

Minimum word count: 200 words

Nowadays, Internet marketing become more popular. Many firm using digital technologies to help sell your goods or services. Marketer complements traditional marketing methods such as direct mail, PR and advertising. It benefit the company 24-hour global reach, lower cost, trackable and measurable results, personalized/one-to-one marketing, more interesting compaigns, seamless experience.

The marketing tools and technologies could be in may difference way like Search Engine Marketing, Blogs, PSS, Podcasts/Online Video, Mashups/ Social Networking, Widgets/gadgets or mini-applications, Mobile Marketing to achieve internet marketing.

STARBUCKS 

http://www.starbucks.com

Starbucks Coffee Company was founded in 1971, is the world’s leading retailer, roaster and brand of specialty coffee with millions of customer visits per week at stores in North America, Europe, Middle East, Latin America and the Pacific Rim.

You get more than the finest coffee when you visit a Starbucks—you get great people, first-rate music and a comfortable and upbeat meeting place. Starbucks establish the value of buying a product at Starbucks by our uncompromising quality and by building a personal relationship with each of their customers.

Starbucks Entertainment selects the finest in music, books and film to offer Starbucks customers the opportunity to discover quality entertainment in a fun and convenient way as part of their daily coffee routines. Starbucks Entertainment has made a transformative impact on the entertainment industry through its innovative relationships with music labels, publishers and filmmakers; and its breakthrough Starbucks Hear Music™ Coffeehouses in Santa Monica, San Antonio, Miami and Bellevue, Washington.

Starbucks Entertainment selections can be purchased at Starbucks stores in select markets worldwide, and online at www.starbucks.com/hearmusic. Starbucks Entertainment has also teamed with Apple to create a Starbucks Entertainment area on the iTunes store (www.iTunes.com/starbucks) in the U.S., and to offer the exclusive “Now Playing” feature on the iTunes® Wi-Fi Music Store at select Starbucks coffeehouses in the U.S., which enables customers to instantly preview, purchase, and download the music playing overhead in the store. Starbucks using digital technologies to sell the goods online. The online marketing campaign takes advantage of interactivity, pull marketing, personalization and greater hold on user's interest.

Starbucks.com customer requires to do the subscription. Provide the account Information. The customer could view the order tracking history. Therefore results can be tracked and measured more closely.

Online StarbucksStore.com is an alliance between Starbucks and Cooking.com. StarbucksStore.com offers the lineup of Starbucks® whole bean and ground coffees, including seasonal, promotional and the very special Starbucks®Black Apron Exclusives™ coffees. Through an easy-to-shop and efficient website, StarbucksStore.com offers premium coffee with affordable delivery. The site provides detailed descriptions of each coffee, including country of origin or characteristics of the blends as well as flavor notes and suggestions for other coffees that match preferred taste profiles. That will be engage customer in multi-channel buying behavior. So it’s important for businesses to reach them in every channel.

Starbucks store

Starbucks store - http://www.starbucksstore.com/



https://www.starbucksstore.com/shopping/multi_cart.asp

Starbucks.com also provide a online PR communication platform such as corporate Blog,Podcasing, online channal on YouTube.  That would be takes advantage of interactivity and social networking.  Also help the firms get a better understanding of customer behavior. And understand what benefits they expect to get from the company.

http://www.starbucks.com/via/occasion/vsbrewed/

Individual Assignment: Question Two

Individual Assignment: Question Two

Read this recent job posting for a customer relationship manager (CRM) from JobsDB.
Based on this job description, what would you say are the main responsibilities of a CRM manager? Do any of these responsibilities involve in-depth or hands-on knowledge of information technology? Explain your answer.
Minimum word count: 200


The main responsibilities of a CRM manager is to drive company’s brand CRM objectives, strategies and programs to add profit to the company. It accomplishers that goal by concentrating on customer benefits and values rather than merely pushing the products and services the company wants to sell to its target market segment.

CRM’s objective is accomplishes that goal by concentrating on customer benefits and values rather than merely pushing the products and services the company wants to sell its target market segments.

Many company information systems to help them systematically gather and analysis. CRM manager have to applications that analyze customer data output from operational CRM applications CRM applications. Based on data warehouses populated by operational CRM systems and customer touch points; Can determine customer lifetime value (CLTV) for each customer or customer segment.


As a CRM manager need to built up the relationship Marketing to fulfill customers’ needs throughout their entire lifecycle. The classic stages within this lifecycle consist of selection, acquisition, retention and extension to improve future program planning process.

Customer selection means identifying the types of customer that a company will develop their products and services for. This may also mean selectively targeting the groups of customers who tend to use online channels.

Customer acquisition involves form relationships with first-time customers to achieve a sale, while at the same time minimizing acquisition cost.

Customer retention refers to the actions an organization take to retain existing customers.

Customer extension refers to increasing the depth or range of products that a company purchases from a company.

The CRM manager need to lead the respective affiliates to develop and execute consumer contact strategy (through execution of consumer calendar) to achieve key CRM performance metrics, review and analyze key learning. With consumer lifecycle programs as an integrated consumer calendar.

CRM is more of a strategic business approach, it depends on technology in order to carry out its tactics. CRM requires that companies know as much as they can about their customers (e.g. their value, their preferred channels, their behavior, their demographics), and understand what benefits they expect to get from the company.

The CRM manager have to hands on experience with customer related analytic projects and knowledge on how to measure marketing activities and transaction driven understanding of consumer marketing modeling.

The operational of CRM systems is customer-facing applications such as sales force automation, call center and customer service support, and marketing automation and the analyze customer data output from operational CRM applications. It is base on data warehouse populated by operational CRM systems and customer touch points. Also it could determine customer lifetime value (CLTV) for each customer or customer segment.

Therefore, CRM manager need to involve hands-on knowledge of information technology application for operational CRM systems.

Assignment 1

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