Vaatimusmäärittelykäytäntöjen sovellettavuus talousohjauksen vaatimuksia kartoitettaessa

Vaatimusten määrittelyn tarkoitus on kartoittaa tietojärjestelmän käyttäjien työtehtäviä ja niihin liittyviä järjestelmän toiminnallisia ja ei-toiminnallisia vaatimuksia. Todellinen asiakasnäkökulma tulee esille yrityksen itse käynnistämässä vaatimusten määrittelyssä. Nykytilan selvittäminen ja kriittisten toimintojen havaitseminen käynnistävät kohdeyksikössä käytävän keskinäisen keskustelun, mikä on edellytyksenä järjestelmävaatimusten havaitsemiseen. Tämän työn teoriaosuudessa lähestytään eri näkökulmia vaatimustenmäärittelyyn. Tämän jälkeen esitellään muutamia asiakasyritykselle sopivia määrittelymenetelmiä, joita voidaan hyödyntää valmisohjelmistohankeen määrittelyssä. Työssä esitetään myös toiminnanohjaukseen ja tietovarastointiin tarkoitettujen järjestelmien tapaa kerätä taloudellista informaatiota ja luoda raportteja johdolle päätöksenteon tueksi. Työn empiirisessä osassa selvitetään mitkä ovat Lappeenrannan Energia Oy:n asettamat liiketoiminnalliset tarpeet ja vaatimukset uudelle talousohjauksen tietojärjestelmälle.

Materiaalin varaus globaalissa paperiteollisuuden järjestelmässä

Tärkeä osa paperiteollisuuden myyntitapahtumaa on tarkistaa tilatun tuotteen saatavuus ja toimittamisen aikataulu. Käytännössä tämä tarkoittaa kuljetusten, tuotannon ja valmistetun materiaalin tarkistamista. Tässä työssä on tehty olemassa olevan vapaan materiaalin tarkistaminen. Materiaalin tarkastus ei ole uusi idea, mutta kapasiteettivarauksen uudelleen toteutus on tehty tulevan ylläpitotyön helpottamiseksi ja järjestelmän suorituskyvyn parantamiseksi. Lisäksi uutta varauslogiikkaa pystytään käyttämään muissakin tuotannonohjausjärjestelmän ohjelmistoissa. Kapasiteettivaraukseen on myös rakennettu uusi kustannuspohjainen priorisointijärjestelmä, ja mietitty kuinka tätä olisi tulevaisuudessa helppo jalostaa. Erityishuomiota on kiinnitetty toiminnan läpinäkyvyyteen eli siihen, että tarkistuslogiikka kertoo syyt eri materiaalin hylkäämiseen. Työn yhteydessä on analysoitu materiaalivarauksen aiheuttamaa kuormaa järjestelmässä ja mietitty eri tekniikoita suorituskyvyn parantamiseksi.

Tuotetiedon soveltaminen varastotiedon hallinnan parantamisessa

Inventory data management is defined as an accurate creation and maintenance of item master data, inventory location data and inventory balances per an inventory location. The accuracy of inventory data is dependent of many elements of the product data management like the management of changes during a component’s life-cycle and the accuracy of product configuration in enterprise resource planning systems. Cycle-counting is counting of inventory balances per an inventory location and comparing them to the system data on a daily basis. The Cycle-counting process is a way to measure the accuracy of the inventory data in a company. Through well managed cycle-counting process a company gets a lot of information of their inventory data accuracy. General inaccuracy of the inventory data can’t be fixed through only assigning resources to the cycle-counting but the change requires disciplined following of the defined processes from all parties involved in updating inventory data through a component’s life-cycle. The Processes affecting inventory data are mapped and the appropriate metrics are defined in order to achieve better manageability of the inventory data. The Life-cycles of a single component and of a product are used in evaluation of the processes.

Implementation and Integration of New Baggage Logistic Centre at HelsinkiVantaa Airport

This thesis deals with improving international airport baggage supply chain management (SCM) by means of information technology and new baggage handling system. This study aims to focus on supply chain visibility in practice and to suggest different ways to improve the supply chain performance through information sharing. The objective is also to define how radio frequency identification (RFID) and enterprise resource planning (ERP) can make processes more transparent. In order to get full benefits from processes, effective business process management and monitoring as well as the key performance indicators must be defined, implemented and visualized through e.g. dashboard views for different roles. As an outcome of the research the need for the use of information technology systems and more advanced technologies, e.g. RFID in the supply chain management is evident. Sophisticated ERP is crucial in boosting SCM business processes and profitability. This would be beneficial for dynamic decision making as well in the airport and airline supply chain management. In the long term, economic aspects support the actions I have suggested in order to make production more flexible in reacting to quick changes.

ERP-järjestelmän käytön laajentaminen yrityksen toimitusketjun hallinnan kehittämiseksi

Tavoitteena tässä diplomityössä on selvittää, hyödyntääkö kohdeyritys jo olemassa olevaa ERP-järjestelmäänsä riittävästi ja kuinka ERP-järjestelmä implementoidaan hallitusti yrityksen kahteen uuteen toimipisteeseen. Tavoitteen saavuttamiseksi, työssä tarkastellaan yrityksen ERP-järjestelmällä toteutettavaa toiminnanohjausta ja tarkastelussa havaittuihin epäkohtiin sekä puutteellisuuksiin pyritään löytämään korjaava kehitystoimenpide. Toiminnanohjauksen kehittämisen jälkeen työssä perehdytään ERP-järjestelmän implementointiprosessiin. Työ alkaa teoriaosuudella, jossa käsitellään aluksi ERP-järjestelmiä koskevia perusasioita kirjallisuutta hyödyntäen. Teoriaosuuden toisessa luvussa paneudutaan ERP-järjestelmien implementointiprosessiin laajan kirjallisuusaineiston pohjalta. Työn empiriaosuuden aloittaa kohdeyrityksen toiminnanohjauksen nykytilan kartoitus, jota seuraa kartoituksessa tunnistettujen epäkohtien kehitysehdotukset. Empiriaosuuden viimeinen luku kuvaa kohdeyrityksen uuteen toimipisteeseen aloitettua ERP-järjestelmän implementointiprosessia. Työn tulokset osoittavat, millaisilla toimenpiteillä kohdeyrityksen toiminnanohjausta voidaan kehittää entisestään. Tulokset ohjaavat yritystä ERP-järjestelmänsä tehokkaampaan hyödyntämiseen. Työstä ilmenee lisäksi, kuinka vaativa prosessi ERP-järjestelmän implementointi uuteen toimipisteeseen on ja mitkä tekijät vaikuttavat eniten implementointiprosessissa onnistumiseen.

Päätöksenteon tukeminen kaivosalan yrityksen toiminnanohjausjärjestelmäratkaisun valinnassa

Diplomityön tavoitteena oli tutkia kohdeyrityksen toiminnanohjaukseen sovellettujen tietojärjestelmien nykytilaa ja pyrkiä tunnistamaan siinä vaikuttavia, kehittämistä vaativia kohteita. Nykytilan kartoituksen perusteella työssä oli määrä laatia vertailu liiketoiminnan ohjaamiseen soveltuvien vaihtoehtoisten järjestelmäratkaisuiden välillä. Perusteellisen selvitystyön ja vaihtoehtojen vertailun avulla pyrittiin tuottamaan päätöksentekoa helpottavaa materiaalia kohdeyrityksen toiminnanohjausjärjestelmäratkaisun valinnan tueksi. Keskeisimpinä menetelminä tutkimuksessa hyödynnettiin asiakaskeskeistä toiminnanohjausjärjestelmän käyttöönottomenetelmää C-CEI:tä sekä analyyttistä hierarkiaprosessia AHP:tä. Tutkimuksen perusteella havaittiin, että onnistunut tietojärjestelmäratkaisun valinta edellyttää perusteellista liiketoiminnan nykytilan selvitystä. Yritysten on myös tärkeää tiedostaa, että tällaisiin monikriteerisiin ja hankaliin päätöksentekotilanteisiin on olemassa useita erilaisia päätöksenteon tukimenetelmiä, joiden avulla päätöksenteon ongelmaa kyetään selkeyttämään ja siten helpottamaan ratkaisun löytämistä.

Information integration and its impacts on logistics performance - Using information technology and systems to facilitate information integration

Fast changing environment sets pressure on firms to share large amount of information with their customers and suppliers. The terms information integration and information sharing are essential for facilitating a smooth flow of information throughout the supply chain, and the terms are used interchangeably in research literature. By integrating and sharing information, firms want to improve their logistics performance. Firms share information with their suppliers and customers by using traditional communication methods (telephone, fax, Email, written and face-to-face contacts) and by using advanced or modern communication methods such as electronic data interchange (EDI), enterprise resource planning (ERP), web-based procurement systems, electronic trading systems and web portals. Adopting new ways of using IT is one important resource for staying competitive on the rapidly changing market (Saeed et al. 2005, 387), and an information system that provides people the information they need for performing their work, will support company performance (Boddy et al. 2005, 26). The purpose of this research has been to test and understand the relationship between information integration with key suppliers and/or customers and a firm’s logistics performance, especially when information technology (IT) and information systems (IS) are used for integrating information. Quantitative and qualitative research methods have been used to perform the research. Special attention has been paid to the scope, level and direction of information integration (Van Donk & van der Vaart 2005a). In addition, the four elements of integration (Jahre & Fabbe-Costes 2008) are closely tied to the frame of reference. The elements are integration of flows, integration of processes and activities, integration of information technologies and systems and integration of actors. The study found that information integration has a low positive relationship to operational performance and a medium positive relationship to strategic performance. The potential performance improvements found in this study vary from efficiency, delivery and quality improvements (operational) to profit, profitability or customer satisfaction improvements (strategic). The results indicate that although information integration has an impact on a firm’s logistics performance, all performance improvements have not been achieved. This study also found that the use of IT and IS have a mediocre positive relationship to information integration. Almost all case companies agreed on that the use of IT and IS could facilitate information integration and improve their logistics performance. The case companies felt that an implementation of a web portal or a data bank would benefit them - enhance their performance and increase information integration.

Distributed document migration between ERP systems by means of messaging and event sourcing

This bachelor’s thesis, written for Lappeenranta University of Technology and implemented in a medium-sized enterprise (SME), examines a distributed document migration system. The system was created to migrate a large number of electronic documents, along with their metadata, from one document management system to another, so as to enable a rapid switchover of an enterprise resource planning systems inside the company. The paper examines, through theoretical analysis, messaging as a possible enabler of distributing applications and how it naturally fits an event based model, whereby system transitions and states are expressed through recorded behaviours. This is put into practice by analysing the implemented migration systems and how the core components, MassTransit, RabbitMQ and MongoDB, were orchestrated together to realize such a system. As a result, the paper presents an architecture for a scalable and distributed system that could migrate hundreds of thousands of documents over weekend, serving its goals in enabling a rapid system switchover.

Elintarviketehtaan tuotantolinjan kunnonvalvonnan kehittäminen

Tutkimuksen tavoitteena oli kunnonvalvontajärjestelmän kehittäminen nykyaikaiselle elintarviketeollisuuden tuotantolinjalle. Työssä etsittiin olemassa olevia kunnonvalvontamenetelmiä ja -sovelluksia erityisesti jäätelötuotantolaitteiden tarpeisiin. Kirjallisuudesta löydettiin sovelluksia lähinnä yksittäisille komponenteille ja kone-elimille. Tutkimuksen kohteena oleva tuotantolinja käytiin läpi toimintojen ja komponenttien osalta. Tehtaan laitekantaa ja valmiutta kunnonvalvonnan käyttöönotolle käsiteltiin yleisellä tasolla. Kunnonvalvontajärjestelmää kehitettäessä käytettiin hyväksi kirjallisuudesta löytyneitä menetelmiä, joista soveltuvimpia käytettiin kunnonvalvontametodien kartoittamiseen. Kunnonvalvontametodit muodostettiin toiminnanohjausjärjestelmästä ja linjan käyttöönotosta saatujen tietojen avulla. Tietoja käytettiin vika-vaikutusanalyysissä, joka oli pohjana komponentti- ja menetelmäkohtaisessa analyysissa. Kriittisiä ja tuotannon tehokkuuteen vaikuttavia koneenosia ja kokonaisuuksia tarkasteltiin kunnonvalvontamenetelmien soveltuvuuden avulla. Tutkimuksen edetessä kehitettiin kokonaisvaltaiset toiminnanohjausjärjestelmän avulla toimivat eritasoiset kunnonvalvontahypoteesit, joiden avulla linjan yksittäisten komponenttien kuntoa voidaan valvoa. Lisäksi tutkimuksessa kehitettiin uusia kunnonvalvontasovelluksia, joita on mahdollista käyttää myös tehtaan muilla linjoilla. Kunnonvalvontahypoteeseja käytettiin kokonaisen kunnonvalvontajärjestelmän luomiseen. Tehtaalla on mahdollisuus valita käyttöönotettavan kunnonvalvonnan taso hypoteesien sekä kunnossapitostrategian avulla.

Mitigating uncertainty in logistics outsourcing with ERP systems

Outsourcing is a common strategy for companies looking for cost savings and improvements in performance. This has been especially prevalent in logistics, where warehousing and transporting are typical targets for outsourcing. However, while the benefits from logistics outsourcing are clear on paper, there are several cases companies fail to reach these benefits. The most commonly cited reasons for this are poor information flow between the company and the third party logistics partner, and a lack of integration between the two partners. Uncertainty stems from lack of information, and it can cripple the whole outsourcing operation. This is where enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems step in, as they can have a significant role in improving the flow of information, and integration, which consequently mitigates uncertainty. The purpose of the study is to examine if ERP systems have an effect on a company's decision to outsource logistics operations. Along the rapid advancements in technology during the past decades, ERP systems have also evolved. Therefore, empirical research on the subject needs constant revision as it can quickly become outdated due to ERP systems having more advanced capabilities every year. The research was conducted using a qualitative single-case study of a Finnish manufacturing firm that had outsourced warehousing and transportation operations in the Swedish market. The empirical data was gathered with use of semi-structured interviews with three employees from the case company that were closely related to the outsourcing operation. The theoretical framework that was used to analyze the empirical data was based on Transaction Cost Economics theory. The results of the study were align with the theoretical framework, in that the ERP system of the case company was seen as an enabler for their logistics outsourcing operation. However, the full theoretical benefits from ERP systems concerning extended enterprise functionality and flexibility were not attained due to the case company having an older version of their ERP system. This emphasizes the importance of having up-to-date technology if you want to overcome the shortcomings of ERP systems in outsourcing situations.

Operatiivisen tason suorituskyvyn mallimittariston kehittäminen logistiikkapalveluyritykselle

Tutkimuksen tavoitteena oli kehittää mallimittaristo logistiikkapalvelualalla toimivan yrityksen operatiivisen tason suorituskyvyn seurantaan ja toiminnanohjausta varten, päivittäisen johtamisen tueksi. Tutkimus suoritettiin pääosin toiminta-analyyttisena, yhden yrityksen empiirisenä tapaustutkimuksena. Tutkimuksen kohdeyrityksen toiminnanmittaus perustuu tällä hetkellä pääasiassa taloudellisiin mittareihin ja muutamaan kyselyyn. Toiminnanohjauksen ja – kehittämisen, päätöksenteon tueksi tarvitaan, taloudellisten mittareiden lisäksi, mittareita, joilla pystytään seuraamaan suorituskyvyn taustalla vaikuttavien tekijöiden kehittymistä. Tutkimuksen kohdeyrityksen operatiivisen tason suorituskyvyn mallimittariston suunnittelussa haluttiin varmistaa, että jatkossa mittaamisella vaikutettaisiin seuraustekijöiden lisäksi myös syytekijöihin, selkiyttää liiketoiminnan tavoitteet, operatiivisen tason näkökulmasta, ja mittaamisen tavoite. Tutkimuksessa esitelty mallimittaristo on suunniteltu, tasapainotetun mittariston viitekehyksen avulla. Mittariston näkökulmiksi valittiin: talous, sidosryhmä (asiakas), prosessi ja henkilöstö. Mittariston tuottaman tiedon tavoitteena on toiminnanohjauksen, -kehittämisen ja päätöksenteon tukeminen, kun mittaustulokset ja trendi ovat yhdessä paikassa, on tiedonhaku ja - hyödyntäminen helpompaa. Mallimittaristoa ei testattu eikä käyttöönotettu tutkimuksessa.

An examination of factors influencing ERP key-user satisfaction: A qualitative case study

Several companies are trying to improve their operation efficiency by implementing an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system that makes it possible to control the resources of the company in real time. However, the success of the implementation project is not a foregone conclusion; a significant part of these projects end in a failure, one way or another. Therefore it is important to investigate ERP system implementation more closely in order to increase understanding about factors influencing ERP system success and to improve the probability of a successful ERP implementation project. Consequently, this study was initiated because a manufacturing case company wanted to review the success of their ERP implementation project. To be exact, the case company hoped to gain both information about the success of the project and insight for future implementation improvement. This study investigated ERP success specifically by examining factors that influence ERP key-user satisfaction. User satisfaction is one of the most commonly applied indicators of information system success. The research data was mainly collected by conducting theme interviews. The subjects of the interviews were six key-users of the newly implemented ERP system. The interviewees were closely involved in the implementation project. Furthermore, they act as representative users that utilize the new system in everyday business processes. The collected data was analyzed by thematizing. Both data collection and analysis were guided by a theoretical frame of reference. This frame was based on previous research on the subject. The results of the study aligned with the theoretical framework to large extent. The four principal factors influencing key-user satisfaction were change management, contractor service, key-user’s system knowledge and characteristics of the ERP product itself. One of the most significant contributions of the research is that it confirmed the existence of a connection between change management and ERP key-user satisfaction. Furthermore, it discovered two new sub-factors influencing contractor service related key-user satisfaction. In addition, the research findings indicated that in order to improve the current level of key-user satisfaction, the case company should pay special attention to system functionality improvement and enhancement of the key-users’ knowledge. During similar implementation projects in the future, it would be important to assure the success of change management and contractor service related processes.

Tietojohtamista tukevan toiminnanohjausjärjestelmän vaatimuksia erityistoimialalla: tapaustutkimus eläinterveydenhuollon toimialalla

Veterinary Health Services are following in many areas the practices and medical direction of human medicine and health services. They are reaching for improved efficiency, quality and precision. Competitive position may be improved and productivity increased by specializing and focusing efforts at the practice. This thesis focuses in small animal practices and their needs for ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) systems in Germany. As a result requirements for ERP solution supporting knowledge management in the small animal practice is presented. Veterinary Health Services is knowledge-intensive business, where written information and tacit knowledge is increasingly bound together with deepening expertise and specialization. Veterinarian is even legally obliged to develop and maintain her professional skills. The current ERP solutions concentrate in the treatment process of veterinary practice. Customer relationship management is left aside. As the competitive situation is getting tighter in veterinary services also the customer relationship management needs to get into the focus and interest to the wider network support in knowledge sharing should take steps forward. Taking into account the requirement of continuous development of professional skills ERP system at the veterinary practice should also be seen as knowledge management tool. It should provide the possibility to create, store, share and use knowledge. The study is conducted first by studying the AS-IS situation of ERP use and market in veterinary health services and then drawing the requirements of TO-BE situation by studying literature and the results of semi qualitative study conducted for German veterinary practices. A group of veterinarians were interviewed, market and network analysis was done and the understanding of market was deepened in two veterinary conferences in Germany. This theses work is requested by Finnish software company Finnish Net Solutions, which is the leading supplier of Veterinary Practice Management software in Finland. The company plans to expand to European market with Cloud based service. Target of the theses is to create understanding of the requirements of German veterinary market to develop ERP solution supporting Knowledge Management in Veterinary Practice.

Replacing traditional ERP with EAI - the next generation’s ERP

Organizations often consider investing in a new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system as a way to enhance their business processes, as it allows integrating information used by multiple different departments into a harmonized computing system. The hope of gaining significant business benefits, such as reducing operating costs, is the key reason why organizations have decided to invest in ERP systems since 1990’s. Still, all ERP projects do not end up in success, and deployment of ERP system does not necessarily guarantee the results people were waiting for. This research studies why organizations invest in ERP, but also what downsides ERP projects currently have. Additionally Enterprise Application Integrations (EAI) as next generation’s ERP solutions are studied to challenge and develop traditional ERP. The research questions are: What are the weaknesses in traditional ERP deployment in today’s business? How does the proposed next generation’s ERP answer to these weaknesses? At the beginning of the thesis, as an answer to the first research question, the basics of ERP implementation are introduced with both the pros and cons of investing in ERP. Key concepts such as IS integration and EAI are also studied. Empirical section of the thesis focuses on answering the second research question from the integration approach. A qualitative research is executed by interviewing five experienced IT professionals about EAI benefits, limitations, and problems. The thematic interview and questionnaire follow the presented ERP main elements from literature. The research shows that adopting traditional ERP includes multiple downsides, e.g. inflexibility and requiring big investments in terms of money. To avoid these critical issues, organizations could find a solution from integrations between their current IS. Based on the empirical study a new framework for the next generation’s ERP is created, consisting of a model and a framework that deal with various features regarding IS adoption. With this framework organizations can assess whether they should implement EAI or ERP. The model and framework suggest that there are multiple factors IT managers needs to consider when planning their IT investments, including their current IS, role of IT in the organization, as well as new system’s flexibility, investment level, and number of vendors. The framework created in the thesis encourages IT management to assess holistically their i) organization, ii) its IT, and iii) solution requirements in order to determine what kind of IS solution would suit their needs the best.

Replacing traditional ERP with EAI - the next generation’s ERP

Organizations often consider investing in a new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system as a way to enhance their business processes, as it allows integrating information used by multiple different departments into a harmonized computing system. The hope of gaining significant business benefits, such as reducing operating costs, is the key reason why organizations have decided to invest in ERP systems since 1990’s. Still, all ERP projects do not end up in success, and deployment of ERP system does not necessarily guarantee the results people were waiting for. This research studies why organizations invest in ERP, but also what downsides ERP projects currently have. Additionally Enterprise Application Integrations (EAI) as next generation’s ERP solutions are studied to challenge and develop traditional ERP. The research questions are: What are the weaknesses in traditional ERP deployment in today’s business? How does the proposed next generation’s ERP answer to these weaknesses? At the beginning of the thesis, as an answer to the first research question, the basics of ERP implementation are introduced with both the pros and cons of investing in ERP. Key concepts such as IS integration and EAI are also studied. Empirical section of the thesis focuses on answering the second research question from the integration approach. A qualitative research is executed by interviewing five experienced IT professionals about EAI benefits, limitations, and problems. The thematic interview and questionnaire follow the presented ERP main elements from literature. The research shows that adopting traditional ERP includes multiple downsides, e.g. inflexibility and requiring big investments in terms of money. To avoid these critical issues, organizations could find a solution from integrations between their current IS. Based on the empirical study a new framework for the next generation’s ERP is created, consisting of a model and a framework that deal with various features regarding IS adoption. With this framework organizations can assess whether they should implement EAI or ERP. The model and framework suggest that there are multiple factors IT managers needs to consider when planning their IT investments, including their current IS, role of IT in the organization, as well as new system’s flexibility, investment level, and number of vendors. The framework created in the thesis encourages IT management to assess holistically their i) organization, ii) its IT, and iii) solution requirements in order to determine what kind of IS solution would suit their needs the best.