MASTER DATA MANAGEMENT MATURITY AND TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT - From theory to practice, case Ineo Oy

After decades of mergers and acquisitions and successive technology trends such as CRM, ERP and DW, the data in enterprise systems is scattered and inconsistent. Global organizations face the challenge of addressing local uses of shared business entities, such as customer and material, and at the same time have a consistent, unique, and consolidate view of financial indicators. In addition, current enterprise systems do not accommodate the pace of organizational changes and immense efforts are required to maintain data. When it comes to systems integration, ERPs are considered ���closed��� and expensive. Data structures are complex and the ���out-of-the-box��� integration options offered are not based on industry standards. Therefore expensive and time-consuming projects are undertaken in order to have required data flowing according to business processes needs. Master Data Management (MDM) emerges as one discipline focused on ensuring long-term data consistency. Presented as a technology-enabled business discipline, it emphasizes business process and governance to model and maintain the data related to key business entities. There are immense technical and organizational challenges to accomplish the ���single version of the truth��� MDM mantra. Adding one central repository of master data might prove unfeasible in a few scenarios, thus an incremental approach is recommended, starting from areas most critically affected by data issues. This research aims at understanding the current literature on MDM and contrasting it with views from professionals. The data collected from interviews revealed details on the complexities of data structures and data management practices in global organizations, reinforcing the call for more in-depth research on organizational aspects of MDM. The most difficult piece of master data to manage is the ���local��� part, the attributes related to the sourcing and storing of materials in one particular warehouse in The Netherlands or a complex set of pricing rules for a subsidiary of a customer in Brazil. From a practical perspective, this research evaluates one MDM solution under development at a Finnish IT solution-provider. By means of applying an existing assessment method, the research attempts at providing the company with one possible tool to evaluate its product from a vendor-agnostics perspective.

The Purdue University Research Repository (PURR): An institutional data management service with a virtual research environment, data publication, and archiving

Poster at Open Repositories 2014, Helsinki, Finland, June 9-13, 2014

Evaluating the Maturity of Data Management Practices in a Major Energy Provider Company

Data is the most important asset of a company in the information age. Other assets, such as technology, facilities or products can be copied or reverse-engineered, employees can be brought over, but data remains unique to every company. As data management topics are slowly moving from unknown unknowns to known unknowns, tools to evaluate and manage data properly are developed and refined. Many projects are in progress today to develop various maturity models for evaluating information and data management practices. These maturity models come in many shapes and sizes: from short and concise ones meant for a quick assessment, to complex ones that call for an expert assessment by experienced consultants. In this paper several of them, made not only by external inter-organizational groups and authors, but also developed internally at a Major Energy Provider Company (MEPC) are juxtaposed and thoroughly analyzed. Apart from analyzing the available maturity models related to Data Management, this paper also selects the one with the most merit and describes and analyzes using it to perform a maturity assessment in MEPC. The utility of maturity models is two-fold: descriptive and prescriptive. Besides recording the current state of Data Management practices maturity by performing the assessments, this maturity model is also used to chart the way forward. Thus, after the current situation is presented, analysis and recommendations on how to improve it based on the definitions of higher levels of maturity are given. Generally, the main trend observed was the widening of the Data Management field to include more business and ���soft��� areas (as opposed to technical ones) and the change of focus towards business value of data, while assuming that the underlying IT systems for managing data are ���ideal���, that is, left to the purely technical disciplines to design and maintain. This trend is not only present in Data Management but in other technological areas as well, where more and more attention is given to innovative use of technology, while acknowledging that the strategic importance of IT as such is diminishing.

Data management as a part of performance management: Case study about production reporting development project

Because of the increased availability of different kind of business intelligence technologies and tools it can be easy to fall in illusion that new technologies will automatically solve the problems of data management and reporting of the company. The management is not only about management of technology but also the management of processes and people. This thesis is focusing more into traditional data management and performance management of production processes which both can be seen as a requirement for long lasting development. Also some of the operative BI solutions are considered in the ideal state of reporting system. The objectives of this study are to examine what requirements effective performance management of production processes have for data management and reporting of the company and to see how they are effecting on the efficiency of it. The research is executed as a theoretical literary research about the subjects and as a qualitative case study about reporting development project of Finnsugar Ltd. The case study is examined through theoretical frameworks and by the active participant observation. To get a better picture about the ideal state of reporting system simple investment calculations are performed. According to the results of the research, requirements for effective performance management of production processes are automation in the collection of data, integration of operative databases, usage of efficient data management technologies like ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) processes, data warehouse (DW) and Online Analytical Processing (OLAP) and efficient management of processes, data and roles.

Supporting the creation, management, and long-term preservation of social science research data

Poster at Open Repositories 2014, Helsinki, Finland, June 9-13, 2014

Organization of the marketing communication activities after fusion - the integration and the decision making processes

This master���s thesis was made in order to gain answers to the question of how the integration of the marketing communications and the decision making related to it in a geographically dispersed service organization could be improved in a situation where an organization has gone through a merger. The effects of the organizational design dimensions towards the integration of the marketing communications and the decision making related to it was the main focus. A case study as a research strategy offered a perfect frames for an exploratory study and the data collection was conducted by semi-structured interviews and observing. The main finding proved that from the chosen design dimensions, decentralization, coordination and power, could be found specific factors that in a geographically dispersed organization are affecting the integration of the marketing communications negatively. The effects can be seen mostly in the decision making processes, roles and in the division of responsibility, which are affecting the other dimensions and by this, the integration. In a post-merger situation, the coordination dimension and especially the information asymmetry and the information flow seem to have a largest affect towards the integration of the marketing communications. An asymmetric information distribution with the lack of business and marketing education resulted in low self-assurance and at the end in fragmented management and to the inability to set targets and make independent decisions. As conclusions it can be stated, that with the organizational design dimensions can the effects of a merger towards the integration process of the marketing communications to be evaluated.

PRODUCT DATA MANAGEMENT FOR FINNISH SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED MANUFACTURING ENTERPRISES - Towards a viable information system concept

Product Data Management (PDM) systems have been utilized within companies since the 1980s. Mainly the PDM systems have been used by large companies. This thesis presents the premise that small and medium-sized companies can also benefit from utilizing the Product Data Management systems. Furthermore, the starting point for the thesis is that the existing PDM systems are either too expensive or do not properly respond to the requirements SMEs have. The aim of this study is to investigate what kinds of requirements and special features SMEs, operating in Finnish manufacturing industry, have towards Product Data Management. Additionally, the target is to create a conceptual model that could fulfill the specified requirements. The research has been carried out as a qualitative case study, in which the research data was collected from ten Finnish companies operating in manufacturing industry. The research data is formed by interviewing key personnel from the case companies. After this, the data formed from the interviews has been processed to comprise a generic set of information system requirements and the information system concept supporting it. The commercialization of the concept is studied in the thesis from the perspective of system development. The aim was to create a conceptual model, which would be economically feasible for both, a company utilizing the system and for a company developing it. For this reason, the thesis has sought ways to scale the system development effort for multiple simultaneous cases. The main methods found were to utilize platform-based thinking and a way to generalize the system requirements, or in other words abstracting the requirements of an information system. The results of the research highlight the special features Finnish manufacturing SMEs have towards PDM. The most significant of the special features is the usage of project model to manage the order-to-delivery ���process. This differs significantly from the traditional concepts of Product Data Management presented in the literature. Furthermore, as a research result, this thesis presents a conceptual model of a PDM system, which would be viable for the case companies interviewed during the research. As a by-product, this research presents a synthesized model, found from the literature, to abstract information system requirements. In addition to this, the strategic importance and categorization of information systems within companies has been discussed from the perspective of information system customizations.

Data and Inventory Management in Spare Part Business: Developing Operations in the Case Company

After sales business is an effective way to create profit and increase customer satisfaction in manufacturing companies. Despite this, some special business characteristics that are linked to these functions, make it exceptionally challenging in its own way. This Master���s Thesis examines the current situation of the data and inventory management in the case company regarding possibilities and challenges related to the consolidation of current business operations. The research examines process steps, procedures, data requirements, data mining practices and data storage management of spare part sales process, whereas the part focusing on inventory management is reviewing the current stock value and examining current practices and operational principles. There are two global after sales units which supply spare parts and issues reviewed in this study are examined from both units��� perspective. The analysis is focused on the operations of that unit where functions would be centralized by default, if change decisions are carried out. It was discovered that both data and inventory management include clear shortcomings, which result from lack of internal instructions and established processes as well as lack of cooperation with other stakeholders related to product���s lifecycle. The main product of data management was a guideline for consolidating the functions, tailored for the company���s needs. Additionally, potentially scrapped spare part were listed and a proposal of inventory management instructions was drafted. If the suggested spare part materials will be scrapped, stock value will decrease 46 percent. A guideline which was reviewed and commented in this thesis was chosen as the basis of the inventory management instructions.

Project controlling and risk management in German machine and plant engineering industry

Tutkielman tavoitteena on m����ritell�� projektikontrolloinnin ja - riskijohtamisen roolit ja toiminnot saksalaisissa kone- ja tehdassuunnitteluteollisuusyrityksiss��. T��m�� on kvalitatiivinen tutkielma, jossa k��ytet����n voimakkaasti kuvailevia metodeita. Materiaali tutkimuksen empiiriseen osaan ker��ttiin kyselykaavakkeen avulla. Kyselykaavakkeiden tulokset k��siteltiin Microsoft Office Access- ohjelmalla ja analysoitiin Microsoft Office Excel- ohjelmalla ja Pivot table- ty��kalun avulla. Tutkimustulokset osoittavat, ett�� asianmukaisessa projektikontrollointi- ja riskijohtamismetodien k��yt��ss�� ja k��ytt��tiheydess�� esiintyy puutteita saksalaisissa kone- ja tehdassuunnitteluteollisuusyrityksiss��. Tehostamalla ja keskittym��ll�� enemm��n projektikontrollointi- ja riskijohtamismetodeihin ja prosesseihin sek�� projektien ett�� yritysten suorituskyky paranisi.

Order-flow Standardization with Product Data Management Ideology

T��m��n diplomity��n p����m����r��n�� oli kuvata tilaus-toimitusprosessin eri toimintojen ty��nkulku, kun tuotetiedonhallintaj��rjestelm�� on osa ty��ymp��rist����. Ty��n teoreettisessa osassa tarkasteltiin liiketoimintaprosessien uudistamista ja prosessien m����ritt��mist�� sek�� esiteltiin tuotetiedonhallinnan (PDM) keskeiset osa-alueet. Kohdeyrityksen tausta ja strategiat esiteltiin, mink�� j��lkeen muutoksia arvioitiin suhteessa teoriaosuuden tuloksiin. Nykyisten toimintatapojen m����ritt��mist�� varten haastateltiin henkil��it�� jokaisesta tilaus-toimitusprosessin vaiheesta tuotantoyksik��n sis��ll��. Lopuksi kuvattiin yrityksen tuotetiedonhallintaperiaatteet ja m����ritettiin ty��nkulku prosessin eri vaiheissa. Samalla kuin uusi tuotetiedonhallintaj��rjestelm�� otetaan k��ytt����n, on yrityksess�� omaksuttava tuotetiedonhallinnan ajatusmalli. Tuoterakenteen hallinta jakautuu nyt eri toimintojen kesken, jolloin suunnittelun rakenne, tuotannon rakenne ja huoltorakenne ovat eri ihmisten vastuulla. N��iden eri rakenteiden konfigurointi tilaus-toimitus prosessin aikana m����r���� miss�� j��rjestyksess�� toiminnot on suoritettava eri j��rjestelmien v��lill��. Monikansallinen suunnitteluorganisaatio on my��s otettava huomioon tilauksenkulun aikana. Tuotetiedonhallintaj��rjestelm���� k��ytet����n yhdess�� tuttujen suunnitteluohjelmien sek�� toiminnanohjausj��rjestelm��n (ERP) kanssa. Ty��nkulkukaaviossa m����ritell����n koko yrityst�� koskeva malli siit��, miten ja miss�� j��rjestyksess�� teht��v��t on suoritettava eri j��rjestelmiss�� tilaus-toimitus prosessin aikana. T��ss�� ty��ss�� tutkittiin tuotteen m����rittelyn ja suunnittelutiedon hallinnan kannalta oleellisimmat tilaus-toimitusprosessiin kuuluvat toiminnot; myynti, myynnin tuki, tuotannon ohjaus, sovellussuunnittelu ja dokumentointi. Tulevaisuudessa on suositeltavaa pohtia tuotetiedonhallintaj��rjestelm��n k��ytt����nottoa my��s tuotannossa ja ostoissa. Tilaus-toimitusprosessiin liittyv��t kehitysmahdollisuudet kannattaisi seuraavaksi kohdistaa tilauksen m����rittelyvaiheeseen myyj��-asiakas rajapinnassa, jossa tehdyt virheet kertautuvat jokaisessa prosessin vaiheessa.

Integration and Implementation of Accounting Information Systems in Global Companies Case: The UPM-Kymmene Group

T��m��n tutkielman tavoitteena on perehty�� globaalin yrityksen laskentatoimen tietoj��rjestelmien yhten��ist��miseen ja k��ytt����nottoon esimerkkin�� UPM-Kymmene konsernin projekti. Tutkielmassa sovelletaan hermeneuttista tutkimusotetta. Teoreettisesti aihetta tarkastellaan globalisoitumisen ja laskentatoimen tietoj��rjestelmille asetettavien vaatimusten pohjalta, sek�� j��rjestelm��n muutosprosessin eri vaiheissa huomioon otettavien muuttujien perusteella. Yhten��isen laskentatoimen tietoj��rjestelm��n tuomat edut globaalille yritykselle ovat ilmeisi��. Ennen yhten��isen projektin kehittely�� on olennaista tutkia l��ht��kohdat projektin onnistumiselle ja suunnitella projektin eri vaiheet huolella. Tutkielmassa havaitaan my��s, ett�� globaalissa yrityksess�� tulee huomioida eri yrityskulttuurit sek�� tulosyksik��iden erilaiset toimintatavat. Johtop����t��ksen�� todetaan, ett�� sek�� yritysjohdon ett�� tulosyksik��iden sitoutuneisuus projektiin ja yhten��iset tavoitteet ovat oleellisia projektin onnistumisen kannalta.

Classification and inventory management of abnormal demand items

The main objective of the study is to form a framework that provides tools to recognise and classify items whose demand is not smooth but varies highly on size and/or frequency. The framework will then be combined with two other classification methods in order to form a three-dimensional classification model. Forecasting and inventory control of these abnormal demand items is difficult. Therefore another object of this study is to find out which statistical forecasting method is most suitable for forecasting of abnormal demand items. The accuracy of different methods is measured by comparing the forecast to the actual demand. Moreover, the study also aims at finding proper alternatives to the inventory control of abnormal demand items. The study is quantitative and the methodology is a case study. The research methods consist of theory, numerical data, current state analysis and testing of the framework in case company. The results of the study show that the framework makes it possible to recognise and classify the abnormal demand items. It is also noticed that the inventory performance of abnormal demand items differs significantly from the performance of smoothly demanded items. This makes the recognition of abnormal demand items very important.

State of Logistics and Operations Management in Finnish and Swedish Companies ��� Survey Research Findings

In this research we are examining what is the status of logistics and operations management in Finnish and Swedish companies. Empirical data is based on the web based questionnaire, which was completed in the end of 2007 and early 2008. Our examination consists of roughly 30 answers from largest manufacturing (highest representation in our sample), trade and logistics/distribution companies. Generally it could be argued that these companies operate in complex environment, where number of products, raw materials/components and suppliers is high. However, usually companies rely on small amount of suppliers per raw material/component (highest frequency is 2), and this was especially the case among Swedish companies, and among those companies, which favoured overseas sourcing. Sample consisted of companies which mostly are operating in an international environment, and are quite often multinationals. Our survey findings reveal that companies in general have taken logistics and information technology as part of their strategy process; utilization of performance measures as well as system implementations have followed the strategy decisions. In the transportation mode side we identify that road transports dominate all transport flow classes (inbound, internal and outbound), followed by sea and air. Surprisingly small amount of companies use railways, but in general we could argue that Swedish companies prefer this mode over Finnish counterparts. With respect of operations outsourcing, we found that more traditional areas of logistics outsourcing are driving factors in company's performance measurement priority. In contrary to previous research, our results indicate that the scope of outsourcing is not that wide in logistics/operations management area, and companies are not planning to outsource more in the near future. Some support is found for more international operations and increased outsourcing activity. From the increased time pressure of companies, we find evidence that local as well as overseas customers expect deliveries within days or weeks, but suppliers usually supply within weeks or months. So, basically this leads into considerable inventory holding. Interestingly local and overseas sourcing strategy does not have that great influence on lead time performance of these particular sourcing areas - local strategy is anyway considerably better in responding on market changes due to shorter supply lead times. In the end of our research work we have completed correlation analysis concerning items asked with Likert scale. Our analysis shows that seeing logistics more like a process rather than function, applying time based management, favouring partnerships and measuring logistics within different performance dimensions results on preferred features and performance found in logistics literature.

Purchasing and supply management capabilities in Finnish medium-sized enterprises

Purchasing and supply management (PSM) has become increasingly important for companies to survive in current highly competitive market. Increased outsourcing has extended the role of PSM, making external resource management and supplier relationships critical success factors in business. However, the recent research has mainly concentrated on large enterprises. Therefore the PSM issues related to medium-sized enterprises represent a significant research area. The thesis aims to explore the status and role of PSM in Finnish medium-sized firms, understand how strategic companies consider PSM to be, clarify what are the competence requirements for PSM professionals, and increase the understanding of PSM capabilities needed from the points view of individual competence and organisational capabilities. The study uses data that was collected in 2007 from purchasing executives at the director/CEO level representing a sample of 94 Finnish firms. 54 % of the respondent enterprises had a supply strategy. The total supply cost was on average 60 % of firms' turnover. Centralisation of PSM and outsourcing of logistics will increase in Finnish medium-sized enterprises. The findings point out that Finnish medium-sized enterprises had strategical features of PSM. However, Finnish firms have not concentrated on making strategies that relate to PSM. The elements that explain the existence of a supply strategy could be found in this study. It can be concluded from this study that there is an advantageous base for the development of strategic PSM, because nearly all the enterprises were of the opinion that PSM capabilities have an effect on business success. When reviewing the organisational capabilities, the five most important development elements were supplier relationships, both operational and strategic processes, time management, and personnel's competence. Training in internationalisation, strategic management, and communication could help to improve competences of PSM personnel.