Enterprise Applications

Hi Everyone, 

This week I researched 'Enterprise Applications'.

If you need a refresher on 'Enterprise Applications', what they are or how they are used, check the video linked below. This video clearly outlines a description on enterprise applications and the complications that they resolve. It will help give you a better understanding of the content covered in this blog. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAM-L41UJhA

After watching that short video, I will now discuss 3 examples of companies that used enterprise applications successfully to support their business strategy and business model. 

The first example is 'Apple' who use the enterprise application 'SAP'. SAP is an enterprise resource planning (ERP) software which manages business processes, develops situations that facilitate effective data processing and information flow across organisations. (SAP, 2023). According to (Pereira, 2023), Apple's business model focuses on selling it's products and offering services through subscriptions. Apple's business strategy consists of them focusing on product design and functionality, strengthening their ecosystem, improving their customer service experience and finally, reducing their reliance on iPhone sales. (Singh, 2023). Apple use SAP for their online services such as iTunes, their app store and Apple TV, whilst also using SAP's services for their finance and HR departments. SAP allows Apple to come closer to their customers and build strong relationships with them. (ERP Research Knowledge, 2023). This aids Apple by making online service subscriptions more appealing to potential consumers and increases the overall flow of their services and departments.

The second example is 'Spotify' who use the enterprise application 'Salesforce'. Salesforce is a cloud-based software which allows businesses to connect with their customers, find prospects, close deals and provide a better service to their customers. (Salesforce, 2023). According to (Pereira, 2023), Spotify's business model focuses on being an audio streaming and media services provider. They operate on a freemium business model, providing some of it's services for free, but charging for other 'premium' services. Spotify's business strategy consists of them focusing on customer service, providing the best possible music streaming services at a rate with high availability. (Spotify, 2023). Spotify use Salesforce to keep track of every customer and every song played. Salesforce allows Spotify to manage a growing catalogue of millions of tracks, enabling Spotify users to listen at any time they desire. (Spiceworks, 2015). This aids Spotify by ensuring their operations are run smoothly, reducing risk of tracks not being available to users, whilst also allowing them to keep track of online users and the most popular tracks.

The third example is 'Vodafone' who use the enterprise application 'Oracle'. Oracle is a relational multi-model database management system which offers scalability, performance, availability, backup/recovery and security to companies. (Pedamkar, 2023). Vodafone's business model focuses on improving it's competitive advantage and returns, by improving customer trust and engagement, transforming it's current model and improving the usage of their assets. (Vodafone Group plc, 2023). (Vodafone Group plc, 2021) outlines that their business strategy consists of their aims to be the new generation connectivity and digital services provider for Europe and Africa. They aim to enable an inclusive and sustainable digital society. Oracle allows Vodafone to modernise its thousands of databases, build new cloud-based applications faster and launch them into several markets simultaneously. (Bossi, 2022). This aids Vodafone by ensuring that their databases will be secure and that their goals of playing a large role in the new generation of connectivity and digital services can be achieved.

That's all for me in this blog. Thanks for reading! Be sure to let me know your thoughts on this topic below in the comments. If you found interest in this blog, check out my previous blog where I analysed 'Information Systems'. 

See you next time!

Why do companies often struggle with Information Systems Implementation?

Hi everyone, 

This week I researched 'why companies often struggle with Information Systems Implementation?'

If you need a refresher on 'Information Systems', or may not have heard about them before. Be sure the check out this short video, which clearly outlines what information systems are and how they are used. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qujsd4vkqFI

Now after that quick refresher, I will discuss several reasons as to why companies may struggle when implementing these new information systems.

Lack of strategy/planning:

Companies need to lay out a strategy/plan, focusing on the areas that implementing new information systems may impact. These can range from employees, organisational structure and funding/budget. If companies plan ahead of time and determine how to combat the struggles they may face, it can lead to a smoother experience when implementing them. (Faris, 2019). Companies need to ensure that the information system they are planning around is up to date and suitable for their company. (Fruhlinger, 2021) outlined that, in 2020, CitiBank's information system was outdated and caused a half-billion dollar loss.   

Attracting and retaining a skilled workforce:

When implementing new information systems current staff will have to be welcomed to the new systems through training. With training, it can take several weeks for staff to become efficient at operating the systems. This can lead to a lack of overall output from a company due to staff not being sufficiently trained. Changes of information systems within a company can lead to staff losing their confidence, losing their routines and making them feel less comfort in their workspace. Companies may also need to hire new staff, these potential employees being individuals who are skilled at using the newly implemented information systems. (Faris, 2019).

Compatibility and consistency:

Companies need to ensure that the information system they choose is compatible with their company. This can stem from whether or not the system is compatible with other systems used throughout the company, or if the system is compatible with the work the company intends to do with the systems. Compatibility issues can lead to a lack of consistency in the company with employees reverting back to old systems in order to get work completed. This can lead to a mix-up or confusion of information/data. (Ibexa, 2023).

Financial resources:

Companies need to cover the cost of forming a strategy/plan, the cost of the information systems, the cost of applying the information systems, the cost of training staff and many more. Along with the expenses companies will have to cover, there is also potential income that companies may lose during the process of applying the systems and training staff. (Malak, 2023). According to a survey carried out by (Campion & Campion, 2021), the average employee spends 45 hours every two years learning new information systems. This process may slow down their operation as a whole and therefore, may reduce income. 

Information systems evolving:

Information systems are evolving at a high rate in modern society. This comes from new ideas, research and projects being carried out. These lead to information systems requiring updates and eventually being outdated. Companies should look for information systems which are already a step ahead in a market with not many competitors. This will provide the company with assurance of longevity and will assure that possible struggles can be reduced. Microsoft Office is an example of this. (Edwards, 2019)

Let me know in the comment below your thoughts on this discussion and if you use any information systems in your workplace. 

That's all for me in this blog. Thanks for reading! If you are interested in reading more of my blogs be sure to check out my previous blog post titled 'Ireland as a Digital Economy'. 

See you next time!