Team Task #1 (Due at the end of Session 2)

Based on your reading of the Ramsey company information, each group should prepare the Vision and Business Case for the companys new ERP implementation project that would be for all levels of employees working in the organization. So, this is essentially, a launch announcement.

Execute your task as follows. Gain guidance from the textbooks and lectures

1. Create the vision: State the overarching objectives for the implementation. Objectives may include targeting the extent of ERP implementation, budget, timeline, and motivational and best practice goals.

2. Build a business case: Offer a preliminary business case by summarizing your initial needs assessment and provide a business justification for the system based on upon the difference between the existing system and your vision (proposed) system. This can involve creating a preliminary plan that maps the company's current processes to desired software features and best practices. This is like a road map from 'where we are' to 'where we want to be'. In addition to your narrative, support your final vision with a high-level system flowchart that shows the functionality (modules) you want in your system and how they should connect. At this point you don't know if the software candidates will have all the features you want, or if you will have to re-engineer any of your internal processes. This is your 'wish list' and we will crunch the numbers on ROI shortly.

3. Investigate some Candidates: Using the Internet explore three potential ERP software candidates for the Ramsey implementation, one of which MUST BE NetSuite (search on NetSuite.com). Others may include such leaders such as PeopleSoft, SAP, Oracle, Microsoft, Glovia International, IFS, Infor, Intentia, Lawson, QAD, or any listed in the Top 20 ERP reading, located in our class Conference.

For each vendor, list the general size of the company, the industry they target, and list the features and claims that make them a candidate. Instead of "talking to existing buyers", simply selectively list any testimonials or installed customers that they may list on their site. If you can gain pricing information, list it. For now, assume that large companies will accept small clients like Ramsey.