School Management Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)

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Strategic Information System
Name
Affiliate Institution

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Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................3
School Management Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP).............................................................3
Selection Process of ERP Application.............................................................................................3
ERP Selection Considerations Based on System Requirements.....................................................4
Vendor Selection Criteria................................................................................................................5
Ways in which ERP Improves School Efficiency...........................................................................6
ERP Security Risks..........................................................................................................................7
Mitigation of Data Security Risks...................................................................................................8
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................8
Recommendations............................................................................................................................9
Reference List................................................................................................................................10

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Introduction
Education system is a crucial factor to every nation in regards to development. It is a powerful
tool in eradicating inequality, poverty and forms the basis of economic development. In this
regard, governments are giving a lot of effort in the educational sector and advancement of
school activities. For these school activities to be made simple and processes smoothen it is
important to have an automate school management system in place.
A typical school management system comprises of modules like record attendance, student
registration, exam transcripts and report generation, time table preparation and other school
management functions such as finance, human resource and so on. Automation is the use of
technology to digitize activities of an organization in order to enhance effectiveness and
efficiency. Digitization entails converting the manual activities like exam mark entry, report for
preparation and many other activities in to computer processed activities. However, in many
government schools, such systems have not been implemented and therefore, this proposal suits
these schools. (ALBADRI, 2013)
School Management Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)
Enterprise resource planning (ERP) is business process management system that allows a
company to use a system of coordinated and integrated application module to manage the
organizations’ functions and automate many back office activities related to services,
technology, and human resources. (Gunasekaran & Shea, 2010).
Selection Process of ERP Application
Accuracy and adherence to details are the only things to consider when selection an ERP
software. Making the correct selection of an ERP system will enhance the school’s operational
activities because data-driven functions will be automated. Business can be damaged if
implementation of ERP is not done in the correct way.
Choosing a correct ERP application is no just about considering the features that will enable one
to manage the organization processes but one has to go through a formal process explained
below:
Requirements Research- At this phase what the school desires from an ERP is established. This
will aid in deciding if the system fits the school.
Requirements Gathering- When assessing the school needs it should be noted that greatest
advantages of ERP depend detailed analysis of data accurate and thorough reporting abilities and
several process digitization functions.
Assess the current school operations and the way ERP application will suit them. For instance,
does the school require an automated system to support use of mobile phones.

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Consult with employees and especially the top management who can involve and motivate
school workers in the implementation process.
Do an analyses of how school operations could change as well as forms in which ERP abilities
can enhance school management and operation.
ERP Selection Considerations Based on System Requirements
Enterprise resource planning (ERP) applications are very important tools to any institution and
affect every part of the daily operations. ERP helps n controlling the day-day activities of an
institution including record attendance, student registration, exam transcripts and report
generation, time table preparation and other school management functions such as finance,
human resource and so on. There are numerous ERP applications available in the market and it is
very critical to any institution to make sure that they elect the right ERP for their daily
operations. The following guideline will help one identify and choose the correct ERP system:
Vendor’s reputation- the following aspects should be considered when contrasting ERP software
and the various vendors that offer them to see if the can be the best choice for the institution: the
changes that vendor has done to its organization in the recent years, the most current products of
a vendor and what it desires to develop in the coming years, the length of time the vendor has
been in the industry and the understanding it has about it, if the vendor has enough expertise in
offering ERP solutions to institutions of the same type and size, the direction the vendor has for
its business in future and if the vendor is likely to go on with it current models through the ERP
platform’s lifetime. (CRUZ-CUNHA, MIRANDA & GONCALVES, 2013)
Technologies Offered by ERP Solution- The following factors should be considered when
comparing ERP or when performing processes of software selection: turnkey or customization of
ERP solution in the company and exclusive organization processes, execution of technical
requirements in an organization, scalability and adaptability of the solution in response to
increasing number of users or in data, the swiftness of the product and its effect on the
consumers, and possible assistance for multisite or multi-firms’ platforms working with multiple
activities.
System’s functionalities and usability- present challenges faced by an organization and which
would be minimized with the ERP system should be considered. Also the ERP
system’s abilities that would lead to accomplishment, and the one to be used should be
evaluated. If possible, a demonstration should be arranged to analyze the easiness of usability of
the platform by consumers, and if the platform enables them to perform their daily duties. In
addition, enquire on the existence of extensive documentation or availability of help documents
to help users with challenges they face and determine the interface of ERP with client
relationship management.
Cost of ERP- evaluation of cost and appropriateness of the services it provides is very important.
One should first find out if the cost is a one-time payment or it is a subscription that requires
payment after some interval. From this the institution can decide if it can afford the system based
on the cost and yearly maintenance and upgrade cost. After the cost assessment is complete,