Strategic Information Systems for Business and Enterprise

This report focuses on CBP contractors and the CIMIC group, discussing their business background, key processes, weak internal controls, and ERP system used. It compares different ERP systems and identifies the most suitable vendor and software package.

Strategic Information Systems for Business
and Enterprise

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This report had focused upon discussion on CBP contractors and its construction company the
CIMIC group. In this report detail introduction of the client and their business background had
been given. Main key business and activities of CIMIC group is provision of different kinds of
services like mining, infrastructure, commercial and environmental projects worldwide. Mainly
these contracts include the maintenance and construction of pipelines, mines, highways, tunnels
and commercial buildings. Subsequently, results of the associated business's capability to
benefits the strategic advantages and to capture international possibilities were additionally
investigated in this study such as central database, assignment control, value and sales
estimation, interdepartmental verbal exchange, Decision making etc. Different kinds of weak
internal controls and business risks faced by CBP has also been focused upon in this report.
Additionally, in this report, ERP system used by company has also been discussed that runs a
single and follows database facts which can be seen and reached by way of every branch of the
enterprise. In order to select appropriate ERP system different kinds of ERP system or software’s
had also been compared so that most suitable vendor and ERP software package for CBP
contractors three different ERP systems had been compared. This report also explains how the
company Netsuite have selected a three software results the best due to its features.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY.............................................................................................................2
Introduction about the client........................................................................................................1
Background of Business..............................................................................................................1
CIMIC Group construction and its business activities................................................................2
Key business process for CPB Contractors.................................................................................2
Business process to identify the potential weak internal controls and business risks.................4
Existence of internal audit and risk management Committee.....................................................4
Software Features and Functionalities.........................................................................................5
History of ERPs in the modern manufacturing world:................................................................7
Compare and comparison of three ERPs Software......................................................................7
Identify the most suitable vendor and ERP software package for your client and explain why it
is the best option........................................................................................................................10
Conclusion.................................................................................................................................11
REREFENCES..............................................................................................................................12

Introduction about the client
My client name is CPB Contractors. It is Construction company of the Comic group
which deals in the engineering and construction services. CIMIC group provides services for
mining, infrastructure, commercial and environmental projects worldwide. Mainly these
contracts include the maintenance and construction of pipelines, mines, highways, tunnels and
commercial buildings. This group is Also the group includes Thiess, the world's largest mining
services provider; mineral processing plant company Sedgmen; and Australasian builder CPB
Contractors, which designs infrastructure for roads, rail, tunnelling, defense, building, and
resources. Leighton Asia, UGL, Pacific Partnerships, EIC Activities, and Broad Construction are
CIMIC's other members.
Background of Business
The construction company of Comic group is one of leading enterprise in context of engineering
and construction. This organization provide the better quality of construction service and always
support for maintenance of different commercial, residential buildings (Rezvani, Dong &
Khosravi, 2017).
With roots running back to railway rolling stock production in 1899 – and a history that
includes the earthmoving business of five brothers established in Queensland’s Darling Downs in
1934 and a listing on the Melbourne Stock Exchange in 1962 – CIMIC Group’s businesses have
a proud and diverse history of redefining the engineering, construction, mining, services and
public private partnerships industries for 120 years.
In January 2016, CIMIC Group launched a new name and brand CPB Contractors, following the
merger of the CIMIC Group construction businesses of Leighton Contractors and Thiess
Construction (Kamariotou & Kitsios, 2019). CPB Contractors work includes roads, rail,
tunnelling, defenses, building and resources infrastructure. Some of their major completed
projects includes Gold Coast Light Rail stage, Melbourne Airport, Mackay Ring Road, New
Royal Adelaide Hospital etc. (About us - CIMIC Group, 2020
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CIMIC Group construction and its business activities
CIMIC Group construction is assets as performance advantages and provide the better
end-user experience. It will be creating the infrastructure with future generations. It may support
for unlock all essential resources and increase the productivity of business in global marketplace.
The organization is basically measure the success through different business activities and also
establish integration with community (Hunter, 2020). Government and enterprise to response
towards specific need and realistic opportunities. In this way, it can easily gain more opportunity
in context of growth and development.
Key business process for CPB Contractors
 Purchase & Procurement Management: It is one of important process of CPB contractor
which often mistaken for purchasing and also interchangeably. Procurement is mainly
referred to process or method of identifying, selecting, acquiring suitable good and
service. In construction company, third party vendor will be established the direct
connection with potential suppliers in context of competitive bidding, purchase and
tendering process. It is helping to deliver the high quality of product and service within
specific time interval.
 Material Management: It is one of key business process that mainly perform supply chain
function. Generally, it includes supply chain planning within CPB firm to execute the
different operation and function (Galliers, Leidner & Simeonova, 2020). Especially,
when Construction Company is capable for using effective plan to manage or control
required materials. Afterwards, material requirements are establishing the communication
to procurement and their function for purpose of sourcing. It is also responsible for
identifying large amount of raw materials and deployed at stocking location across supply
chain.
 Inventory Management: This type of business process refer to store, collect and order
with the help organization’s inventory. Sometimes, it includes the management of
different raw materials, components and finished product or warehousing. When CPB
construction firm with considering the complex supply chain, manufacturing process
while balancing the risk of shortages, gluts in proper manner. In some situation,
construction firm will be used inventory management technique such as Just-in-Time and
MPR (Material requirement planning).
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 Sub-Contractor Management: When CPB contractor that involves overseeing the
lifecycle of one or more subcontractor. In this way, it is known as subcontractor
management process. This process will help for CPB contractor to identify the specific
need and requirement of project. Afterwards, it would be established the effective
communicating policy to recruit or hire subcontractor within construction company. They
can easily manage for enforcing cost provisions, safety.
 Vendor Management: In construction firm, vendor management process is describing the
different activities which includes researching, capabilities, quality of work, obtaining
quotes with pricing, maintain good relationship, evaluating performance (Kitsios &
Kamariotou 2019). Through CPB contractor believed that vendor management simply
finding the better supplier with cheapest price for good and service. It is all about stream
ling process to maintain a good relationship with different parties.
 Human Resource Management: In construction firm, HRM plays important role for
managing the coordination between different workers. In order to identify the
performance of each and every worker on the basis of capability. If CPB contractor will
hire the people into business who are completely suitable for culture and environment. In
this way, it will help for increasing overall business production and sales in marketplace.
it can be possible through human resource management to find out the suitable candidate.
 Equipment Management: within construction firm, equipment management is consider
as essential element in context of quality (Winter & Aier, 2020). That’s why, CPB
contractor should consider the necessary instrument and ensuring their reliability,
durability in proper manner. In this way, it can be understand that equipment
management process is helping to reduce variation in test result while improving the
accuracy of testing result or outcome.
 Tax Statutory / Finance Management: Tax statutory and strategy applicable in
construction firm where each team work either from both field and offices. In this way, it
can support of client in context of technical termed, allowing the reliable access to
relevant information. At the time, it must include finance management process to control
over financial accounting, tax related function. In this way, it become easier for CPB
contractor to identify issue or problem.
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In additional, it also including the different key business process by CPB contractor within
construction company. It involves Dashboard / Report / MIS, Operation Management, Project
Management, Contracts Management, Business Development and Quality Management.
Business process to identify the potential weak internal controls and business risks
The top level management committee of the CPB contractors is responsible to
shareholders for our long term performance and for overseeing the implementation of the highest
standards of corporate governance.
The internal control is considered as general procedure that mainly carried out to restrict or
regulate their subordinate units, personal behaviour of CPB contractor (Shao, 2019). At certain
level, it can be identified the weak internal control in the construction business such as poor
environmental system, inadequate understanding towards system, lack of internal audit. These
are affected by different factors that are basically summarized in proper manner.
In additional, when consideration of different processes to identify specific threat, risk
that are reducing the overall organizational performance. There are some common risk such as
labor shortage, productivity issues, and health and safety hazards, subcontractor default. Through
this, it can easily analyzing the risks to control in right time so that maintain the overall business
performance.
Existence of internal audit and risk management Committee
The Board of director of CIMIC Group ensures the effectiveness of the Group’s internal
audit function and service risk framework to confirm it both effective and sound. According to
yee et al. (2017) the role of board of directors are very crucial to indentify the internal affairs and
controls of the company by eliminating the risk factor. Every member of the group goes under
the detailed audit management to ensure everything goes according to internal audit plan and
successful implantation of risk management process. The committee itself satisfy that group has
effective systems to identify, assess, treat and repost risk material to the achievement of group
strategic plans and objectives.
Control Techniques:
Effective Risk framework
The Board of directors of the CIMIC Group review the Group risk framework to ensure it is both
effective and sound as it is important to ensure the achievement of the Group’s strategic plans
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and objectives (Owusu & Broni , 2020). They review the framework annually to ensure it is
relevant, contemporary and in compliance with all laws, regulations and international standards.
Monitoring Risk
The Risk and management committee of CIMIC Group ensure that they review all the martial
risk, including corresponding controls and planed treatments and give recommendations to the
board to avoid or transfer the risk. They also provide information by monitoring the changes in
Group’s business environment including consideration of emerging risks and trends relevant to
Group’s performance
Software Features and Functionalities
An efficient ERP system can help the CPB Contractors to streamline their workflow from
lead management to project closure. Having implemented ERP systems, companies experience
some improved performance mainly from the information perspective; that is, information is
more easily accessible and the quality of information is also improved (Mabert et al. , 2000;
Olhager & Selldin, 2003). Additionally, issues such as coordination with customers and suppliers
improve as well ( Mabert et al. , 2000; Olhager & Selldin, 2003). Thus, business outcomes
related to coordination with business partners and improved business information were
investigated in this study.
Furthermore, when this study was conducted, Korea's outward-looking policy was aimed at
responding to the era of global competition and catching opportunities created by a rapidly
changing and globalizing marketplace. Therefore, business outcomes related to the company's
ability to gain strategic advantages and to capture global opportunities were also investigated in
this study
Central database: According to Davenport (1998), there is a single central database where data
is collected and dispersed into the different modules of an organization where information on all
the business activities across the organization can be accessed internally and across multi-sites
even if they were around the world.
Project management: As CPB Contractors is a construction based company and project
oriented company need to achieve the balance between production capabilities and real work
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experience as well obtain the maximum utilization of internal resources within the company.
Furthermore, construction projects are transient in nature, variable in duration and costs, but also
require different internal or external resources (Shi, Halpin, 2003). . ERP systems have been used
within construction companies to improve efficiency and eliminate waste, but this can be
realized only with successful ERP implementation (Chung et al., 2008).
Cost and revenue Estimation: Most of the construction-based companies work on a contractual
basis and they have to bid on a project on the basis of the estimated cost. Therefore, ERP can be
used to determine the estimate cost of all the raw materials, labor and duration of the carry out
project. Thus CPB Contractors can use ERP software to estimate the project cost before they
select or acquire a tender for project.
Inter-department communication: As ERP software is a integrated software and it collects all
the information at one place therefore all the department can easily share their information
through this software. Kansal(2007). CPB Contractors can use this software to communicate well
between their departments which will increase the workflow.
Decision making: Centralization is the degree to which power and control in a system are
concentrated in the hands of relatively few individuals (Rogers, 1983) and reflects the
organization’s internal power distribution with respect to decision-making mechanisms. Thus,
CPB Contractors employers can make better decisions by success of ERP implementation in
organization.
History of ERP:
The term ERP was first used by Gartner Group in 1990s but enterprise resource planning
systems (ERP) started working in the manufacturing industry back in 1960s. In this time
manufactures need a system that can record, track and control and manage their inventory. They
used the basis software Material Requirements Planning Systems which was developed to fulfil
their needs, but this software was getting used by many manufactures which lead the systems to
get more sophisticated.
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In 1990s the first true ERP system came into world which was more expanded and provided
more use of extra features to the manufactures. Besides providing help to manage inventories
and manufacturing process it started providing help with accounting, finance and sales.
History of ERPs in the modern manufacturing world:
In today’s world, ERPs are fully are fully integrated which is able to meet every
department and all the aspects of the business in a single place. Modern ERps provides the
organizations with a real time instruments which runs a single and follows database information
which can be seen and reached by every department of the company. Thus, it provides full access
and easy to share information between the departments. The ERPs nowadays are very flexible
and offers a multiple option of tools, features and functionalities which are made and executed to
meet the need and requirements of the different companies and organizations.
Modern ERP solutions not only include manufacturing, supply chain management, and financial
and accounting capabilities, but they also can have advanced reporting and business intelligence,
sales force and marketing automation, CRM management, and project management
functionalities. (A Brief History of ERP | Genius ERP, 2020)
Compare and comparison of three ERPs Software
Oracle NetSuite
NetSuite One World is a flexible integrated corporate ERP that delivers real-time details on
international and multi-subsidiary procedures. It helps global businesses enhance their
productivity with flexibility to support specific corporate and subsidiary requirements.
Financial and accounting legislation, audit and regulatory monitoring, real-time analytics, order
processing, billing and handling timesheets are some of the most popular features.
Features
• Right timeline permissions: create user and project approvals, review and customise accepted
timelines, decline single deadlines and self-reject deadlines appropriately.
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• Integration: Link the time sheet control system to other NetSuite applications like accounting
so that, as time is chronicled, it is accounted for in the general ledger.
• Billing: Unify purchases, subscriptions and initiatives in one place before going to a banking
center. Users can also produce, maintain and re-bill subscriptions such as value-based or use.
• Real-Time Analytics: submit updates and provide one-click access to useful dashboard project
information. Each customer gets modifiable dashboards to meet their needs.
• Adaptable reports: Flip reports and list views allow users to sort and philtre for the correct data.
Users will also backup reports and check latest KPIs.
• Project accounting: automated invoicing helps users to track client or contractor permits, easily
evaluate pending balance sheets for invoices and link contractor accounting data to a general
leader.
• Comprehensive graphs: track and document summary and informative project-level records
such as prompt project performance metrics and budget vs real accurate project accounting
graphs and reports.
SAP Business
SAP Company ByDesign is software that incorporates workflows such as supply chain
management, management of customer relationships, and financial services. To streamline
processes including demand forecasting and bank consolidation, it uses real-time data collection
and visualization. This method is for small to medium-sized businesses. The app is housed in the
cloud, allowing it usable anytime and everywhere as long as an internet connexon is open.
• Improved visibility: SAP Company ByDesign provides real-time monitoring and visualization
tools. For example, you should look at your investments as sales are collected and transfers
made.
• Growth-oriented: this tool 's configuration potential is reasonably strong, allowing it to evolve
when the market requirements shift.
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• Enhanced coordination: SAP Enterprise ByDesign facilitates multi-site and multinational
activities, facilitating knowledge centralization and workforce cooperation through business
centers and workflows.
• Enhanced client experience: Looking at client data, you can properly tailor marketing content
and sales interactions with a single person. This not only increases the sales rates, but also gives
consumers more customized and complex opportunities that can keep customers happier and
boost retention rates.
• Explained potential for improvement: SAP Company ByDesign offers insight into areas where
the company could be more organized or rescued. For example, the procurement management
app helps you look and compare suppliers' contracts and bids so you can negotiate better offers.
• AES-256 encryption and compliance with SOC 2 secures your files. Firewalls and 24/7
computer tracking will help discourage hackers.
Sage Business cloud 3
Sage Enterprise Cloud X3 helps its customers to gather and utilize data from different workflows
to notify and streamline operations. Automation may be introduced between processes such as
sales and financial management to minimize manual time spent on data entry and repetitive
departmental communication.
• Budgeting and accounting: Sage Organization has main accounting features such as accounts
payable and receivable, general accounts, budgeting and fixed asset management.
• Purchasing: Contains supply and inventory procurement functions, order demands and supplier
invoices among many other items.
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• Inventory Management: The multi-warehouse, multi-company and multi-site management tool
helps users to monitor and manage inventories in multiple geographic locations.
• Sales management: Sage Enterprise's sales management platform makes automated purchases
across platforms. It allows various offers and incentives to be added along with monitoring sales
quotes and planning shipping.
• BOM Planning: BOM control is a part of the manufacturing process allowing users to make
commodity and BOM adjustments
• Shop floor control: Sage's shop floor control portion accounts for direct and indirect labor.
Users will also monitor time spent working on different projects.
• Quality Management: This method facilitates controlling expiry dates, maintaining quality
control reports, and controlling serial numbers. Stock can also be labelled as either approved,
refused or tested, meaning products that don't follow requirements won't be shipped to clients.
Identify the most suitable vendor and ERP software package for your client and explain why it is
the best option
I found the Oracle NETSUITE as most suitable vendor and ERP software package for my client
because of their features given above and also its benefits and advantages given below which are
fit for CPV contractor.
 Absolute Transparency: Users are able to superintend all their clients, business groups
and legal apparatuses from anywhere in the world in real time, so they are never in the
dark.
 Guaranteed compliance: Ensure consumers follow country-specific and global audit and
tax criteria to guarantee smooth sailing.
 Adjustable tax module: for more than 50 countries , consumers have access to pre-
assigned tax codes with a pliable tax feature to hold regulations.
 Acting for Many Currencies: NetSuite OneWorld has over 190 currencies and a multitude
of payment systems to maintain transfers with multiple countries and territories.
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 Oversee Projects: The appliance for project management provides seamless
communication between project managers and teammates as well as real-time project
status, so users never miss a beat.
 Modifiable Timepieces: Archive extensively modifiable timepieces with the timepiece
management method, whether in office or on the go.
 Industrial experience: NetSuite 's goal has always been to simplify the corporate
processes of its clients with a wide variety of applications, including accounting, CRM,
email marketing and ERP, among others, used by over 22,000 patrons and more than 200
countries worldwide.
Conclusion
From the above report it has been summarized that there are many different kinds of business
risk factors and weak internal controls that can affect a business in a negative manner. IT is
important for organizations to adopt an efficient ERP system that can help organizations to
streamline their workflow from lead management to project closure. There are various kinds of
ERP systems that can be adopted by companies as per their need and requirement for reducing
risk associated with business and bring improvement within weak internal controls. It has also
been summarized that before adopting new ERP system it is important for organizations to
compare more than 2 ERP systems so that they can understand which software is suitable for
them that can help them to fulfill their needs and requirements.
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