Amcor: Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Implementation Report

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of Amcor's implementation of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) within its manufacturing operations. It begins with an introduction to ERP and its benefits, followed by an examination of Amcor's business processes and the specific requirements for software implementation. The report details the process of selecting software and vendors, emphasizing the importance of aligning software capabilities with Amcor's strategic objectives. It highlights the improvements in efficiency achieved through ERP adoption, including advancements in thermal stability, product range, barrier properties, and sustainability. The report also addresses potential risks associated with ERP implementation and describes Amcor's mitigation strategies. The report concludes with a summary of the key findings and the overall impact of ERP on Amcor's operations, emphasizing its role in driving innovation and maintaining a competitive edge in the technology-driven market.

Running head: Enterprise resource planning
Amcor
Enterprise Resource Planning
Report

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Contents
Introduction.................................................................................................................................................2
Enterprise resource planning.......................................................................................................................2
Business Processes......................................................................................................................................2
Business requirements.................................................................................................................................3
Systems requirements..................................................................................................................................4
Software and Vendor selection....................................................................................................................5
Improved efficiency.....................................................................................................................................6
Implementation of technology.....................................................................................................................7
Potential Risks.............................................................................................................................................7
Risks Mitigation..........................................................................................................................................8
Conclusion...................................................................................................................................................9
References.................................................................................................................................................11

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Introduction
A report based on the implementation of Enterprise resource planning in a manufacturing
industry namely Amcor. It is being explained in this report the business processes and its
requirements regarding the software which needs to be implemented. The ways which help in
selection of vendors and software and how the systems requirements are matched with the
software applications and functions. The level of efficiency is increased after adopting Enterprise
resource planning as it lessened the time and costs incurred in it. Various potential threats and
risks are associated with it and how Amcor have overcome with such risk and threats, provide
mitigations to the same. Along with the report conclusion is provided to conclude all the facts
and innovations done by Amcor after implementing Enterprise resource planning into their
existing systems (Bradford, M., 2015).
Enterprise resource planning
An enterprise resource planning is a combined management system which covers various areas
of an enterprise from Human Resources, Production department, Finance and Accounting
department and Logistics. It brings the value to all the functional areas as mentioned above and
organizes these operation processes, combined them in a way that the resources (material,
workers, equipment, finances) are optimally utilized. It ensures smooth flow of information
between processes through defined channels. Enterprise resource planning assures of one data
base and one user interface handled by one application for all systems basically a multi-purpose
application which provides multi-lingual facilities. Enterprise resource planning uses common
data bases by systemized database management who covers all the functional areas and performs
core activities which increases efficiency of the enterprise and improves quality of work.
Enterprise resource planning can be customized according to the business process which fits in
and help in making strategic decisions by managers to operate them in a profitable and efficient
manner (Panayiotou, 2015).
Business Processes
A business process is a set of happenings linked with specific product or service which serves a
particular goal. The task performed include the sequence of activities which convert input goods
to the output goods for customers as specified. The factors involved in transforming input to one

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output adds value to the product. These factors are various processes present in a management
namely operations, support and management. A certain objective consist of various activities
required by the process and all these business processes work towards a common organization
goal (Rajnoha., 2014)
In this digital economy, the need for manual work has lessened so far with the increase in
productivity of an enterprise. After digitization the pressure of work has also increased to do
more so the processes are optimized and designed in a way that it ensures smooth functioning
and flow of information (Nour and Mouakket, 2013).
Amcor has outsourced software to speed up the IT development which allows business to make
better and optimal decisions. Enterprise resource planning has helped Amcor implement the best
of practices in various processes. Amcor follows one solution to harmonize the processes by
adopting enterprise resource planning system. This system helps executive to estimate costs and
the complex analytics to make a clear and accurate picture overall. It had shaped the way
executive works with the IT systems. Digitization improves the efficiency of processes by saving
much time and effort. Amcor has improved its cost efficiency in these recent years and worked
smart for innovation which is must to compete in global market in technology terms. Enterprise
resource planning helps Amcor to boost its growth even after facing challenges and the pressure
of economy. Digitization helps speeding up the activities as compared to manual work done and
results are more accurate. The issues regarding visibility and accuracy have been solved and
enterprise resource planning has given quality assurance to manufacturing industry which is
counted as an important aspect for industrial growth.
Business requirements
In the context of enterprise resource planning, there are requirements of business which needs to
be fulfill in order to improve the efficiency of business as a whole. Business requirements gives
an idea that a system works instead how it needs to be work, it describes the functions need to be
followed and solutions to the issues arise in between. The requirements are to be defined as
selection, implementation and optimization of the functions to manage the expectation that what
exactly needs to be delivered and what not. It provides a framework to understand the aspects

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and make decisions for the betterment of the business to achieve the set goals. If ERP has been
applied in past then it can be reviewed and renewed according to the need of the business,
through the past experiences one can make sure it matches up the current requirements. The main
purpose of the same is to make aware business of its goal to become a combined organization,
where all the business processes work together for a common objective (Esteves, J.M., 2014).
The requirements will be gathered from the top level to the lower level rather than department
wise which was an old technique of doing business. It does not consider the way where every
department is working on the individual goals. Amcor business process’s requirements are an in-
depth analysis of business models and strategic plans to propose the requirements and evaluate
them in an efficient manner which proves to be beneficial in long term completion of company’s
goals. Amcor works on a strategic objectives based on two priorities where primary goal is to
satisfy customer and secondary be minimizing the costs. With minimizing costs, the savings can
be utilized in other prospects to make quality at its best and that indirectly satisfy customers as
today customer is all about quality of a product. Requirements are being evaluated on the basis
of its post effects on all business processes and how it promotes the ultimate objective of a
company to maintain the level of integration (Ram, Wu, and Tagg, 2014).
Systems requirements
Gathering systems requirement for enterprise resource planning can be a complex task because
of its intimidating nature. As invalid requirements can result in failures of enterprise resource
planning implementation regarding costs and time involved. It is important to understand the
needs of an organization system’s requirements and evaluate software accordingly. ERP software
selection requires some understanding which ensures the alignment of product costs and business
processes with the estimation of time. To gather the system requirements one can organize
workshop guides which results in productive meetings where the expectations and questions are
being asked and delivered that helps in anticipating the requirements lead to positive outcomes.
After these workshops, allow an adequate time to think and collaborate the ideas about proper
requirements and make decisions for a follow up. For these decisions there is a need for skilled
and expertise personnel. As experts can make such critical decisions and involving right people
for functional areas gives better evaluation results (Shukla, 2016). While designing ERP
software, consultant should put forward all the possibilities and inefficiencies attached to it and

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considering all such possibilities a software can be designed for the sole purpose of meeting
organizational objectives.
Amcor has developed various strategy to gather up the enterprise resource planning system
requirements. The strategy named as requirement driven, solution driven and configuration
driven strategies. Each of the strategy has its own strengths and weaknesses depending upon the
process requirement where adequate time and costs standards are set. The strategy which match
the requirements of that particular systems would be adopted. Amcor believes in gathering and
developing requirements from different perspectives so that it covers all the areas well enough.
This aspect of covering every area will help resolve conflicts if there any and ultimately lead to
smooth functioning of system and timely delivery of products. And finally the result driven
strategy helps recollecting the business results as desired (Fischer., 2017).
Software and Vendor selection
The selection of software and vendor is an important task for a company. The approach for
selection must be clear with an open mind that it contributes to the organizational goals and
compare the advantages that every software vendor comes with. The company needs a software
from a renowned vendor who ensures of better quality which lead to proper utilization of
resources and keeping in mind the time as well as costs involved. There are a few strategies
which can be adopted in order to select software vendor. First there will be a list of vendors
made according to the requirements of business. Then evaluation of software will be done but it
requires thorough research, an in-depth analysis by questioning from vendor to make sure it
supports the requirements of particular business. A vendor must show his concern regarding the
requirements of a business process and take time to acknowledge the aspects, need of the
business model. The add-ons and other functionalities are not as important as the core software
is, so company should focus mainly on the basic software requirements of models and ignore
there additional functionalities it brings as if it does not go with the company model the software
is of no use there will be wastage of time and money (Niazi et al., 2016).
Amcor is been following a roadmap of evaluating vendor at the first place that whether the
vendor is promised to be genuine and assured quality at a reasonable price. They focus more on
the requisites rather than extra functionalities, the main aim of the software selected is to fulfill

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the requirements as per the business process and meet the organizational objectives. Amcor
focuses on each department’s requirement for example technology department. IT department
needs are up to date systems and integrated databases which support the existing systems and
prove to be beneficial in terms of technology, time saving, lessen costs. At this stage where
company is selecting software and genuine vendor the price thing should not matter much than
the quality and right vendor (Khan and Azeem, 2014).
Improved efficiency
Amcor has taken stand in up keeping the innovative packaging solutions. After adopting
digitization in their processes they have pounded on various ways to improve overall efficiency
of their business.
 Thermal stability- According to the demand of the applications the need for hot-fill
containers arises at a certain point and Amcor has adopted this technology driven panel-
less containers which offers exceptional performances and comes with handy designs.
 Wide range- It provides a huge range of shapes and sizes in their stocks after adopting
enterprise resource planning systems so that it can be customized according to the needs
and demands of customer. It also ensure the timely fulfilment of orders with cost
effectiveness.
 Barriers- It innovates the packaging by introducing the barrier of properties which does
not allow the outside factors to harm the product. These barriers seal the contents and
protects the quality degradation.
 Sustainability- Amcor adopts the technology to improve its packaging in a way that it
promotes sustainability. It provides lightweight packaging which requires less material
and performs the way a customer would want it to be. A sustainable packaging solutions
are best way to improve efficiency it takes less time and saves money (Huang and
Handfield, 2015).
It has provided flexible packaging for each and every product category, machines and equipment
are implemented and software has been installed to lessen the workload on workers. When
manual work is being decreased, the accuracy of results is increased with the increment of
productivity. Enterprise resource planning provides visibility in the processes which helps in

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detecting errors if there any and resolved hand to hand. It reduces the time taken to resolve the
issue on a later stage. Amcor struggles to continue with the innovative packaging and mark their
success in technology driven market. Growth can be seen as it covers the bigger share in market
(Schniederjans and Yadav, 2013).
Implementation of technology
IT has increased the competences and lead to improve quality and effectiveness of a product.
Technology allows the fast processing of workflow in the organization. Automation basically
decrease or replace the manual work which ultimately makes the business more efficient.
Technology makes the process quicker than ever by reducing manual work also when technology
has been added to all business processes it becomes a repetitive thing so there are less chances of
errors that can occur while implementing technology to the models. The procedure to be
followed in a process whether it’s an operation process or management process, repetitions of
these procedures make work easier as there is no need to make changes every time when the
whole process is being carried on. The main advantage it comes with is that time can be saved by
doing the same tasks and reduce the chances of mistakes (Katerattanakul, Lee and Hong, 2014).
By implementing technology, production takes place in a short span of time as compare to work
done manually. In the meantime production can be increased matching up to the demand and
make possible for the workers to service or deliver their customers on time. All these activities
ensures increase in efficiency and productivity of the business (Bradford, 2015).
Amcor has been following few strategies to improve its level of efficiency. It follows the web
based management of projects which avoid managing paper based projects. This step would help
in keeping the track and accessing the projects through computers and laptops or any device
which is easier than accessing paper based document files. Amcor has automated the tasks to
save time and money as there are many tasks that are performed repeatedly and automation helps
completing those tasks in a lesser time. This organization has set their software that manages
multiple users and assignment at a time and reduces the complexities arise in such situations
where as if such situation arise in a manual operation process it will lead to failure of such
projects. The implementation of technology helps in increasing the efficiency of the company by
reducing costs and saving time (Leu and Lee, 2017).

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Potential Risks
The potential risks and data breaches involve in technology driven processes could be many. In
the past years where information technology has taken a toll in the industry but challenged by
various threats and risks. By implementing enterprise resource planning industries are facing
risks comes with it. In Amcor there are a few risks namely, Data management risks where risks
are associated with the conversion of data. To manage such conversion of data in processes,
companies should test from time to time the programs. Another risk would be the technical risk
while implementing Enterprise resource planning system into the process. The risks are
associated where there is customization as the customization should be aligned with the existing
system cycle in the business process. The most seen risk in companies are Security risk, the
security user access should be effectively designed that no outside user is allowed to seek in
(Risk, 2017).
Risks Mitigation
These potential risks can be lessened if they are known ahead of the time. Engineers can address
these risks way before implementing and keeping in mind these threats measures can be taken to
resolve all the issues and risks. . There are predators and cyber criminals who would take
advantage and work out for their own profit by stealing confidential information which is not
supposed to be seen by any unauthorized person. It is hard to stay competitive as sometimes
there is no clear vision as why enterprise resource planning is being enabled in the business there
are no measurable goals which can lead to failure of the process management. Sometimes
implementation of enterprise resource planning may not work out as user data interface is not
friendly with the processes present in the management and it can be risky for a business.
Evaluation is must before buying a software and match the requirements of the business model
where it is implemented. It is necessary to involve users while choosing software and get their
feedback on the same. There are risks involve while selecting the software, no every ERP
software is a proven solution for a business. The application if not tested carefully may not
function properly with the requirements of the business process and won’t be able to scale up the
expectations for the growth of business. To make sure about the applications of a software,
stakeholders should verify with the aspects that they are looking for and can escape from
choosing the wrong software. When a software is being purchased it is tested by its

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specifications which is additional to the functionalities of the software and how vulnerable it is in
security terms. Sometimes few of the applications won’t work with the existing system software
and it can create risk while implementing those applications. By involving right personnel while
selecting the software would reduce the risks (Verner et al., 2014)
Amcor focuses on the purpose that its Enterprise resource planning works on the huge collection
of data and differentiate that data into categories. The categories are of two one which is for
public and other is confidential to the authorized persons only it cannot be exposed to any other
casual person. It plans appropriately in context to the resources required on a particular project.
The resources are to be allocated based on the need of the process. The success of
implementation of a software depends on the resources allocated and brings the best outcome of
a project.
Conclusion
To conclude all the concepts and understanding about Enterprise resource planning
implementation in manufacturing industry. A proper research is required in order to implement
ERP in management system. There is a need for skilled and expertise personnel to apply the
tactics and knowledge to get the aspects of the software. The requirements of the industry
process are to be measured for systematic implementation of the software. The risks and threats
involved in selecting the vendors and software are mentioned and proper care, attention,
expertise should be applied while selecting software which meet the requirements of the
business. Any software selected for the particular department or process should be aligned with
the organizational objectives with the increase in level of efficiency. A system must ensure the
time management and save costs as required. It should reveal effective strategy to reduce time,
costs and manual work lead to increased productivity which would be beneficial for satisfying
customers by delivering products on time. Technology advancements are countless in terms of
business operations by making them effective and ahead of a time in the market where
competition is at its peak. The updated software helps industries to grow more and acquire bigger
shares in the market by achieving their goals. As the case study based on the renowned

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manufacturing industry Amcor has been taken that how it has adopted digitization to improve
their packaging techniques and quality (Amcor.com, 2017).
They have applied enterprise resource planning into their existing systems matching to their
requirements and followed the whole procedure to avoid any risk or threats involved in software.
By adopting technology in their manufacturing operation they have innovated various products
which are light in weight and panel less containers which require less material. This step has
enabled them to use the resources optimally and assured quality products (Risk, E. 2017).

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