An Analysis of ERP Simulation and Its Impact on Engineering Students

This report examines the role of ERP simulation in engineering education, focusing on its impact on skill development and student learning. It explores the importance of ERP education in preparing students for real-world engineering challenges, emphasizing the need for skills such as data estimation, judgment, and project management. The report delves into the complexities of ERP systems and the critical success factors for their effective implementation, including user training and process reengineering. It also highlights the benefits of simulation games in bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, with examples like the ERPsim distribution game. The analysis further discusses the skill requirements of engineering students, emphasizing industry-specific, technical, and project management skills, along with creativity and computer modeling. It concludes by highlighting the importance of ERP simulation in fostering decision-making skills and preparing students for the demands of the engineering field. The report also mentions the survey conducted on German pupils.

Running Head: ERP SIMULATION
ERP Simulation
Name of Student:
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Introduction
Engineering is a complex subject that requires intensive planning to achieve the
objectives fully. Thi complexity may be more pronounced by the fact that the primary purpose of
engineering activities is to develop structures and infrastructures that fulfill the needs of human
beings. All that stated, engineering students need to be well equipped with the necessary skills as
per every project demands (Christensen & Steinmetz, 2013). ERP education is essential since it
ensures that there is proactive management of the challenges that may arise when utilizing the
various project resources. It may be the reason why ERPsim is essential in equipping the students
with the planning skills.
Research methodology
The first section of the analysis will address the resource planning issues that may face
the engineering students.Skill requirements, as such,vary from field to field. Nevertheless, skills
are fundamental when it comes to the estimation of resource requirement in engineering project
activities. In this regard, some of the skills that may be required include data estimation and
publication, judgment, and alternative analysis (Hansen, 2018), to mention a few. Such skills are
essential for the final project completion. This ensures that upon study completion, the student
has what it takes to ensure that projects fall within the budgetary requirements and the timeline
estimation. This may be translated to the ERP concepts where there is an increasing demand for
people well acquainted with the systems. As per the understanding, the ERP systems are
complex and dynamic and require some of the most intricate and professional operational
procedure (Dantas, Barros, & Werner, n.d). Studies show that some of the concepts of ERP may
be challenging for students who may not have experienced ERP in the real world (Wu, Lin,

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Chen, & Lin, 2014). This complexity, therefore, may require a diversified set of skills. All that
identified, it is important to understand the skill set required of engineering students if they are to
excel in the actual field.
An understanding of the skill requirements should be followed by an understanding of the
complexity of the ERP systems. Initial research has indicated that the systems were developed as
a result of companies focusing on the efficiency of the information sharing and storage systems
(Wu, Lin, Chen, & Lin, 2014). This, as has been indicated, resulted in the use of various
management systems in the storage of company information. These systems usually unify the
information sharing process and moreover, reduce the redundancy or fragmentation that may be
associated with the company information (Wu, Lin, Chen, & Lin, 2014). Nevertheless,
according to research, the appropriate implementation of the ERP systems depends on the critical
success factors. These have been defined as the elements whose proper application results to the
successful use of the ERP systems (Wu, Beng, Heričko, & Beranič, 2017). In this regard, various
pieces of literature have identified multiple CSFs that may be utilized (Alcivar & Abad, 2016).
These characteristics include user training, customization and process reengineering, to mention
a few. Since the simulation model are meant to equip the students with the skills required for
successful use of the ERP system, this section will explore the various skill requirements and
their impacts on the overall performance of the ERP system
Moreover, there is a need to understand the necessities of ERP simulation. Model. As per
the research, simulation is becoming an integral part of learning and has been emphasized in
technological sectors such as the automobile industry (Dick & Akbulut, 2017). As per research,
it has come to be known that lectures and pictures are the blueprints of leaning for most students,
but this may not have enough capacity to impact the students' skills.Therefore, it has been

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indicated that students are unable to apply the knowledge gained in class to the actual fieldwork.
It means that there is a severe lag between the real acquisition of the skills and the applicability
of the skills in the field. In this regard, work simulation through the use of game concepts is
becoming increasingly important (Utesch, Heininger, & Krcmar, 2016). The major takeaway
from the simulation is the fact that the students can acquire knowledge that ensures that they are
self-sufficient when it comes to the actual job activity. Nevertheless, as per research, it has been
discovered that there are a couple of game simulations that may lead to different skill
requirements. A notable study is the in-built process outcome (Wu, Lin, Chen, & Lin, 2014).
According to the study, the game may be used to ensure the learner is well conversant with some
judgmental skills, task persistence, and engagement levels
Methodology
Skill Requirements
The main, as such, is to understand how ERP skills may be advanced in engineering
studies through the use of ERP simulation. That noted it might be therefore important tom
understand the bridge in the actual skills and the workplace skill requirements. This provides a
more proactive approach to the implementation of the ERP simulation strategy.

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Table 1: Skill importance

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Diagram 1: Skill emphasis
Nevertheless, one of the emphases of engineering firms is to ensure that there is a
competitive advantage on aspects which include skill management (Nightingale, 2019).
Attention on the skills ensures that the engineering firms are well equipped and in a high position
to deal with a change in customer preferences. As such, there are skills that need to be
emphasized when it comes to the study environment(Table 1). One of the core skills required by
these students is those that are industry-specific (Giani, 2017). These industry skills have been
identified as the skillset that is useful in ensuring that the engineering specific tasks are managed
professionally. However, considering that engineering is one of the most complex industries,
there has been emphasis on technical skills (Sejourné & Eines, 2014). From mechanical to
infrastructure, there is need to equip the students with knowledge that may ensure that they fit

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into the job environment more appropriately. Therefore, it has been indicated that there may be a
need for more practical and formal education. To cater to such needs (Hwang & Cruthirds,
2017). Students may not be well conversant with the technicality that the field environment
encompasses, which necessitates such a strategy.
The other skill requirement pertains project management. Therefore, students need to be
versatile as per the planning needs, budgetary requirements, and the labor force distribution.
This is because engineering is a very demanding environment, requiring the most advanced
administrative skills (Grams, 2015). It has been noted that ERP simulation, as such, may be
necessary for ensuring that students fit into project team roles.This is advocated by the high
probability that an engineer is likely to occupy a position which is focused on administrative
purposes. This means that several engineers concentrate on the project management certificate
(Rajšp, Horng, Beranič, & Heričko, 2018).
Another skill shortage in engineering studies is the lack of an incentive to be creative.
There is a need to ensure that engineering students are innovative to meet the problem-solving
skills required during the actual fieldwork. The various branches of engineering need an element
of creativity if there is fruition in the overall framework implementation. However, since studies
are more focused on the theoretical concepts of engineering, there is a shortage of creative
thinkers in the field.
Computer modeling is also another integral part of engineering requirements that may
have been underemphasized in the classroom (Schwadea & Schubert, 2016). Nevertheless,
computer modeling is centered on the simulation of the complex engineering processes. The
principal aim, as such, is ensuring that the eventual outcome is at an optimum. Therefore, studies

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have noted that there is a lack of expertise in controlling such a system (Carvalho & Guerrini,
2017)s. This means that the students may be faced with the challenge of simulating engineering
problems as per the computer knowledge.
ERP simulations: Distribution game
It has been noted that ERP is one of the most popular and vital industrial software that
need to be addressed in the learning curriculum for effective utilization of student skills. In this
regard, trading and the proper use of skills present one of the most challenging aspects of the
ERP dynamics. As such, considering that the simulation is based on a game model numerous
variable determine the real success of the program implementation strategy, as has been
identified in German schools (Aversano, Grasso, & Tortorell, 2011). The model is meant to
ensure that the student can navigate properly through game aids and online videos.
As per studies, simulation focuses on a group of individuals involved in the sale of
products. It is a simulation of real-world business events. As such, it has been indicated that the
number of teams is dependent on the number of game participants. The market volume
fluctuations are dependent on the volatility of the monetary available. However, it is essential to
note that the number of participants is limited to 26 teams. As per the team requirements, there
are only four positions which are assigned to each player. These positions are those of the sales,
financial, marketing and warehouse management. These are some of the most pronounced posts
in the business world, and as such, the display of such skills is imperative for the eventual
functionality of the engineering students.
Identifying the various positions is followed by the ability to manage a specific product
supply chain. It has been indicated that the retail prices of the commodities are 6 dollars.

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However, this is dependent on the position that has been assigned to each individual, with role-
playing an essential factor in determining the operations of the simulation. Moreover, there is an
interaction point in the SAP system that has been provided through the assurance of transaction
interaction point. However, according to research, it has been noted that there are five
transactions which may give the student a learning platform into the business environment. In the
first instance, there is a report which focuses on the material planning of the engagement activity.
Secondly, there is a report which focuses on the materials run plan. Materials are an essential
part of the overall management process, and the use of an analysis study is vital for students to
identify the proper material allocation strategies. Purchase orders which are based on the
requisition is another part of the report output. The planning of expenses in the marketing world
and the change in condition records are the final reports that may be generated.
All this is in line with the overall objective of the simulation, whereby students are
mandated with the responsibility of garnering maximum sales points. In such regard, the most
fundamental aspect of the simulation is the decision making process. It has been indicated that
the student may be able to understand the impacts of any decision taken and the final results. It,
as such, reinforce the concepts of decision making that are garnered in class.
ERP simulation investigation
As has been discussed, some frameworks have been used to study the adoption of
students to the ERP simulation model. This has been dependent on the five strategies that have
been employed throughout the study. In this regard, according to a survey conducted on German
pupils, there were five categories into which the analysis was based: time management,
teamwork, and abitur results.

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In the first category of time management, the investigation indicated that the simulation
provided a better platform for the students to manage their activities in a coordinated manner.
This improved the time between moving from one task to another. However, considering that the
actions were based on four categories, there was a need for individual assessment. In such
regard, the ERP simulation indicated that there was no significant change in the awareness of the
student, which meant that there was difficulty in prioritizing tasks. As with the management of
decision-making skills due to consequence, knowledge showed that there was a decline in the
self-assessment. This is mainly because the skill requirements in the simulation model are
numerous, translating to a more extended period between skill gain and the actual simulation.
Nevertheless, it has been indicated that the simulation model showed that students could
organize their tasks as per the requirements. In such regard, it has been noted that the ability of
the game to assign roles and ensure that there is a time simulation ensures that the tasks are
completed in the required time frame.
The other criteria for assessment were on the teamwork management. In this regard, the
four tasks present a proper platform in the analysis of the teamwork cohesion and the efficiency
that may be associated with grouping students. Teamwork is a requirement in the engineering
field since engineers are usually mandated with role plays for successful project completion. In
this regard, the overall perspective of the learners was that there was a significant improvement
in teamwork skills. This was mainly because of the increase in engagement and the fun
associated with the simulation. However, the most notable improvement pertained the
presentation in front of a group (Heričko, Rajšp, Horng-Jyh, & Beranič, 2017). The study
showed that the ERP simulation ensured that the learners had confidence in themselves,
attributed primarily to the didactical framework that is implemented in the system.

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The final results are primarily focused on the level of commitment and dedication that
may occur to the students as a result of the ERP simulation. It has been noted that the level of
commitment and dedication is essential in the overall performance of engineers. This is because
the level of engagement may be a direct translation of the efficiency of the worker towards
specific job roles (Deranek, McLeod, & Schmidt, 2017). Nevertheless, since the study was
focused on the roles played by students in the school environment, the results indicated that the
commitment levels and the dedication towards schoolwork increased.
Fig 1: Skills as per ERP simulation

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Fig 2: Ability to handle complex scenario as per simulation
Therefore, according to the German ERP simulation, it can be seen that engaging the
students in a simulation platform through the use of the game model may have desirable results
in terms of teamwork, dedication and group presentation, to mention a few. According to the
study, the ERP simulation model was used to investigate the change in learning behavior if a
more engaging platform was introduced. However, this was dependent on the specification of the
distributed simulation.
ERP simulation on online learning
According to research, there is an increasing urgency to ensure that students are well
conversant with online learning. This is mainly because of the technological shift, prompting
learning institutions to adopt the online platform (Cronan & Douglas, 2012). As has been
indicated, there have been numerous studies that have tried to investigate and understand the