Nos últimos anos, a adoção de TI nas empresas tem se caracterizado pelo crescente uso dos sistemas integrados de gestão, particularmente dos sistemas ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning). Devido à sua natureza integrada e abrangente, esta ferramenta traz grande potencial de crescimento às empresas que o utilizam, através da melhoria de seus processos de negócio. As pequenas e médias empresas formam um mercado atrativo para os fornecedores de tais sistemas, dado que a oferta de ERP para empresas desse porte ainda é pequena; por outro lado, a necessidade das pequenas e médias empresas por uma solução de TI que a ajude a crescer faz com que a demanda por sistemas ERP seja crescente. O presente estudo buscou entender como atua o fornecedor de sistema ERP na transformação dos processos de negócio da pequena e média empresa. Este entendimento foi viabilizado através de um estudo de caso realizado em uma empresa de médio porte do ramo de fundição. No caso estudado, o sistema ERP implantado era adequado às necessidades da empresa e sua implantação acabou por ocorrer de forma bem-sucedida, porém houve atraso e gastos maiores que os esperados. Isto ocorreu porque a empresa que implantou o ERP ainda não havia realizado implantações em empresas de menor porte, e provavelmente supôs que poderia realizar a implantação na empresa estudada como se esta fosse de grande porte. Concluiu-se que o fornecedor do sistema ERP tem papel decisivo no sucesso da implantação desses sistemas em pequenas e médias empresas, fazendo com que a empresa onde o sistema foi implantado efetue saltos qualitativos nos níveis de maturidade de seus processos de negócio e de gestão. Porém, os fornecedores precisam levar em consideração as diferenças de maturidade entre as empresas de pequeno e médio porte e as de maior porte, para as quais o ERP era normalmente ofertado; as empresas de menor porte têm processos mais simples, possuem orçamentos de TI menores e seus funcionários têm menos intimidade com ferramentas de TI e de técnicas gerenciais mais profissionais que os funcionários de empresas de grande porte. Para obter benefícios dos sistemas ERP implantados, é necessário que essas características sejam consideradas num efetivo esforço do fornecedor do sistema ERP para transformar os processos de negócio e a gestão da pequena e média empresa, de forma a possibilitar um crescimento sustentado através do uso pleno de seus recursos. / In past years the adoption of IT in companies has been marked by the growth in integrated management systems, in particular ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) systems. Because of its integrated nature this tool has given enormous potential for growth in companies that use it and improvements in business negotiation. Small to medium business have been enticed by suppliers of such systems, given that an offer of ERP to companies of this size remains small, on the other hand, the necessities of these small and medium sized companies for an IT solution that will assist in their growth makes that the demand for such a system as ERP is on the increase. The present study brought understanding as to how the supplier of the ERP system can transform the business process in the small and medium company. This understanding was made possible through the study of a company in foundries market. In this study, the ERP system installed was adequate to the needs of the company and its implementation was well received. However there was delay and expenses were more than expected. The reason for this was that the company supplying the ERP system had not previously dealt with a company of the size and treated the company as if it were of a larger size. We conclude that the supplier of the ERP system plays a decisive role in the success and implementing of these systems in small to medium companies, meaning that they have an affect on the growth and maturity of the companies? powers of negotiation in business. However, the suppliers need to take into consideration the differences in growth and maturity between companies of small to medium size and larger companies where ERP is normally found. Small to medium sized companies have a simpler running system, their IT budgets are smaller, and their employees have less contact with IT and managerial tools than the employees in larger companies. To obtain the most benefit, it is necessary that these points be taken into consideration in a real way by the ERP supplier to make able the changes necessary in the small to medium company enabling real and sustainable growth through full use of ERP resources.

M.Comm. / The Financial Services industry is in the throes of significant changes and challenges. Managers confronted with the metoric of the "information age" may experience a variety of emotions, ranging from excitement to suspicion or even outright scepticism. What has changed is that more and more businesses are defining their strategies in terms of information or knowledge. Today we hear and read much about "the learning organisation", "working knowledge", "knowledge networks", "business ntelligence", "competitor intelligence". These concepts may be popular to all but to executives they need to be clear — they make strategic decisions. Executives must realise these MIS, CIS and Expert Systems, are more than tools, they are a way of life, a way to gain strategic competitive advantage in a new market — called global isation. Managers need to rely on knowledge to make decisions and add value to the financial performance and use their collective experience without becoming bogged down in methodological or technological complexity. Biggest is no longer necessary the best. Today it is often more profitable to focus attraction the best customers than to attempt to reduce cost. Executives should be cautious, even suspicious; of the technological and software solutions being offered and sceptical that one concept can do it all. This is not surprising because we are dealing with knowledge, information and above all people. Add these together and we are to paraphrase the physicist, Freeman Dyoon, "infinite in all direction". Nevertheless companies understand that past experience has shown that common purpose, culture and focus can mobilise people for profitable and personally rewarding creativity and achievement. The future competitive landscape demands no less!

This dissertation investigates the influencing factors on timetable quality, not only from a data quality perspective, but also from an information quality perspective which takes into account the quality of the business processes involved in creating the timetable. The Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University was used as a case study for assessing the quality of the timetable process, the quality of the source data, and the quality of the final timetable produced. A framework for managing the data quality during the timetabling process is proposed. The framework is based on reviews done on data quality management best practices and data quality aspects. Chapter 1 introduces the current Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University timetable, and motivates why data quality management is essential to its success. The scope and research objectives are presented for this dissertation. Chapter 2 covers a literature study on business process and data quality management best practices. The common thread through all the management methodologies investigated, was top management involvement and commitment to continuously improving the quality of data. Chapter 3 discusses various characteristics of data quality. Quality is determined to be whether the end result meets the quality requirements for which it was intended. Hence each system could have quality aspects that are unique to it. Chapter 4 explains various research designs and which were followed for this dissertation. The combination of literature studies, a questionnaire and a case study were used. Chapter 5 is a case study of the data quality and timetabling processes used at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University and is based on the research design described in chapter 4. The current business processes followed in setting up the current timetable are presented, as well as the proposed timetabling process that should produce a better quality timetable for the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan 4 University. The data quality aspects most pertinent to the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University are determined, being timeliness, accountability, integrity and consistency, as well as the most probable causes for bad timetable quality, like uniform technology, processes, ownership and using a common terminology. Chapter 6 presents a framework for managing timetable data quality at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University using an Information Product Map approach that will ensure a better quality timetable. Future research is also proposed. It is evident from this dissertation that data quality of source data as well as the quality of the business process involved is essential for producing a timetable that satisfies the requirements for which it was intended. The management framework proposed for the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University timetabling process can potentially be used at other institutions as well.

Dorbyl Automotive Technologies (DAT) is a manufacturing company that supplies parts and components to the local and international motor vehicle market. The automotive components’ market is very competitive and customers require more from the industry to stay competitive. Customers require full integration throughout the supply chain. DAT and its Information Systems Department have ensured that the necessary business information systems are available to assist the company in staying competitive. One problem, though, is that the users of these systems are not using and adopting the technologies available. This research examines the reasons for this by making use of a technology acceptance model called the UNIFIED THEORY OF ACCEPTANCE AND USE OF TECHNOLOGY (UTAUT), which is an integrated model based on eight different available acceptance models. The aim is to understand which factors influence the use of systems. The research also proposes a way forward by suggesting a model to assist DAT in new system implementations as well as correcting the current situation. The only way DAT will stay competitive is by ensuring that the company becomes lean. Customers demand this as more and more are moving to just-in-time delivery. This implies that the suppliers must react to changes real-time. The use of business information systems will become the main focus area to react to changes quickly and correctly. Effective and accurate systems depend on users making good use of these systems. Remaining competitive will depend on how effectively Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) are used.

Doctorat en philosophie et lettres / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

M.Ing. / Failure is a part of every day life. Information systems project failures are reported regularly in the media. The growth of the information technology industry in its entirety has been very dramatic over the last decade. Large information systems projects have always posed as a challenge for development teams and organizations. The nature of these challenges have increased with the growth of information systems projects over the last decade. With the critical role that information systems have in organizations, it is critical that information systems are delivered on time within budget and according to the requirements. Unfortunately many of the information systems projects that have been started, are cancelled, not on time or over budget. It is the purpose of this dissertation to discuss some of the managerial causes of why information systems projects fail, and also to address issues that could prevent the failure of information systems projects.

Prof. Johan du Plessis

M.Comm. / The concept is not new, but there are certain factors that complicated the application of this concept in actual practise: The rapid advances in technology, engineering and business processes, have left today's enterprise with a multitude of different computer applications to choose from. This puzzle consists of many variables, including : hardware, application software, operating systems, data bases and networks. An indication of the complexity of offerings available in the market today is reflected by a survey conducted by Paras on Process MRP Systems (Paras, 1992:7-28). The research problem is therefore to investigate the extent of usage of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Systems in South Africa. The research project has the following objectives: To determine the extent of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) System usage in South African Industrial companies. To determine the different functional areas that ERP functionality is applied to in these companies, as well as trends in this area. To determine levels of support currently available to the South African Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) System user. To determine the benefits realised . out of implementing Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) functionality. This research explores the extent to which Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) functionality are being used in South Africa. As these systems are mainly used in Industrial companies, this research is limited to Industrial companies within South Africa. Companies in both the discrete and process environments are included in the study. Due to the cost of implementing such systems, these companies tend to be companieswith more than 100 employees, although relevant companies with fewer employees have been included. The larger majority of the companies operate in a distributed environment, with sites spread throughout South Africa, and in neighbouring and overseas countries. Due to the exploratory nature of the research problem, and the limited full enterprise wide use of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Systems in South Africa, the scope will be wide, with the intent of this study to gain a broad perspective of the topic.

D.Litt. et Phil. / This research addresses the concept of “information architecture” as a way of visualising and describing the various information assets and interaction of these assets within the organisation. The research further provides definitions of information and contextualises the information audit and information model as key tool for the information manager in establishing the information architecture. The establishment of the information architecture is illustrated through a case study within a large conglomeration of companies requiring a scaleable information architecture in order to address its information requirements. Through a process of interviews the information requirements of key decisions makers are established. These requirements are translated into an information architecture that forms the basis of support in delivering future information requirements for the company. The results of this research have been successfully implemented and now form the foundation of all future information management projects within this particular case study.

PhD. (Computer Science) / Enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems are implemented within organisations to enable them to work more efficiently and enhance productivity. They also ensure that different levels of information are available to managers within the organisation for strategic and tactical decision-making. The implementation of ERP systems is often associated with great costs, they are resource intensive and cover the whole organisation. The implementation of ERP systems is perceived as a project that often fails owing to overrun on cost and time. The return on investment (ROI) is also often questioned once an ERP system has been implemented, since the organisation does not always see the benefits of the ERP system versus the effort and cost of implementing it. The purpose of this thesis is twofold: firstly it determines what an ERP system is and whether it can be subdivided into different components. The focus of this section is on the operational side of an ERP system to determine how it is managed and operated within an organisation. The second focus is on the way that ERP systems are implemented and the management that goes hand in hand with this implementation. The first focus area is addressed by developing a model that explains ERP and the different components within it. It describes the interactions between the different components and how the ERP system affects the organisation. This model provides a better understanding of an ERP system and shows the technology to be mature. The second focus area is addressed by a framework that assists organisations in deriving projects from the organisational vision. This ensures that the implementation of an ERP system will directly support the organisation’s vision and strategies. This addresses the issue of determining the value of the ERP system as well as ROI. The framework also provides alternative ways and methods that can be used to implement ERP systems. The value of this research is firstly that it provides a holistic model of what constitutes an ERP system and its effect on the organisation. ERP systems change not only the financial systems, but also the way the organisation operates. They introduce organisational change. The value of the framework is that it can assist organisations in identifying and implementing projects that will enable the implementation of the organisation’s vision and strategies. This will eliminate any favoured projects that are not in support of the organisation’s vision and can save the organisation’s scarce resources that would have been wasted on these projects. The framework can also assist organisations in determining if they must implement an ERP system and what value this implementation will have for the organisation.