Management Information Systems 496
An Introduction to Business Processes, ERP, and Analytics
San Diego State University – Fall 2013
Instructor:
Office:
Phone:
Course Meetings:
Office Hours:
E-mail:
Dr. Annette Easton
SS 3107
619-594-2664; 619-594-5316 (IDS Department Office)
Th 4:00 – 6:40 in GMCS - 313
T 11:00 – 12:00; T/Th 2:00 – 3:30 and by appointment
annette.easton@sdsu.edu
Course Materials:
Essentials of Processes, Systems and Information with SAP Tutorials, McKinney and
Kroenke, Pearson, 2014 ISBN: 978-0-13-340675-7. Available as an eTextbook for $32.99
via CourseSmart at: http://www.coursesmart.com/IR/1655399/9780133423761?__hdv=6.8
ERPsim Simulation (Approximately $50 – purchased later in course as announced. Every
student MUST purchase this simulation to be able to complete required course work.)
Global Bike Incorporated (GBI). Readings and exercises created by SAP University
Alliances, SAPAG. Instructions on accessing this material will be provided via Blackboard.
Other readings may be assigned during the semester.
Course Description: The objective of this course is to provide students with an introduction to fundamental
business processes used in organizations and how those processes can be integrated through an Enterprise Resource
Planning (ERP) system. Additionally you will be introduced to how analytics are used by organizations to improve
their decision making. Concepts will be illustrated through hands on experience utilizing the SAP ERP system,
creation of an analytics tool, and application of that tool to analyze results from the ERP system.
Units: This is a 3 unit course.
Prerequisites: Prerequisites have been established to ensure that all students are prepared to succeed in a course,
and to allow the course to progress at the necessary pace. You must be an approved upper-division business major,
business minor, or another major approved by the College of Business Administration.
Course Structure: Various learning techniques are used throughout this class. In-class instruction will emphasize
active and collaborative learning. It is critical that students spend time outside of class reading assigned chapters
and reviewing course presentations. There will be individual and team-based activities used in this course, which
includes hands-on assignments for understanding ERP software and business decision making. Team activities focus
on understanding the integrated nature of business processes, and developing, implementing and analyzing a
business strategy. Class meetings are used to provide a business decision making environment for data analysis,
team decision making, and ERP software application. Using the simulated environment helps students understand
the processes used in running a business and the integration of marketing, finance and management decision making
in these related business functions.
Goals of the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) program:
BSBA students will graduate being Effective Communicators, Critical Thinkers, Able to Analyze Ethical Problems,
Global in their Perspective, and Knowledgeable about the Essentials of Business. This class contributes to those
goals through its course learning outcomes.
Course Learning Outcomes: After successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
 Define and explain basic processes used by businesses.
 Define and explain Enterprise Resource Planning system concepts and be able to contrast an ERP to
traditional functionally oriented information systems.
 Use an ERP system to manage a company.
 Explain basic concepts of utilizing analytics to generate business intelligence.
 Design and use tools to help analyze and interpret business data.
 Present professional oral and written reports analyzing the effectiveness of implementing business process
transactions in an ERP simulation.
Grade Policy and Standards: University grading policy SDSU Policy File: Grades 1.0 states
“…instructors shall use all grades from A through F to distinguish among levels of academic accomplishment. The
grade for average undergraduate achievement shall be C;...”
The University-wide grading standards will be used to determine your final course grade. The following percentage
ranges will be used for assigning grades (plus/minus grades will be assigned):
A (90-100%), B (80-89%), C (70-79%), D (60-69%), F (<60%)
Grading and Course Requirements: Assessment of your learning will occur through a variety of mechanisms
including in-class exercises, participation, homework assignments, exams, and a class project.
Quizzes/Exams. There will be a variety of quizzes during the semester covering different topics from the assigned
readings. The Midterm exam will assess your individual knowledge of the business processes, ERP and
analytics concepts taught in the course. You will not be able to successfully pass the quizzes and exams
unless you have kept up with the readings, class discussions, homework, and project assignments. The shortanswer or problem-base exam questions will require you to recall, understand and to apply the material, not
simply pick memorized answers from a list. You must be able to demonstrate that you understand the
concepts.
Assignments. There will be several homework assignments during the semester. Late assignments are not
accepted. The requirements and due dates for each assignment will be provided in separate handouts
throughout the semester, or will be posted on the class blackboard site. There may be in-class assignments.
Participation. Class participation is based both on attendance, completing in-class assignments and contributions
to class discussion. Due to the nature of the class structure, you are expected to complete reading
assignments prior to each class and to be prepared to discuss the assigned material. A portion of this grade is
based on the Blackboard photo assignment. You must upload (no later than the second class period) a
recent photograph of you into the Blackboard photo assignment for this course. If you need a suitable photo,
please let me know and I will be happy to take a picture of you!
Class Project. The group project provides hands-on experience with running a business using a real-life ERP
system. In the project, your team will develop and document the business strategy plan you will implement
while using the ERP simulation. You will also develop an analytics dashboard to help you analyze company
and industry data during the simulation. Finally you will be required to write a report that summarizes the
key elements of your strategy, analyzes the effectiveness of your business strategy, and discusses important
lessons learned from the simulation. Project milestones will be due throughout the semester. Additional
details on the project components will be provided in a separate handout later in the semester.
Grading Standards (subject to minor changes):
Quizzes/Exams
Quizzes
Quizzes/Exams
Midterm Exam
Assignments
Full Cash-to-Cash Cycle Assignment
Assignments
Current Topic Presentation
Participation
Participation/In-Class Work
Project
Company Business Strategy
Project
Analytics Tool
Project
ERPsim Final
Project
Final Report/Presentation
15%
25%
5%
10%
5%
10%
10%
10%
10%
Course Policies: All work in this class must be completed on an individual basis, unless otherwise noted. Cheating
on exams and other assignments will not be tolerated and will result in an “F” in the course. Cheating will be
defined as the effort to give or receive help on any graded work in this class without permission from the instructor,
cheating during exams (including obtaining advance knowledge of test questions), submitting alterations to graded
work for regarding, and plagiarism. All cases of cheating will be reported to SDSU’s Center for Student Rights and
Responsibilities for University disciplinary action.
Exception to these policies will be considered only in cases where a serious and compelling reason exists. Written
documentation will be required.
MIS 496
Fall 2013
Page 2
Tentative Course Schedule
Week
Date
Topic
Course Introduction
MIS and Organizational Strategy
Chapters
1
08/29
2
09/05
Introduction to SAP ERPsim – Distribution
Business Process Overview
Using IS to Improve Processes
McKinney - 1
McKinney - 2
3
09/12
Supporting Processes with ERP Systems
McKinney - 3
4
09/19
ERPsim – Logistics Intro Version
5
09/26
6
Assignments
Paper Company
Exercise
ERPsim Logistics
Role Based Booklets
Cash-to-cash
Assignment
Understanding Procurement
McKinney – 4 and
Appendix 4
SAP Procurement
10/03
Understanding the Sales Process
McKinney – 5 and
Appendix 5
SAP Sales
7
10/10
Business Intelligence and Analytics
8
10/17
Integrating BI with ERPsim;
Building Dashboards
9
10/24
Current Topic Presentations
10
10/31
ERPsim – Logistics Extended
11
11/07
Midterm Exam
12
11/14
ERPsim – Logistics Extended – Second
Iteration
13
11/21
ERPsim – Logistics Extended – Final Iteration
14
11/28
Happy Thanksgiving
15
12/05
Analysis and Preparation of Final
Report/Presentation
Final
12/12
4-6
Business Strategy
Due
ERPsim – Designing
Dashboards
Analytics Tool Due
ERPsim Logistics
Participant Guide
Board of Directors Final Report/Presentation
ERPsim Final
Executive Briefing to
Board and Final
Summary Report
Please note that the Final Exam period for the class is on Thursday 12/12/13 from 4:00 – 6:00. Instead of a
traditional final exam, you will be responsible for delivering and presenting your Final Report on your team’s
strategy and performance during the ERPsim Logistics Final.
Failure to attend and participate in the Final Report will result in zero points being
assigned for the entire project grade.
MIS 496
Fall 2013
Page 3