CUSTOMER_CODE
SMUDE
DIVISION_CODE
SMUDE
EVENT_CODE
SMUAPR15
ASSESSMENT_CODE BBA205_SMUAPR15
QUESTION_TYPE
DESCRIPTIVE_QUESTION
QUESTION_ID
14971
QUESTION_TEXT Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of ERP.
SCHEME OF
EVALUATION
Benefits –
Explanation of the tasks need to interface with one another (3 marks)
Change (2 marks)
Disadvantages (5 marks)
Benefits: In the absence of an ERP system, a large manufacturing
^company may find itself with many software applications that
do not talk to
each other and do not effectively interface. Tasks that need to
interface with
one another may involve:
∙ A totally integrated system
∙ The ability to streamline different processes and workflows
∙ The ability to easily share data across various departments in an
organization
∙ Improved efficiency and productivity levels.
∙ Better tracking and forecasting
∙ Lower costs
∙ Improved customer service
Change: how a product is made in the engineering details that is
how it will now be made. Effective dates can be used to control
when the switch over will occur from an old version to the next
one, both the date that some ingredients go into effect, and the
date that some are discontinued. Part of the change can include
labeling to identify version numbers.
Some security features are included within an ERP system to
protect against both outsider crime, such as industrial espionage,
and insider crime, such as embezzlement. A data tampering
scenario might involve a disgruntled employee intentionally
modifying prices below the break-even point in order to attempt
to take down the company, or other sabotage. ERP systems
typically provide functionality for implementing internal controls
to prevent actions of this kind. ERP vendors are also moving
toward better integration with other kinds of information
security tools.
Disadvantages - Many problems that organizations have with
ERP systems are due to inadequate investment in ongoing
training for personnel involved, including those implementing
and testing changes, as well as a lack of corporate policy
protecting the integrity of the data in the ERP systems and how it
is used.
While advantages usually outweigh disadvantages for most
organizations implementing an ERP system, here are some of the
most common obstacles experienced:
Usually many obstacles can be prevented if adequate investment
is made and adequate training is involved, however, success does
depend on the skills and the experience of the workforce to adapt
quickly to the new system.
∙ Customization in many situations is limited
∙ The need to reengineer business processes
ERP systems can be cost prohibitive to install and run
∙ Technical support can be shoddy
∙ ERPs may be too rigid for specific organizations that are either
new or want to move in a new direction in the near future.
QUESTION_TYPE
DESCRIPTIVE_QUESTION
QUESTION_ID
14972
QUESTION_TEXT
What is Intranet? Explain its applications to business and its
advantages.
SCHEME OF
EVALUATION
Definition (1 mark)
Explanation with usage of HTTP and FTP and other protocols (3
marks)
Advantages (increased productivity, reduced time, improved
communication, web publishing, business operations and
management, cost-effective, enhanced collaboration (6 marks)
An intranet is a private computer network. Intranet uses Internet
protocols and network connectivity to securely share part of an
organization's information or operations with its employees. The
same concepts and technologies of the Internet such as clients and
servers running on the Internet protocol suite are used to build
an intranet. HTTP, FTP and other Internet protocols are used in
intranet. There is often an attempt to use Internet technologies to
provide new interfaces with corporate "legacy" data and
information systems.
Intranets are generally restricted to employees of the
organization while extranets can generally be accessed by
customers, suppliers or other approved parties.
Advantages of intranets
a. Increased Productivity: Intranets can help users to locate and
view information faster and use applications relevant to their
roles and responsibilities. With the help of a web browser
interface, users can access data held in any database the
organization wants to make available, anytime and - subject to
security provisions - from anywhere within the company
workstations, increasing employees' abilities to perform their
jobs faster, more accurately, and with confidence that they have
the right information. It also helps to improve the services
provided to the users.
b. Reduced Time: With intranets, organizations can make more
information available to employees in less time.
c. Improved Communication: Intranets can serve as powerful
tools for communication within an organization, vertically and
horizontally. From a communications standpoint, intranets are
useful to communicate strategic initiatives that have a global
reach throughout the organization. The type of information that
can easily be conveyed is the purpose of the initiative and also
what the initiative is aiming to achieve, who is driving the
initiative, results achieved to date, and who to speak to for more
information. By providing this information on the intranet, the
staff have the opportunity to keep up-to-date with the strategic
focus of the organization.
d. Web Publishing: Web publishing allows 'cumbersome'
corporate knowledge to be maintained and easily accessed
throughout the company using hypermedia and Web
technologies.
e. Business operations and management: Intranets are also being
used as a platform for developing and deploying applications to
support business operations and decisions across the internetworked enterprise.
f. Cost-effective: Users can view information and data via webbrowser rather than maintaining physical documents such as
procedure manuals, internal phone list and requisition forms.
Enhanced Collaboration: With information easily accessible by
all authorized users, teamwork is enabled.
QUESTION_T
DESCRIPTIVE_QUESTION
YPE
QUESTION_I
D
124249
QUESTION_T
Distinguish between Prototyping approach and Life cycle approach
EXT
SCHEME OF
EVALUATIO
N
(10 marks)
QUESTION_TYPE
DESCRIPTIVE_QUESTION
QUESTION_ID
124251
QUESTION_TEXT
What are the components of data mining architecture and
characteristics of data warehouse?
SCHEME OF
EVALUATION
Components of data mining architecture:
1.
Database, data warehouse and information repository
2.
Database server
3.
Data mining engine
4.
Pattern evaluation model
5.
Graphical user interface
characteristics of data warehouse:
1.
Subject oriented
2.
Integrated
3.
Non volatile
4.
Time variant
QUESTION_T
DESCRIPTIVE_QUESTION
YPE
QUESTION_I
D
124252
QUESTION_T
As per porter, how is it possible to attain above- average performance?
EXT
SCHEME OF
EVALUATIO
N
Under porter’s framework, enterprises have 4 generic strategies available
to them
Lower
cost
a. Broad Target
b.
Narrow target
Differentiation
QUESTION_TYPE
DESCRIPTIVE_QUESTION
QUESTION_ID
156300
QUESTION_TEXT
Discuss few disadvantages of MIS.
SCHEME OF
EVALUATION
ANS: The following are some of the disadvantages of MIS:
1. MIS is highly sensitive: MIS is very helpful in maintaining and
logging the information of an authorized user. This needs to be
monitored constantly. (2 marks)
2. Quality of outputs is governed by quality of inputs. (1 mark)
3. MIS budgeting: There is difficulty in maintaining indirect cost
and overheads. Capturing the actual cost needs to have an
accrual system having true costs of outputs which is extremely
difficult. It has been difficult to establish definite findings. (2
marks)
4.
5.
6.
MIS is not flexible to updating itself to changes. (1 mark)
The changes in the decisions of top level management decrease
its effectiveness. ( 2 marks)
Information accountability is based on qualitative factors and
factors like morality, confidence or attitude will not have any
base. (2 marks)