Expert system (ES)

An expert system is a computer application that guides the performance of ill structured tasks, which usually require experience and expertise. Using an expert system, a non expert can achieve performance, which is comparable to an experts performance in that particular domain.

An expert system is very similar to a decision support system, ie; both are intended to provide a high level of problem solving support to their users. But they differ in two major ways:

First, a DSS consists of routines that reflect as to how the manager believes a problem should be solved, as well as the manager’s style and capabilities. An expert system on the other hand, offers the opportunity to make decisions that exceed the manager’s capabilities.

The second but most important difference between DSS and Es is the ability of the expert system (ES) to explain its line of reasoning in reaching a particular solution. Very often, the explanation of how a solution was reached is more valuable than the solution itself.

Customization Services

Customization Services involves any modifications or extensions that change how the out-of-the-box ERP system works.

Customizing an ERP package can be very expensive and complicated. Some ERP packages are not designed to support customization, so most businesses implement the best practices embedded in the acquired ERP system. Some ERP packages have very generic features, such that customization occurs in most implementations. It is also often possible to extend the standard ERP package by purchasing third party software to provide additional functionality. Customization work is usually undertaken as bespoke software development on a time and materials basis.

Customization can be further classified into:

• Core system customization
• custom extensions in custom libraries.

Core system customization is where customers change the software vendors’ proprietary code. This means that the software will no longer be supported by the vendor for the particular function that was customized as the code would be modified to the customers need. The customers IT department will then normally support the code in-house or subcontract a consulting organization to do so.

Custom extensions are where a customer build bolt on custom applications that run parallel to the standard system i.e. custom extended applications. Modules that are extended but core code not changed remain supported but the extensions will have to be supported by the customers IT department or subcontracted consulting organization.

Maintenance and Support Services
Maintenance and Support Services involves monitoring and managing an Operational ERP system. This function is often provided in-house using members of the IT department, but may also be provided by specialist external consulting and services companies.

ref: wikipedia, insurance software

Configuring ERP System - 1

ERP System we talked in past and in last post we talked Configuring ERP System. Today we continue our talk on configuring ERP System.

Configuration Tables – A configuration table enables a company to tailor a particular aspect of the system to the way it chooses to do business. For example, an organization can select the type of inventory accounting – FIFO or LIFO – it will employ or whether it wants to recognize revenue by geographical unit, product line, or distribution channel. or an organization in insurance industry can select agency management software or insuranc software like insurance crm software or insurance sfa software.

So what happens when the options the system allows just aren’t good enough? At this point a company has two choices, both of which are not ideal. It can re-write some of the enterprise system’s code, or it can continue to use an existing system and build interfaces between it and the new enterprise system. Both options will add time and cost to the implementation process. Additionally they can dilute the system’s integration benefits. The more customized the system becomes the less possible seamless communication becomes between suppliers and customers.

ref: wikipedia, Insurance Software, Customized Insurance CRM Software

ERP System Features

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) System we are talking here and in last post we talk about Overview of ERP System.

Today we are going to talk about ERP System Features.

Ideally, ERP delivers a single database that contains all data for the software modules, which would include:

• Manufacturing
  Engineering, Bills of Material, Scheduling, Capacity, Workflow Management, Quality Control, Cost Management, Manufacturing Process, Manufacturing Projects, Manufacturing Flow.
  
• Supply Chain Management
  Inventory, Order Entry, Purchasing, Product Configurator, Supply Chain Planning, Supplier Scheduling, Inspection of goods, Claim Processing, Commission Calculation.
  
• Financials
  General Ledger, Cash Management, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Fixed Assets.
  
• Projects
  Costing, Billing, Time and Expense, Activity Management.
  
• Human Resources
  Human Resources, Payroll, Training, Time & Attendance, Benefits.
  
• Customer Relationship Management
  Sales and Marketing, Commissions, Service, Customer Contact and Call Center support.
  
• Data Warehouse
  and various Self-Service interfaces for Customers, Suppliers, and Employees.

ref: CRM Software, wikipedia

Enterprise Resource Planning System

Enterprise Resource Planning we are talking here and we talk Origin of the term. We also talk ERP Sytem-1 and ERP System-2 in older post.

Today we are going to talk about overview of Enterprise Resource Planning System.

Overview
Some organizations — typically those with sufficient in-house IT skills to integrate multiple software products — choose to implement only portions of an ERP system and develop an external interface to other ERP or stand-alone systems for their other application needs.

For instance, the PeopleSoft HRMS and financials systems may be perceived to be better than SAP's HRMS solution. And likewise, some may perceive SAP's manufacturing as better than PeopleSoft's equivalents. Same way BimSym’s Leadorganizer is better than other CRM and SFA software in the industry. In this case these organizations may justify the purchase of an ERP system, but choose to purchase the PeopleSoft HRMS and financials modules from Oracle, and their remaining applications from SAP, BimSym.

This is very common in the retail sector, where even a mid-sized retailer will have a discrete Point-of-Sale (POS) product and financials application, then a series of specialized applications to handle business requirements such as warehouse management, staff rostering, merchandising and logistics.


ref: crm & sfa software, wikipedia, customazie software development