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Chapter 13 Building Information Systems 555
could extract data from a SAP NetWeaver Business visually in dashboards and management cockpits.
Warehouse and present them to executives using Thirty executives tested mobile devices provid-
the SAP BusinessObjects Dashboards software and ing anytime, anywhere access to the new system.
SAP Crystal Reports, an application for designing Delivery of the information is personalized and
and generating reports from a wide range of data differentiated for high-level executives, middle man-
sources. A highly intuitive Web-based user interface agers, and front-line employees.
was created to make the system very accessible. It is still too early to assess the long-term
This interface was so simple and well-designed business impact of the system, but one benefit
that users required little training on how to use the was immediate: Executives no longer are limited
system or to access data and reports. to sanitized, stale data in an outdated presentation
To encourage users to start working with the format. Management discussions and decisions are
system, members of the information systems based on timely, consistent, and accurate company-
department visited various manufacturing plants wide data. Because the system reduces the time
where the system was being rolled out and had required to collect, process, and track the data,
in-depth discussions with executives about the executive decision making takes place more rapidly.
system’s benefits as well as how to use it. Even after HPC’s information systems are now ready for global
the system was up and running, the information information-sharing as the company expands.
systems department continues to run campaigns to
ensure that executives are using the system—and Sources: Microsoft Corporation, “Case Study: Honam
Petrochemical,” May 7, 2012; David Hannon, “Searching Beyond
using it in the most effective way.
Sanitized Data,” SAPInsider PROFILES, July 2011; David Steier,
HPC used a phased approach in implement- “Visualizing Success: Analytic User Interfaces that Drive
ing the new system. Rather than pushing a new Business,” Information Management, July/August, 2011; and
system onto executives early in the ERP life cycle, “Honam Petrochemical Strategy and Financial Highlights from
ICIS,”www.icis.com, accessed July 21, 2011.
HPC waited until the company was experienced
with ERP software and confident in its data qual- CASE STUDY QUESTIONS
ity and its data collection and processing methods.
According to HPC CIO Jong Pyo Kim, nothing 1. List and describe the information requirements of
HPC’s new management system. What problems
would sidetrack an executive-level system more
was the new system designed to solve?
quickly than inaccurate or untimely data flowing
into an executive’s dashboard. 2. To what extent were “people” problems affecting
management decision making at HPC? What were
Kim also emphasized the importance of bench-
some of the management, organization, and
marking before designing and implementing an
technology issues that had to be addressed by the
executive-facing system. Most manufacturing
new system? How did the system’s designers
executives will want access to similar data and
make the system more “people-friendly?”
performance indicators, so benchmarking with
3. What role did end users play in developing HPC’s
other companies in the industry can provide a good
new system? How did the project team make sure
look at what data brings the most value.
users were involved? What would have happened
HPC’s system went live in January 2011, and to the project if they had not done this?
executives started immediately accessing reports
4. What other steps did HPC take to make sure the
and dashboards on a daily, weekly, and monthly
system was successful?
basis. The system enabled them to view key
5. What types of system-building methods and tools
performance information such as manufacturing
did HPC use for building its system?
costs by plant, transportation costs, daily produc-
6. What were the benefits of the new system? How
tion and inventory rates, and global product price
did it change the way Honam ran its business?
trends, and the information can be displayed
How successful was this system solution?
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