Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
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The most important expectation of compa-
nies from ERP vendors is vendor support
(4,39). Vendor reputation and market posi-
tion of the vendor were less important cri-
teria for the companies.
tion for taxations, customs, payments procedures,
salaries calculation, etc. Most of the ERP systems
from local providers also integrate XML schemes
for basic business documents (order, order confir-
mation, dispatch advice and invoice) based on the
eSLOG national standard. This enables SMEs to
adopt not just an ERP system but also e-business,
which is the only way to equal participate in local
and global markets.
The importance of increased organizational
flexibility criterion depends on the company size.
The importance of this criterion is significantly
higher in medium-sized companies (4,29) than
in large companies (3,71). Data from National
Statistical Bureau indicates that 75% of large
companies and only 34% of medium-sized al-
ready implemented ERP system. Medium-sized
companies might perceive this criterion as more
important as they still have to improve their internal
business processes to be prepared for e-business
integration with their partners in the supply chain.
Another criterion depended on company size is
operating system independence. The importance
of this criterion is significantly higher for small
companies (3.48) than for large companies (2.9).
This is related to fewer resources being available
for ICT investments in small companies. Small
companies are most likely to use less complex,
cheaper, affordable solutions, including open
source solutions. In a phase of ERP system ac-
quisition, small companies will be more sensitive
regarding the ERP system independence from
operating system.
Company size also has an impact on the system
reliability of the ERP system selection criterion,
where importance is higher for large companies
(4.71) than for small companies (4.33). The higher
importance of this factor in large companies
could be explained by the complexity of business
processes, which are more complex in large com-
panies, where more people are cooperating in the
same business processes and thus greater system
reliability is needed. It is expected that in the ERP
system acquisition phase the large companies will
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Companies' most important expectations
from the ERP package criteria are the or-
ganizational fit of the ERP system (4,16)
and e-business enablement (4,15).
All of these criteria are the most sensitive
for companies in the phase of ERP system se-
lection and its usage. ERP vendors are strongly
recommended considering these criteria to meet
companies' expectations in a most efficient way.
In addition to the importance of ERP selection
criteria for companies, also the impact of compa-
nies' factors (company size, implemented informa-
tion strategy in the company, representation of the
IT department on the board level in the company
(CIO) and growth of the company, measured by
turnover growth in 2006) on importance of ERP
system criteria was also investigated.
The analysis of companies' factors impacting
ERP selection criteria has shown that company size
has an impact on e-business enablement criterion.
Large companies perceived lower importance
(4,04) of e-business criterion as small companies
(4,51). This could be explained by the fact, that the
percentage of large companies, who implemented
ERP systems and are already using e-business
with their business partners, is much higher than
in small companies. Most of small companies
are still considering ERP implementation and
are considering the most suitable solutions for
e-business implementation. Small companies are
under pressure from large companies, which are
expecting their e-business integration in supply
chain. The role of Slovene ICT providers is very
important in this case. Local providers offer ERP
systems focused and tailored especially for SMEs'
needs. These ERP systems integrate standardized
operations, based on national business practices,
law and regulations, including automated calcula-
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