The processes of selecting an AIS/ERP to make informed decision for investment in an accounting software

Group Assignment Scenario

B Bakery is a family owned firm with around 70 employees and sales revenue increased to more than $ 13.5 million during the past year. It has been in business for over 50 years and supplies bread and confectionary products to a number of different businesses, including supermarkets and pub-chains. The firm has experienced mixed fortunes over the years in terms of business performance, but in the last few years has experienced a growth in orders for some of its new healthy product ranges. However, the Bakery has recently lost some key accounts as a result of being unable to produce some of its products at a competitive price.

Although the firm hired an accountant who was keeping their books for them and producing the financial statements each year, the firm thought they needed much more information to really run their business efficiently. They felt that they needed to make an investment in an accounting software to take their business to the next level.

Assignment Requirements

In groups of three or four, you are required to conduct desk research on AIS/ERP Systems for your above client. Prepare a Business Report for the client detailing the following processes of selecting an AIS/ERP:

1. Define business processes
a) What a Baker does? Discuss the business activities/processes of the organisation to show your understanding about the business. (600 words)

2. Develop business requirements
b) What processes are indispensable to be performed? (350 words)
c) What outcomes are required from these processes to achieve business objectives? (350 words)

3. Determine the systems requirements
a) What are some of the possible software features or functionalities that the firm should consider to achieve their IT investment objective? (700 words)

4. Software selection
a) Visit the web sites of accounting software package vendors (e.g. SAP, MYOB, Xero etc.). You need to visit at least 3 (three) software vendors' websites.

b) Which category of accounting software (low, medium or high-end/ERP) suitable for the firm? Give your justifications in detail. (300 words)

5. Vendor selection
a) Compare and contrast the features/ functionalities of two accounting software packages offered by accounting software package vendors (e.g. SAP, MYOB, Xero etc.) within your selected category in question 4. (600 words)

c) Which one would be the most suitable vendor (and accounting software package) for the Bakery business and why? (600 words)

Format of the Report

1. You at least should have the following details:
a. Assignment Cover page clearly stating your name and student number
b. A table of contents, executive summary
c. A brief introduction or overview of what the report is about.
d. Body of the report with sections to answer the above questions and with appropriate section headings
e. Conclusion
f. List of references.

2. Diagrams and tables clearly labelled and explained.

3. Ensure all materials are correctly referenced. Plagiarism will be severely penalised.