Enterprise Resource Planning System: Coca-Cola Bottling Corporation Consolidated (CCBCC)

About Enterprise Resource Planning

Enterprise Resource Planning or ERP the most recent high end solution to business application brought by information technology. The purpose of ERP is to look for the streamline and incorporate operation procedures and the flow of information in the company to be able to amalgamate the resources of a company or an organization, which are the man power, materials, money and machines by means of information. At first, only the very large Multi National Companies and Infrastructure Companies have the capabilities to install and upgrade an ERP package, having the reason that it involves high cost. The need for Enterprise Resource Planning software increased because organizations and business around the world are became conscious on the fast changing business environment. For that reason, it is unachievable for the companies to produce and sustain a conventional software package that has the capability to meet all their requirements and also be fully up-to-date.

But nowadays, since technology keeps on upgrading that leads to easy collection and dissemination of information, a number of companies engaged in applying different Enterprise Resource Planning Strategies offered by ERP software vendors like Oracle and Microsoft. Through this, companies will be able to compete globally with their contenders in their field of business.

We are all aware that in business, a company needs a constant upgrade of their production, managing tactics, business equipments like machines and computers, and information system application. For that reason, there are some demands that are necessary to meet by a company. 

These demands are:

o Aggressive Cost control initiatives

o Need to analyze costs / revenues on a product or customer basis

o Flexibility to respond to changing business requirements

o More informed management decision making

o Changes in ways of doing business

Features of ERP

Some of the major features of ERP and what ERP can do for the business system are as below: 

o ERP ameliorates the wide Integrated Information of the a company, which includes all the functional areas such as the Manufacturing, Human Resources, Inventory, etc.

o ERP executes the company’s core activities and increases customers service that leads to supplementing the company’s image.

o ERP serves as the bridge in between the gap of information in an organization.

o ERP serves as the only possible solution for a better Project Management

o ERP has the capability to adopt in the latest technologies like internet, intranet, Ecommerce, etc.

o ERP removes various business problems like inventory problems, shortage in materials, quality problems, etc.

o ERP provides the opportunity of constantly developing, improving and refining business procedures.

o ERP offers business intelligence tools such as ROBOTS for early warning system that help the people in good decision making and improve business tactics.

  

Components of ERP 

To enable the easy handling of the system the ERP has been divided into the following Core subsystems: 

o Sales and Marketing

o Master Scheduling

o Material Requirement Planning

o Capacity Requirement Planning

o Bill of Materials

o Purchasing

o Shop floor control

o Accounts Payable/Receivable

o Logistics

o Asset Management

o Financial Accounting

About the Company

ORIGIN:

Founded in Charlotte, North Carolina by J.B. Harrison.

FUNCTIONS: 

Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated (CCBCC) makes, sells and delivers sparkling and still beverages, primarily products of The Coca-Cola Company. it operates in eleven states all ove the world, primarily, in the southeast.

TRADEMARK: 

COKE is the trademark of CCBCC as the U.S. Supreme Court ruled.

PURPOSE:

To serve others …To pursue excellence … and To grow profitably. Above all, we strive To honor God in everything we do.

VALUES:

     

    Accountability

    Consistency

    Courage and Conviction

    Discipline

    Honesty and Integrity

    Humility

    Morality

    Optimism

    Respectfulness

    Supportiveness

GOALS:

We will strive to...

Make, sell and deliver products and services better than anyone else.

Develop servant leaders.

Build personal and trusting relationships.

Be leaders in the Coca-Cola System and in the beverage industry.

Provide long-term rewards for our employees.

Build long-term value for our customers.

Generate long-term profitable growth for our shareholders.

What are the needs of CCBCC?

Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated (CCBCC) is one of the largest companies that is aware of the importance of engaging into a high technology applications to be able to have an efficient and effective strategic plan that would attract more customers and clients for more income. CCBCC looked for an upgrade in their old version of ERP system that could cater their needs in improving the potentials in finance, Human Capital Management (HCM), sales, procurement, and other enterprise operations that are obtainable in the upgraded version. CCBCC was using SAP r/3 4.7 and Unicode was needed with all new SAP product. CCBCC decided to upgrade their SAP R/3 Enterprise system to SAP ERP 6.0. in order to completely upgrade the system, the company needs to upgrade its existing Oracle Database, and buy extra Oracle License or change into a different database platform. 

Solution:

The CCBCC came up to a decision of engaging to a new database platform which is the IBM DB2, instead of upgrading the Oracle Database.

Benefits:

"Combining the database migration with the SAP Unicode conversion saved time and money. Initial results show that DB2 delivers a reduction in storage needs of approximately 40 per cent. The duration of manufacturing runs was reduced by more than 65 per cent. The migration was completed under budget and ahead of schedule. The company has reduced licensing and maintenance costs by avoiding the purchase of additional Oracle licenses, and predicts savings in the next five years of about US$750,000." This statement from IBM company, in accordance to the result of its system used by CCBCC, shows that their product really fits to what CCBCC really wants. IBM is able to meet the requirements of CCBCC in their database while having an upgrade in their ERP system.

Comparison of ERP with SDLC

The Enterprise Resource Planning is one of the most used strategic system nowadays. Basically, although most of the companies who are engaging in this system are the large one, it still believed to be appropriate for the needs of a company. It can cater all the enterprise functions that a company wants since ERP is installed in accordance to what the company requires. It can be customize and upgraded. Options are presented (in terms of upgrading), depending on the flexibility of the ERp. For instance, SAP R/3 Enterprise system was used together with Oracle database. Since SAP R/3 ERP has been upgrade to SAP 6.0, CCBCC decided to use the IBM DB2 instead of upgrading the Oracle database because it can cost much beyond the budget of the company. On the other hand, SDLC or the System Development Life Cycle requires more time and money since it follows a cycle or step by step procedure. Customization on the system using SDLC can take longer time and need more budget since it requires to take the very first step to be done before proceeding to the next one.

In conclusion, as far as information technology is concern, its more practical (for me) to engage in ERP system. But we must consider also the company background of the vendor that sell such ERP system or application so that we can secure reliability and efficiency of the product. Investing to a new improved system could cost beyond a company's budget but the probable outcome of that one could bring the company to its fame and could have more profit or income.

REFERENCES:

http://www-01.ibm.com/software/success/cssdb.nsf/CS/STRD-7N5MJB?OpenDocument&Site=default&cty=en_us

http://www.cokeconsolidated.com/our-company.aspx

http://www.angelfire.com/co/troyc/erpca.html

The Deployment Phase

An enrollment system is very important in a school or university since it is the said to be the foundation to be able for the students to enroll in the school they want: to learn and grow, and for the teachers and instructors to teach the students: to be a scheme for students' learning. As part of our next assignment, still related to the enrollment system or process of the University of Southeastern Philippines, we were given a scenario such that the dean Institute of Computing gave us a tasked to appraise the university's enrollment system. We were asked to list down and briefly discuss the possible characteristics that we, as an analyst, analyzes when selecting and determining deployment environment.

The Deployment Phase

The deployment phase is one of the phases that analyst must undergo in order to develop a new system, more stable and functional compared to the old one (if there is already an existing system.) The goal of the deployment phase is to determine the problem of the system and try to find solutions in many issues as possible in order to lessen the number of continual problems. Basically, a deployment environment dwells with the computer hardware and operating system that will support the program. It is consists of different programming languages, Computer-assisted Software Engineering (CASE) tools and other software used in developing a new application software. Deployment environment dwells primarily of Hardware, Networks, System software, Development software, as well as development methodology and tools.

As an analyst, the following points listed below are the characteristics that I need to consider in selecting or determining deployment environment:

Configuration of Computer Equipment, and Operating System

Basically, this talks about the things that is necessary to be sure of when the new application system is deployed. In order to have a good deployment system, the analyst must ensure the compatibility of the hardware and software with the computer's specification and operating system to improve system's performance and avoid long-term operation cost.

Correlation of System or Technical Requirements

This requirement deals with the location of the users, the fastness in terms of accessing and updating, transaction volume and security. These things have a huge impact on the performance of the system and environmental requirements.

External Systems Interfaces

When using external system interfaces, there must be a required software or hardware. The implementation of external system interfaces may reduce the time and cost of integrating other systems. To ensures correct integration of upgrades with external system, diminishing future errors in customization.

IT Strategic and Architectural Plans

In modernized world, organizations utilize information technology in storing data and resolving some issues. Information technology architecture and strategic plans are used by most of the organization nowadays in order to specify the hardware and software that they will use despite of the different variety of existing software and hardware. Basically, it limits the set of hardware and software a company will going to use. It is said that these plans are like a document where the organization's achievements and implementation of goals are presented. It aids in determining how changes in technology can be carried out within the overarching business goals.

Cost and Time

This characteristic of development environment defines how fast and how expensive is the system. The system analyst must be sensitive on what the strategic and architectural plans contain so that he could ensure that the environment choices in that plan with the existing systems can be acquired, configured and supported easily, in a less expensive and fast mechanism.

Based on the listed characteristic above, the analyst must specify an application deployment environment that is flexible to acquire those stated requirements, acceptable with the IT plans of the university, and can be configured and obtained with the presented budget and time.

Evaluating Data Flow Diagram Quality

In the last two assignments, we were told to develop an activity diagram and a fully developed explanation for a use case and generate at least 3 different styles of Data flow diagram of USEP's pre-enrollment system, respectively. As part of our next assignment, we were told (as an analyst) to define the characteristics does an analyst examine when evaluating DFD quality.

Before discussing thoroughly what was being asked and since not all of us are familiar with data flow diagram, I will define it first, as well as the different notations incorporated with data flow diagram.

Data flow diagrams are use to illustrate the different processes integrated in a system. It has inputs and outputs. Those inputs undergo a process or different processes to produce an output or outputs. According to Gane and Sarson, data flow diagrams (DFDs) were established and well-liked for Structured Design Analysis. Data flow diagrams give us idea about the flow of data or information: from the exterior component into the system, then demonstrated how the data stimulated from one process to another plus its logical storage.

In creating a data flow diagram, there are only four symbols needed. 

1) SQUARES – it is used to represent the external components or entities, which are the sources (starting point) or the destinations (end point) of data

2) ROUNDED RECTANGLES – it is used to symbolize the processes: having the data as the input, then doing something to it and produce an output from it.

3) ARROWS - which can either be electronic data or physical items

4) OPEN-ENDED RECTANGLES – it is used to represent the data storage. It includes electronic storage such as databases, and physical storage such as filing cabinets.

DATA FLOW DIAGRAM NOTATIONS

Process Notation

A process is the action of taking the incoming data flow into out coming data flow, based on the establish set of steps or procedures.

Data Store Notation

Data stores serves as the warehouse or depository area of data in the system. Sometimes, data stores are called files.

Data Flow Notation

Data flows perform as channels by which packets of information flows. It bridge the gap between a process to another process. Usually, the arrows which represent as data flow channels are labeled with the name of the data that passes through it.

External Entity Notation

External entities are pertaining to the objects located outside the system, through which the system interacts. External entities are, basically, the beginning and ending of the system’s inputs and outputs.

Context Data Flow Diagram

Of all diagrams, context data flow diagram in most basic data flow diagram since it serves as the level 0 diagram. Context free diagram is incorporated by one process node only, which is the process 0, that take a broad view of the function of the whole system in association with external entities.

• The context diagram explains the system limitation or system boundary clearly 

• It does not typically exhibit data stores because all of the system’s data stores are reflected on within the system capacity 

• Context diagrams are frequently generate  at the same time with the event table.

In the context data flow diagram, the analyst will prepare the first level of the data flow diagram which will illustrate the whole flow of information in a system in a single process. Basically, the context data flow diagram will show how the analyst view the whole information system, including the user/s and the interacting actors. For instance, in our previous assignment, the student and the cashier for the payment process. Most of the time, the context data flow diagram does not have any data stores. The context data flow diagram only shows the major data inflows and outflows.

Physical Data Flow Diagram

A physical data flow diagram shows the clearer division of events and process as well as the different actors interacting in the system and the required data needed as an input to have the desired output. Also, the physical data flow diagram differentiate the manual and automated procedures as illustrated in its diagram.

In the physical data flow diagram, the analyst must be able to define the different processes in detailed, must identify the possible and temporary data stores, as well as to be able to know when and where to add controls in order to have more effective yet simple system. 

Usually, physical data flow diagrams are established and utilized at some point in the final stages of analysis or early phases of design. Physical data flow diagrams are very helpful in terms of defining the alternate execution of a system antecedent to a more comprehensive deign models development. Analysts should always be aware on the possible effect if he will do the creation of physical data flow diagram during the analysis phase activities. Analysts must avoid that one except if he is in the midst of producing alternatives. Analysts should not forget to label physical data flow diagrams to be able for the readers to know that the model shows one probable execution of logical system requirements.

Logical Data Flow Diagram

Another type of data flow diagram is the logical data flow diagram. A logical data flow diagram present the flow of the data in the system, how the system operates and how the actor involved in the system process interact with one another. The logical data flow diagram defines the different procedures incorporated in the information system, the data that is required (as to be the input) as well as the possible output after undergoing an event or process. Also, the logical data flow diagram does not necessary go into details in the physical implementation of events when illustrating the activities involved in logical data flow diagram.

In the logical data flow diagram, the analyst must ensure that it will help the employees in the organization communicate easily. Also, the analyst must illustrate a high quality logical data flow diagram which will attend to produce a more established and secured system.The analyst needs to be flexible and needs to have a thorough understanding in the logical process of the system to be able to maintain the system and to help the user to easily abolish the redundancies that could be found in the system. 

As a systems analyst, I must make certain that the data flow diagram I am working at is readable, has a consistency in internal entities, ensure that the system requirements are presented precisely and make sure that it has diminished complexity. To ensure the high quality set of data flow diagrams, analyst can apply the a few simple rules in making data flow diagrams. These rules can be applied by the analyst either in these ways: while developing the data flow diagram, or during a separate quality check after preparing data flow diagram drafts.

We all know that, as human, we have limited capability of analyzing and understanding complicated information. Information overload is a term used when a great extent of information is presented all at once. As a good systems analyst, one must divide that great amount of information into subsets to avoid information overload. Dividing this large set of information with the use of data flow diagram would help, not just the analyst, but also those people who are interested to acquire those information, to understand and analyze the information clearly.

As a system analyst, he or she is capable in detecting inaccuracies and exemption in a set of data flow diagram by means of looking for discrepancies. There are three usual and easily identifiable consistency errors in making data flow diagrams, according to Satzinger, Jackson, and Burd.

• Differences in data flow content between the process and its process decomposition

• Data outflows without corresponding data inflows

• Data inflows without corresponding data outflows.

Resources:

http://www.smartdraw.com/resources/tutorials/data-flow-diagrams/#/resources/tutorials/Introduction-to-DFD

http://me.emu.edu.tr/ie447/CIMLectureNotes2011.pdf

http://www.differencebetween.com/difference-between-physical-dfd-and-vs-logical-dfd/

http://books.google.com.ph/books?id=onoxYRropMoC&pg=PA234&lpg=PA234&dq=what+characteristics+does+an+analyst+examine+when+evaluating+DFD+quality&source=bl&ots=Xiov4kUceS&sig=ePlTUEmtMIw1PEW-EoHYY-Of5Xc&hl=en&sa=X&ei=2mo0T-K0POHemAWa8KGLAg&ved=0CBwQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=what%20characteristics%20does%20an%20analyst%20examine%20when%20evaluating%20DFD%20quality&f=false

USEP PRE-ENROLLMENT SYSTEM: DATA FLOW DIAGRAMS

As part of our next assignment, we were told to make a data flow diagram of USEP's pre-enrollment system. A DATA FLOW DIAGRAM is said to be a graphical representation of how the data or information collected in an enrollment is being processed. Also, data flow diagram shows how the data is being transferred in the system. The following diagrams shown below represent three different diagrams of USEP's pre-enrollment system.

USEP PRE-ENROLLMENT: ACTIVITY DIAGRAM

After creating the use case diagram of the pre-enrollment system of the University of Southeastern Philippines, the next thing we need to create is an activity diagram based on the use case diagram we made. 

On the activity diagram I made, I put the "actors" (based on the previous assignment we have which is the use case diagram) on the top row. Each actor is separated with vertical lines, to clearly identify the stages a student must undergo in a pre-enrollment procedure.


USE CASE: REQUIREMENTS

Actor: Student

Basically, the main actor here is the student since he is the one who do all the process and meet the other actors involve. First and foremost, the students must prepare all the requirements needed to apply for examination. After securing all the necessary requirements, the student will inquire at the University Guidance and Testing Office (UGTO).


USE CASE: ADMISSION

Actors: Student and UGTO (University Guidance and Testing Office)

If he can pass all the requirements, he can have the admission form. The student needs to fill up the required information included in the form.


USE CASE: PAYMENT

Actors: Student and Cashier

After signing the admission form, the student needs to pay the necessary payment for examination at the cashier.


USE CASE: EXAMINATION

Actors: Student and Examiner

The student will take the exam based on the schedule given by UGTO. There will be assigned examiner for each room where the exam will be conducted.


USE CASE: ENGLISH BRIDGE

Actors: Student, UGTO and Cashier

After the exam, the officer in charge for checking the results will be the one who will recommend if a student will take or not the English bridge class and exam. If in case a student needs to attend the class, he needs to pay the necessary amount at the cashier to be able to enroll for English bridge class (EBC). At the end of the English bridge class, they need to secure the certificate of completion which will be their proof that they completed the EBC and pass the EB exam.


USE CASE: INTERVIEW

Actors: Students and Adviser/Faculty

The students will go to their respective colleges to undergo an interview on one of the faculty members or the advisers. Each of them will be interviewed one by one. One student will be asked by one faculty only. Different questions will be asked and the students' answers will be rated by the faculties.


USE CASE: MEDICAL EXAMINATION

Actors: Student and University Doctor (Clinic)

After the interview, the student will need to undergo in a medical examination at the university clinic and must secure the certificate which will be given by the university doctor.


USE CASE: PAYMENTS

Actors: Student, officers of OCSC, Headlight and Local Councils

After completing the earlier procedures, the student needs to pay the fees in OCSC, Headlight and in their respective Local Councils.


USE CASE: ADVISING

Actors: Student and Adviser

Basically, after all of those procedures stated above are done, the student is now ready to meet his adviser. He is now ready to be advised and he will know what are the possible subjects he could have for the semester.