Business Information Paper

• Draft your response to both questions in a single Word document and save it as a PDF prior to submission. Your completed response document should not exceed 2 pages.

Question 1 – ERP Systems (10 points)
You are working for a small/medium business with a handful of dedicated IT staff. The business is growing, and it is at the point where old technology has become a constraint on future growth. Investing in an ERP system is one option that is being considered. A key executive heard that you have some knowledge on this topic area and has been told that SAP is a leading ERP system provider. You have been asked to send an email to this executive to provide some foundational knowledge about ERP systems and implementations. Draft a well-crafted email to explain to this executive…
4. …what an ERP system is; be sure to highlight an ERP system’s two defining features (1 point)
5. …how an ERP system can offer benefits and promote the efficiency and effectiveness of processes (1 point)
6. …how procurement or fulfillment operations at the company could be improved with an ERP system relative to a (1) paper-based system or the use of (2) department-specific information systems (1 point)
7. …how the three types of data in an ERP system work together to make an ERP system function; be sure to provide an example of each (1.5 points)
8. …that there are implementation challenges. Discuss 5 of the many challenges organizations deploying ERP systems can encounter and provide 1 real-world example of a company that experienced one of these challenges (be sure to include a citation for your real-world example in a footnote) (3 points)
9. …whether or not SAP would be a potential ERP solution for the company (1 point)
**Note: Be sure that your response is clear, concise yet thorough, and professional. Your response should be formatted like an actual email and approach but not exceed 1 page. You should use 12-point font and the content should be single-spaced. Include your name, student ID, and section number at the bottom in your “signature” for the email. Each of the 6 sub-questions should be organized in its own paragraph in the email. Your email should also address each sub-question in order (i.e., the first thing mentioned in your email should address what an ERP system is / the last thing in the email should address whether or not SAP is a potential solution) (1.5 points)

Question 2 – Information Security (5 points)
The information security component for the final exam is based on the following three questions (be sure to refer to the NOVA CyberWar Threat documentary assigned for Session 26 when answering these questions; the video link is still posted in that folder):
10. What are the broader implications of Stuxnet for businesses, supply chains, and on a larger scale, the economy? (1.5 points)
11. What does this documentary tell us about security in the IoT? What are the implications of IoT security for businesses? Be sure to frame your response within the context of ERP systems and the many ‘Future Technologies’ that our etext introduced for both the procurement and fulfillment processes. (1.5 points)
12. Chapter 5 of our etext introduces three groups of security safeguards organizations can use to minimize risk. Make a case as to why one of the tactics in each of the three safeguard groups could have been most effective in stopping the Stuxnet attack. (1.5 points)
**Note: Be sure that your response is clear and concise yet thorough. Do not copy and paste the questions into your response document — simply number your responses 1, 2, or 3 so they match up with the appropriate question. Your responses should approach but not exceed 1 page total. You should use 12-point font and the content should be single-spaced. (.5 points)