Question 1 Describe the problems Owens Corning had with its information systems prior to installing its enterprise

system. What management, organization and technology factors were responsible for those problems? The problems that were being experienced by Owens Corning with its old information systems, prior to the implementation of its enterprises system, include: Different information systems platforms, with over 200 information systems which operated independently of each other; Inflexible and archaic and isolated systems; and Difficulty in integrating different information systems.

The management factors that were responsible for these problems include: The devolution of managerial authority to independent business units

The technology factors that were responsible for these problems include: The lack of a centralized management information system to support the firm business process and decision making. The organization factors that were responsible for these problems include: Autonomous business units

Question 2 What management, organization and technology problems did Owens Corning face in putting their enterprise system into effect? Some of the problems that Owens Corning faced were:Management Problems with the way peoples new roles were defined;

Communication problems; Proper training of employees; and Business process issues; re-engineering existing business process to adapt to the new environment.

Organization Change management issues; managing organizational change with the implementation of the ERP system Simultaneously repairing both organizational and software installations Rebuilding customer relationship due to loss of customers Massive job shifting, which proved time-consuming and caused organizational disruption Technology Integrating legacy systems into the new enterprise systems Addressing system errors and glitches as they arise while the system is in use. E.g. application response time Inadequate testing

Question 3 How did implementing an enterprise system change the way Owens Corning ran its business? Centralizing and coordinating of functions and divisions. E.g. Purchasing The company globally planned and controlled its production performance under united system Better supply chain management where supplier could directly feed information into the ERP system Centralized order processing system Reduced inventory and reduction of transportation costs by the company leveraging common carriers for delivery taking advantage of overlapping routes. These costs savings made for more efficient operations as the company

was now performing these operations at a lesser cost than before the implementation of the ERP system. Management being able to make clear and concise decision leading to better buys and production negotiations. Question 4 Was installing an enterprise system the right solution for Owens Corning? Explain The implementation of the enterprise system was the right solution for Owens Corning. The company stated goals was to grow by offering a fuller range of product and by becoming a global force. The company would expand its product line by acquiring smaller company whose information systems they would have to digest. The company also wanted to increase sales form $2.9 billion to $5 billion. However, the different autonomous units with different IS stood in the way of the company becoming global. The company needed to integrate all its units and divisions. With the implementation of ERP the company was able to integrate not only its business functions but also all its autonomous units, achieving its sales target, becoming an integrated enterprise and achieving global presence. By using management information systems the company was able to achieve its strategic goals.