The Role of Enterprise Applications in Business

Enterprise applications are extensive software system that is composed of a group of programs modelled and designed for specific sets of functionalities. Development of the enterprise systems is achieved through the use of enterprise architecture (Giachetti and Ronald 21). Usually, the large software systems typical in enterprise applications (EA) are designed for the corporate setting, for example, government databases or a specific business entity. By achieving close coordination of the processes carried out in the organizational context, say a business enterprise, EAs ensure more productivity and flexibility.  

Question 3: Identify and Describe Three Major Enterprise Applications

Enterprise application   comprise  of enterprise systems, customer relationship management and supply chain management and are usually employed to enhance the overall performance of the corporate setting. Each of the enterprise applications integrates a particular set of functions and process. Enterprise systems, also referred to as the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERPs) systems, work by actual designing and automation of various business processes such as making an order by a customer or filling for tax returns for a government entity.

The principal intention of automation of the business processes is to eliminate any complex links between the computer systems in an organization and in turn enhance faster delivery of services (Guo 10). As a direct result of linking the computer systems in a corporate setting is the elimination of computer links that may prove expensive to maintain in the long run as well as ensuring that information within the organization flows seamlessly (Giachetti and Ronald 18). Besides, seamless flow of information systems ensures that are separate but complementary business processes, for example, sales, financing and logistics are integrated into the general corporate operations and that there is order in the organizational flow and function.

Supply chain management (SCM) systems, on the other hand, help the corporate entity in managing its relationship with external stakeholders, primarily the suppliers. SCM help lower the costs associated with logistics by automating the process by which information flows across the organizational boundaries. For example, the inter-organizational links help avail information to the managers on how and when to source for goods, engage in production and the most appropriate methods of moving their products (Stadtler and Hartmut 22). In so doing, the efficiency of the corporate entity is enhanced, translating to higher levels of profitability.

The other enterprise application, customer relationship management, is responsible for linking the processes surrounding the interactions of the company with its customers. The interactions involve sales and marketing as well as after sales service. The intention is to ensure that customer feels valued, is satisfied with the products and services on offer and that way, the business retains its customers.

Conclusion

The ERs are fundamental towards achieving efficiency within the corporate entity. When properly managed and put into proper use, the overall processes in the corporate entity is streamlined and made simple. As a result, the costs of conducting business is significantly reduced, and this translates into increased profit margins for the business. For example, if properly utilized, the SCM provide the business entity with an opportunity to reduce the time needed for logistics of the products of the firms to the point of consumption and as a result, lower the costs of doing business. Customer relationship management is also key to ensuring customer loyalty since it keeps track of customer activities with the corporate entity.

References

Guo, Tian, et al. “Cost-aware cloud bursting for enterprise applications.” ACM Transactions on Internet Technology (TOIT) 13.3 (2014): 10.

Giachetti, Ronald E. Design of enterprise systems: Theory, architecture, and methods. CRC Press, 2016. 15-32.

Stadtler, Hartmut. ”Supply chain management: An overview.” Supply chain management and advanced planning. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg, 2015. 3-28.