Learning objectives
The module aims to provide all the skills needed to select and use modern Business Information Systems. To this aim, examples and practical cases will be used to demonstrate how ERP systems effectively implement the concept of process management. Additionally, basic skills needed to design and manage a small information system will be also provided.
In particular, at the end of the module, students will be able to:
Create a relational database;
Get access to the data using SQL queries;
Create navigation masks for secure and dynamic data access (in read and write mode).
Prerequisites
The course does not have any specific prerequisites.
However, as far as the conceptual and descriptive parts are concerned, understanding can be facilitated by
basic knowledge of business accounting, logistics and production management.
With regard to IT, basic knowledge about types of variables, conditional structures, cycles, routines and functions is recommended.
Course unit content
The module describes the architecture of ERP and APO systems, demonstrating how these systems can support operations’ management, by actively implementing the process management concept.
Lastly, informational systems for business intelligence are analyzed, with focus on data warehousing and datamining.
The approach is both conceptual and operational and, indeed, the module also introduces the basic elements related to the design and to the implementation of operational informational systems. In this regard, the focus is on relational databases and on the use of SQL for the creation of queries for data retrieval and updating.
In addition, some process mapping techniques will be introduced, as a powerful way to understand and to communicate (in a formal way) the logical functioning of the system that will be supported by the informational system.
Full programme
Descriptive Part
1 Introduction
1.1 Operational informational systems and their impacts on operations management
1.2 The evolutions of informational systems
2 Basic structure of ERP, the SAP R/3 case
2.1 Main features of modern ERP
2.2 The ERP paradigm
2.3 The main modules constituting an ERP system
2.4 Basic elements of APO and SCEM systems
3 Business Intelligence
3.1 The multidimensional model
3.2 MOLAP, ROLAP and HOLAP
3.3 OLAP and OLTP technologies
3.4 Information Retrieval
3.5 Business Intelligence and Data Mining
Operational Part
1 Relational Data Bases
1.1 Data, relationships and Meta Data
1.2 Normalisation and referential integrity
1.3 Relational algebra
1.4 Queries and the SQL language 1.5 DFunctions
2 Process mapping techniques
2.1 Flow diagrams
2.2 IDEF diagrams
2.3 BPMN diagrams
3 Development of an informational system
3.1 Creating tables and relations
3.2 Creating queries
3.3 Creating reports
3.4 Creating navigation masks
3.5 Automation and data security using VBA code
Bibliography
Reference Material:
1 Pighin, M., Marzona A., Sistemi Informativi Aziendali Struttura e Processi, Pearson Education, Italia, 2011
2 Dorbolò, D. Guidi, A., Guida a SQL, McGraw-Hill, Italia, 2000
Further Readings:
1 Carignani, A., Rajola, F., ICT e sistemi informativi aziendali, McGraw-Hill, Italia, 2007
2 Dickersbach, J.T., Keller, G., Production Planning and Control with SAP ERP, Galileo Press, Usa, 2010
3 Dickersbach, J.T., Supply Chain Management with APO, Springer Verlang, Germany, 2010
4 Couch, A., Microsoft Access 2010 VBA Programming Inside Out, Microsoft Press, USA, 2010
5 Balter, A., Using Microsoft Access 2010, Que Publishing, Indiana, USA, 2010
Teaching methods
Most of the lessons will be held in the computer lab where Microsoft Access 2016 and VBA will be used as main development tools. During the hours in the lab students will develop a small information system, similar to the one needed to pass the oral test.
The remaining hours of theory will be carried out in traditional classrooms, but with the support of transparencies and / or slides in power points. Anyhow, all theoretical concepts will be introduced using practical examples and industrial cases. The part relating to data warehouse and data mining will be supported by numerous numerical exercises.
It should also be noted that the students will be provided with both handouts prepared by the teacher and the lesson templates that cover the entire program.
Assessment methods and criteria
The exam is based on a written and on an oral test.
The written test is based on two parts: the first one consists of ten multiple-choice questions; the second one consists of two numeric exercises and two open answer questions.
The oral test focuses, mainly, on the presentation of a small information system, developed by the students starting from a set of technical specifications given by the teacher. The oral examination also includes generic questions n addition to the re-discussion of the answers given in the written test.
Other information
Students will receive both lectures notes and power point presentations (prepared by the teacher) covering the entire program. However, the consultation of the recommended text books is highly recommended.Also the files used and developed in the information will make available, together to the file containing the entire Information system developed during lessons in the computer lab.
