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Linnaeus University
Informatics/ DFM Date of delivery 2013-03-19
Program: Information systems in manufacturing companies
Revision no. and date:19/03/2013
Title: Parrot Case Company
Author(s): Serkan Alan,
Ludovic Mathieu,
Fatih Topaloglu,
Mikael Sonesson
Course: 1SE004
Teacher:/tutor: Ia Williamsson
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Acknowledgement
We would like to thank our teachers Ia Williamsson, Anders Ingwald and Mirka Kans
who helped and supported us during we were writing this report. Moreover they gave us
necessary information in lectures.
Summary
In this paper we define IT system for big company. During this definition first we
decided requirements for IT system by using empirical findings about The Parrot
Manufacturing Corporation. Then we did the research about theories that we were
planning to use. In analyzing part we motivate our suggestions to the company
according to theories. We support how IT system can help and make easy to run and
control a company. Especially we focused on advantages of IT systems in big
companies because The Parrot Manufacturing Corporation is a worldwide company. For
motivate theories, we used functions of IT systems and described their useful ways for
companies.
In result part we compare our theory and empirical findings then present our solutions
for The Parrot Manufacturing Corporation. We support our suggestions with different
management levels and Porter’s Value Chain. In conclusion part we discuss our solution
with positive and negative ways.
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Table of content
1 Introduction................................................................................1
1.1 Background ..........................................................................................1
1.2 Task/Problem........................................................................................1
1.3 Case Company......................................................................................1
2 Method .......................................................................................2
3 Theory ........................................................................................2
3.1 Enterprise Resource Planning .................................................................2
3.2 Material Requirements Planning .............................................................3
3.3 Customer relationship management.........................................................4
3.4 Human Resource Management ...............................................................4
3.5 Decision Support System .......................................................................4
3.6 Electronic Data Interchange....................................................................4
3.7 Computer Aided Design/ Computer Assisted Machining ...........................5
3.8 Security................................................................................................5
3.9 Intranet.................................................................................................6
3.10 Network ...............................................................................................6
3.11 Porters Value Chain...............................................................................6
4 Empirical Findings......................................................................7
5 Analysis ......................................................................................7
5.1 IT Requirements for Company................................................................7
5.2 ERP .....................................................................................................7
5.3 MRP ....................................................................................................8
5.4 CRM....................................................................................................8
5.5 HRM ...................................................................................................8
5.6 DSS .....................................................................................................8
5.7 EDI......................................................................................................8
5.8 CAD/CAM...........................................................................................9
5.9 Security................................................................................................9
5.10 Intranet.................................................................................................9
5.11 Network ...............................................................................................9
6 Results ......................................................................................10
7 Conclusion ................................................................................10
References......................................................................................11
Appendix........................................................................................12
Appendix – 1 Empirical Findings....................................................................12
Appendix – 2 Company Locations Map...........................................................14
1
1 Introduction
Under introduction topic we will present background of the report and report’s task.
1.1 Background
The purpose of this report is to understand the importance of IT systems for companies
especially for worldwide companies. We will show you how IT systems make easier
controlling and running a company. IT system is important for companies. As mentioned
below IT systems are useful and it helps to race with their competitors.
Internal strategic integration requires that all employees have access to an integrated
information system, which has a number of functions and different locations. To solve this is
a company wide ERP often used that can link internal groups through a single integrated
system. External integration refers to the systems that link external suppliers and customers to
the focal company. In this a case can external integration allows all supply chain members to
share critical information. It could be a forecast demand or maybe an actual order. Supply
chain systems like advanced planning systems, Internet linkages, network communications,
and Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) are used to integrate users.
1.2 Task/Problem
Our task for this report is according to provided company information, describe the IT system
for The Parrot Manufacturing Cooperation and motivate why we choose this IT system.
Furthermore, describe IT system for strategic advantages. We have three main questions for
guiding us during the report, which are;
 Describe IT systems we will establish, including communication systems and
networks. We will try to make reader understand why we propose these IT systems to
Parrot Corporation.
 Describe IT security in Parrot Corporation; how they deal with security threats.
 Describe how IT can be used in the Parrot Corporation to gain competitive advantages
and motivate this.
1.3 Case Company
The Parrot Manufacturing Corporation was originally a family owned, small-sized company.
It is founded in 1899 as a screwdriver factory with only five employees. They always focused
on improving their selves. They began to produce metal balls for rolling bearings which were
used in the bicycle industry in 1910. They got leading position of the worldwide market with
these rolling bearings. To meet customer demands in the 1970s they expanded their
production which includes shackles for padlocks. In the late 1980s, the Parrot Manufacturing
Corporation expanded a second time with a new line of bolts for padlocks. In 2000 they
expanded again to the complete range of padlocks.
Today Parrot has more than 20000 employees worldwide and market leader offering
consistent value throughout their entire line. They are devoted to work closely with
development industry to follow new technology and provide a full range of products to meet
their needs.
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2 Method
We used information provided by our teachers. For collecting theories we done some research
on related books and databases on the internet to find related scientific articles which were we
used to create our theory.
3 Theory
3.1 Enterprise Resource Planning
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems are computer based systems which are
integrated and have the ability of agile reconfiguration to adapt the changes to customer
response. According to Wang and Zhan (2006), ERP is a powerful tool which supports daily
management activities and also ERP is not simple software, it is integrated software systems
which is oriented with data and with other software. The aim of ERP is mainly making easy
the information flow between almost all business functions also managing the stakeholders
and customers. Daniel (2007) identified usual ERP system characteristics which are presented
below.
 ERP systems are packaged software which is designed for the customer environment.
 ERP systems integrate with business process dynamics.
 The ERP systems process has mainly included almost whole organization’s
transactions.
 Enterprise-wide database is used by ERP systems
 ERP systems allow the access and edit information in real time.
 ERP systems mainly support the multiple languages which is mainly important for
multinational companies.
 Support for specific and different industries.
 Most of them have ability to be customized without programming.
Brief History of ERP
In the 1960’s cost was one of the most important subjects for companies because
manufacturing strategies are based on high-volume production and cost minimization.
According to Jacobs (2007), companies used computerized reorder point (ROP) systems
including order quantity of satisfied basic manufacturing planning control needs. ERP was
born in late 1960’s by the help of J.I Case and IBM partnership. Jacobs (2007) claims that in
the 1970’s initial MRP solutions were big but expensive and also they required large technical
staff to support computers. At that time “database” were not in the vocabulary. In the mid
1970’s SAP (System analyze und Programmentwicklung) was born in Germany and became
key ERP vendor later. In the 1980’s the term of MRP use of the phrase manufacturing
resource planning rather than material requirements planning. The term enterprise resource
planning (ERP) was coined in the early 1990’s by Gartner Group (Wylie, 1990) but the first
ERP systems do not include the automatic interfaces between operational activities and the
accounting transactions. Jacobs (2007) argue that today ERP systems are more integrated and
support many modules rather than before. Also there are so many ERP vendors.
Enterprise Resource Planning systems can include so many functions. These functions are
usually gathered in software application which includes modules. ERP software can consist of
very different modules and packages. Common functions are in the same modules.
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Figure 3.1 Order management process (Daniel, 2007, p.36).
A figure of SAP’s order management process is presented above. As you can see some
modules of SAP are integrated with each other. Only one process of companies can need three
or more modules and different functions. The order management process needs sales and
distribution, production planning, materials management, financial functions. Integrated
software makes transactions easier.
3.2 Material Requirements Planning
Material Requirements Planning (MRP) is a tool for calculations of net requirements of raw
materials or components to be manufactured or purchased. It is a tool for long-term planning
to manage automatically production orders launches or control.
Table 3.1 Example of MP table (own picture).
This tool is in the form of a table with multiple lines. Here is an example:
- The first line is just to count units of time that we use.
- Gross requirement is the quantity of the product you need for each unit of time.
- Project available balance is the quantity of the product that you have before starting the
production.
- Stock is the quantity of the product that you have in stock at the end of each unit of time.
- Net requirement is the quantity of the product that you need based on your stock, the project
available balance and the gross requirement.
(Net requirement = Stockn-1 + Project available balance – Gross requirement)
- Reception is the quantity of a product you receive after an order.
- Planed order released is the beginning of the production in order for you to receive this
production in time.
1 2 3
Stock
Week
Gross requirement
Project available balance
Net requirement
Reception
Planed order released
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MRP is one of the most important tools for companies who have some production line
because it allows to plan the product order based on the demand, and to minimize inventory
costs.
3.3 Customer relationship management
Customer relationship management (CRM) is a model for managing a company’s interactions
with current and future customers who intends to provide technological solutions which could
make it possible to strengthen the communication between the company and the client. It
involves developing technology to organize and synchronize sales, marketing, customer
service and technical support in order to improve the relation with the client through an
atomization of the different components of this relation.
3.4 Human Resource Management
Human Resource Management (HRM) is a key function for the proper functioning of a
company. It takes care of the human aspect of a company by focusing on recruitment,
management and providing direction for the people who work in the organization. For that,
people who work in HRM deals with issues related to people such as safety, compensation,
hiring and wellness of the employees, communication, benefits, employee motivation,
administration and training.
HRM is also a comprehensive and strategic approach to managing people in the workplace.
An effective HRM system should be able to make employees contribute productively and
effectively to the overall company direction and the accomplishment of the organization's
goals and objectives.
3.5 Decision Support System
Decision Support System (DSS) should provide computerized support complex non-routine
and in part structured decisions. Because of the complexity of a supply chain will the
development of DSS be able to assist decision-makers when designing operations of
integrated supply chain. DSS can aid management to find opportunities for improvements
across the supply chain. DSS will also let peoples to look at relationships and performance
crosswise of the supply chain and to include “suppliers, manufacturing plants, distribution
centers, transportation options, product demand, relationships among product families, and a
host of other factors to optimize supply chain performance” (Handfield and Nichols, 2007,
p.108).
3.6 Electronic Data Interchange
Electronic data interchange (EDI) could be seen as intercompany trading, specifically the
exchange of business documents. EDI technology needs a third party (a value-added network
supplier or VANS) in order for information flow to happen, it can reduce costs and make so
that business partners can exchange business documents like orders, invoices and price lists.
(Handfield and Nichols, 2007). In the following figure we can see strategic information
systems and the context they are in and where the role of IS/IT is changing.
• Traditional EDI is about different standards and often is the outcome an expensive “hard-
coded” technology driven by the consumer goods industry; where partners either will
participate or not.
• The EDI can be seen as secure, but due to that there are many different versions of the
software it can happen that transmission errors will occur.
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Table 3.2 The information system management environment (Handfield and Nichols, 2007,
p.34).
3.7 Computer Aided Design/ Computer Assisted Machining
CAD/CAM is an acronym for (C)omputer (A)ided (D)esign / (C)omputer (A)ssisted
(M)achining. One use computers aiding the design of objects in real space. Tasks will be
faster than normally compared to when using paper, pencil, or a calculator, CAD was from
the beginning used to take care of the following issues:
1. Increase the precision of the drawings.
2. Reduce the man hours involved with design.
3. Reduce the cost of drawing blueprints.
The acronym CAM stands for (Computer Assisted Machining) used in a number of
manufacturing companies, but it can also be used in auto mechanics and even in food
processing plants. One of its features is the performance of making no mistakes and the
elimination of almost all errors made by humans (Jean Larrivee Guitar Inc, 2009). “CAM
software systems promote many product features, like high-speed machining technologies,
multi-axis machining, collision detection and simulation tools” (Alan, 2006). CAD/CAM can
increased productivity and reduce Lead times (MoldMaking Technology, 2012)
3.8 Security
In a big company like Parrot who is leader on the market and active in a lot of countries
around the world, having a security system is absolutely mandatory. Reasons are simple: they
receive orders from different customers every day and these orders include a lot of sensitive
and private data about the customers saved in database. That's why protecting information
about customers is necessary. For that, hackers often try to insert some virus in databases.
That's why a firewall protection and a virus detection system are required to prevent
accidental or malicious damage. To prevent all the internal or external threats they face, a big
company like Parrot have to protect their IT on the physical, technical and organizational
level to keep their data and server safe. And for an optimal protection, which each of these
levels should support at least these 4 aspects of a protection: Preventing, Discovering,
Limiting and Restoring. Preventing is about preventing that a problem happens, not correct it.
All is done in order to stop a threat before it damages your system or your data.
Discovering is about finding that there is a problem, an intrusion or anything like that and
then prevents it. These kinds of systems are implemented to detect any intrusion or threat and
avert you in order to preserve your systems. It discovers the threat and advert you before any
damage.
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Limiting a threat is when despite all the protection implemented, some virus or anything else
comes to penetrate your system. Then you have to protect as much data as possible and limit
the impact of this virus. These kinds of systems are developed in order to minimize the impact
of a threat on your IT-system. Restoring is to restore your data, correct any problem and
recover as much data as possible after a threat happens. Your system has to be run again just
like it was before the threat happens.
3.9 Intranet
An intranet will involve an organization using internet technology. If an organization is using
an Intranet then it should actually lower costs that are connected to printing and paper
handling and which should increase organizational capacity independently from external
reason. Normally is an intranet connected to the Internet through a firewall and is supported
by a LAN or a WAN and is run as a private network (Beynon-Davies, 2002). Intranet can be
seen as an important today much due to the interest of B2B and its evolution (Handfield and
Nichols, 2007).
3.10 Network
In a network there are computers that are connected in a system and they are sharing
information and resources such as data, programs and results. Either a connection could be a
peer-to-peer or client/server based. In a network one could enhance important features for
business like: Response time, Decision-making, Strategic alliances and Safety security
(FunctionX, 2012; Williamsson, 2013.).
Figure 3.2 Network connections ( own picture)
3.11 Porters Value Chain
Porter’s value chain is template which focused on customers and also includes organisation’s
key processes. In Porter’s value chain organizations are defined as social institutions which
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deliver value to customers through defined activities. These activities separated in two groups
which are product and service. Group’s subtitles presented below in figure 5.
Figure 3.3 Firms’s value chain (Beynon-Davies, 2002, p.248)
4 Empirical Findings
Empirical findings about The Parrot Manufacturing Corporation are presented in appendix 1.
5 Analysis
5.1 IT Requirements for Company
The Parrot Manufacturing Corporation is a big company which is found all around the world.
Communication and data transfer is some of the most important requirements. According to
the IT system for this company, the IT system needs some requirements which are presented
below.
First and most important requirement is strong communications among the users. Because the
company is worldwide which means they have lots of offices with long distances. Secondly
the Parrot is a manufacturing company. It means they need an all-inclusive IT system about
manufacturing. This system has to support material requirement planning, supply chain
management, product management system, support preventive maintenance and product
development support functions. Supply chain management has to include warehouse
management, purchase management, and logistics activities. Besides the manufacturing
requirements, the company needs financial activities, customer relationship management,
human resources functions, decision support systems (DSS) and security for company data to
provide continuance for the company. Financial activities have to include mainly billing,
purchasing and accounting. Customer relationship management has to include sales contract
management, marketing management and also integration with customer contacts.
5.2 ERP
According to theory part which is written above, ERP is the main IT system for big
companies. That is why we choose ERP as a main IT system. ERP software consists of
different modules which each of them have so many different functions such as warehouse
management, shipping and receiving, manufacturing scheduling, marketing management,
purchasing. These functions help us to control daily management activities.
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We decided to use same ERP system in all company offices. This gives the company some
advantages like that when they use same ERP system, everyone can see and edit real time
data. Also everyone can see other’s inventory level which provides the unnecessary orders.
5.3 MRP
MRP is one of the most important tools for companies who have some production line
because it allows to plan the product order based on the demand, and to minimize inventory
costs.
The Parrot company products have been developed over the years. At the beginning, they
only made metal balls for rolling bearings but today their production is expanded and they
produce complete padlocks which include shackles and bolts. Moreover, they are leader on
their market. To meet demand of their customers, production consists of small series and mass
production at the same time which requires a flexible production system.
That's why an MRP system is essential for this company, to plan and manage all their
production line, minimize the cost to stay competitive and dominate the market, and adapt
their production to the demand as fast as possible.
5.4 CRM
The Parrot brand name and what it stands for has assumed a growing role in distinguishing
Parrot from its competitors. For this, and to stay leader on the market, Parrot provides an
exceptional service for each customer.
In order to respect this commitment, continue to expand and keep his notoriety, Parrot has to
provide themselves with a CRM system who should be as efficient as possible.
5.5 HRM
The Parrot Company started their activities with only 5 employees but today, they have more
than 20 000 employees worldwide and they are continually expanding.
Managing more than 20 000 employees cannot be done without an appropriate HRM system.
Moreover, Parrot has many skilled workers and takes care of their innovative education. To
manage and use these information as efficiently as possible especially for their global
educational program, the HRM system that they use has to be really efficient and complete.
5.6 DSS
DSS is needed in the company because it will support decision making made by top
management in Stockholm. When using DSS managers will get the big picture about the
company from the DSS system which brings together all important information in one place.
This will make it easier for decision makers to overlook and make important decisions about
where to go by judging from the information available by the DSS. As we can see in the
strategic part DSS application will support both external- and internal integration. Further will
DSS be important in the company because the different locations are wide spread and can be
found on different continents. Using DSS as support are important in globalized world for
pursuit of cost effective strategic management.
5.7 EDI
EDI is an expensive solution but it can improve communication in the supply channel. One
issue when it comes to EDI is that there are different standards but this has been much
improved during the past decades. There are cheaper solutions like Web EDI if a supplier
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can’t afford a full EDI. The best features with EDI are that it will be much easier to take care
of orders, making it more probably to deliver just in time (JIT). Other functions involved in
EDI that should be used in the company are features involving invoices, stock, delivery and
orders.
5.8 CAD/CAM
The Parrot is a company that has an innovative characteristic. They always want to develop
their products. They also have a special research and development (R&D) center in Toronto.
CAD has a big role to product development because it makes design process faster. Designers
do not have to draw their designs by hand, instead they make their design on computer,
almost without any calculations CAD software makes calculations automatically. Developing
process is not just about drawings it also includes prototypes. CAM software makes program
for auto machines which is used to produce prototypes. CAM system can also be used in
normal production instead of just product development, to make it faster.
5.9 Security
As we said a big company like Parrot, leader on the market and active worldwide, must have a
very powerful security system, this is absolutely mandatory. Parrot is a worldwide group who
receives orders from different customer every day. These orders include a lot of sensitive and
private data about the company and the customer who are saved in database. In order to
maintain mutual trust between clients and themselves, they have to do their best to keep all
information secure. Moreover, Parrot is an innovative company. They invest a lot in R&D to
develop new products or new technologies. Keeping secure all this research should be a
priority otherwise it might be a huge waste of money.
To improve the security of their IT systems and databases, Parrot could establish some
solutions that could provide better safety. To prevent that a problem happens, discover a
problem or a threat, limit their impact and restore all the data loose, there are some solution
that could be used like give to each employees who are using a computer a login and a
password, and maybe change the password every month. In this way, company could monitor
each employee’s activity and have a better protection of everyone's work. And then IT
department could manage to use encryption and block some important file to non-qualified
employees, and communicate only the useful information to people who needs it. In this way,
everybody is responsible for the information s/he uses and the work s/he does. Moreover,
even with this kind of protection people could still make some errors and problem could
happen that's why using a strong antivirus is required in this case. And a good firewall have to
be used because we choose to use an intranet and to intercept and examine each message
packet passing between the external and the internal networks, and then reject any
unauthorized messages, a firewall is required. In this case, data can't go out from the intranet.
5.10 Intranet
An Intranet is used in the company for reasons such as enhancing collaboration and
innovation. An intranet is also an assist if management wants to share or spread information
fast within the company. Information could be an annual report or weekly reports about the
company. It will also provide easy access and information about employees. Further it can
improve relationship with clients like suppliers having limited access to the intranet.
5.11 Network
In the network of this company a wide variety of different systems are used in an effort of
satisfying customer’s needs. Further will the company amongst others be able to enhance
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communication if using and integrated network. The Parrot will be able to satisfy customer
needs and requirements in a much faster way. Control of inventory and reports can be spread
among different stakeholders. Further connection to suppliers can be established through EDI
or other forms of connective systems. If succeeding in integrating all the systems as a whole
taking advantage of the network the organization could excel in the market and be in the front
of competitors.
6 Results
As a result, we define IT system for The Parrot according to combine theory and empirical
findings. In the analyze part we motivated our theories to define IT system which meets needs
of The Parrot. We suggested using an IT system to The Parrot because IT system has some
positive impact like to be more efficient and to be more effective. Efficiency provides a
company the opportunity to get more output with same resources or same output with fewer
resources. To be more effectiveness provides company to do right things.
For The Parrot we suggested integrated IT system with all modules. During the analyze we
considered all three levels of organization which are strategic level, tactical level and
operational level. These levels help to consider the whole organization. We suggested using
integrated ERP system as the main IT system to connect all three levels. Strategic level
includes ERP, MRP, CRM and HRM. Tactical level includes DSS and operational level
includes EDI, CAD-CAM. When we discuss about analyze part, we got ideas from Porter’s
Value Chain figure which focus on customers and formulates the whole picture of the
organization in a clear way.
7 Conclusion
Throughout the report, many suggestions have made. It is important to notice that all
suggestions are motivated in analyze part. Integrated ERP is suggested for The Parrot
manufacturing company, this IT system can make it easier communication and almost whole
transactions of company. Also an IT infrastructure supports its business strategy. IT provides
24x7 network visibility. The Parrot is worldwide company and there are time differences
between factories and head office. Thanks to IT The Parrot can always reach the data in real
time. The most important disadvantage of using IT is the costs it can be so expensive and
cause more money loss during its usage like maintenance costs. But The Parrot is big
company and can afford the costs of using and buying an IT system also getting used to using
IT system can take time. The advantage of using IT outweighs the disadvantages. In order to
facilitate the supply chain the Parrot Company is also using both Web EDI and a more
advanced EDI so that communication and information could be taken care of supporting Just
In Time (JIT). There is an effort off being in the frontline in the market place. Thus The
Parrot has also incorporated DSS so that management could make decisions accordingly. As
in all organisations are communication also an important part at The Parrot. To strengthen the
social relationship amongst workers within the entire organisation an Intranet is used. An
Intranet can enhance collaboration and innovation, making it easier for management to reach
out to all employees of the organisation.
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References
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http://www.moldmakingtechnology.com/articles/the-feature-technology-feature-of-
cad-cam>[Accessed 14 March 2013].
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New York: Palgrave Macmillan.
Handfield, R.B. and Nichols Jr, E.L., 2007. Supply Chain Redesign – Transforming Supply
Chains Into Integrated Value System. Upper Saddle River: Prentice Hall PTR.
FunctionX, 2012. Computer Networking. [online] Available at:<
http://www.functionx.com/networking/index.htm>[Accessed 14 March 2012].
Jacobs, F. R., 2007. Enterprise resource planning (erp) – A briefly history. United States:
Kelley School of Business, Indiana University,
Jean Larrivee Guitar Inc, 2009. EDUCATION. [online] Available
at:<http://www.larrivee.com/features/cadcam.php>[Accessed 24 January 2013].
MoldMaking Technology, 2012, [online] Available at:<
http://www.moldmakingtechnology.com/products/cadcam-for-increased-
productivity-reduced-leadtimes>[Accessed 14 March 2013].
O’Leary, D. E., 2007. Enterprise Resource Planning Systems. New York: Cambridge
University Press.
Wang, Z, Xu, X, and Zhan, D 2006, Component reuse based agile reconfiguration for
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems in manufacturing enterprises.
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Appendix
Appendix – 1 Empirical Findings
Tradition of Innovation
Since they founded they always care about innovation. They always try to improve their
selves with following new technology. They have their own design and testing departments
and they call themselves state-of-the-art. Innovative design is only one part of a successful
new product equation. Parrot’s management has committed the necessary resources to ensure
that manufacturing equipment and process are also state-of-the-art
Parrot sells parrot products to satisfied customers
The Parrot as a brand name has assumed a growing role in distinguishing compare to their
competitors. The Parrot as a brand also say their customers to what they can expect such as
innovative products, solid value and exceptional service for each customer.
Parrot Location
Today Parrot has more than 20000 employees all around the world. These employees work
different countries. Parrot’s head office is located in Stockholm-Sweden. In head office;
managers executive the company, make strategic and tactic decisions. They have factories in
different countries such as Stockholm-Sweden, Toronto-Canada, Odense-Denmark and Lima-
Peru. They have one special office to connect each factory. Each factory has high
technological equipment for manufacturing and for managing the administrative work. When
they are working on new product, they make design and testing adjacent building of Toronto
factory. They do not have any manufacturing in USA but their main storage is located in
Baltimore-USA with small office.
Parrot Quality Policy
Everyone at Parrot works together as a team to achieve company goals which are be the best
in manufacturing and marketing and be chosen supplier by customers. Parrot Manufacturing
Corporation must be certain of that the products;
 Are designed for their intended purpose
 Are correctly made
 Are of the highest quality
 Are readily available so that their customers’ orders can be shipped promptly
Quality Assurance for the Future
In 1998, Parrot was certified to the ISO-9001 Quality System standard. The significance of
ISO certifications; first, documentation of the operating procedures has to provide the
operations to be more efficient. Second, certification give guarantee to all customers that the
quality standards are among the best in the world. To keep these quality standards, Parrot has
three auditors who are certified ISO-9001 Quality Management System, on staff. Also they
have semi-annual independent audits.
Distribution
Parrot use JIT (Just In Time) for their most important customers. Also The Parrot
Manufacturing Corporation has their own logistics management. They do not have any
agreement with any logistic companies, they carries out the logistics management themselves.
The main storage is located in Baltimore-USA and has an automated high-storage.
Production
They need flexible production system because of their production consists of small series and
mass production at the same time. Parrot cares about maintenance to keep production
13
continuance. Also they have skilled workers. By using information and communication
techniques, Parrot can run a global education program with this program Parrot gives
innovative education to all workers. Moreover, Parrot has on-line monitoring to support
preventive maintenance. With on-line monitoring they can see possible problems and fix them
before they occur.
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Appendix – 2 Company Locations Map
Head office
There is one office in connection to each factory.
Stockholm, Sweden – executives make strategic and tactical decisions.
Factories
Stockholm, Sweden
Toronto, Canada: The design and testing and development of new products are mainly
done in a building of the Toronto factory.
Odense, Denmark
Lima, Peru.
The main storage
Baltimore, USA, but there is no manufacturing in the country, just a small office.

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Parrot case

  • 1. i Linnaeus University Informatics/ DFM Date of delivery 2013-03-19 Program: Information systems in manufacturing companies Revision no. and date:19/03/2013 Title: Parrot Case Company Author(s): Serkan Alan, Ludovic Mathieu, Fatih Topaloglu, Mikael Sonesson Course: 1SE004 Teacher:/tutor: Ia Williamsson
  • 2. ii Acknowledgement We would like to thank our teachers Ia Williamsson, Anders Ingwald and Mirka Kans who helped and supported us during we were writing this report. Moreover they gave us necessary information in lectures. Summary In this paper we define IT system for big company. During this definition first we decided requirements for IT system by using empirical findings about The Parrot Manufacturing Corporation. Then we did the research about theories that we were planning to use. In analyzing part we motivate our suggestions to the company according to theories. We support how IT system can help and make easy to run and control a company. Especially we focused on advantages of IT systems in big companies because The Parrot Manufacturing Corporation is a worldwide company. For motivate theories, we used functions of IT systems and described their useful ways for companies. In result part we compare our theory and empirical findings then present our solutions for The Parrot Manufacturing Corporation. We support our suggestions with different management levels and Porter’s Value Chain. In conclusion part we discuss our solution with positive and negative ways.
  • 3. iii Table of content 1 Introduction................................................................................1 1.1 Background ..........................................................................................1 1.2 Task/Problem........................................................................................1 1.3 Case Company......................................................................................1 2 Method .......................................................................................2 3 Theory ........................................................................................2 3.1 Enterprise Resource Planning .................................................................2 3.2 Material Requirements Planning .............................................................3 3.3 Customer relationship management.........................................................4 3.4 Human Resource Management ...............................................................4 3.5 Decision Support System .......................................................................4 3.6 Electronic Data Interchange....................................................................4 3.7 Computer Aided Design/ Computer Assisted Machining ...........................5 3.8 Security................................................................................................5 3.9 Intranet.................................................................................................6 3.10 Network ...............................................................................................6 3.11 Porters Value Chain...............................................................................6 4 Empirical Findings......................................................................7 5 Analysis ......................................................................................7 5.1 IT Requirements for Company................................................................7 5.2 ERP .....................................................................................................7 5.3 MRP ....................................................................................................8 5.4 CRM....................................................................................................8 5.5 HRM ...................................................................................................8 5.6 DSS .....................................................................................................8 5.7 EDI......................................................................................................8 5.8 CAD/CAM...........................................................................................9 5.9 Security................................................................................................9 5.10 Intranet.................................................................................................9 5.11 Network ...............................................................................................9 6 Results ......................................................................................10 7 Conclusion ................................................................................10 References......................................................................................11 Appendix........................................................................................12 Appendix – 1 Empirical Findings....................................................................12 Appendix – 2 Company Locations Map...........................................................14
  • 4. 1 1 Introduction Under introduction topic we will present background of the report and report’s task. 1.1 Background The purpose of this report is to understand the importance of IT systems for companies especially for worldwide companies. We will show you how IT systems make easier controlling and running a company. IT system is important for companies. As mentioned below IT systems are useful and it helps to race with their competitors. Internal strategic integration requires that all employees have access to an integrated information system, which has a number of functions and different locations. To solve this is a company wide ERP often used that can link internal groups through a single integrated system. External integration refers to the systems that link external suppliers and customers to the focal company. In this a case can external integration allows all supply chain members to share critical information. It could be a forecast demand or maybe an actual order. Supply chain systems like advanced planning systems, Internet linkages, network communications, and Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) are used to integrate users. 1.2 Task/Problem Our task for this report is according to provided company information, describe the IT system for The Parrot Manufacturing Cooperation and motivate why we choose this IT system. Furthermore, describe IT system for strategic advantages. We have three main questions for guiding us during the report, which are;  Describe IT systems we will establish, including communication systems and networks. We will try to make reader understand why we propose these IT systems to Parrot Corporation.  Describe IT security in Parrot Corporation; how they deal with security threats.  Describe how IT can be used in the Parrot Corporation to gain competitive advantages and motivate this. 1.3 Case Company The Parrot Manufacturing Corporation was originally a family owned, small-sized company. It is founded in 1899 as a screwdriver factory with only five employees. They always focused on improving their selves. They began to produce metal balls for rolling bearings which were used in the bicycle industry in 1910. They got leading position of the worldwide market with these rolling bearings. To meet customer demands in the 1970s they expanded their production which includes shackles for padlocks. In the late 1980s, the Parrot Manufacturing Corporation expanded a second time with a new line of bolts for padlocks. In 2000 they expanded again to the complete range of padlocks. Today Parrot has more than 20000 employees worldwide and market leader offering consistent value throughout their entire line. They are devoted to work closely with development industry to follow new technology and provide a full range of products to meet their needs.
  • 5. 2 2 Method We used information provided by our teachers. For collecting theories we done some research on related books and databases on the internet to find related scientific articles which were we used to create our theory. 3 Theory 3.1 Enterprise Resource Planning Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems are computer based systems which are integrated and have the ability of agile reconfiguration to adapt the changes to customer response. According to Wang and Zhan (2006), ERP is a powerful tool which supports daily management activities and also ERP is not simple software, it is integrated software systems which is oriented with data and with other software. The aim of ERP is mainly making easy the information flow between almost all business functions also managing the stakeholders and customers. Daniel (2007) identified usual ERP system characteristics which are presented below.  ERP systems are packaged software which is designed for the customer environment.  ERP systems integrate with business process dynamics.  The ERP systems process has mainly included almost whole organization’s transactions.  Enterprise-wide database is used by ERP systems  ERP systems allow the access and edit information in real time.  ERP systems mainly support the multiple languages which is mainly important for multinational companies.  Support for specific and different industries.  Most of them have ability to be customized without programming. Brief History of ERP In the 1960’s cost was one of the most important subjects for companies because manufacturing strategies are based on high-volume production and cost minimization. According to Jacobs (2007), companies used computerized reorder point (ROP) systems including order quantity of satisfied basic manufacturing planning control needs. ERP was born in late 1960’s by the help of J.I Case and IBM partnership. Jacobs (2007) claims that in the 1970’s initial MRP solutions were big but expensive and also they required large technical staff to support computers. At that time “database” were not in the vocabulary. In the mid 1970’s SAP (System analyze und Programmentwicklung) was born in Germany and became key ERP vendor later. In the 1980’s the term of MRP use of the phrase manufacturing resource planning rather than material requirements planning. The term enterprise resource planning (ERP) was coined in the early 1990’s by Gartner Group (Wylie, 1990) but the first ERP systems do not include the automatic interfaces between operational activities and the accounting transactions. Jacobs (2007) argue that today ERP systems are more integrated and support many modules rather than before. Also there are so many ERP vendors. Enterprise Resource Planning systems can include so many functions. These functions are usually gathered in software application which includes modules. ERP software can consist of very different modules and packages. Common functions are in the same modules.
  • 6. 3 Figure 3.1 Order management process (Daniel, 2007, p.36). A figure of SAP’s order management process is presented above. As you can see some modules of SAP are integrated with each other. Only one process of companies can need three or more modules and different functions. The order management process needs sales and distribution, production planning, materials management, financial functions. Integrated software makes transactions easier. 3.2 Material Requirements Planning Material Requirements Planning (MRP) is a tool for calculations of net requirements of raw materials or components to be manufactured or purchased. It is a tool for long-term planning to manage automatically production orders launches or control. Table 3.1 Example of MP table (own picture). This tool is in the form of a table with multiple lines. Here is an example: - The first line is just to count units of time that we use. - Gross requirement is the quantity of the product you need for each unit of time. - Project available balance is the quantity of the product that you have before starting the production. - Stock is the quantity of the product that you have in stock at the end of each unit of time. - Net requirement is the quantity of the product that you need based on your stock, the project available balance and the gross requirement. (Net requirement = Stockn-1 + Project available balance – Gross requirement) - Reception is the quantity of a product you receive after an order. - Planed order released is the beginning of the production in order for you to receive this production in time. 1 2 3 Stock Week Gross requirement Project available balance Net requirement Reception Planed order released
  • 7. 4 MRP is one of the most important tools for companies who have some production line because it allows to plan the product order based on the demand, and to minimize inventory costs. 3.3 Customer relationship management Customer relationship management (CRM) is a model for managing a company’s interactions with current and future customers who intends to provide technological solutions which could make it possible to strengthen the communication between the company and the client. It involves developing technology to organize and synchronize sales, marketing, customer service and technical support in order to improve the relation with the client through an atomization of the different components of this relation. 3.4 Human Resource Management Human Resource Management (HRM) is a key function for the proper functioning of a company. It takes care of the human aspect of a company by focusing on recruitment, management and providing direction for the people who work in the organization. For that, people who work in HRM deals with issues related to people such as safety, compensation, hiring and wellness of the employees, communication, benefits, employee motivation, administration and training. HRM is also a comprehensive and strategic approach to managing people in the workplace. An effective HRM system should be able to make employees contribute productively and effectively to the overall company direction and the accomplishment of the organization's goals and objectives. 3.5 Decision Support System Decision Support System (DSS) should provide computerized support complex non-routine and in part structured decisions. Because of the complexity of a supply chain will the development of DSS be able to assist decision-makers when designing operations of integrated supply chain. DSS can aid management to find opportunities for improvements across the supply chain. DSS will also let peoples to look at relationships and performance crosswise of the supply chain and to include “suppliers, manufacturing plants, distribution centers, transportation options, product demand, relationships among product families, and a host of other factors to optimize supply chain performance” (Handfield and Nichols, 2007, p.108). 3.6 Electronic Data Interchange Electronic data interchange (EDI) could be seen as intercompany trading, specifically the exchange of business documents. EDI technology needs a third party (a value-added network supplier or VANS) in order for information flow to happen, it can reduce costs and make so that business partners can exchange business documents like orders, invoices and price lists. (Handfield and Nichols, 2007). In the following figure we can see strategic information systems and the context they are in and where the role of IS/IT is changing. • Traditional EDI is about different standards and often is the outcome an expensive “hard- coded” technology driven by the consumer goods industry; where partners either will participate or not. • The EDI can be seen as secure, but due to that there are many different versions of the software it can happen that transmission errors will occur.
  • 8. 5 Table 3.2 The information system management environment (Handfield and Nichols, 2007, p.34). 3.7 Computer Aided Design/ Computer Assisted Machining CAD/CAM is an acronym for (C)omputer (A)ided (D)esign / (C)omputer (A)ssisted (M)achining. One use computers aiding the design of objects in real space. Tasks will be faster than normally compared to when using paper, pencil, or a calculator, CAD was from the beginning used to take care of the following issues: 1. Increase the precision of the drawings. 2. Reduce the man hours involved with design. 3. Reduce the cost of drawing blueprints. The acronym CAM stands for (Computer Assisted Machining) used in a number of manufacturing companies, but it can also be used in auto mechanics and even in food processing plants. One of its features is the performance of making no mistakes and the elimination of almost all errors made by humans (Jean Larrivee Guitar Inc, 2009). “CAM software systems promote many product features, like high-speed machining technologies, multi-axis machining, collision detection and simulation tools” (Alan, 2006). CAD/CAM can increased productivity and reduce Lead times (MoldMaking Technology, 2012) 3.8 Security In a big company like Parrot who is leader on the market and active in a lot of countries around the world, having a security system is absolutely mandatory. Reasons are simple: they receive orders from different customers every day and these orders include a lot of sensitive and private data about the customers saved in database. That's why protecting information about customers is necessary. For that, hackers often try to insert some virus in databases. That's why a firewall protection and a virus detection system are required to prevent accidental or malicious damage. To prevent all the internal or external threats they face, a big company like Parrot have to protect their IT on the physical, technical and organizational level to keep their data and server safe. And for an optimal protection, which each of these levels should support at least these 4 aspects of a protection: Preventing, Discovering, Limiting and Restoring. Preventing is about preventing that a problem happens, not correct it. All is done in order to stop a threat before it damages your system or your data. Discovering is about finding that there is a problem, an intrusion or anything like that and then prevents it. These kinds of systems are implemented to detect any intrusion or threat and avert you in order to preserve your systems. It discovers the threat and advert you before any damage.
  • 9. 6 Limiting a threat is when despite all the protection implemented, some virus or anything else comes to penetrate your system. Then you have to protect as much data as possible and limit the impact of this virus. These kinds of systems are developed in order to minimize the impact of a threat on your IT-system. Restoring is to restore your data, correct any problem and recover as much data as possible after a threat happens. Your system has to be run again just like it was before the threat happens. 3.9 Intranet An intranet will involve an organization using internet technology. If an organization is using an Intranet then it should actually lower costs that are connected to printing and paper handling and which should increase organizational capacity independently from external reason. Normally is an intranet connected to the Internet through a firewall and is supported by a LAN or a WAN and is run as a private network (Beynon-Davies, 2002). Intranet can be seen as an important today much due to the interest of B2B and its evolution (Handfield and Nichols, 2007). 3.10 Network In a network there are computers that are connected in a system and they are sharing information and resources such as data, programs and results. Either a connection could be a peer-to-peer or client/server based. In a network one could enhance important features for business like: Response time, Decision-making, Strategic alliances and Safety security (FunctionX, 2012; Williamsson, 2013.). Figure 3.2 Network connections ( own picture) 3.11 Porters Value Chain Porter’s value chain is template which focused on customers and also includes organisation’s key processes. In Porter’s value chain organizations are defined as social institutions which
  • 10. 7 deliver value to customers through defined activities. These activities separated in two groups which are product and service. Group’s subtitles presented below in figure 5. Figure 3.3 Firms’s value chain (Beynon-Davies, 2002, p.248) 4 Empirical Findings Empirical findings about The Parrot Manufacturing Corporation are presented in appendix 1. 5 Analysis 5.1 IT Requirements for Company The Parrot Manufacturing Corporation is a big company which is found all around the world. Communication and data transfer is some of the most important requirements. According to the IT system for this company, the IT system needs some requirements which are presented below. First and most important requirement is strong communications among the users. Because the company is worldwide which means they have lots of offices with long distances. Secondly the Parrot is a manufacturing company. It means they need an all-inclusive IT system about manufacturing. This system has to support material requirement planning, supply chain management, product management system, support preventive maintenance and product development support functions. Supply chain management has to include warehouse management, purchase management, and logistics activities. Besides the manufacturing requirements, the company needs financial activities, customer relationship management, human resources functions, decision support systems (DSS) and security for company data to provide continuance for the company. Financial activities have to include mainly billing, purchasing and accounting. Customer relationship management has to include sales contract management, marketing management and also integration with customer contacts. 5.2 ERP According to theory part which is written above, ERP is the main IT system for big companies. That is why we choose ERP as a main IT system. ERP software consists of different modules which each of them have so many different functions such as warehouse management, shipping and receiving, manufacturing scheduling, marketing management, purchasing. These functions help us to control daily management activities.
  • 11. 8 We decided to use same ERP system in all company offices. This gives the company some advantages like that when they use same ERP system, everyone can see and edit real time data. Also everyone can see other’s inventory level which provides the unnecessary orders. 5.3 MRP MRP is one of the most important tools for companies who have some production line because it allows to plan the product order based on the demand, and to minimize inventory costs. The Parrot company products have been developed over the years. At the beginning, they only made metal balls for rolling bearings but today their production is expanded and they produce complete padlocks which include shackles and bolts. Moreover, they are leader on their market. To meet demand of their customers, production consists of small series and mass production at the same time which requires a flexible production system. That's why an MRP system is essential for this company, to plan and manage all their production line, minimize the cost to stay competitive and dominate the market, and adapt their production to the demand as fast as possible. 5.4 CRM The Parrot brand name and what it stands for has assumed a growing role in distinguishing Parrot from its competitors. For this, and to stay leader on the market, Parrot provides an exceptional service for each customer. In order to respect this commitment, continue to expand and keep his notoriety, Parrot has to provide themselves with a CRM system who should be as efficient as possible. 5.5 HRM The Parrot Company started their activities with only 5 employees but today, they have more than 20 000 employees worldwide and they are continually expanding. Managing more than 20 000 employees cannot be done without an appropriate HRM system. Moreover, Parrot has many skilled workers and takes care of their innovative education. To manage and use these information as efficiently as possible especially for their global educational program, the HRM system that they use has to be really efficient and complete. 5.6 DSS DSS is needed in the company because it will support decision making made by top management in Stockholm. When using DSS managers will get the big picture about the company from the DSS system which brings together all important information in one place. This will make it easier for decision makers to overlook and make important decisions about where to go by judging from the information available by the DSS. As we can see in the strategic part DSS application will support both external- and internal integration. Further will DSS be important in the company because the different locations are wide spread and can be found on different continents. Using DSS as support are important in globalized world for pursuit of cost effective strategic management. 5.7 EDI EDI is an expensive solution but it can improve communication in the supply channel. One issue when it comes to EDI is that there are different standards but this has been much improved during the past decades. There are cheaper solutions like Web EDI if a supplier
  • 12. 9 can’t afford a full EDI. The best features with EDI are that it will be much easier to take care of orders, making it more probably to deliver just in time (JIT). Other functions involved in EDI that should be used in the company are features involving invoices, stock, delivery and orders. 5.8 CAD/CAM The Parrot is a company that has an innovative characteristic. They always want to develop their products. They also have a special research and development (R&D) center in Toronto. CAD has a big role to product development because it makes design process faster. Designers do not have to draw their designs by hand, instead they make their design on computer, almost without any calculations CAD software makes calculations automatically. Developing process is not just about drawings it also includes prototypes. CAM software makes program for auto machines which is used to produce prototypes. CAM system can also be used in normal production instead of just product development, to make it faster. 5.9 Security As we said a big company like Parrot, leader on the market and active worldwide, must have a very powerful security system, this is absolutely mandatory. Parrot is a worldwide group who receives orders from different customer every day. These orders include a lot of sensitive and private data about the company and the customer who are saved in database. In order to maintain mutual trust between clients and themselves, they have to do their best to keep all information secure. Moreover, Parrot is an innovative company. They invest a lot in R&D to develop new products or new technologies. Keeping secure all this research should be a priority otherwise it might be a huge waste of money. To improve the security of their IT systems and databases, Parrot could establish some solutions that could provide better safety. To prevent that a problem happens, discover a problem or a threat, limit their impact and restore all the data loose, there are some solution that could be used like give to each employees who are using a computer a login and a password, and maybe change the password every month. In this way, company could monitor each employee’s activity and have a better protection of everyone's work. And then IT department could manage to use encryption and block some important file to non-qualified employees, and communicate only the useful information to people who needs it. In this way, everybody is responsible for the information s/he uses and the work s/he does. Moreover, even with this kind of protection people could still make some errors and problem could happen that's why using a strong antivirus is required in this case. And a good firewall have to be used because we choose to use an intranet and to intercept and examine each message packet passing between the external and the internal networks, and then reject any unauthorized messages, a firewall is required. In this case, data can't go out from the intranet. 5.10 Intranet An Intranet is used in the company for reasons such as enhancing collaboration and innovation. An intranet is also an assist if management wants to share or spread information fast within the company. Information could be an annual report or weekly reports about the company. It will also provide easy access and information about employees. Further it can improve relationship with clients like suppliers having limited access to the intranet. 5.11 Network In the network of this company a wide variety of different systems are used in an effort of satisfying customer’s needs. Further will the company amongst others be able to enhance
  • 13. 10 communication if using and integrated network. The Parrot will be able to satisfy customer needs and requirements in a much faster way. Control of inventory and reports can be spread among different stakeholders. Further connection to suppliers can be established through EDI or other forms of connective systems. If succeeding in integrating all the systems as a whole taking advantage of the network the organization could excel in the market and be in the front of competitors. 6 Results As a result, we define IT system for The Parrot according to combine theory and empirical findings. In the analyze part we motivated our theories to define IT system which meets needs of The Parrot. We suggested using an IT system to The Parrot because IT system has some positive impact like to be more efficient and to be more effective. Efficiency provides a company the opportunity to get more output with same resources or same output with fewer resources. To be more effectiveness provides company to do right things. For The Parrot we suggested integrated IT system with all modules. During the analyze we considered all three levels of organization which are strategic level, tactical level and operational level. These levels help to consider the whole organization. We suggested using integrated ERP system as the main IT system to connect all three levels. Strategic level includes ERP, MRP, CRM and HRM. Tactical level includes DSS and operational level includes EDI, CAD-CAM. When we discuss about analyze part, we got ideas from Porter’s Value Chain figure which focus on customers and formulates the whole picture of the organization in a clear way. 7 Conclusion Throughout the report, many suggestions have made. It is important to notice that all suggestions are motivated in analyze part. Integrated ERP is suggested for The Parrot manufacturing company, this IT system can make it easier communication and almost whole transactions of company. Also an IT infrastructure supports its business strategy. IT provides 24x7 network visibility. The Parrot is worldwide company and there are time differences between factories and head office. Thanks to IT The Parrot can always reach the data in real time. The most important disadvantage of using IT is the costs it can be so expensive and cause more money loss during its usage like maintenance costs. But The Parrot is big company and can afford the costs of using and buying an IT system also getting used to using IT system can take time. The advantage of using IT outweighs the disadvantages. In order to facilitate the supply chain the Parrot Company is also using both Web EDI and a more advanced EDI so that communication and information could be taken care of supporting Just In Time (JIT). There is an effort off being in the frontline in the market place. Thus The Parrot has also incorporated DSS so that management could make decisions accordingly. As in all organisations are communication also an important part at The Parrot. To strengthen the social relationship amongst workers within the entire organisation an Intranet is used. An Intranet can enhance collaboration and innovation, making it easier for management to reach out to all employees of the organisation.
  • 14. 11 References Alan, L. 2006. The Feature Technology Feature of CAD/CAM. [online] Available at:< http://www.moldmakingtechnology.com/articles/the-feature-technology-feature-of- cad-cam>[Accessed 14 March 2013]. Beynon-Davies, P. 2002. Information Systems An introduction to Informatics in Organization. New York: Palgrave Macmillan. Handfield, R.B. and Nichols Jr, E.L., 2007. Supply Chain Redesign – Transforming Supply Chains Into Integrated Value System. Upper Saddle River: Prentice Hall PTR. FunctionX, 2012. Computer Networking. [online] Available at:< http://www.functionx.com/networking/index.htm>[Accessed 14 March 2012]. Jacobs, F. R., 2007. Enterprise resource planning (erp) – A briefly history. United States: Kelley School of Business, Indiana University, Jean Larrivee Guitar Inc, 2009. EDUCATION. [online] Available at:<http://www.larrivee.com/features/cadcam.php>[Accessed 24 January 2013]. MoldMaking Technology, 2012, [online] Available at:< http://www.moldmakingtechnology.com/products/cadcam-for-increased- productivity-reduced-leadtimes>[Accessed 14 March 2013]. O’Leary, D. E., 2007. Enterprise Resource Planning Systems. New York: Cambridge University Press. Wang, Z, Xu, X, and Zhan, D 2006, Component reuse based agile reconfiguration for Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems in manufacturing enterprises. International Journal of Production Research. Vol. 44, No. 23, 2006, pp. 5107- 5129. Williamsson, I., 2013. Lecture2 Networks 1SE004. Linnaeus University, unpublished. Wylie, L., 1990. A vision of the next-generation MRP II. Scenario S-300-339. Gartner Group.
  • 15. 12 Appendix Appendix – 1 Empirical Findings Tradition of Innovation Since they founded they always care about innovation. They always try to improve their selves with following new technology. They have their own design and testing departments and they call themselves state-of-the-art. Innovative design is only one part of a successful new product equation. Parrot’s management has committed the necessary resources to ensure that manufacturing equipment and process are also state-of-the-art Parrot sells parrot products to satisfied customers The Parrot as a brand name has assumed a growing role in distinguishing compare to their competitors. The Parrot as a brand also say their customers to what they can expect such as innovative products, solid value and exceptional service for each customer. Parrot Location Today Parrot has more than 20000 employees all around the world. These employees work different countries. Parrot’s head office is located in Stockholm-Sweden. In head office; managers executive the company, make strategic and tactic decisions. They have factories in different countries such as Stockholm-Sweden, Toronto-Canada, Odense-Denmark and Lima- Peru. They have one special office to connect each factory. Each factory has high technological equipment for manufacturing and for managing the administrative work. When they are working on new product, they make design and testing adjacent building of Toronto factory. They do not have any manufacturing in USA but their main storage is located in Baltimore-USA with small office. Parrot Quality Policy Everyone at Parrot works together as a team to achieve company goals which are be the best in manufacturing and marketing and be chosen supplier by customers. Parrot Manufacturing Corporation must be certain of that the products;  Are designed for their intended purpose  Are correctly made  Are of the highest quality  Are readily available so that their customers’ orders can be shipped promptly Quality Assurance for the Future In 1998, Parrot was certified to the ISO-9001 Quality System standard. The significance of ISO certifications; first, documentation of the operating procedures has to provide the operations to be more efficient. Second, certification give guarantee to all customers that the quality standards are among the best in the world. To keep these quality standards, Parrot has three auditors who are certified ISO-9001 Quality Management System, on staff. Also they have semi-annual independent audits. Distribution Parrot use JIT (Just In Time) for their most important customers. Also The Parrot Manufacturing Corporation has their own logistics management. They do not have any agreement with any logistic companies, they carries out the logistics management themselves. The main storage is located in Baltimore-USA and has an automated high-storage. Production They need flexible production system because of their production consists of small series and mass production at the same time. Parrot cares about maintenance to keep production
  • 16. 13 continuance. Also they have skilled workers. By using information and communication techniques, Parrot can run a global education program with this program Parrot gives innovative education to all workers. Moreover, Parrot has on-line monitoring to support preventive maintenance. With on-line monitoring they can see possible problems and fix them before they occur.
  • 17. 14 Appendix – 2 Company Locations Map Head office There is one office in connection to each factory. Stockholm, Sweden – executives make strategic and tactical decisions. Factories Stockholm, Sweden Toronto, Canada: The design and testing and development of new products are mainly done in a building of the Toronto factory. Odense, Denmark Lima, Peru. The main storage Baltimore, USA, but there is no manufacturing in the country, just a small office.