The Coffee Constructions in Australia †MyAssignmenthelp.com

Question: Discuss about the Coffee Constructions in Australia. Answer: Introduction The Coffee Constructions is Australia based privately owned business providing building and civil engineering business across the country. The company, which commenced its operations in Melbourne in 1973, holds its fully certified business licenses in NSW, OLD, NT and ACT. The different projects of Coffee construction include boutique hotels, large residences, local councils and waste water treatment plant. In the year 1980, the company got a huge contract of developing a regional art centre. The Coffee Construction Australia (CCA) of Australia has worked on several major projects and has successfully delivered all the projects successfully. The expertise of CCA spans over the construction industry spectrum from smaller renovation to multimillion dollar project. The report sheds light on the business value proposition of CCA that it can achieve using the best practices of information systems. Use of information system in the business processes is sure to improve the operations of the organization. The report further evaluates the process by which the IS would support the various business functional areas in CCA. The Coffee Constructions Australia can adapt to the use of information systems in their daily business process. Since the Coffee Constructions Australia I an old-style family based firm, it has not embraced on the use of information technology or automated construction technology in the business. However, with the growing volume of projects, the board of directors of the firm has become quite concerned about the future business opportunities. This report discusses the use of the information system of the firm so that it can be used by the project managers in managing the different projects of CCA (Van Petten and Luka 2012). The Business Value Proposition using Information System (IS) IS used by Competitors Leading construction companies across the world has embarked on use of Information system in order to enhance their business process. Implementation and use of Enterprise resource solution or ERP is common in many constructional and manufacturing industries across the world. The example of companies using a large scale ERP is Nestle. ERP and similar automated business process improves the business operations including the management of accounts, personnel and other project details (Sajady, Dastgir and Nejad 2012). CCA although holds a leading position in the market of construction, it is essential for the organization to update from a manual record keeping system to an automatic process. Use of an Enterprise resource planning system ensures that all the business processes are integrated in a single system. This increases the data availability and easy transformation of the information. ERP systems are used by different organizations as it helps in collaboration of the different operations running within the organization. Therefore, it is recommended for the organization to adopt ERP system to integrate all the operations of CCA. Business Value Proposition The use of an effective information system such as Enterprise Resource Planning system is likely to enhance the business value proposition if CCA. The use of information system is however challenging as any incorrect use of the automatic business process can return inaccurate business results. The concept of value proposition is highly elusive in construction industry as it cannot be always reduced to hard currency. The different processes by which the use of an information system can enhance the business value proposition of CCA are as follows- The use of Information system can streamline all the operation of CCA. This will further help in keeping all the team members informed about the various project needs. It will increase the efficiency of the business processes running within CCA by analyzing the different needs of the project from the real time data obtained along with a systematic flow of information (Stair and Reynolds 2013). The use of information system helps to keep the stakeholders informed about the project. This is done by development of a proper communication channel. Use of a set communication channel within CCA will help the project team members in communicating the project information among them. This helps in understanding and measuring the gap in the ongoing project. Therefore, it can be said that the use of information system in business of CA is expected to improve or redesign the business processes of the organization. The use of Information system will help in developing a conceptual framework within the organization that will build the base of the customer value proposition within the organization (Venkatesh, Brown and Bala 2013). The use of information systems will help CCA in automating the process of record keeping there by creating a better business value for the company. The different use of information system in business includes use of different hardware and software to collect, filter and process the vital data of the organization. CCA can therefore definitely make use of information system such as enterprise resource planning system in improving and updating the process of manual data keeping. Supporting Business Functional Areas Standard Functional Areas for a Business Coffee Constructions Australia spans the construction industry spectrum ranging from smaller renovation projects to multimillion dollar projects. Therefore the company deals with easy to complex projects. The companys projects include the work in educational buildings, hospitals, healthcare, industrial, telecommunication and data centers. The functional areas of the business include both office work and working on site. Proper information update is therefore necessary to consider in this case. The Information system to be implemented will automate the process of data storage and information sharing across the project team. Apart from this, the system will provide necessary data for taking vital business decisions. The elaborate use of information system in the standard functional area of CCA is as follows (Pearlson, Saunders and Galletta 2016)- Human Resource: It is the most important business area of CCA as t is an integral business asset. Proper management of the human resources of CCA is necessary for successful implementation of the project (Trivellas and Santouridis 2013). Use of proper information system will automatically update the company about the need of human resource in a particular project. Marketing and Promotion: use of information system enhances the business value of an organization, which in turn can be used for marketing and promotion of the company in the market place. The adoption of the information system in CCA will help the organization in redesigning its business process thus adding to the marketing strategy of the organization (Hall 2012). Accounting and Finance is a major functional area of CCA as well. The use of an information system such as ERP helps in managing all the financial activities of an organization (Kanellou and Spathis 2013). In case of CCA, it will help in managing the cash flow in different projects that the company undertakes. Management is another major functional area of CCA as it relates to the management of different projects associated with the organization (Beynon-Davies 2013). The use of an information system not only helps in easy flow of information, but also helps in proper management of the project by calculating the efficiency of each resource. Use of information system in CCA will also enhance the companys operation across the country by streamlining and integrating the business process of the branches across the world. Why use IS? Information system should be used in the business processes of CCA as in this technology driven era, use of information system is not an option but an essential need of any company. The business of CCA is expected to achieve operational excellence. Information System is a tool that can be used to achieve high levels of efficiency and productivity in the business process. Use of information system can help in designing innovative services and new business model for better management of the projects undertaken by CCA. The presence of an information system within an organization improves the decision-making process of the company (Harrison and Lock 2017). This is because the information system will allow the project manager with the real time data from the project site, the knowledge of which improves decision making processes (Hadad, Keren and Laslo 2013). Apart from real time data collection, the information system helps in data storage in an organized way. With the increase in the volume of the projects it is necessary for CCA to organize its data it becomes easily available in times of need. In short, the use of information system makes the process of information storage much effective. The use of IS further keeps a track on the margin and profits of the organization thereby saving the organization from business from devastating crisis (Galliers and Leidner 2014). Use of a high quality information system will help CCA in analyzing the stocks and past performance of the company to predict a potential crisis. Since at this moment, the company is working with manual record keeping services comprising of Microsoft office Suite, Excel and word and therefore, there are high chances of data duplication and error in data entry. Working on a project with improper data might result in huge loss for the company especially while working on a complex project (Shaul and Tauber 2013). Therefore, information system will provide a better data control to CCA, which will be beneficial for the project managers to control and implement a project in a planned approach. Value and Use of Information systems IS in managing project in project managers perspective The use of information system helps in proper planning of the project. The project manager is responsible for planning the different project stages. The use of information system allows the project manager the access to the computer generated data and supporting documents which in turn helps in planning the different stages of business. The project manager is able to properly manage the project and take proper business decision associated with the project in consideration. This process will help the project manager of CCA is reducing the number of errors in the planning stage of the project. The use of information system in the organization will enhance the process of project supervision as well. This can be achieved as the use of information system is helps in providing a real time data of the different business processes running within an organization. The project manager can make use of these data in ensuring proper project progress (Hacklin and Wallnfer 2012). Furthermore, in case any discrepancy in the project work is found out, the project manager can easily communicate the necessary changes in the project. Efficient leadership is an integral need of the team management. Since Coffee Constructions work with constructional project, leading and motivating the team is very important (Nixon, Harrington and Parker 2012). Information system helps in calculating the daily performance report of the organization. This can be use as a tool for leading and managing the project team. The information system will further help in easy circulation of the progress report among the project team members. Integration of the different business processes will help the project manager of the organization in identification of the risks associated with a particular project. If CCA is implementing enterprise resource planning system, will help the project manager in accurate forecast of the project needs, resources and project progress (Tsai et al. 2012). The ERP solution if implemented within CCA will eliminate any repetitive process running within the organization and will further eliminate the needs of manual data entry. This is beneficial to the project manager as it is possible to receive real time updates and data associated with the project (Leon 2014). Although the initial cost of implementing such a complex system like ERP is huge, it will later reduce the administrative and the operational cost of the organization. This is beneficial for the project manager of CCA as well as it will help in managing the operations and delays associated with the project (Popovi? et al 2012). The project manager will be able to streamline the business processes, which is particularly advantageous for the complex projects. Therefore, it can be said that use of information system will be very beneficial for the project manager of CCA for managing the different complex processes of the organization. It allows flexibility in managing the different projects of the organization with the real time information obtained from the information system implemented within the organization. More valuable The proper management of the complex project with the real time data fetched from the information system of the organization is more valuable to the project manager as it is the responsibility of the project manager in ensuring the project progress. Furthermore, use of an information system increases data security as it eliminates the risk of data duplication and data inconsistency. In order to design a proper project plan, the project manager needs to access all the related information of a project. The use of an information system provides the project manager a detailed knowledge about the different business requirements such as project cost, project resources and the schedule of the project. Data security adds to another benefit for CCA as it manages all the financial records and cash flow within the organization. CCA has been working on different complex projects where communication plays a very integral role in managing the project team and the project work (Kerzner and Kerzner 2017). Since the information system helps in collection of real time data, it becomes easier for the project manager in project control. The project manager is the most important member of a project team. Implementation of IS in CCA will enhance the power of the project manager and will help him in taking business related decisions in a more effective manner (Medina and Medina 2014). Therefore, it is recommended for the organization to switch to the automated process of managing the different processes running within the organization. Conclusion and Recommendations After analyzing the different conditions such as business value proposition in CCA along with the different functional areas of the organization, it can be concluded that it is high time for the organization to switch to the automated system from the manual record keeping process. The report discusses the various benefits of the implementing the information system in Coffee Constructions Australia. The main benefit of the system is that it will provide the project manager with an access of real time data that will in turn help the project manager in managing the projects in a more efficient way. With the advent of technology, many organization in different sectors, be it engineering, construction or manufacturing are implementing the information systems in enhancing the different business processes running within the organization. The recommendation for the use of a particular information system in CCA includes implementation of an enterprise resource planning system for integrating the different operations and business processes within the organization. Recommendations The recommendations for the use of a particular information system in CCA are as follows- CCA at first must evaluate the need of implementing an information system An enterprise resource planning system can be implemented in CCA in order to update from the manual record keeping system to an automated system. References Beynon-Davies, P., 2013.Business information systems. Palgrave Macmillan. Galliers, R.D. and Leidner, D.E. eds., 2014.Strategic information management: challenges and strategies in managing information systems. Routledge. Hacklin, F. and Wallnfer, M., 2012. The business model in the practice of strategic decision making: insights from a case study.Management Decision,50(2), pp.166-188. Hadad, Y., Keren, B. and Laslo, Z., 2013. A decision-making support system module for proj Hall, J.A., 2012.Accounting information systems. Cengage Learning. Harrison, F. and Lock, D., 2017.Advanced project management: a structured approach. Routledge. Kanellou, A. and Spathis, C., 2013. Accounting benefits and satisfaction in an ERP environment.International Journal of Accounting Information Systems,14(3), pp.209-234. Kerzner, H. and Kerzner, H.R., 2017.Project management: a systems approach to planning, scheduling, and controlling. John Wiley Sons. Leon, A., 2014.Enterprise resource planning. McGraw-Hill Education. Medina, R. and Medina, A., 2014. The project manager and the organisation's long-term competence goal.International Journal of Project Management,32(8), pp.1459-1470. Nixon, P., Harrington, M. and Parker, D., 2012. Leadership performance is significant to project success or failure: a critical analysis.International Journal of productivity and performance management,61(2), pp.204-216. Pearlson, K.E., Saunders, C.S. and Galletta, D.F., 2016.Managing and Using Information Systems, Binder Ready Version: A Strategic Approach. John Wiley Sons. Popovi?, A., Hackney, R., Coelho, P.S. and Jakli?, J., 2012. Towards business intelligence systems success: Effects of maturity and culture on analytical decision making.Decision Support Systems,54(1), pp.729-739. Sajady, H., Dastgir, M. and Nejad, H.H., 2012. Evaluation of the effectiveness of accounting information systems.International Journal of Information Science and Management (IJISM),6(2), pp.49-59. Shaul, L. and Tauber, D., 2013. Critical success factors in enterprise resource planning systems: Review of the last decade.ACM Computing Surveys (CSUR),45(4), p.55. Stair, R., and Reynolds, G. 2013.Principles of information systems. Cengage Learning. Trivellas, P.G. and Santouridis, I., 2013. The Impact of Management Information Systems' Effectiveness on Task Productivitythe Case of the Greek Banking Sector.International Journal of Computer Theory and Engineering,5(1), p.170. Tsai, W.H., Lee, P.L., Shen, Y.S. and Lin, H.L., 2012. A comprehensive study of the relationship between enterprise resource planning selection criteria and enterprise resource planning system success.Information Management,49(1), pp.36-46. Van Petten, C. and Luka, B.J., 2012. Prediction during language comprehension: Benefits, costs, and ERP components.International Journal of Psychophysiology,83(2), pp.176-190. Venkatesh, V., Brown, S.A. and Bala, H., 2013. Bridging the qualitative-quantitative divide: Guidelines for conducting mixed methods research in information systems.MIS quarterly,37(1).