A Web-based instructional module for research and learning in design and analysis of enterprise systems

Journal of Engineering Education, Apr 2001 by Chandra, Charu, Kumar, Sameer

ABSTRACT

This paper describes an instructional module designed to create a repository for introducing students and industry practitioners to enterprise systems. A web-based design was used to make the module scalable, utilizing Internet capabilities and adapting a systemic approach to disseminate information on research projects. Important characteristics of a web site for organizing information are described. A generic web design problem is outlined and a case study on supply chain management is illustrated. Uses of the module on curricula that satisfy cognitive goals of enterprise system education are discussed. The module offers extensibility to incorporate live applications through the web site.

I. ENTERPRISE SYSTEMS: EvoLUTION

AND PEDAGOGICAL ISSUES

In the current environment of globalization, strategic alliances among organizations are steadily growing. A collaborative environment promoting cooperation among enterprise partners is required in order to meet their individual and collective goals. An enterprise system is designed to meet these needs. It integrates parts such as, functions, departments, and divisions of an enterprise into a whole with shared objectives, technology, operations, processes, constraints, resources, and knowledge.' This network of autonomous members, when designed to coordinate demand with supply, is a supply-chain.

This paper describes an instructional module for research and learning in design and analysis on enterprise integration and supply chain management topics.* The purpose of the module is twofold:

1) to share knowledge gained by authors through this research with peers in research and academe, and 2) to create a learning repository for introducing students and practitioners to enterprise systems, in particular, the design and analysis issues in a supply chain. A webbased design was used to make the module scalable and utilize Intemet capabilities.

The paper is organized as follows. The enterprise system design and analysis process is defined. Cognitive goals of research and learning module to support this process are outlined. A webbased design is presented. Features of module with the proposed framework applied to a supply chain management problem are presented. Implications of module on engineering education are discussed.

II. ENTERPRISE SYSTEM DESIGN

AND ANALYSIS PROCESS

Several factors contribute to increasing interest in integrated enterprise systems. First, it is realized that management of interrelated systems leads to improvement in enterprise productivity. Second, advances in information technologies complemented by sophisticated decision support systems enable delivery of these systems. The motive for pursuing research on supply chain, a class of enterprise system, is proposing a framework that deals with these issues effectively. This approach to enterprise integration proposes domain-independent problem solving and modeling to develop common information and process flow architectures of an enterprise, and domain-dependent analysis and implementation. The purpose is to ascertain characteristics of the problem independent of its environment. Analysis methods help to understand characteristics of the solution methodology as well as provide specific guarantees of effectiveness. Invariably, insights gained from analyses can be used to develop effective problem solving tools and techniques. The focus of this paper is to emphasize, how research and learning issues in design and analysis of enterprise systems may be used to support pedagogy in engineering education. For this purpose, a web-based module for supply chain management has been developed.

III. COGNITIVE GOALS

The primary objective of this module is helping students engaged in research and practice of enterprise systems to develop an understanding of structure, control, and interactions among its components for design and analysis of problem solutions. Based on this objective, cognitive goals were established to create increased awareness in three categories:

1. Systems thinking about enterprise concepts.

2. Perception about problem solving, from the traditional "island of problem-solving" to an integrated enterprise view.

3. Learning by practicing enterprise integration problem-solving skills on applications.

The first goal is met by emphasizing systems concepts-framework, theory, model, hypothesis, problem-solving technique, entity, relationships, structure, control, and their integration in developing solution methodologies.

The second goal is addressed by emphasizing model development based upon primary characteristics--structure, representation, diagnosis, and prescription. Models for first two characteristics are designed, independent of system's application domains. For the remaining two characteristics, models are designed dependent on problem domain. Thus, this approach effectively differentiates between structural and diagnostic issues in offering flexible enterprise system problem-solving methodological designs.