This report will discuss some of the challenges in organizing an information system for a travel agency. In the world of development and innovation of technologies, many industries are adapting new technologies to manage their business operations effectively.
The Business Information Systems and Business Information Technology can improve the organization’s efficiency and also revenues. However implementing such systems involves greater risk and higher cost. This report will discuss the key factors and problems involved in implementing an ERP based system to a travel agency. Furthermore, the paper also provides some suggestions for implementation of such systems.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Requirements of a Travel agency
3. Enterprise Resource Planning
4. Benefits and Limitation in of using ERP
5. Challenging Factors that can either make system successful or a failure
5.1 Clarity in Goal
5.2 Commitment of Top Management
5.3 Project Management
5.4 Organizational Change Management
5.5 Data Accuracy & Data migration
5.6 Training
5.7 Focused Performance Measures
5.8 Cost
6. Conclusion:
Objectives and Research Focus
This report investigates the complex integration of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems within the travel agency sector, aiming to identify the primary operational requirements and the significant challenges that organizations face during implementation to achieve a competitive advantage.
- Analysis of the growing necessity for e-commerce and information systems in the tourism industry.
- Examination of the functional requirements for modern travel agencies.
- Evaluation of the benefits and limitations associated with ERP system adoption.
- Identification of critical success and failure factors during the implementation lifecycle.
- Provision of strategic recommendations to mitigate risks during system deployment.
Excerpt from the Book
5. Challenging Factors that can either make system successful or a failure
Organizations have to make careful decisions in the process of implementing ERP system at every stage by accounting various factors. The organizations have to make right selection of ERP software package based on the requirement and compatibility with the business structure(Umble, Haft & Umble, 2003). Some of the factors linking with systems of travel agency are discussed below:
5.1 Clarity in Goal: In the process of starting the ERP software selection and during the implementation of software, managements from corporate level to ground level must have a clear idea of expected outcomes from the system at every stage of the implementation (Umble, Haft & Umble, 2003). The teams of implementation must have a clear vision on scheduled time of the project and expected outcomes from different perspectives such as customer, departmental, suppliers for coming three to five years (Protivitit, 2015). In case of travel agency it has to define its goals at every module of the structure.
5.2 Commitment of Top Management: As cited by Stratman(2009), most of the top managements in the organization view ERP as normal software implementation, as a result, they give least priority towards the task. This type of attitude towards project, makes a weak leadership and lacks the coordination between departments, as a result minimal inputs are given to the implementers when problems arise in the process of implementation (Stratman, 2009). But ERP to become a successful in implementation, top management has to provide critical suggestions based on the existing organizational structure which helps the teams at different levels to take effective decisions (Umble, Haft & Umble, 2003). Travel agency’s top management has to provide complete domain structural and functional knowledge such as customers to suppliers, costing processes, marketing etc, to the implementation team. This commitment makes the software fool proof and error free.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Discusses the rapid growth of the travel industry and the increasing reliance on information systems to maintain market competitiveness.
2. Requirements of a Travel agency: Details the operational bridge between customers and resources, highlighting the need for technology to reduce human interface errors.
3. Enterprise Resource Planning: Defines ERP as an integrated data management system essential for efficient resource control and decision-making.
4. Benefits and Limitation in of using ERP: Weighs the operational efficiency gains against the high costs and implementation complexities of ERP packages.
5. Challenging Factors that can either make system successful or a failure: Outlines eight critical success factors, ranging from management commitment to data migration, that dictate system viability.
6. Conclusion: Summarizes the necessity of adopting new technologies while emphasizing that careful planning and review are mandatory to avoid implementation failure.
Keywords
Enterprise Resource Planning, ERP, Travel Agency, Information Systems, E-commerce, Business Operations, Implementation Challenges, Project Management, Data Migration, Operational Efficiency, Customer Satisfaction, Competitive Advantage, Organizational Change, Software Integration, Risk Management.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research paper?
The paper focuses on the integration of ERP systems within travel agencies, analyzing the specific operational requirements and the significant challenges businesses face during this transition.
What are the core themes explored in this work?
The core themes include technological innovation in tourism, the mechanics of ERP integration, the cost-benefit analysis of system adoption, and the critical success factors for implementation projects.
What is the main objective of the study?
The objective is to identify key factors and potential pitfalls in ERP implementation and to provide actionable suggestions to help agencies ensure project success.
Which methodology is employed in this report?
The report utilizes a secondary research methodology, synthesizing existing academic literature and industry case studies to evaluate ERP adoption in the service sector.
What topics are covered in the main body of the document?
The main body covers the current state of the travel industry, functional requirements for agencies, the architecture of ERP, and a detailed breakdown of critical factors like goal clarity and management commitment.
Which keywords best describe the content?
Key terms include Enterprise Resource Planning, Travel Agency, Operational Efficiency, Implementation Challenges, and E-commerce integration.
How does the author view the role of top management in ERP projects?
The author emphasizes that top management commitment is vital; viewing ERP as merely a "normal software implementation" is identified as a major cause of project failure due to weak leadership.
Why is data migration considered a significant challenge for travel agencies?
Because travel agencies possess diverse and complex databases, any miscalculation or insufficient information during the migration phase can lead to irrelevant system outputs or total failure.
- Quote paper
- Viswa Krishna Vyas Tippabhotla (Author), 2016, Requirements and Issues of Implementing an Enterprise Resources Planning System in a Travel Agency, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/315678
