Cross Functional and Integrated Enterprise Systems

Business Process

It is a set of logically related activities for accomplishing a specific business result. It is the manner in which work is organized, coordinated, and focused to produce a valuable product or service. It sets unique ways to coordinate work, information, and knowledge. Business processes represents the ways in which management chooses to coordinate work and shows the concrete work flows of material, information and knowledge in any organization.

Cross Functional Business Process

A business process, which cross functional areas and requires coordination across departments are called Cross functional business process. It requires group of employees from different functional specialties to complete a piece of work .For example Order fulfillment process. The first process in the order fulfillment is initiated by the sales department. The order received by the sales department is passed first to accounting department to ensure the customer can pay for the order either by credit verification or request for immediate payment prior to shipping. Once the customer credit is established, the production department pulls the raw materials from

inventory to produce the product .The product is shipped. A bill or invoice will then have to be generated by the accounting department and a notice is sent to the customer indicating that the product is shipped. Such systems which support the cross functional business processes are called cross functional business systems.

Cross-Functional Enterprise Systems

Information systems that cross the boundaries of traditional business functions in order to reengineer and improve vital business processes all across the enterprise.

The new product development process in a manufacturing company. This is an example of a business process that must be supported by cross functional systems that cross the boundaries of several business functions.

There is a strong emphasis in many organizations to develop such composite or cross-functional information systems that cross the boundaries of traditional business functions in order to reengineer and improve vital business processes. These organizations view cross-functional information systems as a strategic way to share information resources and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of a business, thus helping it attain its strategic objectives.

Many companies today are using information technology to develop integrated cross-functional enterprise systems that cross the boundaries of traditional business functions in order to reengineer and improve vital business processes all across the enterprise. These organizations

view cross-functional enterprise systems as a strategic way to use IT to share information resources and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of business processes, and develop strategic relationships with customers, suppliers, and business partners.

Business firms are turning to Internet technologies to integrate the flow of information among their internal business functions and their customers and suppliers. Companies are using the World Wide Web and their intranets and extranets as the technology platform for their cross- functional and interorganizational information systems.

Cross-functional information systems refer to software applications that are designed to support collaboration, coordination, and information exchange between multiple departments within an organization. These systems can be used to automate and streamline work processes, increase operational efficiency, and improve decision-making. Examples of cross-functional information systems include enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, customer relationship management (CRM) systems, and supply chain management (SCM) systems. The goal of these systems is to provide a single source of truth for data and information, so that all departments can access the same information and make informed decisions based on the same data. Effective implementation of cross-functional information systems can lead to improved collaboration, increased productivity, and better business outcomes.

Cross functional Information Systems components

The components of cross-functional information systems can vary depending on the specific system and the needs of the organization, but some common components include:

1. Data storage and management: A centralized database that stores and manages data from various departments, allowing for data integration and consistency across the organization.
2. Business process automation: Tools to automate and streamline business processes, reducing manual effort and increasing efficiency.
3. Workflow management: A system to manage and track workflows between different departments, allowing for better collaboration and coordination.
4. Reporting and analytics: A suite of tools to analyze data, generate reports, and provide insights into business performance.
5. User interfaces: An intuitive interface for users to interact with the system and access data, reports, and insights.
6. Integration with existing systems: Interfaces and APIs to connect the cross-functional information system with existing systems and applications, reducing duplication of effort and improving data consistency.
7. Security and access controls: Measures to ensure the security and confidentiality of data, as well as to control access to the system and its components.

Cross-functional information systems can be viewed through the lens of several theories and frameworks, including:

1. Resource-Based View: This theory suggests that organizations can gain a competitive advantage by leveraging their internal resources, such as information systems. Cross-functional information systems can help organizations to better manage and utilize their internal resources, leading to improved performance and competitiveness.
2. Process-Oriented View: This theory focuses on the importance of process efficiency and effectiveness in organizations. Cross-functional information systems can help organizations to streamline and optimize their processes, leading to improved efficiency and effectiveness.
3. Strategic Alignment: This theory emphasizes the importance of aligning information systems with the overall strategy and goals of the organization. Cross-functional information systems can help organizations to better align their information systems with their strategic goals and objectives.

The process of implementing a cross-functional information system typically involves several steps, including:

1. Defining requirements: Determine the specific needs and requirements of the different departments and stakeholders involved in the system.
2. Design and development: Design and develop the system, taking into account the requirements and the desired features and functionality.
3. Implementation: Deploy and implement the system, including data migration, training, and user adoption.
4. Monitoring and evaluation: Regularly monitor and evaluate the performance of the system, and make improvements and changes as needed.
5. Maintenance and support: Provide ongoing maintenance and support for the system, including updates, bug fixes, and technical support.

Cross-functional information systems uses

Cross-functional information systems (CFIS) are used to coordinate and align activities and information across multiple departments or functions within an organization. They support communication, collaboration, and decision-making between different functional areas such as finance, human resources, operations, marketing, and others. The use of CFIS helps to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of business processes, reduce silos, and promote a cross-functional perspective. This, in turn, leads to better decision making, increased innovation, and improved business results. Examples of cross-functional information systems include enterprise resource planning (ERP), customer relationship management (CRM), and supply chain management (SCM) systems.