#erpsim

My experience at the ERP Simulation Competition was very fun. I enjoyed being around all of the professionals and students who were so eager to win the competition. It made me realize that everyone has a little competitive nature in them. 

Watching the event take place made me very jealous of the kids who were given the opportunity to compete. I am a very competitive person, a trait which runs in my family very deeply. Sitting on the sidelines was very tough, but I know the students who were competing were better skilled than I at the time. Although I dont have to take an SAP class or compete in the event, watching made me really interested to a point where I am considering gaining knowledge of SAP and then further competing in the competition next year. 

From just watching the event I was amazed at how versatile and beneficial SAP can be for businesses and managers everywhere. I believe the system should be implemented everywhere, and all business students should be required to take the SAP class. 

Commonly referred to as Deloitte, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited provides audit, tax, consulting, enterprise risk, and financial advisory services to a host of clients. Deloitte is in the professional services industry, of which it dominates alongside the Big Four* audit firms. This company was founded in the United Kingdom and has since spread its services worldwide, with over 200,000 employees. I was unaware of Deloitte's existence, but I am now familiar with their services as well as their four subsidiaries who primarily provide services. 

Deloitte, alongside with being a multinational corporation, is one of the sponsors of the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia this year. In fact Deloitte has developed quite the relationship with the Olympic Games. Including sponsorship in 2012 in London, 2010 in Vancouver, and the 2010 Winter Paralympics Games too. I have since followed Deloitte on Twitter and their social media support [for the Sochi games] is evident. Deloitte has a large social media presence, and using social media as a business tool to help increase knowledge about their own company as well as a way to promote their sponsorships .

Before reading about SAP, I had no idea of how this company provided offerings of value for their customers. After briefing myself with SAP, and ERPsim, I have began to understand the importance of SAP and its influence on mainly larger corporations. Turns out that SAP is looking to expand their services to mid-size and small business, which could prove to be a key activity in the growth of SAP. Contrary to popular marketing strategies during the super bowl, SAP decided to not use a commercial to attract potential clients however their presence during the big game was not unknown by any means. Their stat zone on Super Bowl Blvd. in Times Square was an incredible display that was likely to catch the eye of nearly every passerby during the super bowl weekend. Stat zone was interactive and, as far as I can tell from photos, wildly entertaining for a sports fan.

SAP’s ERPsim software is something that I knew nothing about before researching and studying about it. Central Michigan University is very well known for their information systems program and their proficiency in SAP’s ERPsim software. Defending world champion ‘Chips’ are hoping to display their skills yet again this year during the ERPsim competition. Follow @cmucba on Twitter for more on the competition and CMU’s 2014 run.

How powerful can SAP be for a company? Before reading about the capabilities of the ERPsim software, which is run live on SAP, I was apprehensive as to how beneficial it could be for a business. ERPsim games are business training simulations that put users in real time business situations. This is beneficial to a business because you are capable of interacting with suppliers and customers, you can manage inventory levels for your business, access production and delivery documentation, manage cash flow, and make decision on how to make improvements for the business behind the scenes.

The largest corporations in the world run SAP simulation software to better prepare employees knowledge of what they will face in their career field. Before such software, businesses would attempt to keep track of this crucial information by paper documentation. The SAP software makes this process easier and more organized.  It was reported that after users begun using the software they immediately increased skill level, gained positive attitudes on what they were capable of doing through the system, developed confidence in their SAP skills, and developed a stronger belief on how the software is beneficial to a business.