Chapter 3 Mini Case - Integration at Big Pharma Inc
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Dec 6, 2023
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Chapter 3 – Integration at Big Pharma Inc.
Even as the lowly executive assistant to the CEO, it was apparent to you that there was some
groupthink going on here. Was buying an enterprise system the only option?
No, buying an enterprise system is not the only option, as several members of the executive team
proposed ideas that included add-ons and standalone modules from other competitors. While the CEO
of Big Pharma Inc. proposed pursuing an overall enterprise system from BigCoSoft, the VP of Finance
noted that its finance module is very weak, and proposed striking a deal with another competitor,
LargeCoSoft, who has a better finance package, and already has experience with the pharmaceutical
industry. Offering a third option, the COO proposed writing an add-on to BigCoSoft’s system to address
its finance shortcomings. However, the senior VP of HR noted BigCoSoft’s HR module also isn’t that great
and expressed that Big Pharma Inc. recently invested $12M in its benefits management system and does
not see the need for a system change or upgrade.
Given the options being offered, it’s clear that BigCoSoft current capabilities do not meet all the
functional needs of Big Pharma Inc, and a reassessment of the company’s requirements is needed to
determine the best path forward. Since the HR Department recently invested in a systems overhaul, it is
likely that an HR package would not be needed from an enterprise vendor. However, the HR system
would need to be integrable with that system so that information can be freely shared and accessed by
others outside of the Department. To make an informed decision, Big Pharma Inc. should shop around
and explore various vendors in the market to determine which one can best provide the level of
efficiency the company is seeking. It is also possible that Big Pharma Inc will have to purchase different
modules from different vendors, and ultimately build an integrated system themselves.
You vaguely recall this idea of system integration from your information systems class two years ago.
Could that approach work here?
Yes, the concept of system integration could work in this situation, if Big Pharma cannot find a vendor
that meets all their requirements. Systems integration entails the unification of IT-based information
systems and databases. It is likely that the systems used by each functional department would contain
information that other departments may need to see and accessed. In this case, systems integration
would enable Big Pharma Inc to integrate its HR Benefits Management System with a potential Finance
Management Module from LargeCoSoft, as well as with modules purchased from other vendors. When it
comes to systems integration, individual systems are brought together in a way that increases value and
benefit to the company.
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