Information Systems
Organizations today have increased the use of information technology systems as a way of improving operations. Application of information systems makes work easier, efficient and makes it possible to account for various activities within the organization. One of the best information system products I have used is the Apache OFBIZ software. As the manager of a manufacturing firm, I find it easier to use the OFBIZ system because it helps automate most operations within the organization. Apache OFBIZ forms one of the most commonly used information systems in small, medium, and large enterprises. The system assists in automating Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) E-business/commerce processes. As an organization, the Apache OFBIZ software plays a significance role ensuring smooth running of operations. Using the system, the organization manages to efficiently maintain enterprise applications. Additionally, the organization uses the system to customize different applications for various departments. Moreover, the system makes it easier for the company to interact with customers, suppliers, and manufacturers through the company website. All operations are done fast and with minimum errors through the implementation of Apache OFBIZ (Jones, 2015).
Organizations in today’s business environment implement unique strategies aiming at winning the competitive advantage. The introduction of technology makes it possible for businesses to implement new and unique systems for improving productivity, sales, and maximizing profits. Many information technology systems have been tried and found very ineffective in meeting organizational needs. The Apache OFBIZ system helps solve most problems of human resource management, customer service, procurement, supply chain, production, and distribution. Apache OFBIZ forms the only information system capable of accommodating all business processes in a single database. Users willing to use the system can easily download it directly from the internet through the official Apache Software Foundation website, or the ofbiz.apache.org link.
A description of the owner of Apache OFBIZ information system
The system is owned and maintained by Apache Software Foundation. The organization came into existence in 1999 as a community-led development project aiming at offering solutions to major business problems. The foundation has manufactured numerous software systems for businesses and keeps on planning for more effective and sophisticated systems. In collaboration with other Information Technology (IT) experts across the globe, Apache Software Foundation focuses on creating high-quality information systems capable of shaking the business world and making more profits for organizations. Apache Software Foundation offers support to the Apache Community responsible for the provision of software for public goods. In more than ten years of her existence, Apache Software Foundation has implemented more than 350 projects and initiatives using different innovations and technologies (Apache, 2015). Most business today are powered by Apache and found it beneficial compared to other information system owners.
Business processes addressed by Apache OFBIZ system
Apache OFBIZ, commonly known as Apache Open for Business system is an open framework of technologies designed to promote the function of ERP software system in the organization. ERP software plays a role in integrating different business processes and their data under one single system. Apache OFBIZ assists business enterprises in developing their customized software accompanied by many technological tools necessary for an effective ERP system. Organizations chose the main processes they want included in the Apache OFBIZ system including Point of Sales (POS), Customer Relationship Management (CRM), and other E-business processes. In a manufacturing firm, OFBIZ offers full e-commerce business processes with customized tools such as automated accounting systems, order and product management system, and warehouse management system (Wong, & Howell, 2008).
On the other hand, the system consists of customer service tools that allow the organization to register new and existing customers on the company website. Organizations using the Apache OFBIZ system are able to capture and keep customer relationships through by applying CRM system. The OFBIZ system helps facilitate the application of customer experiences and evaluate the most significant strategy to use to win more customers. Apache OFBIZ also facilitates human resource processes in the organization. The system is capable of conducting surveillance on employees’ performance by keeping records on work attendance, qualifications, achievements, and salary levels of each employee. The company falls in a better place to maintain only competent employees and utilize all resources at employee’s exposure. Accounting processes are also automated using the Apache OFBIZ system. The system helps the organization automate any financial operation and ensures all organizations rules and regulations are followed to avoid unnecessary losses. More so, the system keeps an update of the organization performance for easier follow-ups (Foga, 2014).
Apache OFBIZ system also supports business processes such as online purchases, booking of products, and online transactions. Apache is a multi-currency system supporting all currencies including U.S. Dollars, British Pounds, Euros, Shillings, and many more currencies. Apache OFBIZ supports sales processes by implementing operations of order placements, scheduling, shipping, and invoicing. On procurement processes, OFBIZ enables the organization to maximize cost savings because it supports end-to-end logistics and procurement processes. Customers are able to make payments using their credit cards and other cashless payment methods and collect goods from the company or have them delivered. Through the Apache OFBIZ system, customers can easily make the follow-up of their order anytime through personalized user accounts run by the organization.
How the system can be improved
Information systems aimed at improving business operations have many shortcomings that affect the overall function they are meant to perform. Using the Apache OFBIZ system in the company is of significance benefits but some problems limit its effectiveness. Firstly, the system designer should ensure future software systems are compatible with different equipment found in organizations and are easily updated. Lack of ready updates for the system causes the major delay in production and other processes that depend totally on the system. In order to make the system more effective, the designer and manufacturer of the software should make it possible for users to download updates in their databases to keep the system updated always. On the other hand, Apache Software Foundation should produce systems compatible with most facilities used in organizations. The system should be easily compatible with already installed systems to ensure efficiency.
Another problem commonly associated with the Apache OFBIZ frequent attack by viruses. Viruses are a major challenge to most software systems used in computers and other equipment. The system design team should come up with possible mitigations to prevent the system from viruses. Additionally, they should give users effective antivirus systems to install in their databases to ensure the system is free from attacks. Additionally, it becomes easier for hackers to get into users’ accounts without their consent. The system designer should come up with a strong authentication process for users to prevent unwanted people from accessing information from the site. Some possible solutions include using a two-way authentication process that entails the use of a password and a security question.
References
Apache. (2015). The Apache Software Foundation: Community development since 1999.
Retrieved June 23, 2015 from http://www.apache.org/
Jones, D. E. (2015). Apache OFBIZ Project Overview. Retrieved June 23, 2015 from
https://ofbiz.apache.org/apache-ofbiz-project-overview.html
Foga, S. (2014). Apache OFBiz: What do Business Users See and Want? Retrieved from
http://events.linuxfoundation.org/sites/events/files/slides/ApacheCon%202014%20-What%20Business%20Users%20See%20and%20Want.pdf
Wong, J., & Howell, R. (2008). Apache OFBiz development: The beginner's tutorial.
Birmingham, UK: Packt Pub.
