ERP System Selection and Its Implementation Plan, with the Focus on Purchasing, Inventory, Manufacturing, and Delivery
Chaisom, Napattra (2025)
2025
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025121134881
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025121134881
Tiivistelmä
This thesis focused on addressing critical operational inefficiencies at a 33-person Finnish construction-tech SME. The company's reliance on fragmented, manual processes (e.g., Google Sheets, whiteboards) for purchasing, inventory, manufacturing, and delivery (PIMD) caused a severe lack of operational visibility, leading to production-halting material shortages and reactive "panic buying”. The objective was to solve these challenges by identifying core functional requirements and proposing a suitable Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system and implementation plan.
The study employed an Applied Action Research (AAR) methodology, with the researcher as an embedded participant. Data 1 was collected via qualitative interviews and participant observation to complete a Current State Analysis (CSA), which identified “as-is” process flaws and 18 functional requirements. Data 2 was adapted in response to an urgent FPC certification project, shifting from vendor demos to (2a) the co-creation of seven “to-be” process maps and (2b) a market analysis of vendor documentation. Data 3 was collected in a final validation session with key stakeholders.
The study resulted in a validated, two-part Final Proposal. Part 1 is an immediate, "no-cost" "Inventory Action Plan" that leverages the company's existing, underutilized Odoo system. Part 2 is a long-term "Strategic ERP Roadmap" with a "Finalist Shortlist" (NetSuite, Monitor ERP, and ERPNext) recommended for future evaluation. Stakeholder validation (Data 3) refined this proposal by adding requirements for financial auditability (e.g., two-level purchase approvals) and expanding the long-term vision to include Sales and Finance modules.
The significance of this thesis is its direct, practical business value. The "Inventory Action Plan" is already in use by the case company, providing the standardized processes required for its FPC certification. The "Strategic ERP Roadmap" provides a data-driven and expert-validated path for the company's future technological investment. The thesis, therefore, delivers both an immediate tactical solution and a sustainable, long-term strategic plan.
The study employed an Applied Action Research (AAR) methodology, with the researcher as an embedded participant. Data 1 was collected via qualitative interviews and participant observation to complete a Current State Analysis (CSA), which identified “as-is” process flaws and 18 functional requirements. Data 2 was adapted in response to an urgent FPC certification project, shifting from vendor demos to (2a) the co-creation of seven “to-be” process maps and (2b) a market analysis of vendor documentation. Data 3 was collected in a final validation session with key stakeholders.
The study resulted in a validated, two-part Final Proposal. Part 1 is an immediate, "no-cost" "Inventory Action Plan" that leverages the company's existing, underutilized Odoo system. Part 2 is a long-term "Strategic ERP Roadmap" with a "Finalist Shortlist" (NetSuite, Monitor ERP, and ERPNext) recommended for future evaluation. Stakeholder validation (Data 3) refined this proposal by adding requirements for financial auditability (e.g., two-level purchase approvals) and expanding the long-term vision to include Sales and Finance modules.
The significance of this thesis is its direct, practical business value. The "Inventory Action Plan" is already in use by the case company, providing the standardized processes required for its FPC certification. The "Strategic ERP Roadmap" provides a data-driven and expert-validated path for the company's future technological investment. The thesis, therefore, delivers both an immediate tactical solution and a sustainable, long-term strategic plan.