Data Warehousing – Mr. Abid ButtPFM Devices – Complex Project Initiatives

Faryal Masood – 10776BS (MIT)

Brief Introduction

Question / Answers

1. When PFM devices acquired Pacmedi (Japan) and Cartica (France), what type of challenges did these acquisitions create for IT management who was tasked with integrating these new sources of revenue into the overall organization?• Gary felt that the IT teams in each division were doing the

best they could but lacked leadership and business direction.

• Gary hired Betty L. Brewer as CIO to manage global IT team. Previously global experience in the retail industry was a key to her hiring but she had little experience with the medical device industry and had a lot to learn

• They already implemented the new IT strategy before this new CIO’s hiring.

2. One recommendation regarding the operation in France was to begin thinking about replacing the current business software (ERP system) with one more compatible with the US and Japan organizations. Assuming that PFM Devices had decided to go with one enterprise resource planning (ERP) vendor (e.g. SAP) for the whole organization, what are the benefits and challenges of this option?

Benefits• Integration• Efficiency• Cost reduction• Less personnel• Accuracy

Challenges• Very Expensive Implementation

Costs• Management needs training• Updating infrastructure

3. Due to Revenue Shortfalls, the CIO at PFM Devices is faced with the decision of choosing either a CRM or a DW project. Which project should she select? What should be her basis for the decision?

• She should select CRM because CRM is giving compounding profits every year.

• The costs increase by 5% for both cases.

• By implementing DW, the inventory cost saving is 4%, whereas due to CRM the revenue increases by 10%.

4. What is the purpose of it governance? Does PFM Devices exhibit effective IT governance in its project selection process?

• IT governance (ITG) is defined as the processes that ensure the effective and efficient use of IT in enabling an organization to achieve its goals. The purpose of IT governance is to make decisions that ensure IT investments help achieve institutional goals.

• No PFM Devices do not exhibit effective IT governance in its project selection process

5. in her "100-day assessment of worldwide IT Operations," the CIO reported that the IT infrastructure at the France division (Cartica) was “not current to today’s standard.” Discuss both the business and technical implications of having such an outdated IT infrastructure.

Business• Business would be in loss• Can’t compete with industry

Technical• No documented plan for

recovery• Inadequate procedures for

backups• Lacking of forward compatibility

6. What challenges will the CIO face in aligning business and IT strategy across the PFM Devices organization?

• CIO must integrate the management teams closely to build trust over time

• Both business and IT must be involved throughout the development cycle of all projects in order for IT and business to be truly aligned

• Technology should have the same end goal as the other disciplines in the business