1. Course Syllabus
ISYS 4213: Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)
Fundamentals
ISYS 4213 ERP Fundamentals 1
Welcome to the world of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)! I look forward to working with each of you this
semester. This course serves as an introduction to ERP and also provides a solid foundation for common
business processes in many disciplines and how they are supported by modern information systems. The
class examines various elements of an organization’s business process and teaches students to examine
and analyze business processes. The student’s study is reinforced by the use of SAP ERP software to
support both strategic decisions and day-to-day operations of a business. We will also cover the impact of
ERP on the organization and how change can be managed.
E-mail and Blackboard will be used as a major means of communication between students and with the
instructor. Questions regarding graded items may be submitted by email. I encourage you to use office hours
to talk about the class, share anything ERP-related that you run across, or address any concerns.
“How to E-mail a Professor” resource: http://m.wikihow.com/Email-a-Professor
Instructor: Michael Gibbs
Information Systems Department
Walton College of Business
Contact Information:
Office: WCOB 246C
Office Telephone: 479-575-4030
E-mail: mgibbs@walton.uark.edu
Office Hours:
TBD
(or by appt)
Class:
Section 004
Meets: Tue & Thu, 3:30 – 4:45 p.m.
Room: WCOB 250
“
Course Website: http://learn.uark.edu/
Course Logistics:
Face-to-face instruction will be provided in a Walton College of Business classroom, and your course
will be supplemented with material delivered online using course management software, Blackboard.
Course Textbooks:
o Magal & Word, Integrated Business Processes with ERP Systems, First Edition.
9780470478448
o ERPsim Participant’s Guide – available in the ERPsim Learning Portal (must purchase license)
o Various Readings – available on Blackboard
ERP Simulation Game License:
o Registration Code/License – cost is $50 CAD (Canadian Dollar), approx. $40 USD (U.S. Dollar)
Blackboard Assistance:
Consult online support resources found within Blackboard or at
https://techarticles.uark.edu/blackboard_students/.
 Contact the Blackboard Help Desk
E-mail: bbhelp@uark.edu Telephone: 479-575-6804

2. Course Syllabus
ISYS 4213: Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)
Fundamentals
ISYS 4213 ERP Fundamentals 2
Course Description:
In this course, students will learn about common business processes and gain proficiency in the use of SAP
ERP to execute those processes. Business processes will be studied and documented using standard
process modeling techniques. Students will also learn about and discuss issues relating to ERP
implementation, change management, process improvement, and integration of processes and data. SAP
implementations will be studied through cases and may be augmented by guest speakers from industry and
consulting. Students will participate in a competitive simulated business environment which combines the
individual processes into a full cash-to-cash cycle, using data from SAP to make both tactical and strategic
business decisions.
Course Goals:
Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:
 Describe the advantages, strategic value, and organizational impact of utilizing an ERP system for
the management of information across the functional areas of a business: sales and marketing,
accounting and finance, human resource management, and supply chain management.
 Demonstrate a working knowledge of how data and transactions are integrated in an ERP system to
support the cash-to-cash cycle, including the planning, procurement, production, and sales
processes. Examine processes separately, and then collectively using a simulated business
environment in which business decisions are made and executed in the ERP.
 Demonstrate the ability to collect and analyze data from ERP systems to make both tactical and
strategic business decisions by examining data generated in a simulated business environment.
 Create and interpret visual models of processes, to understand existing business processes and to
describe ERP-delivered processes in order to demonstrate the value of an ERP implementation.
 Evaluate organizational opportunities and challenges in the design and implementation of an ERP
system within a business scenario.
Entry Skills:
Before beginning this course a student should possess the following skills:
 Competency with common desktop PC applications and operating systems.
 Willingness to accept that SAP does not behave like common desktop PC applications.
Blackboard:
As with most classes, the Blackboard System will be used for providing handouts, study guides, readings,
and other sources of materials. Blackboard will also be used to facilitate delivery of online content and
assignments. Blackboard is available at http://learn.uark.edu/.
Assessment and Grades:
Celebration of Knowledge (Exam)
There are two equally weighted exams in this course. Exams may include multiple choice, short answer,
essay, and/or problem solving components. Exams will include materials from the textbook, reading
assignments, handouts, exercises, simulation, and classroom discussion. Dates of the exams will be
posted on the class schedule Absolutely no makeup exams will be given for uncoordinated/unexcused
exam absences. Any

3. Course Syllabus
ISYS 4213: Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)
Fundamentals
ISYS 4213 ERP Fundamentals 3
uncoordinated, unexcused exam will result in a score of 0 for that exam, unless prior permission has
been given. Permission to take a make-up exam will be given only for extreme circumstances and may be
administered in any exam format decided by the instructor (e.g., oral, essay, etc.).
Hands-On Assignments
The best way to become familiar with the concepts of ERP is by using them. To aid in your learning there will
be a number of individual homework assignments in this class. Assignments will consist of hands-on lab
manual material as well as other individual assignments as appropriate. Many assignments will be submitted
via the "Assignment" feature in Blackboard. Please make sure your files are free from problems that would
prevent me from opening them (e.g., free of viruses, are not corrupted, etc.) and that you select the correct
file for submission. You must click the "Submit" link after you attach your file in order to submit your
assignment for grading. Submission of assignments that are not viewable, are not the correct file, or are not
fully submitted (i.e., did not click the Submit link) will likely lead to an assignment grade of zero. Assignments
are due by the specified due date and time listed in Blackboard. For late assignments (anything after the
specified due date), I will subtract 10% from your score on each project for each business day that it
is late, up to a maximum of 3 business days' late; after this point, the assignment will not be accepted.
Quizzes
A handful of quizzes will be given throughout the semester. The quizzes may be unannounced and given in
class (beginning or end). When possible, quizzes will be administered online.
Participation
Participation will be assessed based on in-class activities and exercises. If you attend class and participate in
assigned individual and team activities, these should be pretty easy points to get.
Projects
Teams of students will compete in a simulated business environment using SAP to operate their businesses
and implement strategic decisions. The simulation project groups will be comprised of 4-5 people. If possible,
all project teams should be comprised of students from different disciplines/backgrounds, so this should be
taken into consideration when teams are formed. I reserve the right to arrange/rearrange team assignments
based upon skill mixture among the individual team members. Teams will be selected and the project
assignment will be distributed before the project begins. Group members will critique other group members'
contribution and these critiques will have a direct bearing on the points allocated to individuals on each team.
Further details on the simulation project and presentation will be given later.
Grading Scale
The following scale provides the official percentage scale for letter grades in the course. Note that I do
round up: 89.5% is an A. 89.4% is a B. If you are one or two points away from a letter grade at the end of
the class, you almost certainly could have done something earlier in the semester to make a difference.
Percentage Grade
89.5-100% A Exceptionally High Quality
79.5-89.4% B Good Quality
69.5-79.4% C Average Quality
59.5-69.4% D Low Quality
0-59.4% F Unacceptable Quality
N/A I Incomplete

4. Course Syllabus
ISYS 4213: Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)
Fundamentals
ISYS 4213 ERP Fundamentals 4
Course Point Values
This is a typical breakdown of point values. I reserve the right to deviate from this distribution at my discretion.
Component Pts %
Exam I 100 20%
Exam II 100 20%
Lab Assignments (4 x 25 pts) 100 20%
Quizzes / Participation / Other Assignments 100 20%
Final Project 100 20%
TOTAL 500 100%
Course Policies:
Attendance and Participation
All students are expected to attend regularly and punctually all scheduled face-to-face classes and online
meetings. Failure to do so may jeopardize a student's scholastic standing and may lead to suspension
from the University in certain circumstances. Only official excuses will be accepted. If a class is missed, it
is the student's responsibility to obtain assignments, lecture notes, etc.
Moreover, it is the student's responsibility to keep up with all online weekly content, assignments,
and projects. Extensive use of Blackboard is expected in this course.
Academic Honesty
“As a core part of its mission, the University of Arkansas provides students with the opportunity to further their
educational goals through programs of study and research in an environment that promotes freedom of
inquiry and academic responsibility. Accomplishing this mission is only possible when intellectual honesty and
individual integrity prevail.
Each University of Arkansas student is required to be familiar with and abide by the University’s ‘Academic
Integrity Policy’ which may be found at http://provost.uark.edu/245.php. Students with questions about how
these policies apply to a particular course or assignment should immediately contact their instructor.”
Grade Appeals
All grade appeals are to be made in writing (e-mail is ok) within 48 hours. You should include your name, the
specific item you are appealing, your original response and an explanation why that item should be re-
scored. This is done to document the process and ensure grade equity across the class.
Inclement Weather Policy
I will “officially” cancel classes only if the University cancels all classes. Information concerning University
closings can be obtained by calling 575-7000 or 575-2000. When in doubt, check your email as well as
Blackboard for any pre-class announcements because I will post a message on Blackboard and send an
email if class is cancelled. If weather prevents you from attending class, please notify me immediately.
Likewise, if weather prevents me from attending class (I live on a very steep hill), I will notify you as quickly
as I can and adjustments will be made to the schedule as necessary.
Illness & Pandemic Policy
If you are not feeling well, and suspect you may have a contagious illness, do not attend class. Seek medical
attention as needed, and notify me as early as possible before class. Assignment due dates may be adjusted
on a case-by-case basis and only with appropriate medical documentation of your absence. In the event
that I am unable to attend class due to illness, I will do my best to make alternative arrangements. If we
experience significant impacts from a pandemic (canceled classes and/or many students ill), we will use
Blackboard as an alternate communication medium for course lectures and topical discussions. In the event
of class cancellations or instructor absences, announcements will be sent out via e-mail and Blackboard.

5. Course Syllabus
ISYS 4213: Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)
Fundamentals
ISYS 4213 ERP Fundamentals 5
Classroom Behavior
Appropriate classroom behavior is expected of all students. Please turn off cell phones or select the vibrate
mode or silence mode during class. Please respect the learning environment of your fellow students by
refraining from texting, surfing the web, or any other non-class related activity on any electronic device in
class. These activities distract those around you and can detract from their learning experience. If you feel
that you must do any of these activities, please leave the room to do so. Inappropriate and disruptive
classroom behavior will not be tolerated and will result in possible removal from the class and /or
disciplinary action as per the student handbook.
Guidelines for Accommodations for Students with Disabilities:
Any student requiring special accommodation (e.g. disability, religious observance) should contact me as
soon as possible so we can work within the university and college guidelines. Students are responsible for
requesting accommodations from the Center for Educational Access (CEA).
Disclaimer:
I reserve the right to deviate from the schedule and any changes to the schedule will be posted on Blackboard
and/or communicated by email. It’s your responsibility to remain up-to-date. Additional information about the
exams, assignments, and project will be provided in class. The scheduled dates for exams, etc., are subject
to change, but changes will be discussed in class. Students are expected to attend classes and are
responsible for obtaining information from missed classes from other students (including changes to due
dates and assignments) and/or Blackboard.