Chapter 4 Case # 3 Wolf Peak International: Failure and Success in Application Software for the Small-to-Medium Enterprise (SME) Algo Leopando Elliot Morton

Background Info. Company expansion Replace old Software Current software exhausted Replace old Software Purchase new software (SME software) Not user friendly No reports printed Switch to new software Purchase a new software again (SAP software)

Sophisticated user interface Old data cannot be migrated Q1: What problems occurred when Wolf Peak upgraded from QuickBooks to a new accounting software package? How could these problems have avoided? Sophisticated user interface Old data cannot be migrated Developed from scratch with insufficient testing No correct reports produced Could have been avoided Lots of Testing Make user interface friendly (similar to a Windows GUI)

Friendly user interface Rapid ROI XL Reporter Q2: Why did SAP’s Business One prove to be better choice for Wolf Peak’s management than the new accounting software? Give several examples to illustrate your answer. Friendly user interface Rapid ROI XL Reporter Works with Excel, instant access to financial & operational data, custom reports Applied software to: Warehouse Management Customer Relationship Management “SAP Business One creates an environment where the decision makers get the information they want on a timely basis, in a format they can use…this is a business management tool.”

Case by case basis Yes: No: Larger sophisticated businesses Q3: Should most SME’s use an integrated business software suite like SAP Business One instead of specialized accounting and other business software packages? Why or why not? Case by case basis Yes: Larger sophisticated businesses Instant results from larger pools of data Many functions & smaller price tag No: Smaller businesses-mom & pop stores Specialized software may provide specific pros to certain industries that are unavailable in integrated business software suits

Current News/Utilization Update By February 2005 Wolf Peak had tripled its workforce. In 2005 and 2006, Wolf Peak was the recipient of the Utah 100 Award recognizing the achievement of being ranked among the fastest growing companies in the state. Still growing to this day. News Cloud Computing Mobile Technologies Furthermore, an expert at the Rapid E-learning Blog suggested that cloud computing and mobile technologies could revolutionize the way that businesses operate. Tom Kuhlmann, editor of the blog, which offers guidance and advice on online training, predicted that 2012 would be the year that more and more businesses embrace the benefits of advanced software and technologies. Mr Kuhlmann suggested that online tools will become easier to use and will provide many more options for companies surrounding how they operate on a daily basis. The expert added that he expects to see a rise in the use of social media platforms to coincide with advancements in other computer technologies.