IMPLANTATION OF A MANAGEMENT INTEGRATED SYSTEM FOLLOWING THE SOFTWARE AS A SERVICE (SAAS) MODEL: A CASE STUDY INVOLVING A SMALL ENGINEERING FIRM

Abstract

This paper presents a case study focusing on the implications of the deployment of an integrated information system based on SaaS (Software as a Service) within a small engineering company. We build our theoretical framework based on literature concerning ERP systems (Enterprise Resource Planning) and SaaS, so as to perform an empirical research that relies upon interviews with the employees as a data collection technique. Our results show benefits and difficulties for the company, which were not observed in the literature. The main perceived advantage of the system was its low cost. From the organizational point of view, the process redesign proved to be a simple task, since the company was already certified according to standard ISO 9001 before the system was implemented.