Harley Davidson Motor Company : Enterprise

Software Selection Case Study

Tej Bahadur Nepali
Walden University

Harley-Davidson Motor Company has been founded in 1903 which had become one of the
leading manufacturers of motorcycles around the world. It has sell dealers more than 67 countries,
and it produces up to 28,000 motorcycles yearly. Harley-Davidson motor company's motorcycles
productions are as legend product. Caldwell, Bruce (1998, December 7). Because of this reason, the
company growth and enlarged globally presence. The management aware about that an integrated
management system not only increase the company's process but also well managed its budget and
return its growth.
In this case study, the technical aspect involved for integrated software in business
operations, purchasing teams. (Thomas, William, Berry, and Clay 56).According to this case study
the key factors considered in justifying the need for the software with regard to business process
where the people, processes and technology involved. The software's implementation improves
people's work in an efficient manner. The software illustrates the business process. Finally, the
software will enhance the technology.
Harley-Davidson developed ERP selection process. They made a framework and operational
strategies which had a high possibility of functionality and statically differences among other
competitors. They put some measurable attributes (low, medium, high) that was possible useful to
implementation, technical support and long-term relationship.
The providers 1 and provider 2 appeared to be a close with confounding variable for number
three. Sullivan, L. (March 8, 2004). The three providers had their differences rating values, but the
decision was almost close and appropriate among them to provide and implement the required
system. This case study showed that the evaluation process used in both qualitative and functional
approaches. It showed clearly that how the product fit company's requirements to be considered
such as long term potential, research and development, financial Viability, number of partner
providers included in solution proposal and change management methodology.
In general, functionality, culture fit and potential long-term relationship and change
management are the factors which played a vital role in decision making processing. In my
evaluation, I recommend provider 1 for software because they pay attention to the dynamics
peoples. It has strong on the change management side as well as functionality. They show that the
RFQ and they understand what the software can do.

References
Caldwell, Bruce (1998, December 7). Harley-Davidson revs up IT horsepower.(Company
Operations). Internet Week, Retrieved from www.informationweek.com
Escalle, Cotteleer, and Austin, Ryan. Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Report No 9-699-020,
Harvard Business School, Cambridge, MA, USA, 1999.
Eldridge,E. (April 8, 2003). Investors fear Harleys thunder grows faint. USA Today.
Sullivan,L. (March 8, 2004). Ready to roll. Information Week. Retrived
fromwww.informationweek.com
Thomas,Vollman, William, Berry, L., and Clay, Whyberk. Manufacturing Planning and Control
Systems for Supply Chain Management,London: McGraw Hill, 2005.