E-Governance through Enterprises Resource Planning System in ICAR

Abstract

E-Governance in India has steadily evolved from computerization of Government Department to initiatives that encapsulate the finer points of Governance, such as citizen centricity, service orientation and transparency. Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) System integrates and streamline the business processes of an organization across departmental and geographical borders. Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) decided to implement a robust and flexible management information system including financial management system for key processes such as financial management, project management, materials management, human resource management and payroll in its 100 Institutes. In order to meet the requirements, ICAR-ERP, an integrated financial and information management system, has been customized using Oracle E-Business Applications Suite and software Engineering principle and implemented in ICAR. During the implementation, A-Is process, To be process, technical architecture, user manual, computer based training material, short operational procedure etc. have been developed in collaboration with partner institutes and core team identified for this task. These documents are available on the website for dissemination of information and ICAR-ERP system is accessible through URL http://icarerp.iasri.res.in/ . This system aims to improve organizational resource planning and decision making, enhance efficiency and productivity of employee in long run through improved information management and work culture. The system envisages to enforce standardization and bring transparency in the business processes to achieve faster and uniform reporting across ICAR institutions. The successful implementation of e-governance applications involves many risk and challenges particularly important for a large scale and complex system such as ERP implementation in ICAR, government research organization system. ICT infrastructure, high bandwidth of Internet connectivity, change attitude management, capacity building on IT skills and system use, digitization and verification of records, flexibility in software to incorporate change etc. are important challenges which has been addressed. In this chapter, an attempt is made to bring out various aspects of customizing the system and how structured and professional approach during phases of the project has led a step towards achieving the project outcomes.