Free Essays on Video Violence And Juveniles

Major Paper: Violent Video Games Influence on Juveniles In our great land of America, violence is all too common and often children are behind these dreadful acts. The most commonly asked question is who is to blame? There are many different explanations, but videogames seem to be an easy target. Although videogames have been proven to have some violent effects on youthful behavior, parents, religious groups, politicians, and especially the media are eager to point fingers, rather than to address the real problem. Much of the attention is directed around shooting games like Quake, Grand Theft Auto, and Doom. The object here is to use a weapon in order to injure your opponent. The player has access to guns, knives, or bombs depending on the particular game. Shooting games have been in the industry for a while, but the technological imagery of violence is causing a good deal of controversy (Newsmagazine, 2000). The injuries sustained are becoming remarkably realistic. The more horrific injuries include exploding bodies, dissembling limbs, and decapitation. Zimmerman 2 The realistic injuries may overshadow the other deviant acts that are carried out. The game has characters committing crimes like muggings on the street, drive by shootings, and car jacking. These images could provoke youth to commit a crime more than seeing a dissembled body. Violent games are among the most popular in the video game industry, and children are significant contributors playing the games (Cesarone, 1995). The games will only continue to be bigger, better, and bloodier because this is what the American pubic demands. What the people want, the video game industry should give. These games are intended for the adult public, not to adolescents. The industry issued voluntary warning label in 1994, but now all videos are required by law to issue a rating (Freedom Forum, 2001). Not the video industry, but the distributors should be the ones ... Free Essays on Video Violence And Juveniles Free Essays on Video Violence And Juveniles Major Paper: Violent Video Games Influence on Juveniles In our great land of America, violence is all too common and often children are behind these dreadful acts. The most commonly asked question is who is to blame? There are many different explanations, but videogames seem to be an easy target. Although videogames have been proven to have some violent effects on youthful behavior, parents, religious groups, politicians, and especially the media are eager to point fingers, rather than to address the real problem. Much of the attention is directed around shooting games like Quake, Grand Theft Auto, and Doom. The object here is to use a weapon in order to injure your opponent. The player has access to guns, knives, or bombs depending on the particular game. Shooting games have been in the industry for a while, but the technological imagery of violence is causing a good deal of controversy (Newsmagazine, 2000). The injuries sustained are becoming remarkably realistic. The more horrific injuries include exploding bodies, dissembling limbs, and decapitation. Zimmerman 2 The realistic injuries may overshadow the other deviant acts that are carried out. The game has characters committing crimes like muggings on the street, drive by shootings, and car jacking. These images could provoke youth to commit a crime more than seeing a dissembled body. Violent games are among the most popular in the video game industry, and children are significant contributors playing the games (Cesarone, 1995). The games will only continue to be bigger, better, and bloodier because this is what the American pubic demands. What the people want, the video game industry should give. These games are intended for the adult public, not to adolescents. The industry issued voluntary warning label in 1994, but now all videos are required by law to issue a rating (Freedom Forum, 2001). Not the video industry, but the distributors should be the ones ...

How Christian Sects Atoned for Racism in the Church

How Christian Sects Atoned for Racism in the Church Racism has infiltrated  every sector in the United States- the armed forces,  schools, housing and, yes, even the church. After the civil rights movement, a number of religious denominations began to racially integrate. In the 21st century, several Christian sects have apologized for their role in supporting slavery, segregation and other forms of racism in the church. The Catholic Church, the Southern Baptist Convention and the United Methodist Church are just a few of the Christian denominations that have admitted to engaging in discriminatory practices and announced that they would instead strive to promote social justice. Heres  how the church has attempted to atone  for acts of racism. Southern Baptists Split From Past The Southern Baptist Convention arose after Baptists in the North and the South clashed on the issue of slavery in 1845. The Southern Baptists are the largest Protestant denomination in the country and are known for not only backing slavery but also racial segregation. In June 1995, however, the Southern Baptists apologized for supporting racial injustice. At its yearly meeting in Atlanta, the Southern Baptists passed a resolution â€Å"to repudiate historic acts of evil, such as slavery, from which we continue to reap a bitter harvest.† The group also specifically apologized to African Americans â€Å"for condoning and/or perpetuating individual and systemic racism in our lifetime, and we genuinely repent of racism of which we have been guilty, whether consciously or unconsciously.† In June 2012, the Southern Baptist Convention garnered headlines for making racial progress after electing a black pastor, Fred Luter Jr., its president. Methodist Church Seeks Forgiveness For Racism United Methodist Church officials have  confessed to centuries of racism.  Delegates to its general conference in 2000 apologized to black churches that fled from the church because of bigotry. â€Å"Racism has lived like a malignancy in the bone marrow of this church for years,† said Bishop William Boyd Grove. â€Å"It is high time to say we’re sorry.† Blacks were among the first Methodists in the United States back in the 18th century, but the issue of slavery divided the church along regional and racial lines. Black Methodists ended up forming the African Methodist Episcopal Church, the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church and the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church because white Methodists excluded them. As recently as the 1960s, white Methodist churches in the South banned blacks from worshipping with them. Episcopal Church Apologizes for Involvement in Slavery At its 75th general convention in 2006, the Episcopal Church apologized for supporting the institution of slavery. The church issued a resolution declaring that the institution of slavery â€Å"is a sin and a fundamental betrayal of the humanity of all persons who were involved.† The church acknowledged that slavery was a sin in which it had partaken. â€Å"The Episcopal Church lent the institution of slavery its support and justification based on Scripture, and after slavery was formally abolished, the Episcopal Church continued for at least a century to support de jure and de facto segregation and discrimination,† the church confessed in its resolution. The church apologized for its history of racism and asked for forgiveness. Moreover, it directed its Committee on Anti-Racism to monitor the church’s ties to slavery and segregation and had its presiding bishop name a Day of Repentance to acknowledge its wrongdoing. Catholic Officials Deem Racism Morally Wrong Officials in the Catholic Church acknowledged that racism was morally questionable as far back as 1956, when other churches routinely practiced racial segregation. That year, New Orleans Archbishop Joseph Rummel penned the pastoral â€Å"The Morality of Racial Segregation† in which he stated, â€Å"Racial segregation as such is morally wrong and sinful because it is a denial of the unity-solidarity of the human race as conceived by God in the creation of Adam and Eve.† He announced that the Catholic Church would cease to practice segregation in its schools. Decades after Rummel’s groundbreaking pastoral, Pope John Paul II begged God’s forgiveness for several sins the church condoned, including racism.

Four Seasons Hotels And Resorts Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Four Seasons Hotels And Resorts - Essay Example Four Seasons Hotels, Inc. is a Canadian-based international luxury hotel chain consisting of hotels and resorts aimed at the higher end of the accommodation market. It is considered among the best luxury hotel chains worldwide.Four Seasons is a publicly traded corporation headquartered in Toronto, Canada.It has grown from single hotel to a prestigious company with 74 luxury hotels and resort properties several of which include a residential component. These properties operate under the Four Seasons brand name in principal cities and resort destinations in 31 countries in North America, The Caribbean, Europe, Australia, Asia, The Middle East and South America.The business-oriented hotels (as opposed to the resort properties) are typically mediumsize, located in major business and commercial centers, either in downtown areas or in suburbs with significant business infrastructures. Founded in 1960 by Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Isadore Sharp, Four Seasons traces it roots to an idea that proved to be revolutionary: what the global business traveler wanted most was personalised service, available round-the-clock. Frequent international travel, now so commonplace, was an emerging trend in the 1960's and '70s. It set the stage for a new kind of luxury hotel experience.Sharp had the opportunity to capitalize on this trend when the company opened its third hotel, and its first in Europe, the Inn on the Park, now known as Four Seasons Hotel London.... Four Seasons was also the first to provide European-style concierge services and room service 24/7, offer innovative choices in cuisine, taking the hotel dining experience to a new level ,and to make all of these services available at every hotel it operated. Mission To provide Exceptional service in unparalleled settings Goal The main goal is to be an undisputed global leader in luxury lodging. Objectives Provide economic returns that would help sustain the portfolio. Enhance the value of Four Seasons reputation and brand name globally. Generate premium shareholder returns over the long term. Values: Consistently superior quality, exclusivity, a measure of enhanced social status, and a measure of the ability of a brand to make a customer "feel special". The Four Seasons' firmly believes in the golden rule, "treat others, how you would like to be treated". Portfolio The 1990's brought a new avenue of growth, the opening of the company's first destination resort, Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, extending the company's unique approach to the leisure experience. An early pioneer of spa as an integral part of the luxury hotel experience, Four Seasons first introduced a full-service spa in 1986, at Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas. By 2001, every Four Seasons resort included a distinctive spa experience and every property worldwide offered on-site spa services.Four Seasons launched a new extension of its brand in 1997. Today, Four Seasons Residential Properties to provide full or fractional ownership of city and vacation homes in some of the most desirable locations around the world. Four Seasons Private Residences in San Francisco, Nevis - soon in Miami and Punta Mita - offer fully deeded hotel ownership of condominiums

SOX Section 404 Consulting Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

SOX Section 404 Consulting - Essay Example Section 404 is the key aspect of SOX; it  highly  demands the external auditors and management of a company to  emphasis  on reporting of financial statements. This  process  turns out to be the most  costly  processes among all requirements laid down by the  legislation  for companies. This is because testing and documenting of paramount automated and  manual  final  financial statements is highly sensitive. Under this section, the Act requires  management  to  avail  an â€Å"internal control  report† together with annual Exchange Act report. The report encompasses the  role  of  management  in putting down the  procedure  and procedures of the internal control system. This is because their  efficiency  dictates the  adequacy  of the financial statements (Ramos, 2008, p 23). This section contains an  assessment  of the company after the financial year, including the  establishment  and maintenance of the control system. The  section  also includes the  level  of  effectiveness  of the control system is reporting the audit scope. The management has to adopt the internal control systems described in international auditing standards. In reference to Apollo Shoes Company, the cost elevation, guidance, and  practice  is taking place. There is a  compilation  of approvals made by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board. All this activities ensure there is a fair representation of the shareholders by the management. Significant regulations and guidelines regarding audits of internal control It is  evident  that the internal controls of Apollo Shoes are above average. As a result, there are few recommendations needed to meet the set standards. The company should ensure that all employees  respect  the internal controls in order to meet the set standards. It is  noticeable  that many employees hardly  follow  the set  procedure  to  secure  the asse ts of the company. We also  propose  that the relationship between the internal auditors and  management  is not  healthy; therefore, the audit committee should have a sitting to  resolve  this arising issue. Through this,  company  is going to  enhance  auditors’ independence (Ramos, 2008, p. 23). Risks identified within the company In Apollo Shoes Company, there are few areas open to  risk. This is a result of negligence on the employees. After a detailed evaluation of the company, it is  evident  that Apollo Shoes is a company that has identified itself in terms of quality control systems. This is a  complement  that goes to the internal auditors. However, there are gaps which may lead to material misrepresentation in the financial statements. One of the key areas is the procedure followed in completing a transaction. For a company to  prevent  Ã¢â‚¬Å"ghost transactions,† there should be many signatories between initiation and comp letion of a transaction. An  ideal  example  is when a potential buyer places an order; the party receiving the  notice  should be different from that processing the  order. The party processing the  order  should be different from the party arranging the  dispatch, and  lastly  the  party  delivering  goods  should be different from the other parties. In reference to the audit report,  confidential  accounts have a weak security  system. The system is using out of date technology, and this may lead to unhealthy competition. The company should adopt new technology to enhance secrecy, and  protection  of ideas. Examples of these technologies include biometric security systems, and the  recent  business  solution such as the SAP models. These solutions make use of integrated IT  knowledge  that is free from hacking and other mal-handling. Other areas that  need  concentration are  stock  counting, depreciation and  appreciati on  calculation, and  basis  behind activities such as bonuses, retirement pension, writing off bad-debts, and disposal of assets, among others. Internal controls and the  audit  process Internal controls determine the

Sacrifice in The Lottery by Shirley Jackson and Rocking Horse Winner by

The point of view of tradition in The Lottery by Shirley Jackson is the normal once of year gathering on the townspeople. This gathering is held in order to pick, via a lottery drawing, to decide who in the town is going to be stoned to death. â€Å"The people of the village began to gather in the square, between the post office and the bank, around ten o’clock; in some towns there were so many people the lottery took two days and had started on June 26th, but in this village, where there were only about three hundred people, and the whole lottery took less than two hours, so it could begin at ten o’clock in morning and still be through in time to allow the villagers to get home for noon dinner.† (Kennedy & Gioia, 2013, pp. 251). The fact that the people gather and discuss everyday issue prior to the start of the lottery all point to the blind tradition of selecting some to be stoned to death. The author also points out in her story that no one knew when or why the tradition of the lottery began. Even not knowing Tessie Hutchinson, at first had no issues with the annual event. It was only when she â€Å"won† the lottery that she developed the point of view that was bias or judgmental. Mrs. Hutchinson protests the process of the lottery and the town’s methods, â€Å"It isn’t fair, it isn’t right† Mrs. Hutchinson screamed, and then they were upon her.† (Kennedy & Gioia, 2013, pp. 256). The interpretation of the stoning is that the town quantifies the reason to murder to satisfy the harvest. The point of view of materialism in the Rocking Horse Winner by D.H. Lawrence is the seen from inside the mind of child in the story, Paul. â€Å"He went off by himself, vaguely, in a childish way, seeking for the clue to â€Å"luck,† Absorbed, taking n... ...ing horse, her desires are never satisfied. In conclusion, both short stories you can see that they both arrive at a sacrifice of the protagonist’s from different paths. The Lottery is from the view point of blind tradition and The Rocking Horse Winner is from the view point of materialism, the love of money. Although both stories are similar with sacrifice as the end result, the sacrifices are for to completely different circumstances. Tessie Hutchinson’s sacrifice is to satisfy the harvest, which benefits the town. Paul’s sacrifice is to satisfy his mother happiness, which benefits an individual. References APA: Kennedy, X. J., & Gioia, D. (2013). Symbol. In J. Terry, K. Glynn & D. Campion (Eds.), Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, Drama, and Writing (7 ed., pp. 234-245; pp. 250-256). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education Inc.

Five Myths about Immigration Essay

Author David Cole explains in â€Å"Five Myths about Immigration† that people are misinformed about immigrants in America and blame them for all the problems in the American society. Cole comments that the â€Å"Native Americans†, which have nothing to do with what we call Native Americans today, were labeled as â€Å"Know-Nothings† because they simply did not know anything about immigrants and prejudged immigrants who came into the country. The author quotes one â€Å"Know-Nothing† for saying that â€Å"more than half the prisons and almshouses, more than half the police and the cost of administering criminal justice are for foreigners.† In the 1860s, immigrants arrived from Ireland and Germany causing â€Å"anti-alien and anti-Catholic sentiments† to appear in states such as Massachusetts and New York. Cole takes this topic to heart because his ancestors were among the â€Å"dirt-poor Irish-Catholics† who moved to America in the 1960s but were fortunate because after fifteen years the prejudice faded away. Now, 140 years later, the author points out that a similar prejudice has returned with the exception that the focus has changed from â€Å"Irish Catholics and Germans† to â€Å"Latin Americans (most recently, Cubans), Haitians, and Arab-Americans.† Cole explains how five commonly held beliefs regarding immigrants to the United States, are in reality â€Å"myths.† Cole’s first misunderstanding â€Å"myth† is that â€Å"America is being overrun with immigrants.† America is a â€Å"nation of immigrants†, which has been true since Christopher Columbus landed in this country. Although most Americans believe that foreign-born people make up a large population of the United States, Cole notes that only eight percent of immigrants fall in this category. In fact, â€Å"between seventy and eighty percent† of those who immigrate each year are â€Å"refugees and immediate relatives of U.S. citizens.† In addition, immigrants living in the United States only make up one percent of the country’s population. â€Å"Most aliens do not cross the border illegally,† emphasizes Cole, â€Å"but enter legally and remain after their student of visitor visa expires.† Cole’s second â€Å"myth† is a misjudgment that â€Å"Immigrants take jobs from U.S. citizens.† This is a common misunderstanding Americans have about immigrants. It is easier for a person to point out that jobs are being taken away from U.S. citizens, Cole argues, than to admit that immigrants have  indeed started successful business employing both citizens and immigrants alike. As documented by a 1994 A.C.L.U Immigrants’ Rights Project report, various studies prove that immigrants â€Å"create more jobs than they fill.† Cole mentions a study that found 78,000 new jobs were created in the Los Angeles County between 1970 and 1980 because of Mexican immigration. Cole comments how Governor Mario Cuomo of New York announced immigrants have provided thousands of jobs from 40,000 immigrant owned companies which provided â€Å"$3.5 billion to the state’s economy every year.† Cole’s third â€Å"myth† includes the belief that â€Å"Immigrants are a drain on society’s resources.† Cole mentions that Americans feel immigrants should not receive government benefits, but according to a 1994 Urban Institute report, â€Å"immigrants generate significantly more in taxes paid than they cost in services received.† Studies demonstrate that taxes go to the federal government, states Cole, but when the â€Å"state and federal money† is distributed, the figures show no evidence about the cost of immigrants. The United States loses money on immigrants who recently moved to the county because they have not yet â€Å"made it.† For this reason, the author affirms that immigrants are a big advantage to the economy . Social programs are unavailable to undocumented immigrants, expresses Cole, but are granted rights to benefits of medical and nutritional care and education for children. Eliminating health care would â€Å"cost u s more in the long run,† explains Cole. Cole’s fourth â€Å"myth† involves he misconception that â€Å"Aliens refuse to assimilate, and are depriving us of our cultural and political unity.† Throughout history, immigrants have developed and created the â€Å"American culture† into what it is today, comments Cole. He quotes Supreme Court Justice Stephen Field for writing in 1984 that the Chinese â€Å"have remained among us a separate people, retaining their original peculiarities of dress, manners, habits, and modes of living, which are as marked as their complexion and language.† After five years, Field supported his remarks towards Chinese immigrants. Our society pressures immigrants to adapt to American culture, exerts Cole. For this reason, Cole raises the question is it ethical to â€Å"limit immigrants in a society† that is built upon the culture  of past immigrants? Cole’s final â€Å"myth† is â€Å"Noncitizen immigrants are not entitled to constitutional rights.† The Bill of Rights protects all people, Cole contends, only reserving for citizens the right to vote and run for a federal office position. In contrast, immigrants are still treated less than a U.S. citizen because they are foreigners. Cole points out that in 1893, the executive branch required Chinese laborers to prove their residency in the United States by the testimony of â€Å"at least one credible white witness† simply because â€Å"nonwhites could not be trusted.† Cole is handling a pending case in the Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit that has the Clinton Administration arguing that legal immigrants living in the country should have no more First Amendment Rights than first-time immigrants coming into the United States â€Å"-that is, none.† Cole explains in an example that a non-citizen can be deported for expressing themselves th e same way as a citizen is allowed to. In conclusion, Cole acknowledges a quote that he was taught: â€Å"we will be judged by how we treat others.† By this standard, Cole goes on to explain that if we keep treating immigrants the way that we do right now, â€Å"we are not in very good shape.†

MRF Madras Rubber Factory - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 5 Words: 1493 Downloads: 9 Date added: 2017/09/11 Category Advertising Essay Did you like this example? MRF LIMITED SAP ENSURES A SMOOTH DRIVE AHEAD FOR MRF LIMITED, A LEADING PLAYER IN THE TYRE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY QUICK FACTS â€Å"SAP has changed the way we work and for the better. We can’t do without SAP. In fact, MRF runs on SAP. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "MRF Madras Rubber Factory" essay for you Create order We will look to SAP to meet our future business needs,† Prince Azariah, Chief Information Officer, MRF Limited Summary n n n n n n Name: MRF Limited Head Office: Chennai Industry: Automotive Supplier Products: Tyres Employees: 15,000 Revenue: INR 5000 Crores www. mrftyres. com (new website under construction) Why SAP solution n n n Industry dominance Functions and features Met company’s requirements Positioned for future growth Availability of reliable information at all relevant levels on real-time basis leading to improved decision-making and control Increased organizational efficiency Enhanced internal collaboration and increased employee productivity Siemens Information Systems Limited Outdated legacy systems, failed implementation of Oracle Applications Hardware: HP Integrity Servers Operating System: HP-UX Database: IBM DB2 Key Benefits n Website n n Key Challenges n n n n Reposition IT as a business enabler Overcome difficulty in managing and controlling disparate data Integrate all major business functions and achieve real-time management Increase efficiency to support rapid business growth Consolidate all business systems into a single, integrated enterprise resource planning (ERP) system Provide a platform for free flow of infor mation and a central data repository Implementation Partner n Existing Environment n Project Objectives n n n n n SAP ERP Solutions and Services Implementation Highlights n n n n Time-frame: 9 months, strict adherence to time-schedules Top Management’s support Highly dedicated team Comprehensive change management SAP ERP Success Story MRF Limited MRF LIMITED SAP ENSURES A SMOOTH DRIVE AHEAD FOR MRF LIMITED, A LEADING PLAYER IN THE TYRE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY MRF Limited is engaged in the manufacturing, distribution and sale of an extensive range of superior quality tyres for various kinds of vehicles. The company’s operations relate to manufacture of rubber products, such as tyres, tubes, flaps, tread rubber and conveyor belt, as well as specialty coatings for a variety of applications. MRF has six production facilities in India and around 80 sales offices. From its humble origins in 1946, the company has come a long way to become the market leader in the tyre manufacturing industry. MRF exports its products to over 75 countries worldwide. Today, global tyre manufacturers have to plan and adapt to changes in customer demand, fluctuations in raw material prices and availability, while keeping pace with timelines for shipments; in the face of increasing competition in the global marketplace. The Need for SAP Before becoming an SAP customer, MRF was running several outmoded legacy systems that could no longer keep up with the company’s expanding operations, and, as a result, the company was plagued with inefficiency. Problems of slow availability of information, tedious manual entry and data transfer, lack of system flexibility, excess manpower utilization and costs started to have a negative impact on the business. Consequently, the company was spending a lot of time in consolidating the information, getting the data together, and on time. It did not take long for MRF to know that it had to replace its onintegrated, independent systems if it wanted to gain strategic insight and higher productivity to manage rapid business growth. The company wanted a flexible solution to allow IT to keep pace with changes while offering a low total cost of ownership. MRF decided to reengineer its entire IT landscape by implementing SAP ERP and SAP CRM solutions, based on the SAP N etWeaver platform. A Core Team called the Power Users team was formed to determine the requirements of the company and the selection of a suitable ERP solution. MRF brought in IBM Global to facilitate the process and the Core Team was sensitized to the process of reengineering. The company did a detailed evaluation based on various criteria such as experience in the manufacturing sector and product-offerings; Oracle and SAP were short listed. MRF participated in a SAP summit which helped the company to take the final decision. â€Å"SAP came out on top in terms of product superiority, post-sales support, and record customer satisfaction. We were confident that SAP will support our plans for continued growth,† says Prince Azariah, Chief Information Officer, MRF Limited. SAP offered a clear solution for MRF’s manufacturing operations which include process as well as discrete production. We have moved onto a mature product with SAP. We have made a very good decision in selecting SAP,† adds Sathya Gautham, Manager IT Services. Implementation MRF chose Siemens Information Systems as the implementation partner after a thorough selection process. The project went live on December 1, 2007. There were around 60 members from MRF and 35-40 members from Siemens involved in the implementation process. The core team and the partner’s team worked in full collaboration, while ensuring that the implementation was carried out according to time schedules. One of the complications was that our systems were in silos. Change management has been a big challenge,† says Gautham. There were many instances when MRF looked to SAP India and SAP Labs for assistance and support during the implementation. SAP ERP has been implemented at the company’s Head Office in Chennai, 6 factories in Thiruvattiyur, Arakkonam, Pondicherry, Medak, Goa and Kottayam, and around 80 Sales Offices. MRF went in for all core modules including Financials and Controlling (FICO), Sales Distribution (SD), Materials Management (MM), Production Planning (PP), Quality Management QM), Plant Maintenance (PM), Human Resources (HR), and SAP NetWeaver Business Intelligence (SAP NetWeaver BI). Today, there are around 700 users who have accepted the implementa tion in a positive manner. Benefits With SAP ERP, the company has one harmonized, standardized and integrated solution. The solution has enabled MRF to transform its business operation management from time consuming and inflexible to real-time and adaptable. The users can now count on easy access to accurate, complete, and up-to-the minute information, thanks to centralized, integrated data. This has led to quicker decision making and improved business transactions for MRF. â€Å"SAP is the best thing that has happened to MRF,† Sathya Gautham, Manager IT Services The implementation of SAP has brought in a major shift in the work-culture in the company. â€Å"The core team was clearly aware that they are responsible for creating their future. Earlier, we were a top-driven company. Now, we have close to 60 personnel at the middle management level who have been empowered to take business decisions, and who are advising top management on what needs to be done to set up processes in the company. There is so much of enthusiasm among the core team members and the end-users. Also, we used to be a very silo-ed company. With SAP, the Heads of different Departments look to these people for resolution of problems. We are seeing increased interaction and cooperation between different functions in the company. Most importantly, we have one single view of the truth which has brought in a tremendous change in the way we work,† says Azariah. SAP ERP has streamlined processes and enabled real-time management within the company. â€Å"On the very first day of Go-Live, SAP introduced instant benefits in the company. We were pleasantly surprised to see more than 680 invoices coming in from our Sales Offices around the country. When we saw the first invoice coming from our Chennai Sales Office, we were so excited –it was like a baby being born! Within the next day, all the Sales Offices had done their billing, which is very good,† says Azariah. â€Å"We are going to derive more and more benefits from the SAP implementation with time. There are so many instances like how we pay our truckers in Pondicherry, how we sell scrap etc. , which can be resolved quickly and easily. SAP will make our lives easier,† continues Azariah. Currently, the sales team needs to manually go to the dealers to get the orders from them, which can be automated according to Azariah. With SAP, the sales team can monitor the order status from the office with the dealers logging into the system. This is just one example of how IT can become a critical business enabler. The implementation of SAP ERP has created a tech savvy environment in the organization. Eventually, Azariah hopes to see a paperless office. Future Plans The company is already impressed with SAP’s track record and the implementation of SAP ERP in the organization. SAP is the best thing that has happened to MRF,†says Gautham. The company has realized that SAP can play a major role in enabling efficient logistics, sales operations, safeguarding market share, and providing good customer service. â€Å"SAP has changed the way we work and for the better. We will look to SAP to meet our future business needs. We hope to implement the SAP Supply Chain Managem ent (SAP SCM) application in 2008 and the SAP Customer Relationship Management (SAP CRM) application in 2009. We can’t do without SAP. In fact, MRF runs on SAP,† concludes Azariah.