Running an sap simulation game online

This paper describes the introduction of a simulation game into an online Information Systems (IS) class for graduate business students, not majoring in IS. The intention was to give the students experience in business processes and to demonstrate the importance of all components of an information system in providing information for business decision making. The students found the game enjoyable and (surprisingly to many) relatively easy to use. They gained an appreciation of ERP capabilities and learned how they might use such systems in their workplaces. In addition to the enjoyment, they also observed some of the implications of not following procedures or team members' not completing their assigned tasks. The students strongly supported its inclusion in the course in future years. However the deployment of the game was not without its problems - the paper aims to share the experience and provide advice and guidance for those wishing to incorporate the game into their online classes.