INFORMATION SYSTEM STUDY REPORT PRESENtation

Presentators: SamiaSabir Anum Jamil

Safeer Rasheed Murtaza Ali

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTThis report is the study and analysis of Information System in an organization named as (ERNST & YOUNG Global Limited) which has been prepared for the course of Information Technology For ManagersFirst of all we are thankful to ALLAH ALMIGHTY (The most gracious ,the most powerful of all) for giving us power to learn and apply for our benefits of humankind.We are highly indebted to our project mentor and my deepest thanks to Mr Muzammil Ahmed Khan for their continuous support, supervision motivation and guidance throughout the tenure of our project for guiding us with attention and care. He truly remained driving spirit in our project and his experience gave us the light in the handling research project and helped us in clarifying the abstruse concepts, requiring knowledge and perception, handling critical situations and in understanding the objective of our work. We would also like to thanks Mr. Waqar Ahmed, Mr. Khurram Jafri & Mr .Syed Azhar Hussain representatives of ERNST & YOUNG organization for their outstanding dedication & support,they contributed with insights that reflects their experience in Information Technology and for their precious time from which we have gain a lot.Lastly,we would also like to thanks to our family members and friends for their love and support. Sincerely,

INTRODUCTIONE&Y global limited (known as EY) is a multinational professional services firm headquartered in London. It is one of the big four audit firms and is the third largest professional services firm in the world by aggregated revenue in 2014 after Deloitte and PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). EY is a global leader in providing four services.• Assurance• Advisory• Tax• TAS (Transaction advisory services)

• .The firm dates back to 1849 with the founding of Arthur Harding & Pullein in England. The current firm was formed by a merger of Ernst & Whinney and Young & Co. in 1989. It was known as Ernst & Young until 2013, when it underwent a rebranding to EY. The acronym "EY" was already an informal name for the firm prior to its official adoption.

• • As of 2014, EY was the ninth largest privately owned

organization in the United States.

EARLY HISTORY

Global Structure

• The organization operates as a network of member firms which are separate legal entities in individual countries. It has 190,000 employees in over 700 offices around 150 countries in the world. Their business units which are not purposely single country are grouped into four geographic areas.

• America• Asia• EMEIA (Europe, Middle East, India and Africa) • Japan

MARKET ANALYSES• Transparency breeds clarity. Clarity breeds confidence• High performing companies know that confidence breeds success. That is why

more and more of the world’s leading companies are choosing to work with Ernst & Young

• Deloitte, KMPG (Merger of Peat Marwick International) and Klynveld Main Goerdeler), PwC (PricewaterhouseCoopers) are the three competitors of EY. They all are much of muchness. They all work hard and work with big clients and are globally renowned in their service areas but there are some aspects in which EY is no. 1 and have left behind its competitors. EY has gained competitive advantage due to these factors.

• Best for employee happiness and crazy fun.• Best for Pay• Best for overall growth• Best for promoting women• Best for hiring Graduates.

GLOBAL REVENUE

ROUTE TO THE TOP

ACHEIVEMENTS• „ Entrepreneur of the year 2015• „ Stonewall 2012 Workplace Equality Index (UK)• Employer of the Year• „ Teleos (Hong Kong, 2010)• Most Admired Knowledge Enterprise• „ CFO Awards 2009 (Australia)• Accountancy Firm of the Year Award• „ BRW Client Choice Awards 2009 (Australia)• Best Accounting Firm (revenue of more than $500m)• „ Canada's Top 100 Employers (2009)• Canada's Best Diversity Employers• „ Great Place to Work Institute (2009)• Best Workplaces in Canada• „ CRF (2009)• China's Top Employers Award• „ Hewitt Associates• Top 10 Employers in China 2009• „ Teleos (Global, 2010)

ORGANIZATIONAL HIERARCHYCountry

Managing Partner

Non Client Service

IT, Human Resource, Risk Management, Finance and

Administration.

Executive Director

Associate Director

Assistant Director

Supervising Director

Senior Associates

Associates

Client Service

Service Line Leader

Partners

Senior Managers

Managers

Staff Assistants

MAIN BUSINESS FUNCTION OF E&Y

• E& y is committed to delivering exceptional client service across our four service lines –

• 1 .Assurance• 2. Taxation• 3. Advisory • 4. Transaction Advisory Services (TAS) • 1- Assurance• . Ey has the courage and integrity to help in meeting these demands by providing a

timely and constructive challenge to management, a robust and clear perspective to audit committees, and transparent information for your stakeholders and investors.

• E&y provide the following assurance services:• Climate Change and Sustainability Services• Financial Accounting Advisory Services (FAAS)• Financial Statement Audit:• Fraud Investigation & Dispute Services

• 2-Taxation service: • Global compliance and reporting• Transfer pricing• Human capital. • Tax policy and Indirect tax• 3. Advisory service: • Ey operates as the most globally integrated firm, with one methodology, across all our geographical areas. It's a structure

that enables to mobilize their people quickly, and allocate them to projects in the right place, at the right time. • It Consist of 3 subservice lines:• IT Risk and • AssurancePerformance Improvement• Advisory for financial service: • 4.Transaction Advisory services:• Deals with companies' capital agenda – preserving, optimizing, investing and raising capital. In EY 8,700 global

professionals deliver tailored advice which helps in driving competitive advantage and increased shareholder returns through improved decision-making, through services that include:

• Lead Advisory• Restructuring• Operational Transaction Services • Transaction Support • Transaction Tax

COMPUTER RESOURCES The system resource is any visual component of limited availability within a computer system every device connected to a computer is a resource. Aggregate of available hardware, software, network, database and support services are comp uter resources. The resource s of EY are briefly discussed below.

Hardware Resources: Hardware is the physical aspects of computer, telecommunication and other devices. Hardware includes not only the computer peripherals but also the cables, connectors and power supply units.The IT of EY consists only of four brands DELL, LENOVO, IBM, and MICROSOFT.All the employees in EY have been given a personal Computers, including laptops given to individuals as well as microcomputers being used in the office consists of 1100 to 1200 units. And each laptops cost Rs.125,000.Dell Latitude series servers are used which operates 24/7 for networking purpose, in case of failure another backup server resumes from the current state.Other equipment includes CISCP routers and switches for coverage of network and internet all over the offices. Hardware components are replaced with new technologies after every three years.

COMPUTER RESOURCES Software Resources: Software are the set of instructions and procedures for processing data. Software resources includes all programs, utilities, updates that is installed in harddrive. Some special software are being used in EY which are specially designed for different departments.Microsoft Windows 7 is used as operating systems in all laptops and local computers.

However, in workstations and network servers specialized operating system which is a modification of Microsoft Windows 7 is used which is known as “ ONE DESK ”.

Symantec security software is used for security and encryption on all devices . Symantec is also used for USB encryption in this way no USB devices can be accessed without providing the required password.

GAMAX (Global Audit Methodology Software) is used for audit purposes its latest version is based on Microsoft Sharepoint..

Caseware is also used, this software supports in preparing and documenting computer-assisted workpapers. CaseWare can import accounts, make adjustment entries and reclassify items, for example.Microsoft Lync is used for sharing and communicating between within and offices which are present around the world.

ERP system of EY is soon going to replace by SAP (System application and products in data processing). SAP is the world’s leading provider of business software. It provides superior service and support. It is designed to fulfill the requirements of the firm at low cost.

COMPUTER RESOURCES DATABASEDatabase is a collection of information that is organized so that it can easily be accessed, manage and updated. globally. • There are 3 hubs of EY which are interconnected and present in Singapore, UK and USA which connects offices

around the world and are interconnected so that in case of failure connection can be retrieved from the other hubs.

• The main home for knowledge at EY is called knowledge web (KWEB) is essential gateway to access 100 million documents on daily basis.

• In all the Hubs a database called Knowledge Web is present which contains numerous information on subjects related to EY’s operation of main business functions and applications which provides knowledge to clients.

• Datacenters of EY are located in Stuttgart, Germany, Singapore and USA which stores data from all the offices which are present around the world.

• Data is also stored in software database on daily bases and then transferred to global file servers which are operated from datacenters.

• • Data is also stored on offsite storage servers so even in case of nuclear war EY will be able to operate.• •

COMPUTER RESOURCES • NETWORK• Network resources to form of data information, hardware devices that can be accessed by a group of computers

through the use of shared connections they are important in a work environment where collaboration is essential for success.

• The main Country server of EY in Pakistan is located in Karachi which operates 24/7.

• EY is connected to 140 countries through IVPN (Internet Virtual Private Network). With a VPN, each network can connect to the main office’s network and then to the other branch offices. All that’s needed is an Internet connection, a VPN server for each location, and an IP address to authenticate to.

• EY also uses cloud computing, the practice of using a network of remote servers hosted on the Internet to store, manage, and process data, rather than a local server or a personal computer. EY uses cloud computing only for E-mail storage. They don’t use it for data storage for security purpose.

• As the technology is being continuously enhanced EY will replace their current network technology of using IVPN. By 2016 VPN will be replaced by “One Net” in which one network provider will give connection to all offices. This way all the offices around the world will be connected through a single connection reducing the risk of thirrd party being connected to the same network, thus minimizing the risk of data getting stolen through cybercrimes.

• EY uses category 6E wires and also fiber optic cables for networking.• EY uses standard wireless with two factor authentication mechanism• •

NETWORK TOPOLOGY Network topology is the arrangement of various element. Topology is the schematic description arrangement of the network including its nodes and connecting lines.Topology used in EYEY uses STAR Topology. It’s a type of topology in which all the computers are connected to a single hub through a cable. This hub is central node and all the other nodes are connected to the central nodes. Every node has its own dedicated connection to the hub; it acts as a repeater for data flow. EY use this with optical fiber and 6E category wires.Advantage of using STAR TopologyFast performance with few nodes and low network trafficHub can be upgraded easilyEasy to troubleshoot,Easy to set up and modifyIf one node is affected the rest node can work smoothly.•

ROLE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

IN EYInformation technology (IT) has become a vital and integral part of every business plan. From multi-national corporations who maintain mainframe systems and databases to small businesses that own a single computer, IT plays its role.EY is an Auditing firm and the role of IT depart in EY is very crucial.Being an Audit firm they have to manage millions of data files and records with out any bungling for that purpose they have to trust on the technology.

ANALYSIS OF IT DEPARTMENT• The IT Department's mission is to provide the information technology required for the fulfillment of the

mission of a firm in an efficient and effective manner.• ROLES & ACTIVITIES OF IT DEPARTMENT IN E&Y• Following are some roles & activities of it in EY.

MAINTAINANCE OF INFRA STRUCTURE: • DIGITAL SURVEILLANCE: .• Network:• Day to day operations: • Evaluation of statistics and information : • The final decision:• In Ey,the IT department plays a valuable role in making all other departments productive and successful in

their endeavors.•

IT SUPPORT OTHER FUNCTIONAL AREAS

ACCOUNTS:• EY uses GFIS(Global finance Information system) software,a specialized accounting software for

tracking financial information,ledger and reporting of accounting information and maintaining accurate financial records across all the offices globally.

• HUMAN RESOURCES:• In HR People Sofftware is used which will be replaced by SAP by 2020 for storing all data of clients

and employees • Microsoft sharepoint is used for Contract Management and other time management softwares for

scheduling meetings·• For recruitment, HR uses TALEO recruitment management system which automatically shortlists CV’s

and select potential candidate and provides training online• Customer can complain online by fulfilling online complaint formSTAFF:• Worldwide HR personnel consist of 150 individuals including 10, which are working in Pakistan.Out

of which 3 HR employees are working in Karachi, 2 in Islamabad and so on divided in whole country.

• •

IT HIERARCHY

Global Chief Information Officer

IT Risk Management and

ProductionStrategy and Architecture

Assure Technology Officer

Market IT Service Delivery

Technology Officer for Advisory TAS

Managing

Core Service Business Delivery

IT

Cross Organization

Service Delivery

Chief Officer for Global

Infastructure

E&Y AT A GLANCE

PROBLEMS & WEAKNESSES

IMPROVEMENT IN SERVERS; They need to improve their servers because it is very important to save the data of one customer and they are using IVPN, which is a good network but there is a risk of cybercrimes. So they need to replace there server with effective and efficient one.

BUSINESS CONTINUITY PLAN: Business continuity plan should be improve which means that the business should be continued in any circumstances like network failures, down server problems etc.

STRONG COMPETITION :It causes slow growth in overall industry. Because all the market trends are already established and the companies are in stability stage, pursuing their fixed objectives to maintain their current position in the market.

Companies research centers effecting business: Some companies are setting over their own research centers in which they are doing research on such objectives which helps business in growth and it is also dangerous for the companies which are associated with advisory.

SUGGESTIONSSome suggestions for EY are:

They should shift to a secure, customized network instead using IVPN because of the privacy issue, IVPN is a secure network but there is a chance of being victimized by the cybercrimes.

Business continuity plan should improve specially in our country. Law and order situation is very bad so, some time they have to stop business operation due to uncertain environment. They should start work to solve this issue.

There is a big competition in the market and every organization are providing their services to their customers effectively. To increase the business they need to set new trends and increase the growth of competition.

Companies are setting their own research centers which is very dangerous for the advisory and audit firms because the companies starting to do this work own their own. So it is recommended to EY that they need to invest more in technology and work on innovation and use their experience to work in this market which will create a big impact in this market and companies will then again rely on EY for auditory and advisory purposes.

CONCLUSION

This report focuses thoroughly on analysis of IT used in EY. It highlights all the main business components and details about all the resources being used by EY around the world and how the IT of EY helps the firm maintain its top position in the best of auditors by helping and supporting each department in a unique way and by also minimizing the risks for the organization by properly organizing all the security measures. Therefor the top companies like EY utilize the impact of IT and becomes the best.

THANK YOU