Group of students rank high in business simulation competition

By Jerome Lafond – Contributor

On March 15, a group of Bishop’s students placed sixth in the 2024 ERPSim Winter Classic, hosted by the Université de Sherbrooke’s (UdeS) school of business. They qualified for the ERPsim North America Competition on March 22, placing seventh in the finals. The Classic marked Bishop’s students’ first time participating in the ERPSim, a business simulation competition. ERPSim competitions presented an excellent opportunity for students from different business schools to apply in-class learning to real-world situations. 

At the heart of Bishop’s students’ journey is the course BCS422, Integrated Enterprise Systems and Business Processes, taught by Émile Bérubé. The course aims to equip students with the expertise to navigate diverse enterprise resource planning (ERP) software like SAP and Microsoft Dynamics 365. ERP software helps companies manage business functions like accounting, sales, marketing and human resources. Students engaged in group-based competitions, strategizing within an SAP simulation provided by HEC Montreal.

Students enrolled in the Williams School of Business (WSB) are accustomed to a variety of opportunities to sharpen their skills and understanding of the business world. Among these opportunities are chances to engage in experiential learning such as case competitions, and foster connections with established professionals.

Each simulation session comprised four rounds, speeding up a total of 20 virtual days and passing in minutes. The team boasting the highest market valuation emerged victorious. The simulation encompassed a wide range of business elements, challenging teams to manage debt, optimize production, devise competitive pricing strategies and maximize cereal box sales across various distribution channels.

BU and UdeS engaged in a spirited competition at the Winter Classic within the challenging simulation. Beyond the thrill of competition, the event provided a platform for students to forge connections with representatives from prominent companies, including Deloitte, Groupe BMR, the National Bank of Canada, IBM Consulting and PwC.

As the competition ended, the top-performing groups from both Bishop’s and UdeS punched their tickets to a North American simulation competition the following week. Among them, a group comprising Alexandre Mador, Sebastian Perreault, Shaan Ali Porecha, Jathushajin Ruthiranathan and Jerome Lafond ranked highest amongst Bishop’s students, notching a commendable sixth place overall and securing qualification for the North American ERPSim. 

The North American competition was held on March 22 and brought together 26 universities from across the continent for an online showdown. This virtual event presented unique challenges and opportunities. Universities were divided into two pools for a qualification round, with only the top six teams from each pool advancing to the finals. Bishop’s representatives were exceptional, securing a second-place finish in their pool and earning a spot in the finals.

Despite encountering initial setbacks in the finals, Bishop’s students made a remarkable turnaround. Their strategic adjustments in the simulation propelled them from the twelfth-place position to the seventh. Though the team narrowly missed qualification for the world championships, Bishop’s performance highlighted its prowess on the competitive stage. 

Professor Émile Bérubé’s guidance proved pivotal in Bishop’s University’s successful debut in the competition. The overall experience fostered communication skills and adaptability while providing more exposure to the SAP software. Moreover, networking opportunities with industry representatives further augmented students’ learning experience.

Jerome Lafond is a student in BCS422 and competed in the ERPSims.