Isabella Bank Institute for Entrepreneurship

The College of Business Administration welcomed high school students from the Gratiot Isabella Technical Education Center (GI-TEC) to campus on Friday, April 4, for the Next-Gen Central ERPsim event. Held in the Grawn Hall atrium, the half-day competition introduced students to real-world business operations through SAP, a global enterprise software platform. 

Students competed in a dynamic business simulation known as the ERPsim Maple Syrup Game, where teams managed virtual companies by adjusting pricing, marketing, procurement, and logistics. The event was structured into three rounds, each simulating a full business cycle in real-time. 

The event was organized by CMU Business Information Systems faculty Christine Witt and Kyle Nothstine, with support from Vishal Shah. “Events like this give students the chance to see themselves in a professional setting,” said Christine Witt. “It’s not just about technology, it’s about building confidence, communication, and connection. That’s what we hope they take away.” 

Real-world systems, real-time thinking 

During the kickoff, Witt and Nothstine guided students through the basics of SAP and the ERPsim structure. Participants worked together on strategy and planning before each round began.  

As teams adjusted their strategies, CMU faculty reminded them of the importance of accurate planning and execution in business systems. The fast-paced structure gave students a real sense of the flow of supply chain decisions.  

CMU student mentors lead with experience 

Each team was paired with a CMU student mentor who guided them through the simulation, answered technical questions, and offered encouragement. For many mentors, this was a full-circle moment. 

Zhanning Liu, a graduate student in CMU’s Master of Science in Information Systems program, served as one of the event’s mentors. 

“It was a really interesting experience to be the mentor this time, especially since I was always on the other side playing the simulation as a student and competing with other teams,” Liu said. “The highlight of the day was definitely getting to connect with the high school students and teach them how to use the SAP system.” 

“I encouraged them to ask questions and guided them as they made business decisions,” he said. “In the end, all of them were happy and excited that they got the chance to compete. It was a rewarding experience for everyone involved.” 

A bridge between high school and college 

The ERPsim format helps bridge the gap between classroom learning and practical application. According to faculty, many participants had already been introduced to business fundamentals and were ready to dive deeper into system-level thinking. 

“Some of these students have played the simulation several times before,” Liu said. “For me, the real value was sharing my SAP knowledge with them and talking about college life, especially since many are seniors and naturally curious about what lies ahead.” 

CMU’s BIS program continues to emphasize hands-on experiences like ERPsim as a way to introduce students to enterprise technology, data-driven thinking, and the possibilities available through business education. 

 To learn more about the Next-Gen Central event or to schedule a future simulation, contact Christine Witt at witt1cm@cmich.edu.