| About ERP | | | | The term ERP originally implies system designed to |
| An Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system is a | | | | plan the utilization of enterprise-wide resources. |
| single unified system developed for an organization | | | | Although the acronym ERP originated in the |
| for integrating all aspects of data and processes | | | | manufacturing environment, today's use of the term |
| related to it. An ERP system covers all the basic | | | | has much broader scope. A typical ERP system would |
| functions of an organization, regardless of the | | | | replace two or more independent applications of an |
| organization's business or charter. It began as a group | | | | organization by eliminating the external interfaces |
| of applications or software focusing on combining | | | | previously required between systems and provide |
| multiple systems into one integrated system where | | | | additional benefits which range from standardization |
| data could be shared across the enterprise, | | | | and lower maintenance, to easier or greater reporting |
| presumably reducing redundant data entry and | | | | capabilities. |
| processes. | | | | The need to undergo an ERP project is seen not only |
| An ERP system is a software package, which | | | | as an opportunity to integrate data systems but also |
| provides the functionality of an organization in a single | | | | to redefine processes in the interest of gaining |
| package that would be covered by two or more | | | | efficiencies as well as to mote professional growth |
| systems. For example, a software package that | | | | for employees by introducing new skills and |
| provides both Payroll and Accounting functions such | | | | knowledge in the areas of data management and |
| as QuickBooks is considered as an ERP software | | | | procedures. |
| package. The software attempts to integrate all | | | | Selecting ERP software does not happen all of a |
| departments and functions across a company onto a | | | | sudden or as a result of an overnight's discussion. |
| single computer system that serves all those | | | | There is lot of base work that needs to be done in |
| departments' particular needs. Building a single | | | | this regard. There are many reasons for the |
| software program that serves the needs of people | | | | uncertainty, with the foremost being advent of |
| in finance as well as the people in human resources | | | | Internet. This has expanded the scope of computers |
| and in the warehouse is a tall order. Each of those | | | | and redefined the technological changes in the |
| departments has its own computer system optimized | | | | business. As a result there is more expectations and |
| for the particular ways that the department does its | | | | demand, which were not seen earlier. Advancement |
| work. But ERP combines them all together into a | | | | in computing indirectly implies the advancement in |
| single, integrated software program that runs off a | | | | ERP. Needless to say the constant updating and |
| single database so that the various departments can | | | | innovating have become the benchmark of ERP |
| share information and communicate with each other | | | | packages. |
| more easily. | | | | |