What Is Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)?

Enterprise resource planning (ERP) software helps integrate management, staff, and equipment, combining all aspects of the business into one system in order to facilitate every element of the manufacturing process. ERP groups traditional company and management functions (such as accounting, human resources [HR], manufacturing management, and customer relationship management [CRM]) into a coherent whole. Manufacturing management also includes inventory, purchasing, and quality and sales management.

Enterprise Resource Planning Business Drivers and Benefits

ERP systems aid in the control and communication of business activities, such as

	efficient handling of order processing and production scheduling
	management and analyses of business processes within an interactive environment
	synchronization of departmental activities (e.g., within human resources or finances) with the needs and output from production facilities
	monitoring, sharing, and tracking of information throughout the organization

Enterprise Resource Planning Risks

Organizations without effective ERP software run the risk of company-wide inefficiencies:

	uneconomical use of resources
	miscommunication between departments
	errors in financial maintenance and production cost tracking

Why Use the Enterprise Resource Planning Evaluation Center?

 

	Examine how each solution addresses your management and manufacturing requirements.
	Compare systems to see if they offer the functions critical to your industry.
	Analyze each solution's capacity to support your company's growth and operations over time.

	Agresso  - Agresso Business World
	Deltek Systems - Deltek PPM and EVM Products
	Entry Software Corporation  - TeamHeadquarters
	Epicor - Epicor for Service Enterprises
	IFS - IFS Applications
	Jeeves Information Systems - Jeeves Universal
	Microsoft - Dynamics SL
	Microsoft - Dynamics AX
	Mincom - Ellipse
	NetSuite - NetSuite
	OpenAir - OpenAir Professional Services Automation (PSA) Solution
	Openbravo - Openbravo ERP
	Oracle - E-Business Suite
	SAP - SAP Business ByDesign
	TOTVS S/A - Microsiga Protheus
	Zavanti - Zavanti ERP