ERP

ERP?

Before beginning, do we need to talk about ERP?

May be No!!

Today there is a lot of awareness about integrated applications, the SMEs are also venturing out buying applications. ERPs are available for every type of industry, covering every possible process; we hear a lot of success stories, so we may not talk...

May be yes!!!

Even today there are 'islands of automations', there are applications not talking the same language, there are redundant systems, there are loosely integrated applications, there are unexplored segments, there are unhappy implementations, there is information gap, so we will talk about ERPs.

Let's scan briefly on history

The concept of ERP seems to have evaluated way back in the 1960, but its name – ERP was born around 1972. The ERP was the vision of a group of ex-IBM managers. They then formed a company, which today stands tall, SAP. Over the years ERP has undergone a lot of changes, yet the basic concept of integration remains the same. Taking one word at a time ERP will literally mean

Enterprise – an undertaking, especially one with some scope, complication and risk.

Resource – something that can be used as a support or help

Planning – A scheme program or method worked out beforehand for accomplishment of an objective.

Of the three words the word enterprise has more relevance with the other two trying to add importance. But ERP is always defined focusing on its role to integrate. ERP integrates the entire operations of any organization. In simple terminology ERP is software which can be used by both small and big organizations to integrate all its operations across departments.

There was a time when ERP was a word of nightmares, when ERP was 'walking on landmines' and ERP was meant only for the 'big and the rich' companies. But today the benefits are understood, talked about. We have a number of small players entering into the ERP race. We have a number of ERP products to meet needs of even the SMEs. We even have vertical ERPs.

Listing all be benefits of ERP may be tough, so lets look at the key ones:
  • Of course it integrates all the business processes. Seamless integration between all departments from Finance to HR to Supply chain to customer management
  • Key to data storage & accessibility
  • Elimination of duplication
  • Bring out the best business practices
Do we still have to talk about ERPs? Yes !! Lets do for the benefit of all who need info!!