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Essay on Enterprise Research Planning
ERP (Enterprise research/resource planning) is an industry term for the broad set of activities supported by multi-module application software that helps a manufacturer or other business manage the important parts of its business, including product planning, parts purchasing, maintaining inventories, interacting with suppliers, providing customer service, and tracking orders. ERP can also include application modules for the finance and human resources aspects of a business. Typically, an ERP system uses or is integrated with a relational database system. The deployment of an ERP system can involve considerable business process analysis, employee retraining, and new work procedures.
Introduction of ERP into an organization goes through several stages. First, the organization goes through a "readiness" assessment that is performed by consultants who evaluate the readiness of the organization for ERP introduction. Second, preparation of the organization for ERP involves a major communication and training exercise starting with the Chief Executive (Fiona, 2002). Third, the choice of which ERP software to use needs to be decided. Here bids are invited for the full or partial implementation. The bids will detail the infrastructure (hardware, software, and network) needs of the firm. In addition, the company will also evaluate which "implementation partner" to choose. For instance, a company may choose a particular ERP company to provide the software or hardware of its needs. However, it may hire an outside consultant to train employees in the implementation. Fourth, actual ERP implementation occurs. Included in this stage is extensive training at various levels. Actual implementation is followed by the fifth stage, testing and quality assurance. Finally, the organization "Goes live" when the implementation is complete.
Traditional Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems have allowed companies to streamline their operations. By integrating key back-office functions, businesses have reduced cycle times, improved quality, and boosted operational efficiencies.............
