Hi Purplepit ~
ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) is considered by some to be just
another way of incorporating the latest great software approach to
business management. On the other hand, there is enough information
out there that makes some good sense, from an economical and logistics
standpoint, for it to be taken seriously.
Resources I found were varied from a simple explanatory view of what
ERP is (hailed as the best way to manage "all" resources, ie.,
systems, materials, manufacturing, money, etc., to a cost-effective
way to totally streamline a company's way of operating.
You asked for some resources to get you going, so I've gathered some
information from simple, to practical to complex uses to which it can
be applied.
1.) There's an online slide recommended by IT Toolbox, defining ERP
as:
"Software solution that addresses the enterprise needs
taking the process view of an organization to meet the
organizational goals tightly integrating all functions
of an enterprise"
- http://www.erpfans.com/erpfans/erpdefinition/erp001.html
Sounds good, anyway!
As you proceed through the presentation, it helps you understand how
all an enterprise's processes can be pulled into one all-encompassing
system, with the ultimate goal of saving money by strategically
planning and using a company's resources.
2.) An article "Enterprise Resource Planning: What's There In It!" by
Akhilesh Tuteja for Tuteja, which explains what ERP is and why it's
important in business today:
- http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Library/6045/erp.html
3.) ERP Overview by Josh Mills, edited by Tiffany Blaine for ITtoolbox
which explains what it is and looks at a bit of the history of ERP as
well as predicts the future:
- http://erp.ittoolbox.com/pub/erp_overview.htm
4.) From a vendor's viewpoint, there's a white paper by ERP White
Paper by Scoop Software Corp., which "provides an overview of ERP,
explains ERP's role in a business, and details how an ERP can create
the opportunity for business reengineering."
- http://www.scoopsoft.com/solutions/erp.html
Granted, this is from a vendor who wants you to buy their product, but
it provides a good representation of the advantages of ERP, and offers
reasonable prerequisites for instituting ERP company-wide. The first
requisite? Management's commitment.
5.) "ERP, The Great Equalizer" by David Blanchard.
"This article explains how computing power and the ability
to effectively manage and integrate information turns
mid-sized manufacturers into international powerhouses."
- http://www.lionhrtpub.com/ee/ee-spring98/erp.html
6.) CIO.com's "Enterprise Resource Planning Resource Center" has a
great deal of ERP information from the most basic to theories of
implementation and an objective look at the pros and cons of ERP.
- http://www.cio.com/research/erp/
7.) There's an interesting site, ERPFANS.com, which has resources and
some anecdotal discussions in their forums (I got some of the above
links from reading discussions):
- http://www.erpfans.com/
8.) The IT Toolbox has an ERP Knowledge Base which is worth poking
around a bit. It includes research, publishing, and marketing trends
information.
- http://erp.ittoolbox.com/nav/t.asp?t=402&p=402&h1=402
I think this will give you enough of an objective look at what ERP is
and the pros and cons of adapting it to any industry.
Search strategies:
- ERP
- enterprise resource planning
- definition: ERP
Thanks again for asking, this was an interesting topic to research. It
appears it can be wholly integrated into a company, or in stages, and
can include the entire operations from human resources to specific
areas of an enterprise. Toward that end, it should not only get you
started, but the recent articles and marketing trends can also help
you write the entire report, I should think.
Best of success,
Serenata
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