ERP - Enterprise Resource Planning
ERP is short for enterprise resource planning.
Enterprise resource planning (ERP) is business management software that allows an organization to use a system of integrated applications to manage the business. ERP software integrates all facets of an operation, including development, manufacturing, sales and marketing.
ERP Software Modules
ERP software consists of many enterprise software modules that are individually purchased, based on what best meets the specific needs and technical capabilities of the organization. Each ERP module is focused on one area of business processes, such as product development or marketing. Some of the more common ERP modules include those for product planning, material purchasing, inventory control, distribution, accounting, marketing, finance and HR.
As the ERP methodology has become more popular, software applications have emerged to help business managers implement ERP in other business activities and may also incorporate modules for CRM and business intelligence -- and present them as a single unified package.
The basic goal is to provide one central repository for all information that is shared by all the various ERP facets in order to smooth the flow of data across the organization.
ERP Vendors
Depending on your organization's size and needs there are a number of enterprise resource planning software vendors to choose from in the large enterprise, midmarket and small business ERP markets.
Large Enterprise ERP (ERP Tier I)
The ERP market for large enterprises is dominated by three companies: SAP, Oracle and Microsoft. (Source: EnterpriseAppsToday; Enterprise ERP Buyer's Guide: SAP, Oracle and Microsoft; Drew Robb)
Midmarket ERP (ERP Tier II)
For the midmarket vendors include Infor, QAD, Lawson, Epicor, Sage and IFS. (Source: EnterpriseAppsToday; Midmarket ERP Buyer's Guide; Drew Robb)
Small Business ERP (ERP Tier III)
Exact Globe, Syspro, NetSuite, Visibility, Consona, CDC Software and Activant Solutions round out the ERP vendors for small businesses. (Source: EnterpriseAppsToday; ERP Buyer's Guide for Small Businesses; Drew Robb)
See also small business ERP.
Top 5 related ERP Questions
1. What is small business ERP?
2. What is enterprise application?
3. What is ETL - Extract, Transform, Load?
4. What is enterprise search?
5. What is enterprise messaging system?
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