Erp and Related Technologies
INTRODUCTION
ERP is an abbreviation for Enterprise resource planning and means the techniques and concepts for the integrated management of business as a whole, from the viewpoint of the effective use of management resources, to improve the efficiency of an enterprise. ERP systems serve an important function by integrating separate business functions-materials management, product planning, sales, distribution, finance and accounting and others-into a single application.
However, ERP systems have three significant limitations: 1. Managers cannot generate custom reports or queries without help from a programmer and this inhibits them from obtaining information quickly, which is essential for maintaining a competitive advantage. 2. ERP systems provide current status only, such as open orders. Managers often need to look past the current status to find trends and patterns that aid better decision-making. 3. The data in the ERP application is not integrated with other enterprise or division systems and does not include external intelligence.
There are many technologies that help to overcome these limitations. These technologies, when used in conjunction with the ERP package, help in overcoming the limitations of a standalone ERP system and thus, help the employees to make better decisions. Some of these technologies are:
• Business Process Reengineering (BPR)
• Management Information System (MIS)
• Decision Support Systems ( DSS)
• Executive Information Systems (EIS)
• Data warehousing
• Data Mining
• On-line Analytical Processing (OLAP)
• Supply Chain Management
1. Business Process Reengineering (BPR)
• Business processes are: simply a set of activities that transform a set of inputs into a set of outputs (goods or services) for another person or process using people and tools. We all do them, and at one time or another play the role of customer or supplier.
Improving business processes is paramount for businesses to stay competitive in
ERP is an abbreviation for Enterprise resource planning and means the techniques and concepts for the integrated management of business as a whole, from the viewpoint of the effective use of management resources, to improve the efficiency of an enterprise. ERP systems serve an important function by integrating separate business functions-materials management, product planning, sales, distribution, finance and accounting and others-into a single application.
However, ERP systems have three significant limitations: 1. Managers cannot generate custom reports or queries without help from a programmer and this inhibits them from obtaining information quickly, which is essential for maintaining a competitive advantage. 2. ERP systems provide current status only, such as open orders. Managers often need to look past the current status to find trends and patterns that aid better decision-making. 3. The data in the ERP application is not integrated with other enterprise or division systems and does not include external intelligence.
There are many technologies that help to overcome these limitations. These technologies, when used in conjunction with the ERP package, help in overcoming the limitations of a standalone ERP system and thus, help the employees to make better decisions. Some of these technologies are:
• Business Process Reengineering (BPR)
• Management Information System (MIS)
• Decision Support Systems ( DSS)
• Executive Information Systems (EIS)
• Data warehousing
• Data Mining
• On-line Analytical Processing (OLAP)
• Supply Chain Management
1. Business Process Reengineering (BPR)
• Business processes are: simply a set of activities that transform a set of inputs into a set of outputs (goods or services) for another person or process using people and tools. We all do them, and at one time or another play the role of customer or supplier.
Improving business processes is paramount for businesses to stay competitive in