Planning in ERP Part 2

Enabling Technologies :
1)It is not possible to think of an ERP system without sophisticated
 information technology infrastructure.
2)It is said that the earlier ERP systems were built only to work with huge
 mainframe computers.
3)The new era of PC, advent of client-server technology and scalable
 Relational Database Management Systems (RDBMS)
4)Most of the ERP systems exploit the power of Three-Tier Client Server
 Architecture.
5)Some other technologies which are enabling ERP systems are Workflow,
 Work group, Group Ware, Electronic Data Interchange, Internet,
 Intranet, Data warehousing, etc.

ERP Characteristics :
Any system has to possess few key characteristics to qualify for a true ERP solution.
These features are:
1. Flexibility: An ERP system should be flexible to respond to the
changing needs of an enterprise. The client-server technology enables
ERP to run across various database back ends through Open Database
Connectivity (ODBC).
2. Modular & Open: ERP system has to have open system architecture. This
means that any module can be interfaced or detached whenever required
without affecting the other modules.
It should support multiple hardware platforms for the companies having
the heterogeneous collection of systems. It must support some third party add-
ons also.
3. Comprehensive : It should be able to support variety of organizational
functions and must be suitable for a wide range of business
organizations.
4. Beyond The Company : It should not be confined to the organizational
boundaries, rather support the on-line connectivity to the other business
entities of the organization.
5. Best Business Practices : It must have a collection of the best business
processes applicable worldwide. An ERP package imposes its own logic on
a company’s strategy, culture and organization.

Features of ERP : Some of the major features of ERP and what ERP can do for the business system are :

1)ERP provides multi-platform, multi-facility, multi-mode manufacturing,multi-currency, multi-lingual facilities.
2)It supports strategic and business planning activities, operational planning and execution activities, creation of Materials and Resources..
3)ERP covering all functional areas like manufacturing, selling and distribution, payables, receivables, inventory, accounts, human resources, purchases etc.
4)ERP performs core activities and increases customer service, thereby augmenting the corporate image.
5)ERP bridges the information gap across organisations.
6)ERP system give the reliability of complete integration of systems across the departments as well as companies under the management.
7)ERP is the solution for the efficient project management.
8)ERP allows automatic introduction of the latest technologies like Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT), Electronic Data Interchange (EDI), Internet, Intranet, Video conferencing, E-Commerce etc.
9)ERP system reduces the maximum business problems for example material shortages, productivity enhancements, customer service, cash management,
inventory problems, quality problems, prompt delivery .
10)ERP provides intelligent business tools like decision support system, Executive information system, Data mining and easy working systems to
enable better decisions.