Enterprise Resource Planning - ERP
A process by which a company (often a manufacturer) manages and integrates the important parts of its business. An ERP management information system integrates areas such as planning, purchasing, inventory, sales, marketing, finance, human resources, etc.
Investopedia Commentary
ERP is most frequently used in the context of software. As the methodology has become more popular, large software applications have been developed to help companies implement ERP in their organization.
Think of ERP as the glue that binds the different computer systems for a large organization. Typically each department would have their own system optimized for that division's particular tasks. With ERP, each department still has their own system, but they can communicate and share information easier with the rest of the company.
See also: Corporation, Fortune 500, Multinational Corporation
Also spelled: ERP
Enterprise Resource Planning application, business
(ERP) Any software system designed to support and automate the business processes of medium and large businesses. This may include manufacturing, distribution, personnel, project management, payroll, and financials.
ERP systems are accounting-oriented information systems for identifying and planning the enterprise-wide resources needed to take, make, distribute, and account for customer orders. ERP systems were originally extensions of MRP II systems, but have since widened their scope. An ERP system also differs from the typical MRP II system in technical requirements such as relational database, use of object oriented programming language, computer aided software engineering tools in development, client/server architecture, and open system portability.
JBOPS are the major producers of ERP software.
"ERP Systems - Using IT to gain a competitive advantage", Shankarnarayanan S..
(1999-07-27)