Enterprise Resource Planning
(ERP) is a term, originally
coined in 1990 by The Gartner Group to describe the
next generation of Manufacturing Resources Planning (MRP II)
software. The purpose was to integrate all facets of the business enterprise
under one suite of software applications. The definition of ERP could
be broadened to include almost any type of large integrated
software package. Webopedia provides a generalized definition of ERP as
"a business management system that integrates all facets of the
business, including planning, manufacturing, sales, and marketing." Some of
the more well-known ERP software developers include SAP, Oracle,
and PeopleSoft.
This study was undertaken among the corporate entities
and SME units in Chennai and it tried to dwell upon both successful and
unsuccessful ERP implementations to discover what factors might have
contributed to their success or failure. Many lessons have been learned
from failed ERP projects, as evidenced by the volume of information
available. Since many of the efforts, which were launched in 1999, apparently in
an attempt to address anticipated Y2K issues, did not
have a high degree of success, a feeling is generated
that these companies had indulged in hasty implementation in an
urgency to beat the calendar. Apparently, late adopters are benefiting from the
mistakes of their predecessors since the most current research describes
successful implementations. So, what are these lessons from which
CEOs can benefit today? |
