ERP Solutions

The Evolution of the ERP Solution

Some claim that the ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) solution rose to fame during the 1990s.  While ERP solutions may have rose to fame during this time period, ERP solutions have been around for quite a bit longer.  Many ERP vendors had MRP (Manufacturing Resource Planning) solutions that they later expanded upon.  So, many ERP solutions essentially evolved from MRP solutions.    However, there are plenty of ERP solutions that were created from the ground up.  For example, PeopleSoft was based on human resources functionality instead of manufacturing.  The other modules that are part of the PeopleSoft ERP solution evolved from the human resources core product.  Oracle created a Financials core product and built upon it to create their entire ERP solution.

As technology evolves ERP solutions change.  As businesses evolve ERP solutions change.  As the economy changes, so do ERP solutions.  Enterprise Resource Planning vendors must evolve their ERP solutions to meet the demands of today’s business.  Enterprise Resource Planning vendors are going to web-based applications.  Some ERP vendors are creating SaaS (Software as a Service) ERP solutions.  And, some ERP vendors are providing their ERP code for easy customization.

Newcomers to the ERP market include companies like Compiere and OpenBravo.  These companies provide free open source ERP solutions.  With the down-turn in the economy open source ERP solutions are becoming a great alternative to costly on-site ERP solutions.   Open source ERP solutions are evolving rapidly.  In the 1990s many companies looked down at open source because the Internet wasn’t structured to allow for proper open source security.  However, the internet has evolved and open source security is tight. 
Evolution is a process that is undeniable and constant.  We can stop it so we need to set our businesses up for success.  Enterprise Resource Planning solutions allow us to evolve with the rest of the world.  These solutions allow us to automate processes, make our companies efficient, and give us the edge over our competitors.

While it is great to advocate new technology, it’s not always best to be the first.  The first company or person to take on new technology usually ends up being the guinea pig.  If you don’t mind putting your business in this situation, then go for it.  Otherwise, if you are a more conservative type, you might want to wait and watch.  See how it goes for the guinea pigs and then decide.

Written by :

kristine H