This
paper explains that the multi-module application software, which form an enterprise resource
planning (
erp) system helps a business
manage product planning, parts purchasing, maintaining inventories, interacting with suppliers, providing
customer service, tracking orders, manage finance and human resources, provide supply chain management, customer relationship management and electronic commerce applications integrated with their ERP software
packages. The author points out that the major benefit of ERP systems is the elimination of manual processes that cause operational inefficiencies and poor data quality. The paper relates that the ERP market is characterized by massive consolidation with relatively
commoditized software, meaning that software evaluations can safely include a short list of the three leaders, SAP, Oracle and PeopleSoft, and perhaps a vertically focused supplier or a SME specialist such as Microsoft. Table of Contents Introduction The Benefits of ERP The Pitfalls of ERP ERP Evaluation Criteria Top Three ERP Vendors Conclusion