Implementation
Because of their wide scope of application within the firm,
ERP software systems rely on some of the largest bodies of software
ever written. Implementing such a complex and huge software
system in a company used to involve an army of analysts, programmers,
and users, until the development of the Internet allowed the
use of outside consultants to connect to company computers to
install standard updates. ERP implementation, without professional
help, can comprise a very expensive project in itself for bigger
companies, especially transnational, but with companies specializing
in ERP implementation, the task can be completed in under six
months, with solid pilot testing.
Enterprise resource planning systems are often closely tied
to supply chain management and logistics automation systems.
Supply chain management software can extend the ERP system to
include links with suppliers.
To implement ERP systems, companies often seek the help of an
ERP vendor or of third-party consulting companies. Consulting
in ERP involves two levels, namely business consulting and technical
consulting. A business consultant studies an organization's
current business processes and matches them to the corresponding
processes in the ERP system, thus 'configuring' the ERP system
to the organization's needs. Technical consulting often involves
programming. Most ERP vendors allow modification of their software
to suit the business needs of their customer.
Customizing an ERP package can be very expensive and complicated,
because many ERP packages are not designed to support customization,
so most businesses implement the best practices embedded in
the acquired ERP system. Some ERP packages are very generic
in their reports and inquiries, such that customization is expected
in every implementation. It is important to recognize that for
these packages, it makes more sense to buy third party reporting
packages that interface well to particular ERP, than to reinvent
what tens of thousands of other clients of that same ERP have
needed to develop.
Customizing an ERP package can be very expensive and complicated,
because many ERP packages are not designed to support customization,
so most businesses implement the best practices embedded in
the acquired ERP system. Some ERP packages are very generic
in their reports and inquiries, such that customization is expected
in every implementation. It is important to recognize that for
these packages, it makes more sense to buy third party reporting
packages that interface well to particular ERP, than to reinvent
what tens of thousands of other clients of that same ERP have
needed to develop.
Source: http://www.cio.com/research/erp/edit/erpbasics.html
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