Discussion—Enterprise Resource Planning Reflect on the readings for this module

Question

Discussion—Enterprise Resource Planning

Reflect on the readings for this module as well as those from previous modules when you consider this module’s discussion question. In your response, take into account the time constraints on modern businesses in terms of time to market and demand for innovation. As an aside, and not as part of the assignment, you may wish to consider how your answers would or would not change if you were considering a craftsmen-type or vertically-integrated business.

Based on the above information and on your reflection of the readings for the course, respond to the following:

If continuous improvement is the key to remain competitive, then why do firms codify so many processes into enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems?

Does this limit innovation and if so, how can that risk be reduced? If you were an ERP vendor what would be your perspective?

Write your initial response in 300–500 words. Your response should be thorough and address all components of the discussion question in detail, include citations of all sources, where needed, according to the APA Style, and demonstrate accurate spelling, grammar, and punctuation

Explanation / Answer

ERP is an area which no company can turn a blind eye. There are companies which makes extensive use of it whereas there are ones which have been using it for few of their functions. But companiesare using it in some form or the other. There are companies which aligns investment into ERP technologies with their overall mission.

There are a number of ERP suites available in the market. Some are ready to use while other are customized and the rest could be a mix of both. Depending on the needs of the organization, company will pick the one which perfectly suits them. Most companies try to get their critical processes managed through ERP followed by the related ones if the return on investment permits.

The reason why companies eyes in to get most of their processes managed through ERP are:

Investment in ERP is rather considered as a forward thinking approach. Investment in ERP is always made with an eye on ROI. Secondly, ERP needs to be chosen depending on their flexibility and scalability so as to address changing business needs. Another criteria which is also considered on how easily an ERP interacts with other tools as this offer flexibility in marrying up data or information based on the ever changing business needs.

An ERP vendor always needs to be proactive as no ERP package is permanent. They needs to keep them abreast with the changing needs to the customers. An ERP vendor should offer packages along with time to time upgrades facilities and also offer developmental support should there be a need. As an ERP vendor works with many clients they can use their industry/market exposure to even offer professional advice on any new launches and their benefits to their customers. This will ensure that a relationship is being built in between the ERP vendor and the customers as they are being seen as an integral part for any future business decisions.

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