Companies of all sizes are implementing enterprise, resource and material planning, also known as enterprise resource planning (ERP), to create a unified business system. ERP evolved from material requirements planning (MRP). ERP integrates all of your business operations into a single, comprehensive system.

Understanding the support requirements of enterprise resource planning is critical to scheduling resources effectively and determining your database administrator (DBA) staffing needs. Factors to bear in mind are:

1. Number of databases: the more databases you support, the more complex the job.

2. Size of the databases: the larger your databases, the longer it takes to create and maintain.

3. Increase in number of users: adding more users creates additional problems.

4. Number of applications: one database can result in many applications.

5. Service-level agreements (SLA): the more restrictive the SLA, the more pressure there is on the DBA to deliver services.

6. Availability requirements: some DBA tasks, like upgrades, may require an outage or your staff may perform it more quickly if they force an outage. Therefore, the scheduling of these projects is critical.

7. Impact of downtime: the greater the impact of an unavailable database, the greater the pressure on DBA staff.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find material planning software that has all the modules you need

Enterprise resource planning can benefit you and your staff. The right software can integrate and implement enterprise resource scheduling, material resource planning, scheduling resources and resource scheduling services.

I recommend: SAP Global and Cognos both offer excellent enterprise, resource and material planning software. Check out their webcasts for a virtual tour of their services.

Use enterprise resource planning that integrates with your current software environment

ERP software is an adaptable business management solution that integrates with existing programs and applications. It includes critical business processes, such as financial management, customer relationship management, analytics, inventory, time and expenses, scheduling and human resource duties. Minimize your business scheduling functions by streamlining processes and automating transactions to free up valuable time.

I recommend: Tribridge and Tectura are Microsoft Gold Certified Partners. Their Microsoft Dynamics ERP software solutions will fit well with your existing Microsoft applications. XTuple offers comprehensive ERP software called OpenMFG, which runs on Microsoft, Mac and Linux operating systems. Their PostBooks ERP software is free and open source.

Hire consultants to implement enterprise resource planning

Choose a consulting firm that offers a variety of ERP services including, program implementation, support and customized learning programs that will benefit you and your staff with your ERP transition.

I recommend: Clarity Consultants and Alba Spectrum both provide customized resource and material planning and scheduling services to help you transition from your current environment.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Meet with two to three organizational consultant companies that specialize in enterprise resource planning and request proposals that outline project tasks and an implementation period. Schedule a return meeting to review each proposal, discuss the project in detail and ask questions before you make a decision.