Guide to Enterprise Resource Planning - ERP

Enterprise resource planning has been defined as "a business management system that integrates all facets of the business, including planning, manufacturing, sales and marketing" (Webopedia.com). Ideally, every company will make optimal use of its resources, across all parts of its operation, through proper planning. Yet, this is often easier said than done, and that's where enterprise resource companies, products and services can help.

Enterprise resource planning solutions of various types are available which can help take the mystery and complexity out of implementing an ERP system that will work for your business.

Here are a few types of available ERP solutions providers:

1. ERP information sources

2. ERP consulting companies

3. ERP system software vendors

4. Web-based ERP providers

5. ERP company comparison sites

6. ERP vendor-matching sites

Each of the above ERP solutions providers can help you compare and better understand the small business ERP systems and services that would best suit your company.

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

Take advantage of online ERP information providers

These websites make your research into the various available enterprise planning resources much easier.

I recommend: Websites such as Intelligent Enterprise, ERP Knowledge Base and KnowledgeStorm can give you all the background information and implementation strategies you need to make both your search and subsequent use of your chosen ERP solution fruitful.

Consider ERP consulting companies

Enterprise resource planning companies that offer consulting services can be very helpful to you in your search for the ERP solution that would be the best fit for your company.

I recommend: ERP consultants at such companies as Accenture offer individualized advice and assessment of your company's needs.  You'll find other companies that provide ERP information and consulting in the Google Directory Professional Services section.

Avail yourself of ERP comparison websites

These websites can cut down your research time considerably by providing side-by-side descriptions of many of the most popular small business ERP systems available.

I recommend: Three such sites are Capterra, Enterprise IT Yellow Pages and SoftScout.

Use an ERP vendor-matching site

These sites search their databases to find the enterprise resource planning providers whose products or services most closely match your criteria.

I recommend: Sites such as VendorGuru allow you to selectively search for enterprise resource planning solutions by answering a few simple questions about your company.

Look into open source ERP software

Open source ERP solutions offer greater flexibility through better customization options.

I recommend: Software offered by the following enterprise resource planning providers can allow you to better integrate your ERP system with your company's unique needs:  Tappas and Compiere.

Don't forget web-based ERP providers

On-demand ERP solutions can make implementing your company's new ERP program simpler, relieving you of the headaches involved in doing it yourself. They also save money by preventing the need for expensive IT hardware and software purchases, maintenance and upgrading/updating.

I recommend: Web Resource is one web-based ERP company that offers a free trial download of its SaaS (Software as a Service) ERP solution. You'll find others in the ERP software comparison sites linked to above.

Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• After you've done your research, be sure to carefully consider your company's specific needs before deciding which ERP solution to purchase.
• Try narrowing down the ERP companies to a group of 5 or 6 that seem most appropriate. Take advantage of demos, webinars and free-trial downloads to help you determine which company offers the resource planning tools your company needs most.

The official source of Enterprise Resource Planning - ERP is
the Enterprise Resource Planning - ERP page at Business.com