Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) seeks to integrate different department's functions, roles and duties of an organization through a single system. Using a Netweaver technology and service-oriented architecture concept, it is possible to do business from any where in the world. To be successful in business, ERP vendors must be productive and result-oriented. This article deals with the merits of ERP, its technologies, different functional modules, lifecycle, implementation methods and factors, and the hidden costs involved.

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system refers to a software system that organizes the data by integrating it into a single system. ERP system comes with different modules. Every module has different features and these help in solving the problems in businesses. ERP and related technologies include executive information system, decision support system, Management Information System (MIS), Business Process Re-Engineering (BPR), data warehousing, data mining and online analytical processing, online transaction processing and supply chain management. Among all the above-mentioned techniques, BPR is the most complex process. A number of factors impact the process. These include: knowledge of ERP systems, prior experience of BPR, degree of fit between ERP and organizational culture, skilled staff, experienced consultants, knowledge transfer, supportive vendors, cross-functional coordination between business and information technology function and top management support and so on. To implement ERP systems, the team has to follow the available models based on the requirements of the organization. They may implement big bang model or wave model or hybrid model. There are many models of ERP ready-made software available in the market. Business organizations can buy them and customize or they can develop the new software according to their requirements. If ready-made ERP software does not suit the requirement, the organization can build the software either using any one of the programming languages or combine different programming languages.

E-Business Magazine, Enterprise Resource Planning, ERP, Management Information System, MIS, Business Process Re-Engineering, BPR, Data Mining, Online Analytical Processing, Online Transaction Processing, Supply Chain Management, Organizational Culture, Human Resources, Inventory Control, Global Technologies.