Business Applications: Enterprise Resource Planning (Definitions)

"An industry term for the broad set of activities supported by multi-module application software that helps a manufacturer or other business manage the important parts of its business, including product planning, parts purchasing, maintaining inventories, interacting with suppliers, providing customer service, and tracking orders." (Timothy J  Kloppenborg et al, "Project Leadership", 2003)

"A system that ties together and automates the diverse components of a company’s supply-chain operations, including the order, fulfillment, staffing, and accounting processes." (Evan Levy & Jill Dyché, "Customer Data Integration", 2006)

"An information system that coordinates resources that are needed to perform business functions such as order fulfillment and billing." (Tony Fisher, "The Data Asset", 2009)

"Complex computer systems that manage financial and operational data and processes. ERP systems generally include a general ledger, subsystems such as accounts payable and accounts receivable, inventory and manufacturing, supply chain, and logistics applications. Also, an enterprise-wide computer system that manages and coordinates a business's resources, information, and functions from shared data stores." (Janice M Roehl-Anderson, "IT Best Practices for Financial Managers", 2010)

"Integrated computer-based application software used to manage internal and external resources." (Martin Oberhofer et al, "The Art of Enterprise Information Architecture", 2010)

"An integrated software application that serves as a business management tool, helping to track resources, tangible assets, materials, finances, suppliers, vendors, customers, and employees." (Gina Abudi & Brandon Toropov, "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Best Practices for Small Business", 2011)

"Software that integrates the planning, management, and use of all resources in the entire enterprise; also called enterprise systems." (Linda Volonino & Efraim Turban, "Information Technology for Management 8th Ed", 2011)

"System that supports databases and automates business processes such as production, distribution, human resources, and financial accounting; often includes both financial and nonfinancial information. (46, 280)" (Leslie G Eldenburg & Susan K Wolcott, "Cost Management" 2nd Ed, 2011)

"Set of applications and systems that a company uses to manage its resources across the entire enterprise." (Bill Holtsnider & Brian D Jaffe, "IT Manager's Handbook" 3rd Ed, 2012)

"A packaged set of business applications that combines business rules, processes, and data management into a single integrated environment to support a business." (Marcia Kaufman et al, "Big Data For Dummies", 2013)

"A variety of software-based systems that aim to standardize processes and information management within organizations, typically focusing on operational processes including finance and accounting, supply chain and logistics, inventory management, and resource management." (Evan Stubbs, "Delivering Business Analytics: Practical Guidelines for Best Practice", 2013)

"Expansion of MRP activities to include the coordination of other supply chain activities such as shipping, ordering, warehousing, and quality assurance." (Kenneth A Shaw, "Integrated Management of Processes and Information", 2013)

"An integrated application that controls day-to-day business operations such as inventory, sales, finance, human resources, and distribution. From the warehousing perspective, ERP systems differ from standard databases in that they have predefined data models that must be understood in order to successfully extract the data." (Jim Davis & Aiman Zeid, "Business Transformation: A Roadmap for Maximizing Organizational Insights", 2014)