What is Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)

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ERP Modules

Enterprise resource planning is software that helps in running our whole business and supports automation, and processing in finance, manufacturing, Human resource, supply chain, and many more area. In a business, many operations have been done for example from manufacturing to marketing via ERP only.

ERP productively manages all the operations in the integrated system. ERP is preferred as the system of record in companies or big organizations. Today ERP systems might be reflections of older ones but still, now everything moved to the cloud using the latest technologies. Let’s go deeper to see more about ERP.

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Importance of ERP

ERP is mainly called a brain of a system which means the central nervous of system. All the company data is stored or resides in the ERP system to offer a single source of true information across the organization. check below departments how the ERP is needed mandatorily in the current world.

  • Management – To make quick decision company on the management side needs ERP to showcase the firm development.
  • Banks – The banks and shareholders mandatorily require ERP to maintain the perfect financial record. The banks should maintain the profit and loss records in an accurate way.
  • Sales – Sales department need ERP software to maintain the order given by the customers.
  • Accounts – The accounts department should monitor the records to pay the supplier at the correct time using ERP.
  • Finance – It requires ERP to close the current pending thing in the organization.
  • Logistics – It depends on well-equipped ERP software to deliver to customers with right products and services on time.

We came to know the importance of ERP software in the business is accompanied by the growth rate. In 2026, the global enterprise resource planning (ERP) software will reach US$78.40 billion according to G2.

How does this ERP Software Work?

  • Generally, it is a business application that interconnects with each other modules and shares a database in a common way. ERP works together with the same kind of data but particularly concentrates on a single business area to meet the organization’s needs.
  • Manufacturing, sales, logistics, finance, account, HR, and supply chain are the familiar beginning points. Companies can choose one specific module and work on that and they can also add on future.
  • It also supports specific industrial requirements whether part of functionality or via the applications that integrate with the business requirement in an uninterrupted way. ERP software can be used as a cloud subscription model (software-as-a-service) or via a licensing model (on-premise- on the system).

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ERP Deployment Types

ERP deployment can be done through cloud, On-premises, and hybrid. Check below the standard benefits that help us to analyze the type of deployment option to make use of the business needs.

  1. Cloud ERP – Cloud ERP is held on the cloud which we use and deliver via the internet. Cloud ERP is the most familiar method because of less time implementation, lower cost, greater flexibility, and quick.
  2. ERP On-Premise – This is the regular model for deploying the software that we can keep in control. The ERP software is commonly installed in our data center at the places of our choice. The implementation and maintenance of the hardware and software are our own responsibility.
  3. Many companies are moving towards On-Premise ERP to the cloud. Since it requires proper planning of the ERP upgrades and innovative processes to evaluate the ERP software and deployment process.
  4. Hybrid ERP – For some companies, required both Cloud and On-Premise to face their business needs, then they can go for a hybrid cloud ERP model. This is the right place where some of our applications of ERP and database will be available in the cloud and some other data will be on-premise. Actually, this is termed a two-tier ERP.

Common Modules of ERP

Enterprise Resource Planning involves several modules. Every ERP module supports a particular business operation such as finance, service, R&D Engineering, Manufacturing products, supply-chain management, and sourcing and procurement.

ERP Modules
  1. Finance – Finance and accounting are the main module of ERP systems. In addition to that maintaining the general ledger and automating tasks, it helps businesses’ accounts payable (AP) and receivable (AR) on track, close the book effectively, generate yearly financial reports, compare with the revenue recognition standards, reduce financial risk, and much more.
  2. Sales Modules – The Sales module maintains track of connecting the customers with prospects and helps use data-driven intuition to increase sales and target leads with the proper promotions and increasing the selling opportunities. It includes functionality for the cash process, which includes order management, product contracts, sales billing, sales performance, and sales support.
  3. Service ERP – In-service ERP, helps companies should deliver the reliable and personalized service customers have come to meet. The module involves tools for house repairs and spare parts. It also provides details to help service and technicians frequently solve customer issues and increase commitment.
  4. Human Resource Management (HRM) – Maximum all ERP systems involve an HR module that offers capabilities like time and attendance and payroll. In addition to this, even whole human capital management suites (HCM) can merge with the ERP and deliver more robust HR functionality – everything comes from workforce planning to employee engagement.
  5. Manufacturing – It helps the company’s manufacturing process in a simplified way and should make sure the production will be in demand. This module mainly involves mainly in the planning of requirements of the material, scheduling of production, managing the quality, and many more.
  6. Logistics and supply chain management ERP – The supply chain module in ERP systems keeps track of how products are moved along a company’s supply chain. The module offers resources for real-time inventory management, warehouse operations, logistics, and shipping, which can improve the clarity and flexibility of the supply chain.
  7. Research and Development Engineering – Much scope features ERP systems including R&D Engineering. This provides equipment for the design of products and development, and product lifecycle management (PLM). So companies can fastly create new innovations in a cost-effective way.

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Integration Of ERP

  • ERP systems provide a wide range of functionality in business in the current market. Although they need to interconnect with data and applications as well such as customer relationship management and human capital management.
  • In this ERP integration, the company can profit from a single entity of information from the different systems thus increasing the efficiency of the business process and also user experience. Modern ERP systems are unlocked and adaptable. It is easily merged with a wide range of products such as application programming interfaces.
  • An alternate method for ERP integration involves an enterprise service hub(ESH) and also an integration platform as a service(iPaaS) thus offering a cloud approach that is familiar to day-to-day modern businesses.
  • They frequently require little to no coding concept, are adaptable and reasonably priced, and have a wide range of additional uses, including automatic API production, machine learning data integration, Internet of Things (IoT) network integration, prebuilt content, and more.

ERP Future

Digital transformation and transactions are at their peak nowadays. Businesses are fundamentally altering how they run as they incorporate digital technologies into every aspect of their operations.

In other words, the company should ignore negativity which slows down the business operation, and also avoid old techniques or old models. So it’s not much wonder companies already expecting more powerful ERP systems.

The three primary trends that continue the current scenario are as follows:

  • Cloud
  • Consolidation
  • User customization

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Important Things to Consider in ERP System

Based on the sectors they support and the modules they provide, any modern ERP system would have a large list of capabilities. Every business resource management systems should, however, contain the following basic characteristics:

  • Database – A common database has a single entity of true information providing data in a consistent way and sharing the data over the company.
  • Fixed Data – Integral data, tools, and reports delivered in an effective way in the business.
  • Data Imagine – Presenting the data in a visual way via dashboards helps in quick decision-making.
  • Computerization – Automation of frequent targets or tasks also RPA in an advanced manner followed by machine learning and Artificial intelligence.
  • Implementation or Integration – Ceaseless integration in the workflows of business processes is easy with the software including third-party applications.
  • Latest Technologies – Supporting new technologies like machine learning, Artificial intelligence, IoT, and RPA.
  • Computing platform –  A quick, standard, and proven technology for this long-term investment – including a less code platform that involves iPaaS, and management of data.
  • Global support – Global support involves the languages, currencies, and local business and regulations also provide technical support for cloud services, training, help desk via ticket-based, and implementation.
  • Deployment type –  Cloud, on-premise, or hybrid.

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Final Thought

In this article, I have covered everything about ERP from its importance to the main things taken into consideration. Hope you like this article and get to know standard things in ERP.