What is an ERP ?
ERP is an acronym for Enterprise Resource Planning. While this does not reveal a very direct meaning in software industry, you can simply describe an ERP as a distributed software with a capacity to address enterprise needs in all the departments/sections. Modern ERPs are advanced and consider accessiblity and integration with third-party applications as basic features. Such ERPs are majorly categorized into Open source and Enterprise Licensing platforms. Both categories are widely used across the globe by various industries. The common denominator is having company information under a single platform accesible via all modern data access devices such as PCs, Laptops, Tablets, Phones, and Printable formats.
"How you gather, manage, and use information will determine whether you win or lose."
by Bill Gates
ERPs were introduced back in 1990 by Gartner Group. At this point, an ERP was basically a software that could meet majority of operational needs within an enterprise. Integration with productivity tools such as CRM, Word processing, spread sheets, and Mailing tools was subordinate. However, growth of many institutions have raised need for platforms that can address the very complex and demanding operations that exist in today's competitive business space. Hardware and connectivity evolution has been the much needed launch pad to the fast evolution of the ERPs.
Global Technology Power houses such as Microsoft, Oracle, and SAP SE have pushed the ERP agenda over the years and have delivered the very mature software that runs majority of the global businesses, Government operations, and SMEs across the global. Some of these ERPs include:
| Product Name | Vendor | Recent Developement |
| Microsoft Dynamics 365 | Microsoft Corporation | Microsoft Dynamics 365 now covers both CRM and ERP functionality.Available both on Premises as Nav 2018 and on Cloud as Dynamics 365 Business Central |
| SAP | SAP SE | SAP has signed more than 6,900 customers for its next-generation ERP suite S/4 HANA as of October 2017. |
| Oracle | Oracle Corporation | Oracle ERP Cloud R13 offers additional localization and industry-specific capabilities. |
Quite informative!