ERP systems
ERP - Enterprise resource planning system links all the areas of a business manufacturing - knows about new orders as soon as they are entered sales - knows the exact status of a customer order purchasing knows what manufacturing needs to the minute the accounting benefits of ERP ERP products oracle SAP microsoft JDA i2 technology all SAP functions can be implemented using an internet interface cloud computing : delivering hosted service over internet 2 distinct characteristics sold on demand its elastic service is fully managed by the provider implementing ERP is costly ERP systems are complex and expensive may require major changes in processes cost of the software typically one third or less of the total cost BOM - number of components bill of materials - contains the complete product description