ERP Systems in the Business Environment Through Solutions - Dissertation Example

With the advent of several technologies, organizations have been getting connected with stakeholders and various business environments in an easy manner (Callaway, 2000 pp-3-6). Information plays an important role in facilitating operational and functional activities within and outside organizations. One of the most useful and important systems facilitating the flow of business, functional and operational information is Enterprise Resource Planning. ERP is a system integrating business processes within organizations. It includes the integration of financial, marketing, operational, functional, and CRM activities through the flow of effective and transparent business information. ERP system is run on several hardware and networks helping organizations to add value to different functions (Fellenstein, Wood, 2000, pp.102-105).
Enterprise systems have evolved as one of the major tools in managing the flow of information effectively. The seamless integration of information by integrating financial and accounting information, human resource management information, customers’ information, and supply chain information often helps organizations to handle business activities and processes in a cost-effective manner (Norris, et al, 2000, pp-12-14). A successful and well-implemented ERP system can help organizations to save cost; generate accurate demand for products and services along with speeding production cycles and enhancing customer service in an exemplary manner (Fingar, et al, 2000, pp.23-34).
Implementing and managing an ERP system can be a cumbersome and demanding activity as it requires a large amount of time and money. Moreover, it requires extensive training to be offered to employees that can be time-consuming. The payback period for any ERP system can range from 1-3 years and in between that period organizations need to maintain customer satisfaction along with enhancing the overall production measures and activities (Head, 2005, pp.132-134). It is important to assess the benefits and drawbacks of implementing an ERP system as it may not offer great benefits all the time and may result in complications hurting the productivity of employees and organizations.
ERP system requires the involvement of key persons to guide others to make sure that customer satisfaction is enhanced. There must be a clear definition of goals, objectives, expectations, deliverables, and key issues (Grant, et al., 2006). Moreover, it is important to state key issues along with addressing the needs and importance of ERP systems in the success and growth of organizations as lack of integration can affect the entire operational framework (King, 2005, 45-54).
Shelly, et al (2005, pp.12-13) stated that business activities have been conducted globally reducing boundaries, and technologies have played an important role in that. With the advent and acceptance of different technologies embedded with internet solutions; organizations across the world have been implementing several technologies to save time for customers across the world.