Enterprise resources planning (ERP), like most business processes, is constantly evolving. This necessitates that you stay ahead of the learning curve by using enterprise resource planning - ERP news and trends.

Even if your company uses enterprise resource planning providers to manage the system, it's prudent to seek out the latest news and trends, so you aren't at the mercy of the knowledge base. Some of the sources of this information are news websites, blogs and RSS feeds. All these avenues are Internet-based and don't require training or capital expense to utilize. However, before you begin the search for this information, there are few things to consider.

1. Use enterprise planning resources information websites to locate the latest news and trends.

2. Visit ERP solutions blogs for industry news.

3. Register to receive ERP solution RSS feeds.

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Evaluate the resource planning tools websites for industry trends and news

The internet provides a wealth of information, but sometimes there is actually too much information to wade through. That's where a search-focused website can come in handy. These sites act as a repository for any information about a certain subject, in this case, ERP systems.

I recommend: Examine the ERP information articles available at On-Line Consultant Software and the Cygnus Interactive.

Use ERP system blogs for the latest industry trends

Blogs are a great source of news and trends, because individuals that share your perspective on the ERP solutions usually post them. This way you can bypass the filter of traditional ERP company information and obtain the news and trends that influences individual business decisions. However, this information is also unfiltered and requires verification to determine if it's one blogger's opinion or a fact.

I recommend: Use the information from ERPBlogger.com to supplement your knowledge of the latest news and trends. Visit a software-specific ERP website like SAP Blog for more targeted news and trends.

Sign up for ERP solutions RSS feeds

RSS feeds are a more user-friendly version of information collection websites. Once you sign up for an RSS feed, the website will notify you when new information appears. That way you don't have to waste time checking various ERP websites each day for the latest industry trends.

I recommend: Click on the RSS feed symbol on the CIO and CEB Toolbox websites. On some websites, the icon can be difficult to locate, but it's usually present.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Enterprise resource planning companies can also be an excellent source of the latest news and trends. If your company outsourced its ERP planning, you can contact a representative from that company and have him or her forward you any enterprise resource planning - ERP news and trends applicable to your ERP solution.

Enterprise resource planning has been defined as "a business management system that integrates all facets of the business, including planning, manufacturing, sales and marketing" (Webopedia.com). Ideally, every company will make optimal use of its resources, across all parts of its operation, through proper planning. Yet, this is often easier said than done, and that's where enterprise resource companies, products and services can help.

Enterprise resource planning solutions of various types are available which can help take the mystery and complexity out of implementing an ERP system that will work for your business.

Here are a few types of available ERP solutions providers:

1. ERP information sources

2. ERP consulting companies

3. ERP system software vendors

4. Web-based ERP providers

5. ERP company comparison sites

6. ERP vendor-matching sites

Each of the above ERP solutions providers can help you compare and better understand the small business ERP systems and services that would best suit your company.

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Take advantage of online ERP information providers

These websites make your research into the various available enterprise planning resources much easier.

I recommend: Websites such as Intelligent Enterprise, ERP Knowledge Base and KnowledgeStorm can give you all the background information and implementation strategies you need to make both your search and subsequent use of your chosen ERP solution fruitful.

Consider ERP consulting companies

Enterprise resource planning companies that offer consulting services can be very helpful to you in your search for the ERP solution that would be the best fit for your company.

I recommend: ERP consultants at such companies as Accenture offer individualized advice and assessment of your company's needs. You'll find other companies that provide ERP information and consulting in the Google Directory Professional Services section.

Avail yourself of ERP comparison websites

These websites can cut down your research time considerably by providing side-by-side descriptions of many of the most popular small business ERP systems available.

I recommend: Three such sites are Capterra, Enterprise IT Yellow Pages and SoftScout.

Use an ERP vendor-matching site

These sites search their databases to find the enterprise resource planning providers whose products or services most closely match your criteria.

I recommend: Sites such as VendorGuru allow you to selectively search for enterprise resource planning solutions by answering a few simple questions about your company.

Look into open source ERP software

Open source ERP solutions offer greater flexibility through better customization options.

I recommend: Software offered by the following enterprise resource planning providers can allow you to better integrate your ERP system with your company's unique needs: Tappas and Compiere.

Don't forget web-based ERP providers

On-demand ERP solutions can make implementing your company's new ERP program simpler, relieving you of the headaches involved in doing it yourself. They also save money by preventing the need for expensive IT hardware and software purchases, maintenance and upgrading/updating.

I recommend: Web Resource is one web-based ERP company that offers a free trial download of its SaaS (Software as a Service) ERP solution. You'll find others in the ERP software comparison sites linked to above.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  After you've done your research, be sure to carefully consider your company's specific needs before deciding which ERP solution to purchase.
• •  Try narrowing down the ERP companies to a group of 5 or 6 that seem most appropriate. Take advantage of demos, webinars and free-trial downloads to help you determine which company offers the resource planning tools your company needs most.

Enterprise resource planning is essentially the integration of all the departments of a company into a single information technology depository. With enterprise resource planning - ERP basics, you can create a one stop shop for all the information available in your company. This action potentially eliminates redundancies and improves efficiency. However, integrating information technology, business processes and records into one application can present a challenge.

In order to make this data migration as smooth as possible, you'll need to understand the basics of the process. Enterprise resource planning companies can offer assistance, but even if your company outsources the migration, it's prudent to know as much ERP information as possible. That way, you won't need to have an ERP specialist to manage the information long after merging the data. However, before you begin the process, there are a few items to consider, such as:

1. Define enterprise resource planning as it relates to your company.

2. Contact associations for enterprise resource planning providers’ recommendations.

3. Review the resource planning tools available to your company.

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Understand the basic definition of enterprise resource planning solutions

Enterprise resource planning is the basis on which you can build the information technology backbone of your company for years to come. The first step in the process is determining the basic definition and implementation of the transition to an ERP system.

I recommend: Use the ERP tutorials and primers from Tech-FAQ or Microsoft or Tech Republic to begin the implementation process. Each of these guides will have some overlapping information, but it's prudent to gather as much information as possible before you implement an ERP solution.

Tap into HR and planning associations to help with ERP solutions

Business associations offer some of the deepest pools of advice that can help your company make the transition to an ERP-based data management system. If you contact or join these entities, it's like have a consultant on call without paying the exorbitant fees and its an easy way to learn the basics of these systems.

I recommend: Become a member of the International Public Management Association for Human Resources or the American Planning Association. Membership in these associations isn't a must, but if you want to know the basics of ERP, joining them can provide access to the best practices of association members. They can also recommend ERP providers and help you avoid the costly mistakes that other members made.

Review the enterprise planning resources' software options

Besides understanding the process in general, choosing a software application is the most important step in implementing an ERP solution. Selecting the best software solution for your company can make the transition much easier.

I recommend: Compare the different ERP software options at Find Accounting Software to find the one that best fits your company. You can also use the software-buying guide from Klee Associates to assist you in this comparison.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Before you begin the process of transitioning to small business ERP systems, it's important that each department maintains a positive outlook on the transition. People are very resistant to change and getting all company department heads on board is paramount to the success of the transition to a robust ERP solution.

Enterprise Resource Planning, or ERP, is a must-have in today’s busy companies. While ERP itself is a process, there are software solutions out there to assist you. The end result of the implementation of these software solutions is increased efficiency, which is a major money saver. If you are diving into the world of Enterprise Resource Planning, here are some words to give you a head start.

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Enterprise Resource Planning

ERP is the process of consolidating all of your company's sections and systems together under one computer system. The purpose of this is to make all company departments more efficient, and to save time and money in information technology because there is less hardware to maintain.

I recommend: Check out Tech-FAQ for a very good explanation of ERP and its benefits as well as drawbacks.

ERP software

ERP software is a solution to the problem of companies having different programs for different aspects of their business. For example, when your company makes a sale, one computer system handles all aspects of that sale, from invoicing to packing slips, as opposed logging onto different programs for every stage of the sale.

I recommend: If you’re looking to find out what ERP software does and how it can work for your company, then look at this ERP software comparison chart from Capterra.

Data warehouse

Where does all of the information that is collected by this ERP software go in order for each department of the company to access it? The answer is into a single, comprehensive database, or data warehouse. It is important to treat all of your company data carefully and make sure it is safely stored, because all information regarding your business is stored in that database.

I recommend: LGI Systems goes into more detail about data warehouses.

Audits

Auditing, or checking up on, an ERP system shortly after implementation ensures that the system fits with your company's needs and is functioning the way it should. There are government regulations such as Sarbanes-Oxley, that require companies to keep tight records on the inner workings of their business. Ensuring that your ERP system is working for your company the way it is intended will go a long way to keep you in compliance. This can be done by your management or IT team, or you can hire consultants.

I recommend: Consider the ERP auditing services provided by Protiviti to ensure your ERP system is in tip top shape and your information is protected and accurate.

Operational efficiency

When all aspects of a company such as the people, technology and procedures are working together, there are no wasted resources and the business is running at its peak, then this is operational efficiency.

I recommend: Halfway down the page on the ensynch website is the explicit definition of operational efficiency.

Best practices

Best practices are the ideas and actions that work the best. For example, best practices for ERP implementation are the ideas and actions taken in order for there to be a flawless transition from the multi-system technology infrastructure of the company, to the ERP system.

I recommend: Find even more information about best practices at The Global ERP Software Industry Forum.