ENTERPRISE RESOURCE PLANNING (ERP)

Enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems integrate internal and external management of information across an entire organization embracing finance/accounting, manufacturing, sales and service, customer relationship management, etc. ERP systems automate this activity with an integrated software application. The purpose of ERP is to facilitate the flow of information between all business functions inside the boundaries of the organization and manage the connections to outside stakeholders.

ERP System

MATERIALS RESOURCE PLANNING (MRP)

Manufacturing resource planning, also known as MRP II, is a method for the effective planning of a manufacturer's resources. MRP II is composed of several linked functions, such as business planning, sales and operations planning, capacity requirements planning, and all related support systems.

The meaning of MRP and ERP

ERP and MRP are acronyms for software technology that enables people to perform company processes. Both also refer to a completed implementation, or use, of software. ERP stands for enterprise resource planning, and MRP is short for material requirements planning or manufacturing resource planning.

INDUSTRIES
MRP is usually a part, or a subset, of ERP, depending on the industry. MRP typically is used in manufacturing companies. ERP can apply to any company.

BUSINESS PROCESSES
ERP and manufacturing resource planning can apply to all business processes in a company, including manufacturing, planning, finance, order management, inventory, distribution and purchasing. Material requirements planning usually refer to the material planning processes in a manufacturing company.

TECHNOLOGY
ERP can include supporting technology such as networks, databases and hardware; it is often viewed as a backbone system that supports other systems or technology. Material requirements planning, usually refers to business process-enabling software.

COMPLEMENTARY TECHNOLOGY
Product life cycle management (PLM), customer relationship management (CRM), enterprise asset management (EAM) and supply chain management (SCM) can be viewed as additional software outside the scope of ERP and MRP. Because data and scheduling resources located within an enterprise resource

planning (ERP) are often used to facilitate materials requirements planning (MRP), ERP and MRP are closely related in the business world. An ERP is a software platform used to plan and keep records of business resources like finances, workforce, materials, and property. Generally, MRP processes specifically involve planning the use of materials necessary for manufacturing business products, so materials requirements planning is also a common function contained within an ERP. Though ERP and MRP perform some of the same functions, they are not interchangeable because ERP platforms perform a number of functions not included in MRP. When considering ERP and MRP solutions, a company that just needs to maintain inventory and manage the materials it uses to make its products does not necessarily need a whole ERP platform. It may simply need a materials management system equipped with MRP functions. When comparing ERP and MRP, one advantage to consider is the ability of an ERP to integrate and share the different types of data it collects among different company departments. MRP solutions are usually standalone programs dedicated to that purpose, so they are not designed to integrate with types of data not used in materials requirements planning. Employing materials requirements planning involves figuring out how much material a company needs to complete production and getting the right amount of inventory to avoid shortages or problems caused by overstock materials. MRP is most important for companies with perishable materials or limited storage. This process is important in almost all types of businesses that offer a product or service. A caterer ordering just the right amount of steak to serve an event or a restaurant owner stocking fresh produce might use MRP to ensure they have enough food while avoiding excesses leading to spoilage or unprofitable waste. In construction, a materials planner might use ERP and MRP to determine the right amount of concrete, drywall, or other building materials needed to complete the construction project. By definition, an enterprise is a business designed to make a profit. Although a business designed to sustain employees as a non-profit may benefit from the use of an ERP, the business is not technically engaged in enterprise resource planning because these types of businesses are not considered to be enterprises. Other types of software used to perform MRP for non-enterprise businesses include association management software and organization management software.

(Or 'Why Spend More Than You Have to on a System to Run Your Business?') Many companies mistakenly believe or are steered into the decision by consultants with a vested interest that they need ERP over an MRP system. But what is the difference and where do you draw the line between those that need it and those that dont? ERP stands for Enterprise Resource Planning and is an information system designed to coordinate the resources, information and processes within an organization. It comprises of a common database that provides interfaces and information to every department within the business. Depending on which definition of MRP you follow there are different interpretations Materials Requirement Planning (MRP) and Manufacturing Resource Planning (MRP II), which then evolved into ERP. As ERP systems have developed some have moved away from their manufacturing roots. This has resulted in failed implementations due to the chosen ERP systems processes not matching the business requirements. ERP covers areas such as: Accounting (nominal ledger, fixed assets, accounts sales/purchase ledger etc.) Human resources (payroll, time sheets, training etc.) Manufacturing (bill of materials, QC, managing the manufacturing process etc.) Supply chain (stock control, purchasing, scheduling) CRM (sales and marketing, support and customer service) Project management (managing costs, time and activities) Data warehousing (document management) Most of these areas are already covered either partially or completely by MRP. The perceived benefit of ERP is to have a single solution to manage an entire companys information structure and processes. There is generally a reduction of data duplication as information is entered only once, and users often benefit from a common interface, thereby reducing training. A single solution only requires a single vendor, potentially ironing out data conflicts between different applications. Or at least this is the idea. Any system - MRP or ERP - needs to also provide security at user level to ensure that the right employees have access to the right information. Each

and every section mentioned above needs the ability to either block access or provide read-only access.

So where does MRP stop and ERP start? MRP systems focus on the processes from quote, sales, raising works orders, stock control, purchasing and all stages of manufacturing through to invoicing, but traditionally tend to exclude processes such as CRM and accounting. These lines have been increasingly blurred in recent years as systems rely on similar database structures. Previously an MRP, CRM and accounting system may have each relied on their own bespoke databases, requiring significant customization and consultancy from the relevant vendors in order to get the systems communicating together. With some systems today running on platforms such as SQL Server it is now much easier to set up permanent, stable data links between systems. In fact many companies offer seamless interfaces between key applications such as MRP and accounts. There are caveats to the above. The statement often given that we are the authors and can provide a single source solution is often a falsehood. Many systems have evolved through acquisition of companies that produce one element (such as CRM) and trying to integrate it to the core system, rebranding it in the process to disguise its origins. More often than not the end result is a mixture of two or more systems which may not be very stable, have a different user interface to the rest of the system and do not provide the completely seamless solution they aspire to.

IMPLEMENTATION Due to its breadth of coverage across an organization, the problems associated with implementing ERP over MRP will be greater by default, potentially increasing risk of failure. More departments are affected, and legacy data for each area of the business needs to be manipulated into a format where it can be migrated, assuming that this is possible at all. The scale of the task can also be too daunting for some, with many failed installations occurring due to incorrect or lack of use of the system. The setup of the system is also important. Many make the mistake of mirroring the setup of their legacy systems, which may require considerable

customization of the new system and runs the risk of carrying on the mistakes of yesteryear. Of course, at this point you have already parted with your cash, spending tens or even hundreds of thousands of pounds, so many companies feel compelled to shoehorn their company to fit the system. While many implementers successfully adopt the approach of switching all applications over to a new single system, for others this can prove too much in one hit. A more flexible system would allow companies to implement at their own pace rather than forcing them to go live across all departments from day one. Many start with concepts that are simple to understand such as stock control or purchasing before implementing complex routings or full MRP part ordering.

AFTER GO-LIVE Companies often fail to take into account the ongoing costs associated with traditional MRP/ERP software. You cannot compare it to off-the-shelf products like MS Office, which, once paid for you just get on and use. As staff leave, their replacements require training, perhaps off-site. Many systems require days of training per module, so if a staff member covers more than one department you may have to consider several days out of their schedule as well as the daily training rate. Furthermore, you will invariably want to customize elements of the system or generate bespoke reports, which often requires consultancy services from the vendor. Every time you need to store or analyze data differently there may be a costly invoice tied to it. Many vendors are service-led in the fact that they cannot survive on the initial sale value alone they have to generate revenue through ongoing annual value added services, training and consultancy. The industry standard for calculating maintenance renewal cost is generally anywhere from around 15%-22% of the initial software cost the more enterprise-wide the software, the higher the initial cost, the higher the ongoing maintenance contracts.

SUMMARY
When considering an ERP system for a manufacturing organization the core competences and historical pedigree of the system must match your business manufacturing. Getting your hands on the software in a meaningful way prior to purchase is the best (and only) way to ensure the products suitability to your needs. If that is not an option, then speak to as many customers of the existing system as you can. Learn its strengths and its weaknesses. Maybe the weaknesses will not affect your business, but at least you will be aware of them. The best practice should be to select the best in class product for the task at hand. If, for example an ERPs accounts facility is lacking or less suited to your business then maybe a better solution is a separate MRP and account system that can interface to each other. Cost also plays an important factor E may have the lesser value than M in a game of Scrabble, but the exchange of the letters at the front of your chosen information system can have a major impact on your balance sheet without relational improvements to your business.

REFERENCES 1. (ehow) www.ehow.com 2. (wisegeek) www.wisegeek.com 3. (sheetmetalworld) www.sheetmetalworld.com