Enterprise Resource Planning links administrative and operational business functions

At one side, we can focuses on the administrative aspects of Enterprise Resource Planning, primarily financials, human capital management and indirect procurement. Some industries don’t need operational capabilities, so they focus their ERP strategy on administrative functions. Perhaps augmented by some industry-specific functionality (such as grant management in the higher education and public sectors, or project resourcing, billing and costing in professional services). These industries are generally characterized as service-centric industries.

Enterprise Resource Planning

Enterprise Resource Planning is a technology strategy that automates and links administrative and operational business capabilities (such as finance, human resources, purchasing, manufacturing and distribution) with appropriate levels of integration that balance the benefits of vendor-delivered integration against business flexibility and agility.

At the operational side, organizations in manufacturing, distribution, retail, etc. (sometimes referred to as product-centric industries) are likely to extend their Enterprise Resource Planning strategy beyond administrative functions into operational areas, such as order management, manufacturing and supply chain, to maximize operational efficiencies.

Also, asset-intensive organizations, such as utilities and mining, may include operations and maintenance of assets in their ERP strategy. These organizations can realize benefits from the integration between administrative and operational capabilities, for example, where operational transactions that have a financial impact are reflected directly in the financial modules.