Part A:
Yes, I agree that ERP does not live up to its acronym. ERP systems does not actually do the planning. Planning part is still done by the management. However, ERP systems aids the management in planning by providing readily available data. It is a resource for much needed data that can be delivered to whoever needs it in an instant. Yes, ERP systems must not forget the enterprise part since the major task of an ERP system is to integrate the applications and processes within the whole enterprise for it to have a standardize form. ERP systems are build for the enterprise to actually lessen the tasks of its employees thereby possibly reducing the number of employees they have reducing employee costs but with a more efficient services.
Part B:
ERP systems must be used by medium and large size companies. Small companies may keep out of using ERP systems due to the high costs needed to implement one, maintaining it and the human resources needed and training to maintain one. With regards to the type of business, almost all companies would need an ERP system may this company a young company or a well-built company planning to change its business process to include an ERP system. The important thing is proper analysis must be made first before implementing one. For companies involved in e-commerce and e-business, I deem it a must for them to implement an ERP system.
Part C:
ERP does not always means BPR. BPR is changing the business processes that an enterprise has. This means that the company may have an existing EPR in their old business process. However, upon implementation of the new BPR the company has, they would need to reconstruct their existing EPR to match with their new BPR. Sometimes, even if there is a new BPR, the company can still utilize their existing EPR. However, there are time that implementation of EPR would mean BPR. This is true when the company decides to implement an EPR where BPR is inevitable. This is true when a company's old BPR includes manual ordering for example and they need to shift to an online ordering system. With the EPR they are about to implement, it is inevitable to change the company's BPR. Implementing a new BPR is really risky for a company especially when this also involves the implementation of an ERP, however, the risk can be minimize through proper feasibility study. With today's technological advancements, EPR I think are a must to increase customer satisfaction.
Part D:
Before a company decides to implement an EPR, it should consider first the volume of transactions it has or the number of employees they have in case of HR. Does the implementation or an ERP system (this includes the purchase of hardware and software plus the training needed by the personnel) merits the ROI upon implementing the ERP? A feasibility study assessing especially the cost and benefit analysis to the company must be properly looked into by the management. It the cost of implementing such ERP will be more that conducting business manually then why implement an ERP system.
