Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system is a software platform that enhances the flow of information among the different functions of an organization. Moreover, ERP promotes the sharing of information across organizational units and geographical units. At the core of ERP lies a central database that draws data from and feeds data to modular applications that operate on a standard computing platform. This operation helps to standardize data definitions and business practices into a unified environment. Oracle is one of the leading companies in the global database software market. In 1999, $2.3 billion of its $9. 3 billion revenue was derived from the enterprise application business. Moreover, Oracle has led the way in integrating ERP solutions with the Internet through the development of Internet-based ERP software applications. This paper will look at some of the ERP solutions offered by Oracle together with an in-depth description of each model.
E-Business Suite 12.1
Oracle’s E-Business Suite 12.1 is a comprehensive ERP software package that transcends all areas of ERP and all industries. The implementation of the E-Business Suite 12.1 requires a unique configuration of the system to serve the needs of an organization’s process. This configuration process takes a long time since all operations within the organization need to be modeled and entered as settings into more than 8,000 configuration tables. The E-Business Suite 12.1 incorporates all data items in a way that entire processes can utilize the same data in a seamless fashion. This ERP system is made up of different modules which may be used together or separately. These modules work in a unified way so that different parts of the enterprise can utilize the same data concurrently.
Financial Management Module
This module is made up of an application designed by both Oracle and PeopleSoft with the aim of providing consulting services to support financial reporting, compliance, and other processes. Besides, this module brings together all data relevant to financial accounting into a unified General Ledger. It also provides detailed, consolidated financial reports and incorporates the different pieces of financial information, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and asset management. Additionally, this module provides current financial planning and control of the enterprise. This module is priced at $4595.
Human Capital Management Module
The Oracle Human Capital Management solution provides staff upgrade, optimization, and augmentation services. Apart from coordinating staff, this module also monitors all processes relevant to quality assurance along the supply chain. This operation involves coordination of inspection processing and initiation of corrective measures. A sub-system of this module participates in conducting plant maintenance and service management. This system handles the coordination of scheduled inspection, maintenance, and service management. This module is priced at $595.
Sales and Distribution Module
This module supports sales and distribution processes, with special functions for order processing, pricing, and on-time delivery. It is directly connected to the procurement and production planning module discussed below. This integration facilitates a unified process that is made up of processes such as checking customer credit. It also ensures the availability of materials and production capacity to satisfy an order at the moment it is placed. Execution of the order and billing processes are also coordinated by this module. Moreover, this module promotes an analysis of sales and delivery performance with the use of standard metrics stipulated with the E-Business Suite 12.1. This module is priced at $ 5,795.
Procurement and Production Planning Module
The material management portion of this module is designed to support the procurement process and promote logistics within the enterprise. It enables automated supplier evaluation and accurate management of inventory and warehouse. This serves to reduce costs incurred in procurement and warehousing. The procurement module is also designed to support operations involved in foreign trade processing such as customs declarations. Tools contained in purchasing information and inventory control help to identify trends and developments. On the other hand, the production planning portion supports production planning, execution of the manufacturing process, and control of production. This module coordinates the manufacturing process from the creation of primary data to production planning, capacity planning, and production control. Additionally, this module supports a wide range of manufacturing processes such as make-to-order, repetitive, and assemble-to-order processes. This model is priced at $9190.
Fusion Applications
This ERP can be termed as the next-generation business system from Oracle. Fusion Applications are designed from scratch using the latest developments in software and practices generated over the years from Oracle clients. The long-term plan of Oracle is to integrate every solution in ERP into Fusion. Currently, though, Oracle is committed to providing ongoing Fusion upgrades to its customers through the Applications Unlimited program. The development of Fusion is continuing to replace all complicated solutions in all Oracle, PeopleSoft, Siebel, and JD Edwards applications. Oracle is currently testing Fusion using a handful of early adopters to iron out any faults before the system can be fully adopted in the broader market. Once completed, Fusion will be capable of offering all solutions provided by the E-Business Suite 12.1 plus so much more. It will be a true leader in next-generation business integration systems.
References
Oracle. (2016). Oracle E-Business Suite Applications Global Price Lis. Retrieved from: http://www.oracle.com/us/corporate/pricing/applications-price-list-070574.pdf.
Robb, D. (2016). Oracle E-Business Suite. Retrieved from: http://www.enterpriseappstoday.com/erp/enterprise-erp-buyers-guide-sap-oracle-and-microsoft-2.html.
