After decades of 'parallel' development, the paths of information systems tools and manufacturing systems have converged to provide the impetus that will allow the integration of the total business enterprise. A more flexible breed of application package is emerging, to extend the features of the MRP II (manufacturing resource planning) philosophy, by the application of new underlaying fourth generation language technologies, that are able to provide the foundations for true enterprise resource planning. Enterprise resource planning (ERP) is a general term coined to differentiate it from the older 3rd generation of manufacturing systems solutions. Today's newer, open systems will serve users for the rest of the decade, and beyond. To understand the structure of the ERP manufacturing solutions the author examines both the technology underlying these systems, together with the environments and functionality required. Finally, to make the 'business case' for such systems, he focuses on the benefits that can be achieved by using ERP systems.
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