ERP, MRP, OR MRP II

摘要

Caller F.B., a production and inventory control manager, recently requested assistance finding an appropriate enterprises resources planning (ERP) software package. Inevitably we asked, "Do you mean ERP or MRP [material requirements planning]?" "ERP," he responded. In the discussion that followed, we determined he had a small business with fewer than 100 employees and was migrating from a manual system using 3 x 5 cards to his first attempt at using computers to help control his business. Does he really need an ERP system or will a good old MRP serve his purposes, most likely for a smaller investment? But what are the differences between MRP and ERP? Attempting to define them is fraught with the risk of opening a floodgate of mail. And a yellow caution light went on with this caller. What did he really need? An ERP system or a manufacturing resource planning (MRP II) system? Let's begin with the APICS Dictionary.