Coordination

ERP brings business process management together in one application, but the coordination to make sure the various aspects of the company operations are represented in the software is a management issue. From human resources, companies may include time sheets, payroll, expenses and personnel planning. Financials may include accounting, assets and profit analysis. Sales volumes, pricing and order management are usually components. From production, ERP typically includes inventory and materials management, production planning, shipping, purchasing and plant maintenance. ERP management ensures that the software receives the required information and implements changes when required.

Ongoing Improvement

Typical ERP systems require constant changes to keep up with the evolving business structure and changes in the organization or external conditions. When the company does not initially include all operations, or when it starts up new initiatives, the ERP manager has to integrate the new processes. Executives often need additional or new information so new reports are required. Partners may want to exchange data so management has to put in place new interfaces. Adapting the ERP software to a changed environment takes up a lot of ERP management time.

Training and Support

The ERP application relies on receiving correct data about the operations it covers. Employees have to input data or record activities and results in a form the software can recognize and process. The ERP manager must make sure all employees who have access to ERP databases know what data to enter and what form the data must take. While typical ERP programs have input forms that control what goes into the databases, missing or incorrectly entered information can skew the results and reduce the accuracy of reports.

Security and Updates

A key function of ERP management is to keep the data secure and the software patched. As suppliers identify threats and vulnerabilities, they issue new patches to make the ERP application secure. The company’s own operating systems, networks