Product Description

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems can provide the foundation for a wide range of e-commerce based processes including web-based ordering and order tracing, inventory management, and built-to-order goods. This book examines the pros and cons of ERP systems, explains how they work, and highlights their role at the heart of e-commerce. It contains several detailed case studies and will be an invaluable guide to managers and consultants working with ERP systems. It will also be a useful reference for MBA students taking courses in information systems management.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #747389 in Books
• Published on: 2000-01-15
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 232 pages

Review
"This book is excellent reading for e-commerce managers and could also be used as a textbook...The chapters are well written, with objectives, figures, and clear divisions into sections. The book does not contain canned answers, but carefully walks readers through thinking about ERP systems. I highly recommend it." Computing Reviews

'The chapters are well written, with objectives, figures, and clear divisions into sections ... I highly recommend it.' Brad Reid, Computing Reviews 'The book is divided into four parts: introduction and background, ERP systems, the ERP life cycle, and electronic commerce and risk. It contains case studies, references, chapter questions, and a complete index. the chapters are well written, with objectives, figures, and clear divisions into sections. The book does not contain canned answers, but carefully walks readers through thinking about ERP systems. I highly recommend it.' Brad Reid, Computing Milieux

Customer Reviews

Due diligence if you're evaluating ERP systems
This book is more suited as an executive guide for anyone who is considering ERP or evaluating ERP systems. In fact, the book appears to have been designed with busy senior management and executives in mind because it's focused, hits all of the key points and each chapter is treated as a whitepaper that ends with case studies reinforcing the topic and references. Also, the author makes excellent use of window diagrams throughout to convey information. A random example if this is in chapter 11 where the linkage between implementation approach (big bang vs. phases) is shown by impact of the extent of changes to be made to ERP modules (minimal to extensive) vs. Number of modules in implementation (few to many) and how this translates to the preferred method. This is but one of many such examples.

The book is organized into four parts: (1) introduction, (2) ERP systems and capabilities, (3) ERP life cycle (deciding, selecting, designing, post implementation and training) and (4) electronic commerce and risk.

Each section is backed with cited references and necessary facts with which to decide whether or not to opt for an ERP system, and if so, how to select the correct package. The references and citations extend into every chapter, which I liked because when the author cites a fact, such as a typical cost of an ERP implementation ... you know where that figure came from. I normally do not like discussions of specific products in general books, but given the narrow field of ERP vendors the discussion of each of the major players, their company histories and market position is appropriate for this book given the subject and audience.

I personally liked the case studies at the end of each chapter because there were specific to the chapter's topic, were drawn from real life, and were frank about the problems encountered and how they were addressed. This is a gold mine for executive management seeking to determine the true scope, cost and potential value of an ERP project. I also like how each option for implementation was thoroughly covered.

Overall, this book provides complete coverage of all of the issues and factors that need to be examined before taking the plunge into an ERP system. It will definitely allow executive management to make informed decisions, and will also prepare IT and business stakeholders for the realities of an implementation. This book will pay for itself many times over for the intended audience. It is clear, concise and factual.

Insightful!
Because this is a dense read, you won't be surprised to learn that the author, Daniel E. O'Leary, is a Ph.D. If you don't have a conversational grasp of acronyms - including, but not limited to ERP, LAN, WAN, SMEs BOPSE, MAPs, SAP and BAAN - then you'll have to decode as you read. If you're actually interested in using the business resource known as "Enterprise Resource Planning," or ERP, your company should be grossing some $200 million a year, because ERP costs about $15 million to implement. While O'Leary makes a very compelling case in favor of ERP, citing integration of information infrastructure, real-time data, value creation and other wonderful attributes, this is a very expensive and risky resource to pursue. Companies such as Microsoft and Cisco had a hard time implementing it and even they have to worry about cost. We [...] warn that this is serious tech for Big Money companies. Mom and Pop operations need not apply.

Good concepts, very old data!
If you're into Administration, this book will give you an excelent overview on ERP's; however, if you're an IT person, concepts are good but information on software versions, statistics, etc. is old.