ERP software packages are made up of a collection of smaller programs that work in a unique user environment, and are grouped according to business areas-modules. Each module includes a set of functionalities, which can be: Procurement, Sales, Services, Manufacturing, Entry Book, General Ledger, Cash Register, Personnel Records, Salaries etc. How many modules does ERP have, what are they called and what do they all consist of depends on the manufacturer. Some of them initially offer complete solutions – module packages, which is not without grounds because it is difficult to build a solution where you combine modules from different manufacturers. View modules more as functional units that aim to provide a clear division of labor and access control.
When we talk about ERP, the term solution is often used. The reason for this is the fact that ERP software has a lot of functionality, and parameterization and customization create a solution in accordance with the needs of users. Consequently, the same ERP software may look different for different clients: to contain different masks and reports … How much the manufacturer and the implementation team will meet the wishes of the users depends on objective factors (Is there a development team in the country? for development?) and subjective factors (What is the business policy of the implementer?). The best solution is somewhere in the middle, because the more ERP develops „in width“, the harder it is to maintain later.
ERP solutions are based on a multitude of documents used in business processes. For example, in the procurement process, these can be: Procurement Request, Supplier’s Bid, Purchase Order, Contract, Receipt, Claim … Each of the documents has a status (open, confirmed, posted, etc.) that tells at what stage of the life cycle is he located. Documents can have several variants, and one or more documents can be used, depending on the specifics of the business process.
In addition to documents, coders are an important factor in ERP. Each codebook consists of one and sometimes more linked tables in the database. These can be: Items, Partners, Contacts, Employees, Organizational units, Cost centers, Profit centers … You will recognize the richness of ERP by the variety and number of options offered by its codebooks. The manufacturer’s practice is that, with each new implementation, it acquires additional knowledge and incorporates it into business software. The more references a successful company has, the greater the chances that ERP will also offer more functionality. Of course, this is true if the implementation covered most of the client’s business functions, and the implementation and development teams were able to identify, solve business problems and incorporate them into the solution.
