Initially when I first saw the acronym ‘ERP’ it made me think of the sounds R2D2 produces in the Star Wars movies.  I truly had no clue what exactly it stood for.  I knew it had something to do with business or computer software because the acronym was followed by the resonant and vaguely ominous-sounding word, ‘system’.  Now, I’m not a particularly business-minded individual and I don’t understand much about software hence I was a bit fearful when I found out that I would be using an ERP system to help me do my job.  As I subsequently discovered, the phrase has a great deal to do with business, and it does come in the form of software, and it has in fact turned out to be very helpful to me in carrying out the duties of my occupation.

I manage the accounts for a medium-sized company that’s constantly looking for better and more efficient ways of operating. It had been this kind of mentality that resulted in the widespread use of ERP systems in my firm in the first place. Although ERP systems have been in existence since the 90′s, I had been freelancing as a book-keeper and didn’t get to hear about it. I know, I should have been more active with regards to finding out about advancements in my field of competence but I had a special needs child to care for. Having said that, now that I’m working with and ERP package, I don’t have a clue how I ever coped without it. So, if you are a new-to-technology book-keeper as i am and are equally as much in the dark about precisely what and ERP system is and does like I was at first, then it is a smart idea to get a formal introduction to and training on this computer software. It’ll help  a lot to eliminate any trepidation you might feel regarding working with the program. To provide you with a heads up before you are formally introduced to it, here’s my understanding of exactly what this computerised package does.

To begin with, let’s address what an ERP system is.  The acronym stands for ‘Enterprise Resource Planning’ as well as being a software program, as I mentioned, consisting of a number of modules with assorted uses.  The program is intended to be used by organizations wishing to improve the flow of information both inside a company and without, in communications with clients. In regards to what it does, enterprise resource planning can be used in a wide range of business capabilities from personnel management to supply chain management, and, of course, accounting.  Organizations specialising in sales and marketing, where there’s quite a bit of communication with with clients and after-sales support, may also benefit from using enterprise resource planning software as it is possible to acquire a module to manage customer connections specifically.

The advantage of any ERP system is that it’s user-friendly.  The different modules have the same structure, so it is an easy task to navigate them, irrespective of which one you’re using.  It is adaptable and will function on a variety of different kinds of computer and computer network.  It’s ideal for small and medium-sized businesses because it’s straightforward to install and doesn’t require a dedicated IT division to sustain it.