ERP综述(Technology Computer English)

What is ERP?
Enterprise Resource Planning or ERP is an industry term for
integrated, muti-module application software packages that are designed
to serve and support multiple business functions. An ERP
system can include software for manufacturing, order entry, accounts
receivable and payable, general ledger, purchasing, warehousing,
transportation and human resources. Evolving out of the manufacturing
industry, ERP implies the use of packaged software rather than
proprietary software written by or for one customer. ERP modules may
be able to interface with an organization's own software with varying
degrees of effort, and, depending on the software, ERP modules may
be alterable via the vendor's proprietary tools as well as proprietary or
standard programming languages.
Brief History of ERP
The focus of manufacturing systems in the 1960's was on Inventory
control. Most of the software packages then (usually customized)
were designed to handle inventory based on traditional inventory
concepts. In the 1970's the focus shifted to MRP (Material Requirement
Planning) systems that translated the Master Schedule built for
the end items into time-phased net requirements for the sub-assemblies,
components and raw materials planning and procurement.
In the 1980's the concept of MRP-II (Manufacturing Resources
Planning) evolved which was an extension of MRP to shop floor and
Distribution management activities. In the early 1990's, MRP-II was
further extended to cover areas like Engineering, Finance, Human
Resources, Projects Management etc i.e. the complete gamut of activities
within any business enterprise. Hence, the term ERP (Enterprise
Resource Planning) was coined.
什么是ERP？
企业资源计划系统（E R P ）是关于集成化、多模块、用于
解决和支持多种商业功能的应用软件包的专业名词。E R P 系统
包含如下软件：生产过程、订购手续、收支账目、总分类帐、采
购、库存、运输和人力资源。作为从制造工业发展而来的概念，
E R P 意味着使用成套的软件，而不是使用独家编写或者面向某
一个客户的软件。通过不同程度的努力和软件设计，E R P 模块
能提供接口给客户，通过供应商专有工具以及独有或标准的编
程语言，可以对E R P 模块进行修改。
ERP的简短历史
六十年代，制造业系统的焦点在于库存控制。当时，大
多数的软件包（ 通常是定制的）被设计为处理基于传统概念
的库存。七十年代，焦点转移到了M R P ( 物资需求计划) 系
统，它把按照项目的最后定局制造的设计任务书转变为按照
时间划分阶段的网络化的需求，包括装配、部件和原材料的
计划和获取。
八十年代，发展到了MRP-II (制造业资源计划) 的概念，
它扩展了M R P 关于车间和分配管理行为的内容。到了九十年代
初期，MRP-II 进一步扩展， 覆盖了工程、金融、人力资源、项
目管理等诸多区域，也就是在任何商业企业里的全部商业活
动，从此， ERP(企业资源计划) 这个名词诞生了。

 Why is it Necessary?
By becoming the integrated information solution across the entire
organization, ERP systems allow companies to better understand
their business. With ERP software, companies can standardize business
processes and more easily enact best practices. By creating more efficient
processes, companies can concentrate their efforts on serving
their customers and maximizing profit.
Market Leaders
The top five ERP vendors, SAP , Oracle Corporation, Peoplesoft,
Inc., JD Edwards & Company, and Baan International, account for 64
percent of total ERP market revenue. These vendors continue to play
a major role in shaping the landscape of new target markets, with
expanded product functionality.
The Future of ERP
Industry analysts expect that every major manufacturing company
will buy the software, which ranges in cost -- with maintenance
and training -- from hundreds of thousands of dollars for a small company
to millions for a large company. AMR Research of Boston says
consolidation among the major players will continue and intensify.
ERP vendors are expected to put more effort into e-commerce, CRM
and SCM initiatives, with leaders redirecting between 50% and 75% of
their R&D budget to these projects.
According to Gartner research group, the rapid evolution of ERP
has already lead to a new corporate must-have, ERP II, which is supposed
to help businesses gain more competitive edge in the future. The
major difference is that ERP II involves collaborative commerce, which
enables business partners from multiple companies to exchange information
posted on eCommerce exchanges.

ERP的必要性
在整个机构里，通过适当的综合信息解决方案，E R P 系
统令公司更好地理解自己所从事的商业活动。通过E R P 软
件，公司能使商业过程标准化，更容易地实施最好的方案。
通过创造更有效率的工作程序， 公司能集中精力为客户服
务，获得最大的利润。
市场先驱
顶尖级五个ERP 供应商是SAP 、Oracle 、Peoplesoft Inc、
JD Edwards & Company和Baan International，它们占了整个
E R P 市场收入的6 4 ％。在不断形成的新型目标市场格局里，这
些供应商通过扩展产品功能，继续扮演主导角色。
ERP的未来
工业分析家预测每一个大型的制造公司都会购买软件，价
格范围（包括维护和培训的费用）从小公司的几百几千美元到
大型公司的几百万美元不等。波士顿的A M R 调查表明，在几
个主要的竞争者之间的合并会继续并加强。随着领导者把研发
预算的50% 和75% 转而投向电子商务、CRM 和SCM，预计ERP
供应商将往这些项目中投放更多的资源。
按照G a r t n e r 调查报告，ERP 的迅速发展已经导致新型企
业必须拥有ERP II，它在将来会帮助企业获得更多的竞争优势。
ERP II 的不同之处在于它包含协作商贸，使得来自不同公司的
商业伙伴通过电子商务交互平台更加快捷地交换信息。