ERP forces companies to collaborate

The successful companies currently using ERP systems are now demanding more from their vendors since they started to use the software. Most of these businesses are now looking into possibilities to extend ERP knowledge to other types of enterprise software. Research in an Aberdeen Group report states that 63 to 90% of all ERP extensions into other types of software applications such as CRM help to build chain management procedures. So-called product lifecycle management enhancement programs can be purchased from ERP sellers and the expansion of the ERP software market has developed significantly. Possibilities for the users of ERP and connected software programs are noticeable throughout the structure of any business using this type of business enhancing software.

One of the most noticeable results of combining ERP software with other enterprise systems is the fact that the functionality and the effect of program integration are different than before. Programs have become more detailed and are therefore less easily combined. ERP has developed en expanded a lot over recent years and the boundaries of core functionality of this software; the number of modules used by the programs and the results and extent of the functionality of the programs has changed. ERP manufacturers such as Oracle have been making deals with vendors that developed and are selling extensions to ERP software to own a larger segment of the market. This way only a few major ERP developers will finally be left in the market and businesses working with ERP systems will be buying complete packages with a multitude of solutions.