What is an ERP?

An ERP (enterprise resource planning system) is one piece of software that runs the core of your company: sales, purchasing, stock, point of sale, invoicing and accounting, all sharing one database. Enter something once and every department sees it.

What changes in practice

• A sale at the till lowers the stock and lands in the books automatically.
• A purchase order tells you what is coming in and what it will cost.
• Month-end takes days instead of weeks because the numbers are already there.
• You can see today's margins, stock value and open invoices without asking anyone.

What it does not do

An ERP does not fix unclear processes on its own. If nobody knows who approves a purchase today, the system will ask that question too. Part of our work is helping you answer it.

Not covered here

Whether your company needs one now: see Is my company ready for an ERP?.