Source : Free On-Line Dictionary of Computing

Enterprise Resource Planning
     
         (ERP) Any {software} system designed
        to support and automate the business processes of medium and
        large businesses.  This may include manufacturing,
        distribution, personnel, project management, payroll, and
        financials.
     
        ERP systems are accounting-oriented information systems for
        identifying and planning the {enterprise}-wide resources
        needed to take, make, distribute, and account for customer
        orders.  ERP systems were originally extensions of {MRP II}
        systems, but have since widened their scope.  An ERP system
        also differs from the typical MRP II system in technical
        requirements such as {relational database}, use of {object
        oriented programming} language, {computer aided software
        engineering} tools in development, {client/server}
        {architecture}, and {open system} {portability}.
     
        {JBOPS} are the major producers of ERP software.
     
        {"ERP Systems - Using IT to gain a competitive advantage",
        Shankarnarayanan S.
        (http://www.expressindia.com/newads/bsl/advant.htm)}.
     
        (1999-07-27)