Definition ERP: ERP stands for Enterprise Resource Planning and comprises the uniform business resource planning across all divisions. The ERP system supports the planning, control and evaluation of a company's business processes with regard to its resources such as personnel, capital, production, materials or operating resources. The ERP software functions are interlinked via an underlying database, enabling uniform process planning across all levels and departments in the company.
When comparing ERP - systems, the focus is on performance features such as materials management, financial accounting and bookkeeping, controlling, human resources and R+D (research and development). The software solutions included in this current market overview also include functions such as sales and marketing (CRM), master data and DMS (document management system). Meanwhile, there are also solutions as software as a service or as a cloud service. These types of systems are particularly suitable for SMEs due to their scalability. It has also long been possible to use hybrid ERP systems. This is particularly interesting for SMEs. Hybrid means that certain system parts are operated in the company itself (on-premises) and others in the cloud.