Abstract
MOST FIRMS OF ANY SIGNIFIcant size are in some stage of implementing enterprise resources planning (ERP) systems or other similar multifunctional enterprise systems. Some are in the early stages of the process, giving consideration to the very substantial implementation costs, perhaps ten times the cost of the system itself. Others have successfully implemented ERP and are tying these systems in with supply-chain management (SCM) and customer relationship management (CRM) systems to have “end-to-end” integrated systems.