On Selection, Implementation, and Operations of ERP Systems

Abstract

This chapter gives recommendations for selecting, implementing, and operating ERP systems. It is not intended to be a complete guideline for introducing ERP. Instead, the authors indicate special aspects that are important from their point of view. The chapter addresses practitioners who are responsible for selection, implementation, and operations of ERP systems, especially IT and project managers. General process models are given for the two main IT projects of this domain, ERP system selection and ERP system implementation. The main structure of the chapter matches the phases of these projects. The authors’ suggestions stretch from project management, business process reengineering, application development, reporting, and customizing to choosing hardware and key users, data migration, and user training. While other publications give rather general advice, recommendations in this chapter are selected to be use-oriented and easy to apply. The recommendations do not depend on any particular ERP system.