What is ERP?

ERP is an acronym for Enterprise Resource Planning. As the name indicates ERP is about managing resources and planning, however, ERP is primarily about the Enterprise. It is designed to integrate all departments and functions across an organization onto a single computer system that can serve all those different departments' particular needs. It combines all of the administrative elements into a single, integrated software program that runs off a single database so that the various departments can more easily share information and communicate with each other.

ERP's application in higher education is an especially important one. Like any large organization, universities are comprised of numerous departments and divisions. However, unlike the corporate world, these divisions tend to be much more autonomous. ERP enables these divisions to be seamlessly integrated. In addition, the higher education environment serves a constantly changing clientele that must be monitored, reported, and accounted for, often long after the immediate connection to specific students, staff, or faculty has been severed. ERP provides a method to serve this dynamic, diverse population with great efficiency and accuracy.