Gone are the days when ERP was only available to large enterprises with expansive order-fulfillment, manufacturing and supply-chain processes. Today, a growing crop of vendors offers scaled-down, lower-priced solutions that specifically target the small-business space.

"The good news for small businesses is they have a lot of options right now," said Eric Kimberling, president of Panorama Consulting Group in Denver. "There are a lot of Tier-2 and niche ERP software providers out there that are focusing on small and midsize companies. So ERP is a lot more doable now ...

In October 2010 I wrote a HR.com article which questioned the HCM industries deployment of SaaS layered technologies into organisations that had, in some cases, very mature ERP solutions. In the last months my view on this hasn't changed.

But, what happens if your ERP and your data is immature? What happens if you work for an international entity with several ERP/HR products deployed or you have the same ERP globally but with differing versions?

For many, the mere mention of ERP causes stomachs to churn. ERP is a general term for any software application that integrates all of a company's processes and data into a single unified system. But for all its good intentions, this well-known technology is infamous for carrying a seven-figure price tag and requ...

While no two ERP solutions are the same, there are some common functionalities among today's offerings. These software modules include: Manufacturing: Functions include engineering, workflow management, quality control and manufacturing process. Financial Management: Enables companies to meet financi...