Conclusion

ERP systems have been considered one of the most noteworthy developments in information systems in the past decade. ERP systems are present in most big companies that operate in the new millennium. Their advantages in terms of access to information or the integration of business functions has been outlined. However, ERP implementation projects are not risk-free, and rates of ERP implementation failures are rather high. Although the failure figures may be partly explained by the intrinsic complexity of the ERP implementation project, some others may be minimized by the consideration of the ERP implementation as a strategic decision in the enterprise, and thus a principal, long-term project rather than a 'single' information system change.

ERP systems will play a central role in the intelligent enterprise of the future. ERP vendors are continuously adding new features and providing an easy integration with other information systems as well as among modules from different vendors. Success in the latter issue is claimed to be crucial for maintaining the now outstanding ERP position in the new enterprise.