The agony and the ecstasy

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to gauge the effectiveness of enterprise-wide resource planning (ERP) systems upon implementation in any commercial enterprise. Method-wise case study used as a backdrop to narrate certain real-life incidents that took place during and after implementation. Looks at what ERP systems should be like in the future and what they can do to speed up information access in a large/medium commercial enterprise. The results of the study have been described in the article vividly. The implementation was only a partial success. The time frame that is involved in getting 100 per cent accurate reports is not justified in this information age. The gestation period has to be cut short. Speed is of the essence in business today. Recommends that ERP systems must address the human factor if they are to succeed in the future. The emotions and feelings of the human beings who actually implement the system cannot be ignored. © 2004, Emerald Group Publishing Limited