ERP: Types, Modules, Career, and Courses

Modern organisations do not work in silos. The more interconnected the departments are, the better the processes and outcomes. To outlive in a fast-paced business environment, an organisation must reduce costs, speed up decision-making times, satisfy customers, and streamline its operations. And, there is dedicated business software for connecting all these critical functions, well-known since the 90s as ERP.  

Below you will find a broad overview of Enterprise Resource Planning as a business management software, the types of ERPs, the different modules, career and learning tips, and some of the essential ERP courses to get started quickly. 

Explaining Enterprise Resource Planning Software

ERP stands for Enterprise Resource Planning. This business software is integrated on-premises, in the cloud, or hybrid to manage data and automate core business operations. 

The ERP system is generally a single, centralised space—like a common database.

It helps exchange and transfer information across all the main business functions. Some commonly known areas that more of the modern ERP systems include sales, customer relationship management (CRM), human resources, project management, and accounting. The data is continually updated, making it uniform, transparent, and cross-team coordination-worthy. 

Types of ERPs

ERP systems have come a long way from being on-premise to being in the cloud. 

While both exist today, and even with hybrid options, cloud-based ones are preferred. 

Almost 96% of companies believe that the flow of business data will be preferred in the cloud (Opkey). Companies do not have to spend extra on hardware systems to use on-premise ERP solutions, making cloud-based ERP implementation easier for small to medium-sized businesses. 

Have a look at the types of ERP with brief explanations. 

On-premises ERP System

These are installed on the organisation's servers. They offer autonomy, secure data, and provide various customisation possibilities based on the organisation's needs. 

The main drawback is the initial investment, which small to medium-sized organisations may be unable to afford. 

Cloud-based ERP System

Cloud-based ERP systems are not installed in the organisation’s servers. Instead, they are given access by third-party vendors such as SAP, Oracle, NetSuite, and similar. 

They are more accessible with low-coding efforts and can be integrated with other organisation-wide SaaS applications through APIs. Users can also expect the integration of advanced features such as artificial intelligence and the like. 

There are fewer set-up costs, but in the long term, they cost more than on-premises ERP systems. They are also not customisable for specific organisational requirements. 

Hybrid ERP System

As the name suggests, hybrid ERPs are the best of cloud and on-premises ERPs. 

ERP software such as AWS offer customisable solutions and scalability. But, the setup cost is generally higher than that of cloud-based ERPs. 

Modules of ERP

An ERP system come with various modules, and each is developed for and handled by a dedicated business unit. 

Of the main ERP systems, the most widely used are SAP Enterprise Resource Planning, Microsoft Dynamics 365, Sage, and Oracle Enterprise Resource Planning Software. 

A few of the main modules are mentioned below. 

Finance and Accounting

Manages financial transactions, including accounts payable and receivable, general ledger, and financial reporting.

Examples- 

• SAP FICO
• Oracle Fusion Cloud Financials

Key Features: General ledger, accounts payable and receivable, taxation, financial planning and analysis, and financial reporting.

Human Resource Management

Manages human resources, including employee data, payroll, and benefits.

Examples-

• Oracle Human Capital Management (HCM)
• SAP Human Capital Management (SAP HCM)

Key Features: Employee data, payroll, benefits, talent management, workforce management, compliance management, and employee self-service.

Supply Chain Management

Manages supply chain operations, including inventory management, logistics, and transportation.

Examples - 

1. SAP SCM
2. Oracle SCM 

Key Features: Inventory management, logistics, transportation, and supply chain visibility.

Customer Relationship Management (CRM)

Manages customer interactions, including sales, marketing, and customer service.

Key Features: Sales, marketing, customer service, and customer data management

Career in Enterprise Resource Planning

There are various entry points to an ERP career, mostly because there are various functions/modules within an ERP system. The most important aspect of excelling in your career here is to have good domain and business knowledge. That will also help in quickly learning the technical aspects of the ERP software. 

The benefit of going this route would be your honing of the ability to translate business requirements into technical solutions. 

You can be from an IT background if you want to get into the development side of things. Or when you are an IT Specialist, you would be responsible for troubleshooting issues, ensuring the ERP implementation organisation-wide is proper, etc. 

Other than that, you can join from a marketing background when you are familiar with marketing analytics. You would need to track customer interactions, forecast sales, and analyse market trends when using marketing-based modules, such as SAP's Marketing Cloud Platform.

Top ERP Careers in India in 2024

Designation	Maximum Salary (AmbitionBox)
ERP Consultant	18 LPA
SAP Techno Functional Consultant	22 LPA
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Functional Consultant	13 LPA
ERP Developer	15 LPA
ERP Manager	25 LPA

Tips on Learning ERP 

1. Consider the ERP system's long-term viability. Choose a system that is likely to remain relevant and in demand in the foreseeable future, with ongoing updates and support from the vendor. SAP and Oracle are arguably the most common. 
2. Official certifications can enhance your credentials and marketability. 
3. Also, ERP software have advanced greatly over the last decades. It is essential to get the latest certifications. 

ERP Courses to Choose in 2024

Here is a list of some of the essential ERP training courses based on the popular ERP vendors. Acquiring such certifications or similar can help in professional growth. 

1. SAP Certified Application Associate - SAP HCM with ERP 6.0 EHP7 from SAP
2. Oracle Fusion Technical - Oracle Integration Cloud (OIC/ICS) on Udemy
3. Microsoft Certified: Dynamics 365 Fundamentals (ERP) from Microsoft
4. Certified ERP Manager on Vskills
5. SAP - SAP Technology Consultant Hands-on Project on Coursera

You could also check the top SAP certifications.

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Following are the most popular ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) courses, based on alumni reviews. Explore these reviews to choose the best course in ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning).

Following are the most popular ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) UG Courses . You can explore the top Colleges offering these UG Courses by clicking the links below.

Following are the most popular ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) PG Courses . You can explore the top Colleges offering these PG Courses by clicking the links below.

Following are the most popular ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) Specializations . You can explore the top Colleges offering these Specializations by clicking the links below.

Following are the top exams for ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning). Students interested in pursuing a career on ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning), generally take these important exams.You can also download the exam guide to get more insights.