Leopoulos, V., Kirytopoulos, K. and Voulgaridou, D. 2006, ‘Enterprise Resource Planning systems and Extended Supply Chain Management: Opportunities and Limitations’, proceedings of the Fourteenth International Working Seminar on Production Economics, Innsbruck, vol. 1, pp. 257-266.

 Abstract

This paper aims to explore the impact of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems on the extended supply chain performance. In the new network economy, supply chain management is concerned not only with the forecast of demand, the selection of manufacturing and distribution facilities and the production of goods, but also with the everlasting improvement of the existing capabilities and the efficient, real-time communication among partners. Continues improvement suggested by the quality management systems (ISO 9001:2000) is, nowadays, considered as a strategic advantage. ERP systems, in comparison to other legacy systems, could be associated with significant gain in supply chain improvement as they enhance transparency across supply chain, by eliminating information delay and increasing data distribution. However, experts state that there are some limitations of current ERP systems, as they were initially developed to manage products and information flow within a single enterprise. While, literature concerning ERP implementation projects is extensive, very little research has been done on the impact of ERP systems on the supply chain as a whole. The research methodology concerns a case study of the (para)pharmaceutical supply chain, supported both by legacy and ERP systems and draws a conclusion by exploring the benefits and the limitations for the extended supply chain.