Computers and
the Internet technology have become tools for making an entity (human,
businesses, etc.) omnipresent. The essence of Information and Communication
Technologies (ICTs) has been visible in our everyday environment. Manufacturing
entities were the first to draw benefits from ICTs. One of the biggest boons of
ICTs has been Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP). The academia, at present, has
explored the benefits and comforts that are offered by an ERP. Continue reading to explore...
What
is an ERP system?
An ERP is a set
of software applications that helps in centralizing company-wide information
system. An ERP system of an educational institution (university, college,
school, nursery, etc.) can help in integrating different departments, divisions,
geographical locations into a university-wide, unified information system.
University management software, by and large, can integrate different functions
of a university such as:-
- Student information
- Human resources
- Financial systems
What
can ERP software do for an educational institution?
Such type of software
that is designed specifically for educational institutes can:-
- Integrate as well as facilitate the flow of information across a variety of functions
- Act as a helper in re-engineering an educational institute’s faulty practices and ailing policies
- Support metric-based decision making as well as trend analysis
- Dramatically reduce the overall cost of information management and maintenance
- Become a storehouse for critical information
- Allow a user to input data within a single system that can, further, integrate in other systems
- Allow a user to easily access data in real-time environment
- Dramatically cut down on work that does not add value
Problems
faced while implementing an ERP for educational institution
ERP offers a systematized informational architecture. All ERP software companies prioritize safety of a user’s information. The implementation of such a system, however, can become problematic if:-
- Strategic goals and purpose have not been clearly defined.
- Educational institution’s management is reluctant and does not show active participation when the system is getting implemented.
Thus, for
availing the full benefits of an ERP, it is necessary for solution provider as
well as educational intuition to work closely.
