Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) is a comprehensive system that includes various functionalities needed for the smooth running of the business.
ERP modules are components of the complete system which categorize and organize related functionalities.
This post will define what ERP modules are, list the different types and categories of modules, and give examples of each module’s features and benefits.
Introduction to ERP system modules
The smooth running of a given business needs different functionalities. Enterprise Resource Planning solution consists of these functionalities.
ERP module is a part of the whole system. Therefore, you can get specific and related functionalities from it. The functionalities are related to one area of business processes.
Types of ERP modules
Three types of core ERP modules are
- Functional modules
- Technical modules
- Application suite
ERP Functional Modules
Finance modules in ERP
Financial modules of ERP are one of the central core ERP modules. It records transactions in the general ledger accounts. In addition, this module generates financial statements for external reporting purposes.
ERP Finance Module – 7 types of reports and valuable features
HR(Human Resources) Module
It facilitates employee recruiting, hiring, and training. This module also includes payroll and benefits.
ERP HR Module – 6 HRM submodules & Features Explained
Production Module
It maintains production information. This module will help plan, schedule, and record production activities.
ERP Production Planning Module (features, types, objectives)
Purchase module in ERP
The purchase module streamlines the procurement of required raw materials. It automates the processes of,
- Identifying potential suppliers
- Negotiating price
- Awarding a purchase order to the supplier
- Billing processes
The purchase module integrates with the inventory control and production planning modules. In addition, the purchasing module combines with supply chain management software.
ERP Purchasing Module – Features & Procurement Process Flow
Inventory Module
Inventory is the term for merchandise or raw materials that a company has on hand.
This module manages,
- Acquisition of raw materials from suppliers (purchasing)
- Handling of raw materials inventory in storage
- Work-in-progress goods
- Shipping of finished goods to the customer
ERP Inventory Management Software Modules (Features & Types)
Sales module in ERP
It records sales orders and scheduled deliveries. Maintaining and accessing customer information is the responsibility of this module.
Customer information includes pricing, address and shipping instructions, billing details, etc.
ERP Sales Module – Features, Flowchart, and More
Technical modules of ERP
Technical modules come under application platforms. And it is like the role of the operating system for your laptop.
Technical modules integrate tightly with functional modules. They help smooth integration with different functional modules and application suites.
Examples of these are security modules and information system management.
Technical components found in ERP systems are,
Basic components
This includes the hardware, software, databases, and networks that make up the system. In addition, the system administrator also manages user accounts, security, and data backups. Without these essential components in place, it would be difficult for the business to use an ERP system efficiently.
Security module
It is designed to establish robust internal security to allow or prevent access wherever needed by utilizing various tools, such as firewalls and encryption.
ERP security modules help to safeguard data and information from unauthorized access and misuse. In addition, it can also provide auditing capabilities so that organizations can track and monitor activity on their systems.
Networking and interface
The networking and interface module ensures that data can flow freely between different parts of the system and that users have the necessary permissions to access the information they need. In addition, the module must be compatible with the hardware and software used by the organization.
Without a well-designed networking and interface module, an ERP system will be unable to function correctly, limiting its potential benefits.
Management Information System
Management Information System (MIS) is a system that provides managers with the information they need to make informed decisions about the operation of their business. It typically includes a database, software to generate reports, and tools for data analysis.
In the past, it was used primarily by large businesses, but the advent of ERP systems has made MIS available to small and medium-sized companies.
Application Programming module
This module allows the user to create custom code to extend the functionality of the ERP system. The Application Programming module also provides a library of standard code modules which can be used to create new applications or modify existing ones.
It is a powerful tool that can tailor the ERP system to the organization’s needs.
Analytic module
An analytic module within an ERP system can provide even more insight by performing data analysis and generating reports. This way, managers can quickly identify trends and issues and take action to resolve them. As a result, an analytic module is a valuable tool for any business that wants to use its ERP system to its full potential.
APIs opened for external use
With the rise of the internet and cloud computing, many organizations now use ERPs to share data and applications with external partners. This trend is driven by the need for greater business agility and flexibility.
By opening their APIs for external use, ERP providers enable their customers to extend their systems’ functionality and better meet their business ecosystem’s needs.
Integration of ERP with the application suite
The application suite is the collection of inter-connected information systems. That could be within and across different companies.
Currently, more and more organizations begin utilizing ERP frameworks. The next stage is to interface these frameworks. That will support interactions that occur between and among organizations.
Few of the popular inter-company systems are,
Supply chain management (SCM)
SCM interfaces an organization to different organizations that supply the materials. Common SCM frameworks help organizations in planning. For example, they plan their creation necessities and improve complex transportation and materials coordination.
Supplier relationship management (SRM)
SRM frameworks usually deal with general associations with the materials providers. In addition, SRM frameworks help cope with quotation and contract processes.
Companies can have more intra-company systems. But, again, that is an extension of the fulfillment process of ERP systems and ERP modules.
Examples of intra-company systems are,
Customer relationship management (CRM)
CRM frameworks associate an organization’s ERP framework with its customers. CRM frameworks furnish organizations with the ability to oversee showcasing, deals, and client administration. These frameworks are an expansion of the satisfaction procedure of ERP frameworks.
Product life-cycle management (PLM)
PLM frameworks help organizations watch the research procedures, plan, and item the board. They help take new item thoughts from the virtual drawing board to the manufacturing unit.
What is Enterprise Application Integration (EAI)?
Benefits of ERP modules
- ERP modules help your business attain the desired efficiency and enhance day-to-day activities by automating all business processes.
- It keeps all the data centralized and gives clear data whenever needed.
- It improves business reporting with the help of reporting features with real-time data.
- It helps to eliminate the manual process and reduces errors done by the manual errors. Thus, it increases the efficiency and productivity of the business.
- It provides better communication within the department as well as between the departments. Cooperation in the workplace also increases when there is a smooth flow of information.
- It helps the business provide good customer service by enhancing on-time delivery and order accuracy.
- It allows the business to control who can use, share, and edit the data.
- ERP modules analyze the real-time data.
- Enhances profitability by avoiding extra expenses like an additional store of inventories.
- It improves the cash flow with better invoicing.
Manufacturing and distribution industry
ERP modules allow manufacturers and distributors to manage and control their inventories, purchases, sales, and accounts effectively.
It also provides human resource management to manage and control employees. All these things help in the improvement of the business.
Health care sector
ERP module will benefit payroll, patient care, controlling instrument supplies, compliances, etc. It also helps in operational assistance.
Education sector
ERP module helps improve the management of students enrolling process, teaching sessions, etc.
It is also helpful in scheduling parent-teacher meetings, conducting the monthly test, etc. In addition, it helps monitor the admission fees, student attendance, staff attendance, and staff leaves.
Hospitality sector
In this sector, customer service is very, very important. So it would be best if you concentrated more on customer satisfaction.
ERP system helps to automate the workflow smoothly, reducing the waste of time and decreasing stress on management and workers.
Construction sector
Construction industries’ equipment rental cost control, inventory handling, and deadlines are critical.
A good and efficient ERP software helps the industry with automated workflow and streamlines the process.
Professional services
ERP modules help this sector maintain expenses and profits, keep accurate employee data, and control inventories. Hence billing cycle and cost decrease, and gain increases.
Food industries
The food industry contains many fruits, dairy, vegetables, beverages, chocolates, biscuits, meat, poultry, fishery, etc.
This industry has many phases in the production process. ERP modules help improve quality management in all stages of the production process.
It helps to decrease the production waste and improves productivity.
Non-profit sector
An accurate reporting system is crucial for this sector. ERP systems help by providing efficient financial reports, budget control systems, and self-service payroll solutions.
SAP ERP modules
- Financial Accounting (FI)
- General Ledger
- Accounts Payable
- Accounts Receivable
- Contract Accounts Receivable and Payable
- Banks
- Fixed Assets
- Special Purpose Ledger
- Additional Functions
- Lease Accounting
- Travel Management
- Shared Service Center
- Controlling (CO)
- Cost Element Accounting
- Cost Center Accounting
- Activity-Based-Accounting
- Internal Orders
- Product Cost Controlling
- Profitability Analysis
- Profit Center Accounting
- Materials Management (MM)
- Inventory Management
- Purchasing
- Material Planning
- Material Requirement Planning
- Invoice Verification
- Vendor Valuation
- Warehouse Management
- Sales and Distribution (SD)
- Sales
- Billing or Invoice generation
- Bills of Material
- Shipping and transportation
- Electronic Data Interchange
- Sales Information system
- Credit Control
- Human Capital Management (HCM)
- Organizational Management
- Recruitment
- Training and Event management
- Wages
- Personnel Development
- Payroll
- Travel Management
- Personnel Management
- Time Management
- Compensation Management
- Workforce Administration
- Personnel Administration
- Production Planning (PP)
- Demand Management
- Sales and Production Planning
- Capacity Requirement Planning
- Material Requirement Planning
- Bills of material
- Shop floor control
- Production Orders
- Routing
- Work Center
- Quality Management (QM) Planning
- Process Inspections
- General Functions
- Notifications of Quality
- Test Equipment
- Quality Control
- Quality certifications
- Financial Supply Chain Management (FSCM)
- Credit Management
- Cash & Liquidity Management
- Dispute management
- Collections Management
- Payments
- Treasure and Risk Management
- Project System (PS)
- Project Preparation
- Project Planning
- Project Tracking
- Project Reporting
- WBS Elements
- Project Costs
- Plant Maintenance (PM)
- Project Maintenance
- Maintenance planning
- Predictive Maintenance
- Preventive Planning
- Service Management
Oracle ERP modules
Following are the Oracle ERP modules that are important and their functionalities,
- Financial Management
- Finance and Accounting
- Billing
- Revenue Recognition
- Financial Planning and Reporting
- Global Accounting
- Governance, Risk, and Compliance
- Human Capital Management
- Core HR functionality
- Payroll
- Employee Center
- Analytics
- Order Management
- Pricing and Promotions
- Sales Order and Returns Management
- The Production Management
- Product data management
- Work order management
- Planning and scheduling
- Quality assurance
- MES
- Warehouse and Order Fulfillment
- Inbound and outbound logistics
- Inventory management
- Warehouse management system
- The Supply Chain Management
- Planning
- Execution
- Collaboration
- Support
- Procurement
- Source
- Pay
- Purchase
Conclusion
ERP modules can streamline your business processes, improve communication and make you more efficient.
There are many options when it comes to ERP implementation. For example, you can purchase the modules that suit your business needs right now or choose which ones will help grow with you as time goes on and require more attention in future years – all without a significant upfront cost!
You can get all these benefits by selecting the suitable modules for your company. If you’re unsure which ERP modules are best for your business, this blog post and related post can help.
