What Are ERP Tools?

Development Tools

• ERP Vendors such as PeopleSoft and SAP have developed their own programming tools. These tools are used to create the tables, screens and batch programs that run the system. A few vendors include these tools with your purchase so that you may alter or add components to the system. Other vendors use standard tools such as Java, which the customer may also use to add functionality to the ERP suite.
  
  

Integration Tools

• Newer versions of ERP packages allow integration with external systems. Integration tools create an API, or Application Program Interface, that can be called by an external system to simulate being a program within your ERP. Another option is called "Messaging," which allows external systems to drop transactions in your database that are periodically processed by a mechanism with also simulates being within the standard ERP screens.
  
  

Reporting Tools

• Because a typical ERP system stores data in a large number of tables, reporting tools are generally included with the package. Often called "Query" tools, these are point and click type tools that allow non-technical users to easily create and format reports.
  
  

Analytics Tools

• Unlike reporting tools, analytics tools, such as management dashboards, allow more complex comparisons of data to organizational goals. Often coupled with a data warehouse component, analytics are used for reporting that covers many levels and allows users to drill down into high level report results to view details or place results into cubes or multi-sided spreadsheets.