e-Work: the challenge of the next generation ERP systems

A rapid development in information technology has transformed not only the way people work and interact with each other, but also the focus of management, from within the enterprise to the relations among business partners. Electronic media, such as e-mail, LAN, intranet and Internet, enable tools that help the enterprise to collaborate on its work and missions within its own organization and with other independent enterprises, including suppliers, customers and even competitors. The work activities that are related to these electronic media are defined as e-Work. This article addresses the emerging and future problems of ERP systems in both the development and implementation perspectives. The characteristics of the next generation of ERP systems are presented based on conclusions from several of Purdue University's PRISM Center research projects in planning distributed information and production systems.