Why ERP? is not a traditional textbook designed for a specified course, it is patterned after the wildly successful short novel "The Goal" by Eli Goldratt. "The Goal" is currently required reading in many undergraduate, MBA, and executive courses. Like "The Goal," "Why ERP?" is a short novel about a manager in a furniture manufacturing business who is charged with learning about and implementing a new ERP system-particularly SAP R/3. The story tells of his experience learning about it, his considering other installations as examples, and then his deciding the key issues and how to proceed. Incorporated into the story is a concise introduction to the basic concepts and architecture of ERP systems, including actual screen shots of R/3 modules. Though this is NOT a programming book, it is a quick read overview, and it can be assigned even for ‘systems’ majors, as a background reading to lay-out the managerial issues and build a basic understanding of the concepts-prior to doing actual technical programming or hands-on R/3 projects. Through the eyes of the hero in the novel, the reader is presented with all the related implementation and business issues. Intended to provide a non-technical, non-programming introduction, this book can stand alone as a quick read or self-study introduction for any manager or business student. The text is also great for schools who do NOT have any SAP, Oracle, PeopleSoft, or other ERP system on campus, and who have no access to online or hands-on samples or examples. This book can provide the needed literacy and awareness of what ERP is and why it matters.

What is Enterprise Resource Planning and why does it matter? Like The Goal, Why ERP? is a short novel about a manager in a furniture manufacturing business who is charged with learning about and implementing a new ERP system, SAP R/3. The story tells of his experience and provides a non-technical, non-programming introduction to the basic concepts and architecture of ERP systems.

F. Robert Jacobs is currently department chairman at Indiana University. He has a Ph.D from Ohio State and is past Vice President of the Decision Sciences Institute, Information Technology Coordinator for Decision Sciences Institute for 1997, as well as Associate Editor on the board of the Journal of Operations Management.David Clay Whybark (Chapel Hill, NC) is on the faculty of the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill.

1- Introduction to ERPThe Vacation Is OverAt the Plant--A New OpportunityThe Next MorningInformation CrisisThe Truth is OutOhio has SAP--Off to SchoolERP Implementation2- The SAP SchoolFirst Impressions--DonutsIntroduction to R/3A First Use of R/3Best PracticesThe War StoriesSAP Implementation--Accelerated R/3The R/3 Views of the FirmA Diversion--Dinner with AmandaAt Last--A Customer OrderAnother DemoFor Management--A Financial ApplicationJust For Billy--A Manufacturing ExampleCrunching the NumbersProviding SupportCourse Wrap Up--A Sales Pitch?3- Back at the PlantThe Questions Continue--SAP in Carolina?Back at the Plant--Things Heat UpInformation Integration--Off to Ohio4- A Different BusinessHigh Volume Efficiency--The Ohio PlantAn R/3 SuccessBack in CarolinaDecision at the Top--A Mandate for the PlantIt Happens--Starting the R/3 JourneyThe Aftermath