The concept #ERP III

The integration of customers into an ERP systems lays in the essence of the ERP III concept.

It may be adapted by the implementation of the last and most sophisticated achievements in IT. The focus of ERP III is not only real customers but also potential customers. Thus market information about future sales may be analyzed and integrated into ERP systems taking account of real business transactions.

Extended marketing analytics are key features of ERP III. For instance gathering of information about IP addresses of internet users , show their geographical segmentation. Information about the used browser may classify users by the device used to browse the web site of an ERP system or a corporate portal with integration with the ERP system.
The change from ERP II to ERP III may be done by serious software updates. These updates should be preceded by a hard work of system analyzers and system designers. 

Specific changes are made according to the country profile of an ERP system. Other changes are business specific. For instance companies working in the sphere of transportation logistics need extended ERP systems with modules for checking of shipments by the use of web services. The implementation of specific web services in an ERP system requires highly qualified IT staff. 

Social groups and social web sites usually promote goods and services. The ERP III concept suggests the integration between ERP systems and social groups. Since the information in social web sites is highly fragmented and unstructured, it is quite difficult to integrate this type of information into an ERP system. For the time being the connection between social sites and ERP systems is not widely spread and it is not quite popular.
The ERP III concept which is the most newly known concept focuses on implementing cloud computing and GRID technologies in ERP systems. Usually ERP systems use a centralized DBMS (Data Base Management System). The use of GRID computing allows the DMBS to be separated and stored in several servers. The result is higher performance of enduser applications.
Adapting BI (business intelligence) and KM (knowledge management) modules extend E-ERP systems.

ERP systems are widely spread and fast developing in recent years. The base concept ERP containing mainly the MRP and MRPII concepts are going further. The need for fast integration with suppliers, vendors and customers leads to creating the ERPII concept. 

ERPII is a concept where mainly downstream partners are integrated. The ERPII concept has the idea to integrate upstream as well as downstream partners in supply chains. The ERPIII concept is mainly influenced by the development of new IT such as service-oriented architecture, cloud computing, business intelligence and knowledge management.