Enterprise resource planning (ERP)—A brief history

This is a brief history of ERP—enterprise resource planning. Major ERP vendors are discussed as well as the major impact of developments in computer hardware and software on the industry. The industry consolidation that has recently occurred is also discussed. Interviews were conducted with Mr. Ed McVaney, founder of J.D. Edwards, Rick Allen, former VP of Finance and Administration, and Rick Snow, former Chief Legal Counsel of J.D. Edwards. Information was also obtained from Bill Robinson who held the position of “Industry Consultant” with IBM in the mid-1980s.