Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)
Also known as: ERP
Enterprise resource planning (ERP) is integrated software that manages a company's core processes — finance, procurement, inventory, HR and more — in one system.
An ERP unifies data and workflows across departments so that, for example, a purchase order raised in procurement flows straight into finance and inventory records without re-keying. This single source of truth improves accuracy, control and reporting across the business.
Procurement teams often connect their buying tools to the ERP so requisitions, orders and invoices stay synchronised. Marketplaces and catalogues integrate with ERP systems through punchout standards such as cXML and OCI, letting buyers shop an external catalogue while the order and approval stay inside their own ERP.
Frequently asked questions
- What is enterprise resource planning?
- Enterprise resource planning (ERP) is integrated software that manages a company's core processes — finance, procurement, inventory, HR and more — in a single connected system with one source of data.
- How does procurement connect to an ERP?
- Procurement tools sync requisitions, orders and invoices with the ERP, and external catalogues integrate through punchout standards like cXML and OCI so buyers shop externally while the transaction stays in the ERP.
Related terms
PunchOut Catalog
PunchOut is a way for a buyer to shop a supplier's live online catalogue from inside their own e-procurement or ERP system and return the cart for approval.
Read definitioncXML
cXML (Commerce XML) is a widely used standard for exchanging procurement documents such as PunchOut sessions, purchase orders and invoices between systems.
Read definitionE-Procurement
E-procurement is the use of software and online platforms to manage buying — from catalogue ordering and approvals to invoicing and spend analytics.
Read definitionGo deeper
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