Effective Use of MRP-Type Computer Systems to Support manufacturing

Within the last 30 years, Manufacturing ResourcePlanning (MRP-type) computer systems have quicklyevolved from basic materials requirement planningsoftware to today's enterprise resource planning (ERP)integrated software packages that reside on client/servercomputer architecture. However, given the magnitude ofinfluence these computer systems encompass, very littleresearch has been conducted to monitor and improvehow companies are actually using these MRP, advancedMRP and ERP computer systems. In practical terms,where is the typical manufacturing organization today interms of MRP systems development? To what extent issoftware being applied for use in enterprise integration?A survey study of manufacturing companies in Virginiaand Tennessee was conducted to evaluate the current useand performance of computer systems to supportmanufacturing applications. This study explores thereasons why organizations chose to use these systems,the problems and benefits derived from the MRP/ERPsystems, and the characteristics of the types of companiesthat have benefited from the use of MRP-type systems.The survey participants evaluated the performance oftheir manufacturing or enterprise planning systems on thebasis of data accuracy, customer satisfaction, usersatisfaction, systems effectiveness, convenience,information relevance, and software reliability.Furthermore, success factors associated withorganizational performance were tested and evaluated.The correlation between perceived performance wastested against the influence of upper management support,the level of emphasis on training, sources of technicalexpertise, and organizational experience with MRP-typesystems.