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ERP and MRP are acronyms for software technology that enables people to perform company processes. Both also refer to a completed implementation, or use, of software. ERP stands for enterprise resource planning, and MRP is short for material requirements planning or manufacturing resource planning.
Industries
MRP is usually a part, or a subset, of ERP, depending on the industry. MRP typically is used in manufacturing companies. ERP can apply to any company.
Business Processes
ERP and manufacturing resource planning can apply to all business processes in a company, including manufacturing, planning, finance, order management, inventory, distribution and purchasing. Material requirements planning usually refers to the material planning processes in a manufacturing company.
Technology
ERP can include supporting technology such as networks, databases and hardware; it is often viewed as a backbone system that supports other systems or technology. Material requirements planning, usually refers to business process-enabling software.
Project Scope
Implementations involving ERP are broader in scope and impact on processes and people than MRP. Material requirements planning is often referred to as a module within either manufacturing resource planning or ERP.
Complementary Technology
Product life cycle management (PLM), customer relationship management (CRM), enterprise asset management (EAM) and supply chain management (SCM) can be viewed as additional software outside the scope of ERP and MRP.
References
Resources
Writer Bio
Bob Turek started writing in 1994 for "The Performance Advantage" magazine. His book "Value Selling Business Solutions" draws on technology industry experiences gained from his position as director of business development for Infogain's cloud CRM for customer support operations practice. He holds a bachelor's degree in economics and psychology from Claremont McKenna College and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Southern California.