ERP timeline

1960s: Enterprise resource planning (ERP) is born from a joint effort between JI Case, the manufacturer of tractors and other construction machinery, and partner IBM, resulting in the initial effort of material requirements planning or MRP.

1970s: MRP systems translate the master schedule built for the end items into time-phased net requirements for sub-assemblies, components and raw materials planning and procurement. MRP uses software applications for scheduling production processes and generates schedules for the operations and raw material purchases based on the production requirements of finished goods, the structure of the production system, the current inventory levels and the lot sizing procedure for each operation.

1972: Five engineers in Mannheim, Germany, begin the company SAP (Systemanalyse und Programmentwicklung). The purpose in creating SAP is to produce and market standard software for integrated business solutions.

1975: Richard Lawson, Bill Lawson and business partner John Cerullo begin Lawson Software. The founders see the need for pre-packaged enterprise technology solutions as an alternative to customised business software applications.

1976: In the manufacturing industry, MRP becomes the fundamental concept used in production management and control.

1977: Jack Thompson, Dan Gregory and Ed McVaney form JD Edwards. Each founder takes part of their name to create the company moniker. Larry Ellison begins Oracle.

1979: Oracle offers the first commercial SQL relational database management system.

1980: JD Edwards begins focusing on the IBM System/38 in the early 1980s. MRP evolves into MRP II as a more accessible extension to shop floor and distribution management activities. MRP II uses software applications for co-ordinating manufacturing processes, from product planning, parts purchasing, inventory control to product distribution.

1983: Oracle offers both a VAX mode database as well as a database written entirely in C (for portability).

1985: JD Edwards is recognised as an industry-leading supplier of applications software for the IBM AS/400 computer, a direct descendant of the System/38.

1987: PeopleSoft is founded by Dave Duffield and Ken Morris in 1987.

1988: PeopleSoft's Human Resource Management System is developed.

1990: Baan software is rolled out to 35 countries through indirect sales channels. The term ERP (enterprise resource planning) is coined in the early 1990s when MRP II is extended to cover areas like engineering, finance, human resources and project management. ERP uses multi-module application software for improving the performance of internal business processes. ERP systems integrate business activities across functional departments.

1991: PeopleSoft sets up offices in Canada. This leads the way to its presence in Europe, Asia, Africa, Central and South America and the Pacific Rim.

2000: Most ERP systems enhance their products to become Internet-enabled so that customers worldwide can have direct access to suppliers' ERP systems.

2006: Software as a service is a reality and ERP systems are widely implemented.

Compiled by Mia Andric. Sources: The History and Development of the Internet: a Timeline, Rhonda Davila. A Brief History of the Internet, Barry M Leiner, Vinton G Cerf, David D Clark, Robert E Kahn, Leonard Kleinrock, Daniel C Lynch, Jon Postel, Larry G Roberts, Stephen Wolff. Wikipedia. Keith Lynch's timeline of Net-related terms and concepts. Computer History. ERP Wire.