To get the most out of these systems, understanding the difference between ERP and material resource planning (MRP) is necessary. The ERP systems have emerged from the material resource planning (MRPII) systems that were focused on the planning of material requirements, the initial MRP that began it all. MRP remnants also represent the core of most ERP solutions.

Even advanced planning and scheduling (APS) systems can trace their origins back to the initial MRP and delivery requirements planning (DRP) systems.

What is MRP?

The precursor of modern ERP systems is Material Requirement Planning (MRP system). In the 1970s, the MRP system was developed and mainly based on the inventory of production components. The MRP’s function is to provide the availability of material, i.e. it is used on time to generate requirement quantities. This process involves stock and demand monitoring, leading to the automatic creation of procurement proposals for purchasing or manufacturing. The main goal of the MRP is to determine the required material, the required quantity, and when it is needed. It is the inventory of factors and emphasis on physical assets.

Eventually, many customers called for expanding these systems and thus covering other business areas, such as payroll, capacity and scheduling, and supplier management. Therefore, to meet these requirements, Material Resource Planning Systems (MRP System) has been developed. ERP solution was born as a result of the growing demand for more specific business information.

While the MRP system is focused on the manufacturing sector, countless modules are supported by modern ERP systems. In industry, commerce, and service, cloud ERP solutions have become a standard application.

What is ERP?

Enterprise Resource Planning, which supports most or all functional areas in their everyday operations, is the base framework for domestic and global activities. Business software, especially for large-scale organizations, is one of the most common categories.

It is a business strategy and a series of industry-domain-specific applications that create a value network structure for consumers and shareholder communities by allowing and optimizing collaborative operational and financial processes for businesses and inter-enterprises. At its heart, a cloud ERP solution is an efficient way, by data processing, to centralize information and workflow processes. All of your workflows are maintained by ERP in one place.

It uses analytical tools to compare various productions and predict further growth. It is basically the shift towards intangible assets.

Key Differences Between ERP and MRP

ERP does it all. MRP is more specific

ERP is a full-business application. It automates and incorporates all the systems that make core business processes run smoothly in an organization. It encompasses all facets of the management of customer relationships (CRM) from buying to payments, to the business’s financial side that the customer never sees.

It is responsible for arranging events, maintaining track of inventory and financial details. Furthermore, ERPs often help identify business processes and ensure that they are adhered to in the supply chain.

MRP is software that is more precise. You don’t have access to financial functionality or CRM functions with the MRP. However, without having to attempt the kind of full-scale integration that is needed with ERP programs and applications, you have more control over the development process.

ERP includes MRP module

A single module of ERP can be MRP. Most ERP applications have built-in MRP capabilities that include management of materials, management of shop floor, material bills, quoting, and work orders. 

Which One Is Right For My Business?

It is subjective to choose which system is right for your business. The decision relies on variables such as your specific business processes, your budget, and the number of users. To produce a wide range of data points from a single source, Enterprise resource planning combines several modules and applications. It offers more flexibility, personalization opportunities, and the ability to make big decisions faster.

Custom packages are run by around 93 percent of ERP users. This has a significant productivity effect. It means you have the ability to form essential functions so that they meet the company’s needs.

Material requirements planning software helps organizations directly with their production methods, unlike ERP, which provides a suite of office solutions.

By minimizing spoilage and using demand forecasts to build estimates of material requirements, MRP systems will help your business streamline its manufacturing efforts.

Final Thoughts

MRP and ERP systems are very closely linked. In the scope of services they provide, however, there are important variations. MRP primarily focuses on production processes, while ERP offers a variety of solutions, including HR, CRM, and accounting. The solution that is right for you depends on many variables, such as the budget and the features that a technology system requires.

Both systems have outstanding production features, but the real question is whether you need support with more than just production processes.
Control ERP has implemented the omnichannel function for your ERP systems to automatically synchronize and represent real-time notifications for any back-end changes on all selling channels. The added benefits include insights from consumers, visibility of inventory, and benefits from omnichannel sales.