Business process improvements in production planning of ERP system using enhanced process and integrated data models

This paper presents a framework for business process improvements for process integration, automation and optimisation in an ERP system environment. Main features of the proposed framework include (i) enhanced process models and integrated data models, incorporating many components and relationships/links and (ii) process optimisation through improved process logics and additional functionalities. Business processes are modeled using enhanced Event-driven Process Chain (EPC) methodology, incorporating additional logics and functionalities. Master and transaction data associated with business processes are modeled using unitary structures. Transaction data incorporate integrated master data and functional tasks such as good issue and receipt of production order cycle, for improved planning and scheduling of components. Potential improvements include simultaneous planning of many components, forward planning and finite loading of resources. The paper concludes that enhanced process and integrated data models improve functional applications and eliminate the need for separate and interfaced applications for process improvements in ERP system environment.