Business process improvements using integrated process/data models : a unitary structuring approach

In recent past, there seems to have an increased demand for improvements in current Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solutions. This paper presents an approach to enhance business processes and thereby functional applications through integrated process/data models. Business process functions are modeled using unitary data structures, which form the basis for further improvements in planning, control and execution cycles. Master and transaction data are also modeled using unitary structures, providing integrated data by eliminating various manual interfacing involved in current practices. Thus, integration of business process with data enables enhanced functionality such as forward planning, simultaneous planning of materials, resources, operations and project activities; and finite loading of resources. The implementation of integrated process/data models in ERP can be carried out using additional functions and associated business transactions. Once implemented, data and information are visible and transactions associated with them are more flexible and transparent.