<p>Researchers and practitioners alike believe it is not until an organization expands their ERP system that they will reap the full benefits of it. The question of how to expand an ERP system beyond its core is investigated in this thesis. It is done by reviewing ERP research and comparing this with empirical data collected in a case study made at a focal company. The focal company is a member of the business network Automation Region. The case describes how the focal company moved from using an ERP system to where they now have an e-procurement system connected to their core ERP and has developed a sales process system which might become their e-commerce system in the future to take control of their supply chain as a whole. It shows how a process thinking view has aided them in putting the customer in focus and incorporating parts of the TQM philosophy. The conclusion reveals that it is crucial to understand and work with processes and there are motives and obstacles to consider when expanding an ERP system. It furthermore uncovers the importance of giving this expansion of the ERP system, the move beyond the core ERP, a proper name such as Extended ERP, eERP. It is important because then, when we understand the eERP fully, we will be ready for the next level of business which may very well be ERP2 or Second Generation ERP which incorporates entire business networks.</p>

Researchers and practitioners alike believe it is not until an organization expands their ERP system that they will reap the full benefits of it. The question of how to expand an ERP system beyond its core is investigated in this thesis. It is done by reviewing ERP research and comparing this with empirical data collected in a case study made at a focal company. The focal company is a member of the business network Automation Region. The case describes how the focal company moved from using an ERP system to where they now have an e-procurement system connected to their core ERP and has developed a sales process system which might become their e-commerce system in the future to take control of their supply chain as a whole. It shows how a process thinking view has aided them in putting the customer in focus and incorporating parts of the TQM philosophy. The conclusion reveals that it is crucial to understand and work with processes and there are motives and obstacles to consider when expanding an ERP system. It furthermore uncovers the importance of giving this expansion of the ERP system, the move beyond the core ERP, a proper name such as Extended ERP, eERP. It is important because then, when we understand the eERP fully, we will be ready for the next level of business which may very well be ERP2 or Second Generation ERP which incorporates entire business networks.