Enterprise resource planning is software that helps manage and automate a business. It includes applications for finance, human resources, manufacturing, logistics and supply-chain management. The major vendors in this area include SAP AG, Baan Co., PeopleSoft Inc., Oracle Corp., Lawson Software and J. D. Edwards & Co.
In order to get on an enterprise resource planning (ERP) career path, you need skills in an ERP software package – not necessarily in a particular technology like networking or programming.
If you’re interested in pursuing a career in ERP, or if your company has just implemented an ERP system, you definitely want to seek out formal training. Most ERP vendors offer courses that run six to eight weeks at a cost of a few thousand dollars, said Paul Peterson, senior partner at ERP Staffing Solutions Inc. in Brampton, Ont.
By taking these courses, you can get certified in a module of a vendor’s package such as finance or human resources. Then look for job openings on the vendor’s Web page and with its alliance partners. “There can be 100 to 200 [partners]; just send your r