I found this post on OracleAppsBlog (which is now in my BlogRoll) - great ERP resource from the US Military of all sources:

I came across a gem of a site recently with lots of great content on ERP implementations. It?s the Enterprise Solutions Competency Center (ESCC) for the U.S. Military.

Check out the Post

Oracle implementation costs Invacare millions

Due to a problem with a Oracle module rollout, medical products maket Invacare reported a $30 Million shortfall for the 4th quarter 2005. The problem stems from the implementation of Oracles Order-to-Cash ERP module.

Invacare began the $20 Million ERP implementation 4 years ago to replace a number of homegrown system and has been successfully using Oracle modules since. Issues with the Order-to-Cash module caused the company to miss shipping dates and call center problems when employees could not give customers information on there orders.

Invacare has said that Oracle is not to blame for the problem and has been helpful in solving the problem. The company has also stated the module was tested before going live. However, analysts have speculated that the problems are the result of either training or testing issues. I would think probably a combination of both. Its hard to believe that they tested to extent they should have and didn’t uncover these problems until the module was already live.

Lessons Learned

• This is as simple as TEST!!! Test, Test, Test and when you think you are done Test some more. I truly think this problem could have been avoided if proper testing had been done.

ERP is a software package that tries to integrate all departments and functions of a business into a single system. Integrating departments as diverse as human resources and manufacturing can be a difficult task, however, if implemented properly the benefits can certainly outweigh the costs (time and money). The payback of a successfully implemented ERP system is realized in the efficiency it creates by tying all the systems together and allowing data to be shared across departments.

ERP systems are typically run on a single database and broken up into modules along the line of departments. Running on the single database is where the efficiency is realized. A customer service rep entering an order for a customer needs only to enter the data once to be available to all departments. While the rep is entering the information the system can validate against the warehouse to ensure stock is available and estimate shipping times more accurately by checking order fullfilment.

Essentially ERP is a tool that helps to streamline business processes.  Another benefit that may provide a strategic advantage over competitors is real-time reporting.  Managers will have an accurate view of up-to-date financial and manufacturing information (or any other data important to your company) to act upon.  ERP can provide many benefits but a company must take its time to implement properly to realize them.

Wikipedia has a pretty good bio of Larry Ellison.

It has information on his early life, career and properties as...