ERP - Enterprise Resource Planning

ERP is a business management system that integrates all facets of the business, including planning, manufacturing, sales, and marketing. As the ERP methodology has become more popular, software applications have emerged to help business managers implement ERP in business activities such as inventory control, order tracking, customer service, finance and human resources.

Resources:

Microsoft article - The ABCs of ERP (click to read)

Examples of ERP Vendors:

SAP - http://www.sap.com/solutions/business-suite/erp/index.epx

IBM - http://www-03.ibm.com/solutions/businesssolutions/erp/index.jsp