Definition of Terms
7
Figure 1 - Evolution ERP I to ERP II
Due to the growing influence of the Internet and the increased complexity of
business processes in the late 1990ies, system developers began to extend
conventional ERP systems by adding functionalities and features from outside the
ERP world, including scheduling, forecasting, capacity planning, e-commerce, or
warehousing. Such an enhanced ERP system was called Extended ERP. From
2005
onwards the next step in ERP evolution took place. ERP 2 models now
comprise comprehensive features ranging from project management, knowledge
management, CRM, and HR Management to Internet and Web integration. The
objective of such a system is to operate an entire company in a quickly, accurately,
and consistently manner (Leon A. , 2008, pp. 530-532).
Cloud Services & Cloud Computing
Cloud services can be defined as a “new style of computing, in which dynamically
scalable and often virtualized resources are provided as a service over the Internet”
(
Furht & Escalante, 2010, pp. 3,8). Especially the terms “dynamically scalable” and
“
virtualized resources” are key aspects for this definition. The asset “scalable” refers
to the fact that cloud services can be adapted to the certain demand of a company
or industry sector, in other words if the variables for a business change – for example
the introduction of a new distribution channel – the service level can be changed as
well. “Virtualized” in this case refers to outsourced provision of services, for example
Source: (Leon A. , 2008, p. 538)
