Workflow Management Systems and ERP Systems: Differences, Commonalities, and Applications

Two important classes of information systems, Workflow Management Systems (WfMSs) and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, have been used to support e-business process redesign, integration, and management. While both technologies can help with business process automation, data transfer, and information sharing, the technological approach and features of solutions provided by WfMS and ERP are different. This paper presents a comprehensive comparison between these two classes of systems. It discusses how the two types of systems can be used independently or together to develop intra- and inter-organizational application solutions. It also explores the roles of WfMS and ERP in the next generation of IT architecture based on web services.