For preteens, it's the Xbox; for corporations, it's enterprise resource planning (ERP) software: They think they just can't live without it. Almost nine out of 10 companies have ERP systems on their corporate radar, according to a recent survey conducted by AMR Research. In fact, a whopping 88 percent say they are using, implementing or at least evaluating ERP systems.

Though the infatuation with ERP seems clear, what is far less certain is whether companies really know exactly why they want the systems in the first place. But installing a sophisticated system like ERP without understanding the "why" behind it risks wasting vital corporate resources. Education is critical for your implementation team to save time and avoid costly mistakes throughout the ERP implementation process.

Recognizing that, the industry group APICS now offers an "Introduction to ERP" course designed to give managers the tools they need to educate their team on what ERP is, how it works, and what they need to do to ensure the business environment is receptive to change. Course participants build a foundation for understanding the integration of business functions and the placement of ERP systems within their supply chain.

The course material includes a facilitator kit, participant workbook, case study and reprints that correspond to the topics discussed. Simply identify a facilitator within your organization and schedule training sessions for your implementation team.

You can visit www.apics.org/ERP to view sample pages, for a list of learning objectives, and to purchase a facilitator kit and participant workbooks (through the APICS Bookstore).