KPMG and Compaq launch ERP alliance

KPMG has coupled its IT and business expertise with Compaq's technology resources and operational management experience to offer clients a 'future-proofed' enterprise resource planning (ERP) package.

ERP is a growth business. The market for these information management systems, which integrate data from functions such as finance, personnel, inventory, purchasing and manufacturing, is estimated at £11bn and rising.

To ensure this market continues to grow, system developers have been looking at ways to extend operations into new business areas. Many of these overlap with typical FM functions - corporate travel, for example, is a current target for ERP integration.

KPMG partner Robert Brant explained the benefits he sees in the current joint initiative as:

• 24-hour technical support for a business-critical system
• ability to keep pace with changing business needs
• competitive - and predictable - costs.

And they'll be looking for new opportunities. KPMG will undertake post-implementation monitoring for clients, says Brant, "to ensure that both the technical and business aspects of the system stay firmly in line with the company's particular business direction."

Elliott Chase