Use of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Software in Egyptian Information Utilities: An exploratory study

The study aimed to highlight the importance of enterprise resource planning software, by inventorying and evaluating it, by explaining and clarifying the functions and capabilities of this software and working to link it to information utilities. A set of standards were also reached that should be adhered to when evaluating and selecting enterprise resource planning software in Egyptian Information utilities, a guide has been prepared on how to use enterprise resource planning software. The study sample was chosen intentionally and consisted of 23 programs. The study reached the following results: the difficulty of evaluating the modules (functional requirements) of ERP software, due to the continuous updates, the possibility of requesting the addition of modules according to the needs of the enterprises, and therefore it is difficult to distinguish one software from another due to the similarity in functions and features, so the choice is made A variety of different factors are evaluated along with the section on functional requirements before making a final decision. A guide has also been prepared on how to use enterprise resource planning software within information utilities, through the Odoo software. The study recommends that there must be increased attention to the concept of enterprise resource planning, and attention to the application of enterprise resource planning software within Egyptian information utilities. Courses must also be prepared for library and information specialists on how to use enterprise resource planning software, and the importance of library specialists being guided by the proposed enterprise resource planning software guide.