How do you respond to those in your company who propose two-tiered ERP? Text in the wave in the center of the cover: If you need help determining your company's overall enterprise software strategy and how two-tiered ERP fits in, this book is for you. Two-tiered ERP is widely understood as the use of different ERP systems for different layers of an organization. Until this book, the effectiveness of a two-tiered ERP strategy could only be determined through anecdotal evidence, the marketing literature of ERP vendors, and the advice of consulting companies. By understanding two-tiered ERP within the context of ERP's history, readers will see how two-tiered ERP may represent a crack in the facade of "big ERP," and will know how to formulate a comprehensive and logical response to proposals about implementing a two-tiered strategy. By reading this book you will: Eliminate confusion over definitions of two-tiered, multi-tiered, and single instance ERP. Review SAP and Oracle's Tier 1 and Tier 2 ERP products. Understand why two-tiered and single instance ERP is not the best strategy. Appreciate that WHAT is written about two-tiered ERP depends greatly upon WHO is writing it. Recognize the logic used by vendors to sell two-tiered ERP and whose interests are being served by a two-tiered strategy. Learn an alternative strategy that provides functionality, cost savings, and the best return on investment. If you are just beginning your research on ERP, read the companion book by the same author, The Real Story Behind ERP: Separating Fiction from Reality first, as it provides the most exhaustive history of ERP currently published."