Table of Contents |
An enterprise system supports high-level tasks across departments and is designed to connect workflows through real-time data sharing. The table below introduces four common types of enterprise tools, their core functions, example systems, and typical users who interact with them.
| Enterprise Tools | Purposes | Examples | Users | How It Works in Real Settings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Customer relationship management (CRM) | Tracks customer interactions and sales leads | Salesforce | Sales, Marketing, Support teams | A support agent opens a customer’s profile to view past emails, open issues, and recent purchases—all in one place. CRM tools give teams a full picture of each customer, unlike basic contact lists. |
| Enterprise resource planning (ERP) | Manages HR, finance, inventory, and operations | Oracle, SAP | HR, Finance, Operations teams | An HR rep updates payroll, whereas the finance team reviews budget reports. ERP connects multiple departments in one system to improve coordination. |
| Enterprise Project Management (EPM) | Organizes tasks, timelines, and collaboration | Microsoft Project, Jira | Project managers, Team leads | A project manager assigns tasks and deadlines for each team member. Unlike personal to-do apps, these tools track work across large teams and multiple projects. |
| Inventory management system | Tracks stock levels and reorders | NetSuite, SAP Inventory | Supply chain, Procurement teams | A supply manager gets a low stock alert and reorders items directly through the system. Unlike simple spreadsheets, inventory systems connect to sales, shipping, and purchasing. |
| Collaboration platform | Enables team communication and file sharing | Microsoft Teams, Slack | All employees across departments | A team chats, edits a shared document, and joins a video meeting—all within the same platform. Collaboration tools keep communication and work in one space. |
To help visualize how these tools work in real settings, explore the images in the following slideshow. While the layouts are simplified, they reflect how users interact with key features—like dashboards, task lists, and communication panels.
Select the right arrow to move forward or the left arrow to go back.
Enterprise systems are used in schools, workplaces, and organizations to help people communicate, stay organized, and manage shared tasks. These systems offer many benefits, but they can also feel overwhelming at first. Knowing both the advantages and the common difficulties can help you feel more confident using them.
Let’s start with what they do well.
Enterprise systems are designed to make teamwork easier and more efficient. Below are some common benefits and what they mean in practice.
| Benefit | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Remote access | You can log in from any internet-connected device. Cloud-based systems offer flexibility to work from different locations. |
| Teamwork in one place | Messaging, file sharing, and task updates all happen in the same system. You do not have to juggle multiple apps. |
| Live updates | When someone edits a file or checks off a task, the change shows up instantly for everyone else. |
| Task automation | Automation means the system does small tasks for you—like sending reminders or updating checklists—without needing to be told each time. |
| Shared dashboards | Shared dashboards are screens that show group progress—like what is done, what is overdue, and who is responsible—so everyone sees the same information in one place. |
| Access control | The system gives different permissions to different users. This helps organize roles and protect private data. |
IN CONTEXT: Value of an Enterprise System
Micah starts a new job in customer support at a national retailer. On the first day, the enterprise system feels overwhelming, with many tabs, charts, and menus. After a short orientation and some practice, Micah begins to focus on just the features needed most.
Micah now logs in from home or the office using the cloud-based system (remote access) and finds all key tools—messages, tickets, and files—in one place (teamwork in one place). The dashboard gives a clear view of assigned tasks, completed work, and deadlines (shared dashboards).
When a teammate adds a note to a ticket, the update appears instantly (live updates). The system also sends automatic reminders to follow up with customers (task automation). Supervisors have access to approve refunds or close cases, whereas team members can view and comment (access control).
After a few weeks, Micah feels confident and begins helping new coworkers learn the system.
Enterprise systems help teams work more consistently. Everyone uses the same tools and sees the same updates, which reduces confusion and saves time. Instead of asking for updates or searching through messages, users can find what they need in one place. This helps people stay focused and organized, even during busy times.
Enterprise systems may seem overwhelming at first, but with a little practice, they become easier to use. The table below explains common challenges and what they might look like in everyday situations.
| Challenge | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Takes time to learn | These systems often have many menus, tabs, and tools. It can be hard to know where to begin. |
| Too much information | Dashboards may show charts, updates, and messages all at once, which can feel overwhelming. |
| Temporary outages | Systems may freeze or go offline due to internet problems or updates. Work may need to pause. |
| Changing features | Updates might move buttons or change layouts, requiring users to relearn familiar tools. |
| More than one system to learn | Some workplaces or schools use different platforms for different tasks. Switching between them takes practice. |
| Not always freely available | Some systems are only available through an employer, school, or paid account. |
IN CONTEXT: Early Challenges With an Enterprise System
When Micah first started the customer support job, using the enterprise system was not easy. The dashboard showed too much at once—charts, tasks, team messages, and alerts—making it hard to know what to focus on. Micah spent extra time just figuring out which tabs to open each day.
One morning, the system froze for nearly 30 minutes during a busy shift (temporary outage), and Micah could not look up customer tickets or contact a team lead. Later that week, a system update moved several buttons, and Micah had to relearn how to complete tasks that had just started to feel familiar (changing features).
Micah also had to learn to use a separate platform for scheduling and another one for training (more than one system to learn), which added to the confusion. At first, it was frustrating—but by asking questions, turning off extra alerts, and bookmarking the tools used most, Micah slowly built a routine.
These kinds of frustrations are common, but they often fade as users gain confidence with the tools.
While these challenges are common, they often improve with time, support, and small adjustments. Many systems let you hide unwanted information, stop alerts, or bookmark the tools you use most.
Source: THIS TUTORIAL HAS BEEN ADAPTED FROM OPENSTAX’S “INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER SCIENCE.” ACCESS FOR FREE AT OPENSTAX.ORG/DETAILS/BOOKS/INTRODUCTION-BUSINESS. LICENSE: CREATIVE COMMONS ATTRIBUTION 4.0 INTERNATIONAL.
REFERENCES
Indeed Editorial Team. (2025, June 9). Enterprise software: Definition, benefits, and examples. Indeed. ca.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/enterprise-software
