Integrating blockchain with Enterprise Resource Planning systems: benefits and challenges

Abstract

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems seamlessly support business activities by controlling both Supply Chain (SC) operations and relevant information. By serving as consolidation platforms, ERP systems offer significant benefits in data visibility and back-office functions and enhance decision-making processes in modern business. Blockchain technology is driving Industry 4.0, and its integration with current ERP systems seems almost mandatory for the years to come. Based on a systematic survey of the current literature, we classify the benefits of blockchain and ERP systems integration, particularly in terms of improved operational efficiency, workflow automation, security and regulatory compliance. In addition, we discuss various challenges for integrating blockchain with ERP systems, such as possible infrastructure upgrades, organizational and cultural aspects, standardization, regulatory issues and high adoption and maintenance costs. We believe that the main results of this study could be of significant value to both researchers and practitioners and could serve as a starting point for better portraying the interrelationships between ERP systems and blockchain technology.