This paper intends to make a review over the development of a very popular production planning model in the enterprises, since the publication of the book 'MRP' of J. Orlicky in 1975. These systems have developed in parallel to the development of information technology and of operations management techniques, achieving a large scope and a high standard of sophistication. The acquisition and implementation of the large systems available nowadays must be based on a very careful approach and on a better understanding of the role of these systems in the organizations. This review also aims to show an analysis of the enterprise management systems, their risks and their potential, besides on a reflection about the future of such a kind of systems.
MRP; MRPII; ERP; production planning; scheduling; inventory; information systems; information technology