Book excerpt: Proven strategies for companies seeking to accelerate an ERP implementation Almost all large and midsize corporations worldwide will be involved in implementing enterprise resource planning and/or e-business applications over the next two to three years. This is the only book that discusses how to implement a rapid ERP system and shows how e-business is impacted by the implementation of an ERP system. This book also provides valuable tried and true methods of keeping the project under or within budget. A quality ERP transaction foundation is a prerequisite for taking advantage of many of the new e-business opportunities that executives have placed high on their list of priorities. This valuable guide examines the strengths and weaknesses of ERP and shows when rapid implementation is not appropriate. The book also provides outsourcing alternatives and the use of application service alternatives, and shows how e-business is impacted by the implementation of an ERP system. Murrell G. Shields (McLean, VA) is the Director of Management Solutions and Services and National Leader of Technology and Infrastructure Services at Deloitte & Touche.