This document discusses how enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems are indispensable to supply chain management (SCM). It first provides background on ERP and SCM. It then presents a research model linking ERP benefits to the operational, planning and control, and behavioral processes of SCM. The document describes research analyzing the relationship between ERP benefits and SCM competencies. It finds that ERP benefits lead to improved SCM competencies, especially for operational, managerial and strategic benefits. Most respondents believe developing an ERP system before an SCM system is better.