Although James is only a manager of Microsoft's China office, who can enter Microsoft is an ordinary person? Just at a glance, he saw that the financial software used by Liu Guifang was by no means an independent system, but a web office software based on a browser/server structure.

In the United States in 1994, the Internet was in its infancy. Netscape has been making a big splash in the U.S. market, while Microsoft's Internet Explorer has to wait for Windows 95 to take a bite of the scraps. But this does not mean that Microsoft does not pay enough attention to the Internet, in fact, it is the opposite, and even Bill Gates is blushing at the amount of money that can be made on the Internet.

And an office software based on a browser/server structure? Oh my God, this is really a genius idea, well, this is somewhat the same as Zhou Shuo's previous performance.

James asked nervously, "Zhou, this can't be the software you designed, right?" ”

Zhou Shuo pursed his lips, shrugged his shoulders, and said innocently: "Mr. James is really good-looking, in fact, this is just the financial part of an ERP system, and this entire system can be run on the network." ”

James looked at Zhou Shuo dumbfounded, and he finally believed in his heart that Bill Gates was not the only genius in this world. The idea of ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) has only just been proposed in the United States, and many people are still trying to figure out how to implement it. And in remote, barren and backward China, someone has already begun to put it into use? It's unbelievable.

James shook his head and said, "Dear Zhou, I don't think you saw such a term ERP anywhere, so you just pressed such a name on a set of office software, right?" ”

"Mr. James, if you are interested, I can introduce you to this system. But do we have something to do? Let's take a tour of the factory first and then discuss the software. ”

"No, no, let's talk about the ERP system first, right now. You can visit the factory anytime! ”

James thought a little anxiously: just kidding, the production of keyboards is just Microsoft's unscrupulous ticket, and software is Microsoft's main business. If this system is really a network-based ERP system as Zhou Shuo said, maybe you have dug a gold mine!

Zhou Shuo sighed on the surface, but he laughed secretly in his heart. For Americans in the 90s, an ERP system was like a bear encountering a honeycomb, even if it was covered with bags, it couldn't resist the temptation of greed. Otherwise, Liu Guifang can go back to the finance office, why do you have to work in the communication room?

"All right, Mr. James, please follow me." Zhou Shuo said that he led the way, and James followed from behind and came to the computer room.

At the end of the computer room, Zhou Shuo came to a computer that was isolated separately. Tap on the monitor, press a few times on the keyboard, and a software interface will be displayed.

Zhou Shuo patted the computer and said: "This is the server that the ERP system runs on, and every computer connected to it can access it with client software. ”

As he spoke, he clicked on another computer, ran the client software, and said while operating: "The client logs in with the username and password, and the human resource management system can set the corresponding level for other users, and your level and department will determine the part you can operate."

In addition to MRPII's traditional manufacturing, finance, sales and other functions, the system also integrates distribution management, human resource management, transportation management, warehouse management, quality management, equipment management and decision support, and all of these functions support Internet data transmission, which can realize real-time update of information across regions and even across borders. ”

Speaking of this, Zhou Shuo clicked on a few more computers, ran another set of management systems, pointed to the screen and said: "The biggest advantage of this system is that it can be networked between servers. Real-time access to information about other enterprises in the upstream and downstream supply and demand chains, so as to realize the management of the entire supply and demand chain between enterprise alliances. The result is a company that can reduce cash turnaround time, reduce risk to the business, achieve profitable growth, and deliver predictable revenue. ”

James watched Zhou Shuo's operation, and his eyes lit up like two light bulbs. Isn't this system a tailor-made solution for the zero-inventory management that U.S. companies are looking for? How envious of Toyota's zero-inventory management method is that Americans envy Toyota's zero-inventory management method, but unfortunately there are too few groups in the entire American manufacturing industry that have the same control over upstream and downstream enterprises as Toyota, but with this system, information communication between enterprises in the supply and demand chain will no longer be a problem. In a highly commercially developed country like the United States, it is not impossible to use this system to have zero inventory as long as you carefully select suppliers.

James thought in shock: Maybe just the management ideas embodied in this system are at least ten years ahead of the Americans!

Zhou Shuo smiled in his heart, James didn't know that this system was originally born from the ERP system issued by Oracle, the second largest software company in the future world. The ERP system used by the Huaxing Group where he worked in later generations was designed by Zhou Shuo himself, although it is incomparable in terms of performance means and technical performance, but in terms of the design ideas, it can be said that it has been tempered and set the culmination of ERP management ideas. Ten years ahead of the industry? I'm afraid that's still too much to say.

James rubbed his hands together and said impatiently, "Oh, dear Zhou, can I try it myself?" ”

Zhou Shuo made a gesture of please, and said with a smile: "Of course there is no problem, but this system is only a trial operation, and Mr. James can ask if he has any questions." ”

As soon as James sat down, he began to crackle on the keyboard, and in a moment his butt was smoking back and forth between the computers. He is mainly testing the sharing between networks, the management system is not a problem for business management software to implement, to ensure scalability, compatibility, ease of use and reusability can reflect the level of a software design.

Software guidelines such as robustness, operational efficiency, and readability had to be seen in the source code, and he wasn't in the mood to care about those details right now.

In this way, time gradually passed, James stopped and asked Zhou Shuo if he didn't understand something, and when the problem was solved, he threw himself into the work of testing the software.

I don't know how long it was, James sighed, raised his head and wiped his sweat. Although the air conditioning in the computer room was sufficient, he still felt hot and dry. This system is really too complicated, and it is by no means something that one person can figure out in a day or two. He said with emotion: "This is really a great design, Zhou, you really should live in Silicon Valley, where you can freely display your talents!" ”

Zhou Shuo smiled slightly and didn't say anything. Just patted him on the shoulder, and everything was silent.

James shrugged his shoulders and said helplessly, "Oh, okay." I know that it's always hard for people to leave the place where they grew up, but when the eaglet grows up, it always has to fly to the blue sky, right? ”

"Let's talk about keyboard OEM!" Zhou Shuo looked left and right and said to him: "Why don't you continue to visit my factory?" ”

"Hey, don't mention your factory!" James grabbed him by the shoulder and said excitedly, "Your software is much more valuable than your factory!" Really, it's definitely going to be a big market! ”

"Maybe!" Zhou Shuo spread his hands and said, "But I care more about the keyboard, you know that we Chinese are more keen on manufacturing." ”

"Oh my God!" James grabbed his own hair and said in despair, "How are you going to keep that damn keyboard ...... mentioned?"

Poor James, where does he have a keyboard in his head right now. If he can get this software, he believes that there will be a high-level position beckoning to him at Microsoft headquarters! Hell, no matter how well you do the keyboard thing, at most you will only be praised by your boss!

Zhou Shuo looked up at the sky, thought for a while, and said reluctantly: "If you are sure that Microsoft can hand over the keyboard OEM contract to me, then naturally there is no need to discuss it anymore." ”

"Okay—" James said with a dejected look at himself, "Someone who can design such great management software, I believe will be able to manage a factory that produces excellent products." I will do my best to get this contract from Microsoft headquarters......"

"You made the right decision!" Zhou Shuo stretched out his hand with a smile and said, "We will never disappoint Microsoft." ”

James stretched out his hand to shake him with interest, and said helplessly: "I hope so." ”

Immediately afterwards, he said with a smile: "Then let's talk about this software next, right?" I wonder when it will end the test and the production will be completed? ”

"Of course, the main body of this software is close to perfection. On our schedule, it will be completely completed by October. ”

"Great!" James snapped his fingers and said excitedly, "Dear Zhou, I wonder if you are willing to sell the copyright of this software?" ”

Zhou Shuo pretended to ask for a moment, and said reluctantly: "If it's Microsoft, I think you can consider it." ”

Speaking of which, in fact, Microsoft will not come to the door, and sooner or later he will also find it. ERP system does not look at how efficient, convenient and advanced, in fact, the quality of the operating personnel is particularly high, and the business environment of the whole society also puts forward harsh conditions, do not meet these external conditions, ERP system can only float on the surface.

Ten years later, there is even a saying in China, called: ERP is looking for death, not ERP is waiting for death, it can be seen that China in 1994 did not have the soil for its survival. It is so difficult to implement that it can be said that without a deep-rooted leader like Microsoft, it is a question whether ERP software can be promoted.

Zhou Shuo then stretched out a finger and said, "However, if Microsoft wants to get the copyright of the software, it must promise me one condition!" ”