Purpose - To review an existing enterprise resource planning (ERP) literature and provide the inter-organizational practice of ERP system. Design/methodology/approach - A focus group (FG) method was adopted as an exploratory means to gain insights and perspective of ERP systems. Findings - The study suggests researchers re-examine the following ERP issues at the inter-organizational level, namely: selection of ERP packages, integration of business processes, knowledge and applications, implementation approaches, training as well as organizational transformation and software migration. Originality/value - The study examined the different ERP lifecycle phases and provided the insight factors that were crucial to overall success in implementing ERP. In addition, the empirical findings would be useful to ERP practitioners by providing better understanding of ERP from both the user and organizational perspectives. Regarding the FG methodology, practitioners can use FG at the beginning of ERP projects to gather customer needs and organizational information, which can facilitate better business and IS planning. © Emerald Group Publishing Limited.