Which of the following statements is NOT true about enterprise systems such as large scale ERP solutions?

Introduction / Context:
Enterprise systems, especially enterprise resource planning solutions, integrate core business processes and data across an organisation. This question asks you to identify which statement does not correctly describe such systems. Understanding what enterprise systems are designed to do, and what they are not designed to do, is an important part of business technology knowledge.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Enterprise systems include ERP, supply chain, and customer relationship management platforms.
• They aim to standardise processes and data across departments.
• They often include reporting and analytical capabilities.

Concept / Approach:
Enterprise systems are usually built around industry best practices and standardised process models. Instead of copying every unique local variation, they encourage organisations to harmonise and streamline processes. They centralise data, enforce common definitions, and provide analytic tools. While configuration and limited customisation are possible, the primary goal is integration and standardisation, not mimicking every unique way of working that a company had before implementation.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Evaluate option B. Enterprise systems do include analytical tools and reporting to evaluate performance; this is true.Step 2: Evaluate option C. By integrating data and processes, enterprise systems do help firms respond quickly to customer requests; this is also true.Step 3: Evaluate option D. A central promise of ERP is standardised data definitions and formats across the organisation; this statement is true.Step 4: Evaluate option A. The claim that enterprise software is expressly built to mimic every unique business practice is misleading. In reality, the software promotes standardisation and best practices rather than reproducing every local variation.Step 5: Therefore, option A is the statement that is not true in the usual sense and should be selected.

Verification / Alternative check:
Textbooks on information systems emphasise that one trade off of adopting enterprise systems is the need to adapt local processes to standard templates provided by the software. This supports the view that enterprise systems are not primarily built to mimic unique practices, which confirms that option A is the incorrect statement.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
In this question, wrong means factually incorrect. Options B, C, and D accurately describe core benefits of enterprise systems, such as analytical tools, faster response, and standardised data. Selecting them would mean labelling true statements as false, which would be incorrect for exam purposes.

Common Pitfalls:
Learners sometimes assume that expensive enterprise software can be customised endlessly to match every existing process exactly. This mindset can lead to overly complex projects. In practice, successful implementations balance necessary localisation with adopting standard best practice processes embedded in the system. Recognising the need for some process change is key to realising value from enterprise systems.

Final Answer:
The software is expressly built to allow companies to mimic their unique business practices