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PurposeThe role of business process re‐engineering (BPR) in implementing enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems is of paramount importance. A variety of approaches are used for such re‐engineering as the best‐fitting ERP solution can only give a maximum of 80 percent fit with the existing workflow of the organization in which ERP is being implemented. The aim of this paper is to focus on the issues involved.Design/methodology/approachThe paper presents some sample ERP installations to come out with various types of business BPR, ranging from small‐r to big‐R, practised while implementing ERP.FindingsBased on the literature review, it could be found that all organizations implementing ERP have chosen their own approach based on organizational constraints and the needs. The importance of BPR in ERP implementation is highlighted in earlier studies.Research limitations/implicationsThe recursive relationship between BPR and information technology has only resulted in the rapid evolution of ERP systems. ERP integration with supply chain management and its web readiness are major agenda for ERP developers. Many re‐engineering possibilities are yet to evolve based on research in knowledge, artificial intelligence and expert database systems. A suitable approach to implement the same in an organization can only be done using the most suitable approach and hence the importance of the BPR approaches presented here along with their advantages and disadvantages.Practical implicationsAs the various BPR approaches are categorized based on implementation followed by major corporations, it is definitely a forerunner for any ERP‐implementing organization under study. Also the common problems encountered during re‐engineering for ERP implementation and the suggested remedial measures are presented based on earlier work.Originality/valueAn attempt has been made to identify BPR problems, causes and approaches used in implementing ERP solutions. It is only aimed at synthesis of technical and general issues using the literature.

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Two new Schiff bases containing olefinic linkages have been synthesized by condensing aliphatic diamines with dicinnamoylmethane under specified conditions. The existence of these compounds predominantly in the intramolecularly hydrogen bonded keto-enamine form was well demonstrated by their IR, 1 H-NMR and mass spectral data. Dibasic tetradentate N 2 O 2 coordination of the compounds in their [ML] complexes (M = Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II)) was established on the basis of analytical and spectral data.

Four new curcuminoid analogues, 1,7-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1,6-heptadiene-3,5-dione, 1a; 1,7-di(2-furyl)-1,6-heptadiene-3,5-dione, 1b; 1,7-di(2-naphthyl)-1,6-heptadiene-3,5-dione, 1c; 1,7-bis(2-chlorophenyl)-1,6-heptadiene-3,5-dione, 1d; and their copper(II) complexes of ML 2 stoichiometry were synthesized and characterized by UV, IR, 1 H NMR, ESR and mass spectral data. The compounds were investigated for their possible cytotoxic and antitumour activities. It was found that copper chelates are remarkably active compared with free curcuminoid analogues. All the compounds were found to be cytotoxic towards Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells and cultured L929 (lung fibroblast cells). In the case of culture studies, concentrations needed for 50% cell death were around 5 µg/ml for copper complexes and 10 µg/ml for curcuminoid analogues. Copper complex of 1a with hydroxyl group in the phenyl ring was found to be most active towards L929cells (1 µg/ml produced 43.3 ± 1.3% cell death). Compound 1b, which possesses a furyl ring system, was found to show least activity towards increase in life span of tumour-bearing mice (increase in life span 39.31%). Copper chelates of all curcuminoid analogues showed a significant reduction (p < 0.001) of solid tumour volume in mice.