The primary purpose of an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system is to integrate and streamline business processes across an organization. By consolidating various functions such as finance, human resources, supply chain, and customer relationship management into a single system, an ERP enhances efficiency and data accuracy. This unified approach allows for better decision-making, improved communication, and strategic planning. Overall, ERP systems play a vital role in enabling organizations to respond swiftly to market changes and optimize their resource utilization.