ERPsim returns, showcasing real-world decision-making and industry mentorship

Central Michigan University’s ERPsim competition will return this month, bringing students together for an intensive, hands-on experience that mirrors the complexity and pace of real-world business decision-making. 

Hosted by the College of Business Administration, ERPsim challenges student teams to manage a simulated company using an integrated enterprise resource planning (ERP) system. Participants must make cross-functional decisions across areas such as finance, operations, supply chain and marketing—then immediately see the impact of those decisions play out. 

For Christine Witt, a faculty member in business information systems and this year’s ERPsim coordinator, the value of the competition lies in how quickly students are forced to think beyond silos. 

“ERPsim helps students understand how interconnected business decisions really are,” Witt said. “It’s not just about learning a system. It’s about seeing how finance, operations, and strategy all influence each other in real time.” 

A real-world learning environment 

The competition is open to students across programs and experience levels, with teams composed of both undergraduate and graduate students. While the simulation is powered by SAP, Witt emphasized that the experience is about business thinking—not software expertise. 

“Students don’t need to be SAP experts to succeed,” she said. “What matters most is their ability to analyze information, communicate as a team, and adapt their strategy based on what’s happening.” 

Students who have participated in ERPsim say the experience stands out for its realism and long-term impact. 

“Participating in the ERPsim Competition has been one of the most practical and rewarding experiences of my academic journey at CMU,” said Leo Zhanning, an MSIS student from Traverse City, Mich. “Working through real-time business scenarios and making team-based decisions pushed me to think critically, collaborate effectively, and apply SAP concepts far beyond the classroom.” 

He said the experience extended well beyond the competition itself. 

“This experience has deepened my understanding of integrated business processes and reinforced the importance of data-driven decision making,” Zhanning said. “Through the competition, I’ve built meaningful friendships with like-minded students, developed professional connections with major firms, and ultimately secured a job for myself. ERPsim has truly been a transformative opportunity.” 

Another student highlighted the pace and collaborative nature of the simulation. 

“Working on the ERPsim competition taught me how to think quickly, work under pressure, and make quick real-world decisions,” said Kaedyn Hirschman, a senior human resource management major from Grand Ledge, Mich. “I also learned how different areas of business connect, like marketing, sales, and finance, and how one decision could affect the whole business.” 

Hirschman said the experience helped build confidence in a realistic setting. 

“The whole simulation feels very realistic, kind of like running a business,” she said. “I think that the ERPsim is super valuable for the students because it gives us real-world hands-on experience that you can’t necessarily get from a textbook. This also gives students the confidence to use SAP, which would give students a big advantage when applying for internships or full-time jobs.” 

Industry mentors play a key role 

A defining feature of ERPsim is the involvement of industry mentors who work with teams before and during the competition. Mentors support students by helping them think through strategy, interpret results, and understand how similar decisions are made in professional settings. 

“Being a mentor isn’t about knowing every detail of the simulation,” Witt said. “It’s about helping students connect what they’re doing in SAP and the simulation results to how businesses actually use the same processes and metrics to operate.” 

This year, the competition will introduce a new way to recognize that commitment. 

Honoring long-time mentorship 

During the event, the program will present its inaugural ERPsim Mentor Excellence Award to Joe Cronkright, sustainability IT director at Dow, in recognition of his long-standing involvement and support of ERPsim teams. 

Cronkright has participated in the competition since its earliest years, returning consistently to mentor students and support experiential learning. 

“As a Central Michigan University graduate, mentoring ERPsim is my way to give back and stay connected to the students who will shape the future,” said Cronkright. “Year after year, it also demonstrates and strengthens the longstanding partnership between Dow, Central Michigan University, and students. ERPsim provides a live, real-world simulation—giving students opportunities to operate under pressure and giving mentors unparalleled exposure to future talent—seeing how teams collaborate, recover from setbacks, solve problems, and lead while valuing input from others. That’s why I return every year: it’s meaningful for students and for us as mentors.” 

“Joe exemplifies what sustained industry engagement can mean for students,” Witt said. “His dedication, leadership, and willingness to invest time year after year have had a lasting impact on this program.” 

The ERPsim Mentor Excellence Award was created to recognize professionals who demonstrate an exceptional commitment to student learning through mentorship, guidance, and long-term engagement with the competition. 

Keynote speaker brings industry perspective 

The 2026 ERPsim competition will also feature a keynote address by Kevin Deemter, manager of loyalty data science and analytics at Meijer. 

Deemter brings extensive experience in analytics, personalization, and digital strategy, leading efforts that shape customer experiences across Meijer’s digital platforms. His work focuses on transforming data into actionable insights—an approach that closely aligns with the goals of ERPsim. 

“Kevin’s background demonstrates how data-driven decision-making influences large-scale business operations,” Witt said. “Students will hear directly from someone applying these concepts every day.” 

Opportunities to get involved 

While ERPsim consistently fills with student teams, the program continues to seek additional industry mentors to support the growing scale of the competition. 

Professionals from a wide range of backgrounds—including IT, operations, analytics, finance, and supply chain—are encouraged to participate. Mentors may engage with teams in different ways, from pre-competition conversations to day-of strategy support. 

Students interested in competing can learn more and register through the ERPsim website. Professionals interested in mentoring are encouraged to contact Christine Witt directly for more information. 

By combining simulation-based learning, industry mentorship, and real-world perspective, ERPsim continues to prepare students to think critically, collaborate effectively, and approach complex business challenges with confidence.