What does Materials Requirements Planning (MRP) primarily focus on?

Materials Requirements Planning (MRP) primarily focuses on a computer-based inventory management system. This approach uses software to ensure that materials and products are available for production and delivery to customers at the right time. MRP systems help manage manufacturing processes by scheduling production and purchasing processes, which minimizes waste and allows for efficient use of resources.

The use of a computerized system is vital as it allows for the integration of inventory levels, production schedules, and lead times, leading to accurate planning, reduced stockouts, and better coordination between different parts of the supply chain. An effective MRP system can quickly analyze vast amounts of data to optimize inventory levels and production schedules, something that manual systems cannot efficiently manage.

In the context of the other options, a manual inventory system would lack the efficiency, speed, and accuracy of a computer-based approach. A marketing analysis tool pertains to assessing market trends rather than managing materials and inventory. Similarly, a customer relationship management system focuses on handling customer interactions, which is distinct from the core function of an MRP system in managing material flows and production schedules.