Manufacturing resource planning (MRP II) is a method for effectively planning all resources in a manufacturing company, including operational, financial, and human resources. It addresses planning, scheduling, and answering "what-if" questions through integration and simulation capabilities. MRP II evolved from material requirements planning in the 1980s to encompass more than just materials planning. It integrates functions like production scheduling, inventory management, purchasing, and cost accounting to allow for information sharing across different departments and improved control, scheduling, and benefits.