-Enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems are targeted for managing operational data and improving business efficiency, while their complex interfaces challenge this goal. The purpose of this study is to examine user attitude towards ERP system's usability in Latvian medium, small and micro-sized enterprises. It is part of a broader European users' study, which aims at designing and creating innovative and trendsetting user interface and interaction concepts for ERP systems.

The research demonstrates the efficiency of the simulation technique application for the analysis of goldmine system operation with a particular focus on truck-shovel system. The research has been carried out within the modelling competition "IIE/Rockwell Student Simulation Competition" arranged by an international organization IIE (Industrial Engineering). The information on the goldmine system structure and operation has been provided by the competition organizers, thus allowing the authors of the article to analyse the system operation based on real data and to propose recommendations and solutions for increasing goldmine efficiency through the optimization of technical resources used. A simulation model of the goldmine system is developed by means of Arena simulation environment.