The Beneficial Relationship Between ERP CRM Systems

Traditionally, a CRM system is created to help businesses organize and manage customer-related information. Customer Relationship Management (CRM) solutions can provide sales forecasts, automate and manage marketing campaigns, provide better tools for better customer support and lead management, and streamline the sales process for business. 

Meanwhile, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solutions help businesses manage their resource planning and financial management for better internal collaboration between different departments within a company. 

ERP CRM systems are both designed to automate business processes; the overall objective is what differs. To put it in simple terms, ERP helps businesses handle their back end, while CRM systems help all companies manage their front end better. 

ERP CRM systems have a very intimate relationship where they can be part of the same system or different products. CRM software can function as one of the five pillars of an ERP system, proving the close ERP CRM relationship. CRM is an extension of a company's customer service and covers all customer-related activities from the past, present, and future. ERP CRM systems can be integrated to function cohesively with each other to create a well-balanced business operation.                                  

Five key components make up an ERP system:

Finance

What is ERP accounting software? It tracks and manages all financial data that includes:  

• Accounts payable
• General ledger
• Costs
• Budgets
• Forecasts 

The primary function of this pillar is to help businesses improve cash flow, lower operational costs, and maximize profits while managing all financial operations of the organization. 

Human Resources

This pillar of an ERP system helps businesses organize their workforce and keep everyone happy. This arm of ERP CRM can automate employee salary payments, tax payments, generating performance reports, attendance tracking, promotions, and workforce management of an organization. 

Manufacturing and Logistics

Managing your production schedule with an ERP CRM software solution is a must to operate an efficient business. Planning, production, order taking, and delivery are essential aspects that an ERP CRM solution can manage by combining the two forces. A better view of customer demand and achievement levels within the company is an excellent way to gauge where the business is headed. The role of ERP in manufacturing also includes stock summaries and production planning can be streamlined. 

Supply Chain Management

Supply chain management is an integral part of ERP software. This helps streamline the procurement, production, and distribution of products to customers. With the help of an ERP CRM, a business can operate its supply chain independently while achieving its business objectives. 

Customer Relationship Management

CRM functions of an ERP CRM system can be attributed to the management of customer data to understand your customers and their needs better. With access to customer purchase histories, personal information, and purchasing patterns using the CRM component of an ERP CRM solution, businesses can identify their customer segments and understand the unique needs of each customer segment. Tracking customer buyer history is highly beneficial for companies using an ERP CRM solution to up-sell and cross-sell other products and improves revenue. 

While there are many connections between ERP CRM software, there are a few key differences between ERP and CRM that set them apart:

1. CRM software supports the front-office functions of an organization, while ERP supports the back-office operations.
2. CRM focuses on customer relationships for marketing, sales, and customer services, while ERP systems with ERP CRM capabilities don’t support the full scope of CRM software capabilities. 
3. The likelihood that a business already using an ERP CRM combo product will upgrade to an exclusive CRM product is higher as the number of customers grows. CRM systems are excellent at handling large amounts of customer data compared to an ERP CRM combo product. 
4. CRM solutions focus on improving sales, while ERP software focuses on reducing operational costs

These are some reasons why many businesses eventually outgrow their ERP CRM solution and opt for a standalone one. 

Oracle NetSuite

Oracle NetSuite is the world’s largest ERP CRM software provider with its cloud-based ERP CRM solutions. Its built-in intelligent reporting feature will give you insight into all aspects of your business in real-time and drive innovation, reduce costs and reduce operational inefficiencies within your organization. NetSuite features a highly secure ERP CRM solution compliant with all regulatory systems. NetSuite ERP CRM can be an excellent solution for companies of any size due to its customizable plans. 

Sage Intacct

Sage Intacct is a professional ERP CRM solution that enables businesses to capture all billable and non-billable hours and expenses to reduce operational costs. The SaaS feature of this ERP CRM solution allows multi-client bookkeeping with web portals for customers to use the ERP CRM solution easily. Sage Intacct ERP CRM solutions are great for the hospitality industry with their capabilities to help tourist attractions, restaurants, hotels, and other businesses in the hospitality industry to track revenue, expenses, property expenses, and all other related expenses. 

SAP

SAP ERP CRM solutions are a comprehensive business management solution that unifies all aspects of a business using one solution. SAP business suite offers tips for seamless ERP integration with other business processes and makes everything accessible via a single terminal, which helps improve transparency within the entire organization. SAP’s ERP CRM capabilities can be perfect for growing companies and can easily be upgraded as the business grows. 

To select the best ERP CRM vendors in the market, visit our ERP software page and compare the best ERP vendors to choose a vendor that suits your business’s unique needs.