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Believe it or not, how CRM replacing ERP is one of the most searched
phrases on the internet. This is why we are keen upon explaining both
these enterprise automation platforms for debunking certain myths
surrounding these two most needed modern day business applications.
Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and Enterprise Resource
Planning (ERP) are very much alike in several ways, as both these
platforms are used for boosting the overall profitability of a business.
Although CRM and ERP systems overlap each other in certain areas, the
good part is, they can be also be completely integrated into each other.
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CRM ERP
How CRM replacing ERP is a Myth
- Now Debunked
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#1 Easiest Converged CRM for SMB
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Still, as the core functionalities of these two business applications are
completely different, it is best for a business to firstly look at the
difference between CRM and ERP as stand-alone and separate systems.
Since this outlook will make it easier to see how CRM and ERP
individually play a role in improving competency and increasing sales.
Simply speaking, Customer Relationship Management or CRM is a system
and process that is needed for a company’s interaction with potential and
current customers. When we talk about Customer Relationship
Management we generally talk about the CRM software, which is used for
organizing, automating and synchronizing marketing, sales and customer
support departments in an organization.
The CRM software has been developed to include all areas of customer
experience (CX), keep the customers happy, and so successively keep
them loyal while bringing in more ROI for your businesses.
So CRM is a process that helps in identifying potential prospects (leads),
nurture them and thereafter guide them through the sales pipeline for
closing businesses.
A quality CRM should capture all the interactions that the company has
with its customers, whereby this data can be shared and used across all
the board. From sales reps, managers, customer support, to the
accounting department in the organization.
CRM Meaning- What is Customer
Relationship Management?
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To understand what is ERP we first need to understand that Enterprise
Resource Planning software is designed to make an organization’s
process more efficient and effective, by better managing all the key
functions, such as supply chain, warehouse, inventory, human resource,
payroll, and accounting in a company. ERP software helps the
organization to focus on what really matters- the data.
By integrating, ERP software, employees can update the system with vital
information and make them available in real-time to all the departments
in the company.
By adopting this integrated technology, ERP provides organizations with
heads-up whenever a problem occurs within the company.
If there is a problem in the supply chain, the ERP software is capable of
capturing the issue and then make it available to all departments and
areas which have been affected by the problem; such as the warehouse.
Therefore, ERP software not only aids in providing all departments with
updated information, but it also gives the organization an accurate and
clear picture of the standings at any given moment.
ERP meaning- What is Enterprise
Resource Planning?
ERP Examples:
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SAP R/3
Oracle e-Business Suite
JD Edwards EnterpriseOne & JD Edwards World
Microsoft Dynamics
Sage MAS 500
PeopleSoft and others
Some of the most popular ERP tools are:
Here is a basic comparison chart
between these two technologies:
BASIS FOR
COMPARISON
CRM ERP
A computer software that
ensures companies to record
every transaction and
interaction with the present
and prospective customers is
CRM.
An integrated pre-packaged
computer software that lets
the organization to manage
and control business
processes, going on in the
organization.
Meaning
What is it? Subset Superset
Developed in 1990 1960 -1970
Oriented owards Customers Enterprise
Utilized in Front office activities Back office activities
Focuses on Increasing sales Reducing costs
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This is a list of activities that CRM and ERP Software does to manage any
of the following front office and back-office activities respectively:
∠ Categorize marketing efforts
∠ Automates customer service
∠ Handle the sales and marketing pipeline
∠ Share marketing and sales collateral
∠ Prioritize leads
∠ Streamline your sales processes
∠ Create data reports
∠ Determine time used on converting leads to closing sales
∠ Manage inventory based on historical sales data
∠ Track a customer’s interactions with your business
∠ Learn which products sell best and when
∠ Manage your business leads
∠ Collaborate to sell as a team
∠ See where leads come from
∠ Manage your business contacts
∠ Share customer profiles with co-workers
CRM
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∠ Distribution process management
∠ Facilitate better project planning
∠ Supply chain management
∠ Reduce redundant tasks
∠ Assess business needs
∠ Standardize critical business procedures
∠ Automate employee life-cycle
∠ Services knowledge base
∠ Lower purchasing costs
∠ Improve accuracy of financial data
∠ Manage human resources
∠ Manage accounting and financial applications
∠ Manage payroll
ERP
What should you set up first- CRM or ERP?
Answering to the question, as to what should be implemented first- we
would say CRM.
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This is because no business can survive without customers and sales. It is
very natural, that if you do not find buyers who will purchase your
products or services, primarily your business will suffer a loss and so in
short span, your organization will become bankrupt. Therefore, to build
up and maintain a seamless sales process you need to track each
customer’s integration with your brand and for that, you need to put all
your customer-related data, in one place- that is CRM.
While implementing CRM in your organization, you need to teach
everyone in your sales team, to use the platform all the time, so that no
customer details are missed, which will help you to build strong sales,
marketing, and customer support team based on the real data of your
customers.
However, once your organization is big enough (especially if you in a
manufacturing process), you may opt for adopting an ERP system, so that
you can track them in ERP to easily manage and understand the
correlations between the internal operations of your company.
Using ERP, you can not only reduce cost but also optimize the usage of
capital investments in your organization.
Therefore, for an example, deciding which system is more vital for your
organization is like deciding between having a steering wheel or an
engine in a car. In this analogy, while CRM is the engine that drives your
business, increase sales and improve profitability, ERP is the steering
wheel that guides your business with precision and steers you away from
obstacles well in advance, which increases profitability while reducing
cost.
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Today business owners are witnessing a more complex business
environment than ever before and so more companies are now realizing
the need of CRM and ERP integration into one solution, for storing and
analyzing business data that is created with the “speed of light”.
Apart from big enterprises, many more SMB (Small and Medium Business)
companies are also now using integrated CRM and ERP solutions to
improve and automate the management of their operations since
modern converged CRM Systems like ConvergeHub and other are
impeccably designed to incorporate any ERP system into its platform.
∠ Terminate data entry and storage duplicates
∠ Ability to share data easier and in a more timely matter
∠ Reduce IT support cost
∠ Improved Order and Quote Management
∠ Reduce training cost
∠ Increased Visibility and Improved Forecasting
∠ Upgrade software with a few clicks
∠ Increase profit margins
∠ Experience mobility
CRM/ERP Integration
Some of the main benefits of integrating
these two business management
platforms are:
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Therefore, to summarize, ERP and CRM are either sides of the same coin
that ultimately increases business for the companies, as this two
software works together excellently. Hence, while either of these
products can work well on its own, but to find their true potential you
need to integrate CRM and ERP into one solution, which can be fully
scalable and customizable to every business need.
Conclusion
11. www.convergehub.com 510.924.1683 info@convergehub.com
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#1 Easiest Converged CRM for SMB
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ConvergeHub is the #1 easiest converged CRM for SMBs.It can
manage all of your sales, marketing, support, and billing needs,
with aconverged, full-featured, yet extremely easy-to-use CRM
that is priced within reach.The features are optimized for small
to medium sized businesses that have the same needs as the
large orportions–but don’t have massive budgets to integrate
or pay for expensive add-ons. All ConvergeHub CRM features
are built-in, work together flawlessly, and have a uniform look
and behavior. You can use ConvergeHub to automate your
typical day-to-day tasks and marketing automation processes
within a simple and intuitive interface.