What is the difference between a CRM and an ERP?

For a few years now, ERP and CRM have been two acronyms that have been widely used in the professional field. Both are management software and share a recent success, however, their field of work is not exactly the same.

What is ERP and CRM: definition and differences
ERP and CRM systems: the key points to consider

CRM is Customer Relationship Management, while ERP is Enterprise Resource Planning. The former works in the “front office,” while the latter works in the “back office,” in the control of the company’s internal processes.

Due to this very nature, we realize that ERP covers much more than CRM. The latter allows us to advance in the management of our clients and potential clients. Through this software we can automate sales processes, have greater control and monitoring of commercial information, collect information about clients and the status of our relationship with them, or even have this information available so that it can be analyzed by marketing.

CRM is a key tool in generating sales, key for this department and for marketing. Depending on what the data provided by CRM reveals, we can improve our sales procedures but we can also detect unmet needs or deficiencies in our positioning. erp

However, with an ERP we will access all the information related to our business activity from a single tool: accounting, human resources, stock, billing and even CRM itself. As we can see, its level of implementation is not as localized as in the case of CRM, and therefore efficiency will be felt on a more global level.

With an ERP, our company will take a leap forward in management. The speed with which we will obtain the analysis of what happens in our company will push us to make more appropriate decisions. And that involves having the information in real time, having the traceability of the products and administrative processes. With all this, we will be able to have a planning of our resources that will result in our competitiveness.

The integration of an ERP in the life of a company is not a self-satisfied process but the first step in the digital transformation of the SME, and it will lead us to objectively analyze our company and show ourselves united before a tool that will change processes and ways of organizing. Despite this, let us not forget that an application such as ERP software makes it easier for us to have a global vision of the business, and its use results in many benefits for the company.

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What is ERP and CRM: definition and differences

But what is an ERP ? ERP is an acronym for Enterprise Resource Planning . Its DNA includes the integration of business operations (regardless of whether it is an SME or a large company), such as production, shipping, inventory or accounting. Centralized access to this data allows for agile responses related to company management, effective decision-making with up-to-date information and minimizing costs.

On the other hand, CRM is the acronym for Customer Relationship Management . This platform is aimed at collecting all the tasks that are closely related to the commercial field, customer acquisition and loyalty. With the right CRM software, more sales and marketing opportunities arise, as well as strengthening the marketing and customer service area. By having commercial target segmentation tools, after-sales service acquires a greater and better projection.

ERP and CRM systems: the key points to consider

ERP and CRM systems share a common binding characteristic: both considerably optimize business processes. They do so from different perspectives, but closely directed towards the same objective: effective business management. While the ERP system focuses on cost control, production and accounting, the CRM system does so on customer relations, which will also translate into increased revenue for the company.

ERP and CRM systems provide key benefits for a business, whether in matters related to inventory, accounting or production, or as functionalities in marketing campaigns or sales projections.
What can we achieve with the right tool? The answer lies in greater efficiency when marketing products, increased productivity and more than effective support for business decisions. Aspects that make them allies to analyze for the optimization of our business management.

The implementation of ERP and CRM systems in the company - regardless of the economic segment or size of the company - extraordinarily automates processes and improves business management. The end result, therefore, is the consolidation of a better service or product, with the consequent customer loyalty. Some of the factors to take into account when choosing an ERP are the following:

Improve time management: the automation of certain processes, the availability of information and the speed with which we can access it should allow us to use one of the scarcest resources in any company, time, for functions more closely related to our objectives.
Gaining agility: having information available in just one click results in a major optimization of dozens of processes and a greater ability to focus energy and attention on the core business. If, in addition, the ERP implementation process is simple and we have the support of our supplier, we will gain even more.
Improving our self-awareness: having traceability of all production and administrative processes is another key. At this point, the use of an ERP allows us to rediscover our own company, showing us aspects that we may not have had at our fingertips. In addition, if we have a business analysis tool, we will have reports and statistics that will help us to steer our company in the right direction and make the most appropriate decisions.
Having custom software: using simple and intuitive tools that adapt to the needs of the activity and the type of management is another key. In this case, a3ERP is a good example of software that many small and medium-sized companies work with, which is why it has achieved great adaptability. Check out the a3ERP demo and discover its advantages. Likewise, it is capable of growing in functionality and workstations as the company needs, without the need to change ERP.
Constant updating: always being up to date with any legal changes in order to send the information required by the AEAT from the same program is essential and opens the door to greater efficiency. In addition, ensuring adaptation to relevant regulations such as mandatory electronic invoicing is another fundamental requirement.
Security: At a time when cybersecurity is increasingly in the news, having software that guarantees that the data we generate on behalf of the company has protected access, with continuous maintenance and backup, saves us from scares and the fact that we may not have protected access.

Competitiveness and efficiency are two concepts that will be installed in our company if we start working with these internal management software. If you are interested in the ERP field, this management software and the control of the company's internal processes, you can consult the free ebook Are you ready to choose ERP? , a document that analyzes in detail the different variables that we must manage to take a step like this.

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