ERP systems are designed to help you manage your entire business, from sales team and marketing to order management to customer service to accounting, in one integrated system.
ERP software can manage any business activity, from accounting and inventory to human resources and customer service. Some systems integrate with specialized applications, such as payroll or manufacturing operations. In contrast, other ERP systems are custom-built to fit the unique needs of individual businesses.
Because ERP systems are so powerful and capable, they can save businesses time and money over the long term. These systems help streamline operations throughout your company, making it easier for everyone from the C-suite to make well-informed decisions about how to allocate resources-ultimately leading to increased revenue.
The best ERP software solutions are designed to grow your business. Instead of buying new software packages every time you expand or shift your focus, a suitable ERP solution will evolve as you do.
ERP is now a 20 billion dollar industry growing at a rate of 25% per year. The market is expected to be worth $45 billion by the end of 2006.
ERP software runs in nearly 80% of manufacturing and distribution companies and more than 50% of service firms. Many Fortune 500 companies use ERP systems, including General Electric, Ford Motor Company, Toyota, DaimlerChrysler, Caterpillar, Procter & Gamble, ExxonMobil, Dow Chemical, 3M, ABB, and Siemens.
The original meaning of ERP was "Electronic Data Processing," which is an apt description of the second-generation software that emerged in the 1970s.
But todays generation of business-oriented software isnt just about processing data; its about executing business requirements processes.
Introduction to CRM
CRM can be defined as a system through which organizations can better understand and interact with their customers.
A company can track the various stages of the customer life cycle, from the first time the customer is identified to the scene when he becomes a repeat buyer or even a brand ambassador for that company.
The data collected can be used to devise strategies to retain customers, thus reducing the attrition rate. Moreover, the data is also used for up-selling and cross-selling by creating more personalized customer experiences.
CRM systems are also effective in creating better communication channels between sales & marketing team members and customers.
Besides, CRM software is any program used to manage customer relationships. It includes marketing, sales, and service programs, as well as manufacturing and support.
It can be a stand-alone or part of a more extensive suite of business standard plan applications. Some examples of CRM software include Salesforce.com, NetSuite CRM, Oracle CRM On Demand, and Microsoft Dynamics.
CRM is becoming more common because it helps businesses streamline their operations by giving employees access to information about customers from a single location. In addition, it allows companies to capture customer information in a central database so that follow-up sales calls and emails can be personalized to the customers previous purchase history and preferences.
Besides, CRM is also an effective tool for tracking customer interactions so businesses can improve customer service and communication in the future.
ERP Vs. CRM
CRM, or customer relationship management, is software that is used to keep track of customers. It can be customized according to the needs and requirements of the company.
CRM software helps automate marketing activities like sending personalized emails, newsletters, and other promotional campaigns.
CRM software helps in reducing waste and providing a piece of accurate information about the customers. Thus, it helps boost the sales and overall revenue of the company.
On the other hand, ERP or Enterprise Resource Planning software provides all-in-one solutions for a companys business leaders needs.
The ERP software offers an integrated solution for a particular companys sales, inventory, purchase, human resource, and finance departments. The ERP system helps streamline business processes.
Both CRM and ERP help increase productivity and efficiency in the workplace. They are equally beneficial, but they also have their areas of application.
If you have an in-house team to manage your business functions in the retail or service industry, you are using CRM software.
But if you have an IT department for managing your business, you are more likely to use ERP software.
How do CRM and ERP Differ?
CRM (Customer Relationship Management) is focused on managing customers. Its the perfect solution for a business that looks at its customers as individuals and wishes to maintain a long-term relationship with them.
CRM helps in building customer loyalty and increasing customer lifetime value. This can be done via email newsletters, SMS marketing, social media tools, and more. The CRM system allows you to track customer history and build a profile of each customer based on information provided by them.
The CRM system also helps manage the sales pipeline by monitoring sales activities through leads and contacts generated from various channels like telemarketing, advertising, web portal, etc.
It also helps in lead generation through email campaigns and website features like the live chat or calls back option. In short, it helps in generating new leads while maintaining existing ones.
It also helps manage the entire sales process, from lead generation to tracking shipping of products and services ordered by customers, along with advanced features.
CRM and ERP systems are considered the best in their respective fields, so it is no surprise that many companies use them.
There are, however, some significant differences between them and their objectives and how they are used.
The CRM system is designed to allow users to manage all customer interactions, from initial contact with a company through all stages of business development.
It also can track interactions between company representatives, such as sales and marketing staff, and all customer-related data.
The ERP system is designed to handle all business processes within a company, including customer relationships. It may also have features that are not directly related to customer project management but improve overall business processes.
So which one should you use? The answer depends on your specific business needs. Suppose your business is large enough that customer management with an automated system would be easier and more accessible.
In that case, an ERP system makes sense for you. Suppose you want a business plan specifically for managing your customer relationships and interactions. In that case, a CRM system could be ideal for you.
Using both ERP and CRM systems can provide additional benefits for your company.
Hence, it is concluded that CRM and ERP software do the same work but with different approaches.
CRM software and ERP software are the two types of business management software widely used worldwide.
Both CRM and ERP software can be used to manage the day-to-day operations of your company, but there are specific differences between them.
As you can see, both CRM and ERP software can be used in different ways depending on your business type and your goals.
The key is to decide which will work best for you based on your needs and priorities. Here are several ways in which CRM software and ERP software differ:
Uses: CRM software is used primarily to track customer information, while ERP software handles accounting and operations tasks.
Implementation: CRM software is installed by itself, while ERP software is implemented with other applications and systems
Data Flow: Data flow through CRM software tends to be more linear than how data is shared through ERP systems.
It is a fact that the two applications handle all the same repetitive tasks. Still, CRM is the conventional customer relationship management tool, whereas ERP is the traditional enterprise resource planning software.
The difference in names is simple, CRM stands for Customer Relationship Management, and ERP stands for Enterprise Resource Planning. The primary function of ERP software is to help an organization plan, manage and control its business processes. At the same time, a CRM application was designed to support sales and customer service by collecting customer information.
CRM and ERP have the same functions, such as sales forecasting and order tracking. Some of these functions are more prominent in one than the other, but they overlap.
For example, both CRM and ERP track accounts payable receivable, which means collecting money owed to the business.
ERP was invented in the late 1960s and was developed for large multinational companies where there were multiple departments dealing with different aspects of business operations like sales, inventory, accounting, etc.
Salesforce automation (SFA) evolved from this concept. CRM came into being only in the 1990s due to quick changes brought about by technology, where big companies, small businesses, and individuals used computers.
Read More: How to Build an ERP System from Scratch
Looking Out for an ERP and CRM Development Service?
Have you been searching for the proper organization to provide you with the best CRM and ERP software development services? Well, look no further.
We are a team of experienced and highly qualified CRM and ERP software developers who have been working on custom software development for over five years. We have clients from all over the globe and have expertise in custom CRM and ERP software development for all major industries.
We have made a name for ourselves as one of the best CRM and ERP software development companies in India because of our high-quality services delivered on time.
Our team has experience working with numerous clients from various industries like manufacturing, e-commerce, healthcare, HR and recruitment agencies, banking, travel, education, and more.
We understand that every industry is unique, so we customize your project to meet your specific business needs. All our projects are customized to match your business processes so that your customers receive the best possible experience when using your website or mobile app.
The best part is we do not compromise on quality at any step of the process because we value our customers satisfaction above all else.
The CRM and ERP industry is going through changes. Businesses are demanding more flexibility and versatility in their software, and the CRM and ERP solutions market is growing significantly.
Every business is different, and hence, the best solution for your business is one that can be customized to your specific needs.
Therefore, if you are looking for reliable software providers that offer customizable CRM and ERP solutions, you should take advantage of a chance to explore Cogent Global Solutions.
Our company was founded by a team of CRM and ERP experts offering innovative software solutions to businesses for a decade.
The company has quickly become a leading provider of high-quality CRM and ERP solutions to businesses across the globe. The reason behind our success is that they understand every industry sectors needs and customize their solutions per the specific needs of each client.
We have developed industry-specific customizations for leading verticals such as healthcare, education, media & publishing, manufacturing, etc.
These customizations ensure you get the solution that best meets your needs.
Whats Special About Custom Software Development?
Custom software development is creating software that meets a specified requirement.
Custom software development is often carried out by programming teams but can also be done using individuals or smaller groups.
It is often necessary to develop custom software for many different kinds of businesses and private users. Several factors influence the type of custom services that are needed.
Typically, the kind of business will affect the custom software required. Large corporations, for example, may need custom software to track inventory and manage their employees. In contrast, small businesses may need a website to help them build their brand identity.
Besides, it can create anything from an inventory task management system to a simple database. It can be as simple as an application that stores customer information and allows them to log in and view their account, or it can be a complex system that connects multiple servers and databases throughout a company.
Custom software developers are responsible for creating applications that meet the clients needs. To do this, they will typically conduct interviews with representatives from the client organization to learn about their business and how they plan on using any custom applications being developed.
Custom software developers must have excellent communication skills to work effectively with clients.
Where to Find CRM Solutions?
CRM solutions are now largely taken for granted in the business world.
But the development of this technology was only sometimes smooth and predictable. Businesses have been using sales techniques since the dawn of time, but only in recent years did we develop a systematic way to track sales efforts and results.
Managing customer relations is a relatively new idea. The word "customer" is not used here in the general sense of someone who buys from you.
We are talking about a scientific field that has only recently become established.
The history of CRM goes back to the early days of the telephone when companies were using it for telemarketing. In the early part of the 20th century, businesses realized that they could use this new technology to reach many more people than possible.
They began to use telephones to improve their sales and marketing efforts.
The next step came when, by accident, someone realized that he could easily keep track of his clients responses to various calls by using multiple direct-dial numbers.
That gave birth to what is now known as call tracking software (or call tracking).
Many companies are offering CRM solutions to their clients. A CRM solution is a type of software that helps companies organize customer information to make it easy for them to do business.
For example, it may help companies keep track of customer details, sales details, and several other details that would be helpful while doing business.
Conclusion
To be able to select the right CRM solution for your company, you must determine how comprehensive you want your software to be.
You can either opt for off-the-shelf software or hire a software development company to customize the software to suit your needs. The second option would cost you more but could give you precisely what you want.
The next aspect you need to consider before choosing a CRM solution is its ability to integrate with other business software applications.
If you already have specific applications, choose a CRM solution allowing seamless integration with these applications. It will also help in future business expansion because if you have already invested in a CRM application and have developed it according to your requirements, it is optional to buy another one when your business starts growing and expanding its horizons.