CRM and ERP: what are they and how do they complement each other? Know the difference.

Although the terms CRM and ERP are often heard in the business world, few people really know what they are for and how they complement each other.

As mentioned in our previous article, a CRM is a software that centralizes in one place all the interactions between a company and its customers, while an ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) is used to manage a company's business processes such as accounting, project and risk management, as well as supply chain operations.

Simply put, ERP is used for internal processes such as financial data and logistics operations while CRM is used for sales and customer service, among other things.

Almost all growing companies, from the smallest to the largest, will eventually need an ERP and CRM system. For example, companies that still manage their finances on paper or spreadsheets tend to migrate to an ERP system, and a sales department that relies on impractical internal systems will find it necessary to use CRM to increase sales and provide better after-sales service.

It is important to mention that, although they are different solutions, they complement each other. A concise example could be the sales and finance department working together, visualizing sales in real time, optimizing communication and streamlining processes between both areas.

We know that choosing the right tools can be overwhelming, but you are not alone, at ETC we can show you why Salesforce Sales Cloud is the #1 CRM in the market and how it can be complemented with an ERP to help your company achieve all its goals.