Simply put, digital transformation for a company is like running a long obstacle course. For the person in charge of this transformation, your mission (if you choose to accept it) includes the following:
- Dealing with employees’ resistance to change
- Choosing software solutions that are intuitive enough to meet the specific needs of every team
- Successfully integrating these software programs into the company’s processes with the goal of improving them
Among the conflicts between software solutions that can arise within an organization is the dilemma between ERP and CRM. On one hand, we have a global operations management tool that can seem rather cumbersome and rigid, yet aims to structure and connect the company’s processes. On the other hand, we have a specialized customer relationship management solution-one that makes it possible to organize sales management, improve customer relations, provide indicators, and more.
But what if this dilemma could disappear? Why not bridge the gap between ERP and CRM? In this article, we share 5 good reasons to connect these two solutions.
Improve Data Quality
How does Data Quality Management sound to you?
As its name suggests, Data Quality Management aims to ensure that the data circulating within a company is high quality. How is this done? By using relevant indicators that help measure quality standards.
When considering the indicators used to assess data quality, the following should be taken into account: Uniqueness (how many different versions of the same data exist within the IS?), Completeness (is all the data recorded?), Consistency (does all the data have the same value across the different data systems?).
Connecting your CRM and ERP is a major milestone in improving your organization’s data quality. Interconnecting these two software solutions boosts data circulation and, ultimately, helps information flow easily between your sales teams and the rest of the company.
Easier information retrieval for greater productivity
“Did you check the CRM?”
These kinds of questions are often heard in offices when people are looking for client follow-up information. By connecting the CRM to the ERP, you ensure that all company data is available through a single interface with consistent file organization.
Bringing data together means being able to quickly and easily identify exactly what you’re looking for. This saves you valuable time when searching for information.
Maximum visibility into all operations
To better anticipate future fluctuations within your company, it’s important to be able to step back and see the bigger picture.
By connecting your ERP to your CRM, your ERP finally becomes the control tower for data management within your organization-just as it should be. The ERP lets you access a constantly updated status report on employee activity. Production, for example, is now just a few clicks away from seeing how many sales were made last month and creating future projections. It’s up to you to take advantage of all the possibilities offered by this connection.
This connection also strengthens collaboration between your teams by breaking down internal barriers within the company. Marketing, sales, finance and all other departments can now see what actions other teams are taking and better coordinate their own activities.
An integrated Sales team for better responsiveness
Where do we stand with production? What’s our inventory situation? When will the customer receive their order?
In theory, your sales team would need to ask these, and many other questions, to ensure a smooth and productive customer relationship. Why hold your sales team back with the limited information available in the CRM when the company has an ERP that’s readily available and capable of providing far more comprehensive data? With it, your sales team can answer customer questions without needing to contact an intermediary.
From logistics follow-ups to the latest price updates, thanks to the connection between these two software systems, your sales team now has better visibility for improved responsiveness to customers-without having to constantly switch tools.
A more streamlined organization of your information systems
Netflix star Marie Kondo will tell you that you have to get rid of anything in your home that doesn’t bring you joy. The same goes for your information system! Duplicate data doesn’t spark joy and should be treated as useless. Get rid of it!
The structure of your information system has to be clear so you can quickly find the data you’re looking for.
Connecting your CRM to your ERP is a major step forward in organizing your information system.
To learn more about all the other benefits of connecting your ERP and CRM (yes, there’s more...)
Connect your ERP and CRM!
To help you find the perfect synergy between your ERP and CRM, we’ve prepared an e‑book dedicated to this very topic. Inside, you’ll find:
- Data management: which solution should drive the data within your organization?
- Can you do without your CRM?
- How do you convince your Sales Director and CFO to move forward with ERP integration?
- Finding the right service provider to interconnect your ERP and CRM
And much more...
Captivea Odoo Gold Partner
Captivea supports companies in the implementation of Odoo business management software. Captivea is an Odoo Gold Partner and Odoo Certified.