As a strategic ally of Emperor Palpatine and head of an army of determined, energetic stormtroopers, Darth Vader is a typical sales director in the Galactic Empire. With stubborn determination and ready to do anything to meet his targets, he truly embodies the (sales) Force of the Empire. As a real man of action, he oversees business development, leads prospecting efforts, and optimizes the results of the Dark Side. To manage all this masterfully, Darth Vader obviously uses an ERP with a high-performance CRM solution. Demystifying the benefits of an “all-in-one” solution for the sales department, by Darth Vader.
An ERP system to optimize your interactions with customers and prospects
All SMEs have a responsibility to maintain high-quality relationships with current and prospective customers; that is the foundation of their success. A good CRM tool is therefore an essential part of their armoury. But have you ever considered using an ERP system to manage your customer relationships? This can be a good alternative for an SME or a microbusiness, because CRM solutions that are integrated into ERP software are generally simpler and therefore quicker to get to grips with than a dedicated CRM solution.
Moreover, these modules are relatively basic and require relatively little adaptation to meet salespeople's needs. CRM solutions integrated into ERP offer native sharing of information across all modules within your management applications.
A 360° view of all your customer information
When following up with customers while also checking available stock levels, it’s clear that your salespeople are constantly juggling between the CRM and ERP packages. However, you can increase their efficiency and productivity by using a single, integrated business application. This will give them 360° visibility into all customer information held in the various areas of the business (accounting, logistics, marketing, etc.). They no longer need to constantly switch back and forth between the CRM and ERP software to find the data they need!
Let’s take the example of quote management with a solution like Odoo: all files, such as price lists and product catalogues, are available along with the different pricing offered to each type of customer (general public, resellers, VIP customers, etc.). This represents a considerable time savings for your sales team. Moreover, unlike a traditional CRM system that only offers a high-level view of information, an integrated tool provides a detailed, real-time view.
Choose a modern CRM solution
To optimize sales management within your business, you should keep an eye out for new features, because some solutions are more comprehensive than others in terms of the functionality they offer.
One of the tools that is extremely popular with salespeople is the Kanban view. It allows CRM data to be managed through a highly visual, user‑friendly interface. This makes it possible to customize the way in which all current opportunities are displayed. This simplified, global view is ideal for salespeople because it enables them to quickly identify the next action to take, keeping activities moving in a smooth flow.
Then, as you know, going paperless is a key concern for SMEs. This brings an end to time‑consuming tasks; the era of time‑saving is here! For example, a modern ERP solution lets you create and send quotes in just a few seconds, then send them as a PDF or directly online. To take things even further, and significantly improve your return on investment, some ERPs even support electronic signatures. No more waiting forever for everyone to sign paper documents!
From now on, your (sales) Force will always be with you as you conquer the galaxy.
Master Yoda's advice
“With a CRM deployment, you will begin.”
CRM is a key part of your business, and you are strongly encouraged to implement it before other modules in your ERP system. Ultimately, it’s in your best interest to be more “customer‑focused” than “production‑focused.”Moreover, the custom development required is very limited, if any at all.