When it comes to streamlining business processes and boosting productivity, there are few more effective methods to consider than integrating your company’s enterprise resource planning (ERP) and customer relationship management (CRM) systems. It’s a crucial step in reducing the prevalence of data siloing, optimizing operations and improving operational efficiency, yet many people overlook just how important this integration actually is. Once you see the benefits first-hand, however, there’s simply no turning back.
Here are just a few reasons why you need to integrate your company’s ERP and CRM systems.
1. No More Duplicate Entries
When your ERP and CRM systems don’t operate in tandem with one another, the chances that duplicate entries and inconsistencies on billing/shipping info, prospects, sales tickets and more will be enough to make your head spin. Integrating ERP and CRM systems gets rid of the threat of duplication, providing identical rules for both systems and ensuring that changes made in either system are reflected in both. As far as keeping things neat and clean, ERP and CRM integration is night and day compared to allowing each to operate independently from one another.
2. Quicker Access to Pertinent Information
In many industries, having fast access to important information can mean the difference between staying in operation and not being able to keep up. Professionals who identify with this type of work week simply don’t have time to hunt down information—it needs to be accurate and at their fingertips at all times. This is where ERP system integration comes in, as both your ERP and CRM systems store different forms of important information. If it all lives in the same place, you won’t have to worry about searching for it.
3. Enhanced Visibility
There’s no way to determine how effective a business is operating without being able to zoom out for a high-level view. Without the big picture, accurate forecasting becomes nearly impossible. Integrating your ERP and CRM systems can dramatically increase visibility, making it easier for everyone in an organization to track changes and receive real-time data updates that are crucial to forecasting for the future.
4. Better Collaboration Among Employees
Collaboration can be an excellent tool for taking a business to the next level. When digital processes aren’t connected in a smooth, streamlined manner, however, employees will be much more likely to silo themselves and avoid working together on projects. Since integrating ERP and CRM systems is the best way to simplify daily processes, you can expect a noticeable ramp-up in collaboration between staff members.
Don’t wait to integrate ERP and CRM systems—now’s the time to do what’s right for your business and enjoy the benefits of ERP integration today.