CRM and ERP Implementation and Integration Tips

When your retail company goes e-commerce, one day you will have to consider CRM and ERP software integration. What are they? You can find a more detailed description of these systems in my previous article.

This time I would like to reveal the secrets of CRM & ERP implementation and integration, as these aspects are not less important than choosing a type of software itself. Correct software integration is a defining part of all your further business workflow structuring and management.

As an e-commerce consultant, I often get typical questions, like “Does it make sense to use both CRM and ERP systems for my business management?”, “What are the main challenges of CRM and ERP integration?”, “What should I keep in mind when I want to build a successful CRM & ERP integration plan?”, etc.

Below I will try to give comprehensive answers to these questions.

Does it make sense to use both CRM and ERP systems for my business management?

Linking CRM and ERP happened in our practice. These technologies can’t replace each other, but they do complement one another.

As you may know, a CRM solution is mostly focused on customer activities management, while ERP helps to build and manage processes in the sense of the corporate targets, like accounting, procurement and supply chain, human resources, etc.

The combination of CRM and ERP can strengthen the effect and bring to your organization the next benefits:

• A combination of data received from CRM and ERP can help entrepreneurs gain even more insights;
• Data management can become even more efficient, which significantly facilitates cost savings;
• Orders from CRM can be sent to ERP for logistics and invoicing.

With accurate deployment, these two systems will make a symbiosis, which will certainly affect your business in a positive way.

What are the main challenges of CRM and ERP integration?

Forewarned is forearmed. When integrating CRM or ERP, it’s better to examine all pitfalls beforehand. It will help you to avoid unpleasant surprises in the future. Here are some widely-spread challenges of CRM and ERP implementation:

1. Deployment accuracy. There is a high probability that software won’t be properly integrated into your existing IT ecosystem. You should make sure that you hire a competent developer that knows how to combine all processes, so every department is able to cooperate seamlessly and without time lags.
2. Lack of automation. CRM & ERP integration is a worthy replacement for manual data entering and processing. An app you opt for should be well-designed and provide end-to-end business automation, otherwise, there are higher risks of human errors, response delays, and chargebacks.
3. Standardizing data across different integrations. Each app can be based on various data types and formats. Sometimes an ERP solution won’t be able to receive and process data from CRM. So before deployment, you must ascertain the compatibility of every system in terms of data format. Additionally, you must pay attention to the APIs of chosen software and the possibility of data exchange between them.

What should I keep in mind when I want to build a successful CRM & ERP integration plan?

To create a successful integration strategy, you should keep the next aspects in mind:

1. Your business specifics and targets you need to achieve using this software;
2. How much you are ready to invest in your business automation;
3. Do you plan to scale your business?

A CRM & ERP integration strategy will be individual for any particular case. Generally, knowing all prerequisites is a key to creating a future-proof strategy.

Final Say

Each new integration is a challenge itself. There is a big number of potential risks, starting from technological compatibility and ending with market relevance. The most reasonable way out is to clearly define your current business strengths and weaknesses and set priorities. And of course to rely only on proven CRM & ERP integration experts.