CRM vs ERP for SMEs: Which system does your business actually need?

QuickEasy BOS ERP is a single system that helps users manage the main parts of their business with clarity and control. (Image: QuickEasy Software)

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When business owners start to look for better business software, they often start with CRM for SMEs. That is understandable. Customer information is usually where the cracks start to show. One person knows the full story, but the rest of the team has to ask around.

A CRM can help with that. But in many growing SMEs, the customer relationship does not sit on its own. A customer query may depend on stock. A quote on pricing, materials or production time. A delivery date on purchasing. Not all systems include that data.

QuickEasy sees this often. Businesses start by looking for the best CRM for small manufacturing businesses, because they want better customer management. Then they realise the real issue is bigger. Sales, stock, purchasing, production, accounting and service teams all need to work from the same information.

That is where QuickEasy BOS helps SMEs. This easy-to-use system gives SMEs full CRM functionality inside a wider business system. So customer records connect to quotes, orders, pricing, stock, purchasing, production, customer service, accounting and reporting.

Skip ahead: Show me QuickEasy BOS

CRM stands for customer relationship management. In simple terms, CRM software helps your business manage customer information and customer activity in one place.

A CRM helps you keep track of:

• Customer and contact records
• Sales enquiries
• Calls, notes and meetings
• Follow-up tasks
• Quotes and sales activity
• Customer service queries
• Customer history
• Open opportunities

In QuickEasy BOS, the built-in CRM is unlimited. Unlike some standalone CRM apps, there is no limit to how many contacts you can store. Additionally, your customer record sits alongside the activity that affects that customer, including quotes, orders, service issues, account information and sales history.

That makes the customer record more useful because it reflects what is actually happening in the business.

ERP stands for enterprise resource planning. The name sounds bigger and more complicated than it needs to be. For an SME, QuickEasy BOS ERP is a single system that helps you manage the main parts of your business with clarity and control.

What is included in QuickEasy BOS ERP:

• Unlimited sales, CRM and customer service functionality
• Fast, accurate quoting and estimating
• Automated stock and inventory management
• Auditable purchasing and procurement
• Clear production management, QC and project management
• Full-suite accounting
• Reporting and live dashboards

For example, a customer may ask when an order will be ready. A standalone CRM may show the customer’s contact details and the last conversation. But your team may still need to check stock, purchasing, production, dispatch and accounts before giving a proper answer. 

QuickEasy BOS ERP looks at the full picture; the whole operation behind the customer relationship.

With QuickEasy BOS, those areas work together in one system. That gives your team a clearer view of the customer and the work behind the customer.

The vital difference between CRM and ERP is scope. CRM helps you manage customer relationships, sales activity and follow-ups. QuickEasy BOS ERP helps you manage all the business processes that support those relationships.

QuickEasy BOS is built around that reality. It gives SMEs CRM functionality as part of the full business process, so sales, service, stock, production and accounts are not working in separate silos.

The problem is that fast, accurate customer communication depends on fast, accurate information from the rest of the business.

So, what will it be? ERP or CRM? With QuickEasy, you get both

QuickEasy BOS gives SMEs unlimited CRM functionality as part of a single business system. Your team can manage customers, quotes, orders, inventory, purchasing, production, service queries, accounts and reporting from one connected place. That gives your customer-facing team better information, your operations team clearer context and your management team a stronger view of what is happening across the business.

If you’re ready for a single system, ask to see QuickEasy BOS.

What is the difference between CRM and ERP?

CRM helps manage customer relationships, sales activity, follow-ups and customer communication. ERP helps manage wider business processes such as stock, purchasing, production, accounting, customer service and reporting.

Does an SME need CRM or ERP?

An SME may need CRM if the main issue is managing contacts, leads and follow-ups. An SME may need ERP with CRM built in if customer management depends on quotes, stock, orders, production, accounting and service activity.

Can ERP include CRM?

Yes. ERP can include CRM functionality. In QuickEasy BOS, CRM forms part of the wider business system, so customer records connect to quotes, orders, inventory, production, customer service, accounting and reporting.

Is CRM enough for a manufacturing business?

Basic CRM may not be enough for a manufacturing business if customer queries depend on materials, stock, job progress, production schedules, delivery dates or account status. In that case, CRM needs to connect to ERP. 

What is ERP with built-in CRM?

ERP like QuickEasy BOS comes with built-in CRM. The customer management tools are included in the wider business system. Customer records, quotes, orders, service queries, stock, production, accounting and reporting can work together instead of sitting in separate systems.