QuickBooks is the preferred platform for millions of small-to-medium-sized businesses (SMBs) for financial management. When it comes to simplifying modern accounting and even connecting to other business management systems, there is a version of QuickBooks for virtually every industry.
But, as your business grows, you may find that other data slips through the cracks. Customer relationship management software (CRM) and enterprise resource planning software (ERP) help you make even better use of your connection to customers, sales, and complex logistical systems like supply chain and inventory. And for some, integrating QuickBooks CRM applications may be enough.
As your business grows, these features start to matter more and more. But when is the right time to step up your CRM and ERP data, and is it worth integrating QuickBooks CRM applications? Or are you better off making the jump to more in-depth, enterprise-level options?
We’ll discuss the importance of adding CRM and ERP to your growing business, the differences between these applications, and whether you are better off integrating them or considering a migration to a more comprehensive platform.
What Is CRM?
CRM stands for customer relationship management. CRM applications assist businesses in managing customer relationships and data. This includes:
- Tracking customer interactions
- Facilitating team communication
- Building brand loyalty
- Personalizing customer experiences
- Generating leads
- Improving customer service
- Increasing customer retention
What Is ERP?
Enterprise resource planning (ERP) refers to an application used for accounting, procurement, risk management and compliance, and systems connected to project management. An ERP can help automate everything from supply chain processes to human resources and manufacturing.
What Is the Difference Between ERP and CRM Applications?
ERP software connects your financial management application to your backend systems, like:
- Inventory management
- Order fulfillment
- Supply chain management
- Procurement
A CRM application deals with the company’s front-office processes, providing your team with a centralized repository for data gathered from social media channels, customer support, and purchases. CRMs deliver improved analytics on this data, so otherwise siloed departments benefit from stronger connections to customers across the entire sales and support lifecycles.
CRM is used to manage and analyze your company’s connection to your customers through the customer lifecycle to improve retention and drive sales. This is accomplished by connecting customer data through every channel where your business interacts with buyers, including:
- Your company website
- Phone calls
- Online chat support
- Direct mail
- Marketing campaigns
- Social media
This data can be used to analyze metrics and empower your public-facing workforce with data about customer purchase history, buying preferences, and more.
What Are the Benefits of CRM Applications?
A CRM helps businesses take full advantage of metrics regarding every customer interaction.
Improved Customer Service
Better data drives improved connections to your customers. It helps you act on prior success and rectify any negative reviews.
Accelerated Response
More complete data helps you act with greater accuracy at a much faster pace. Speedy resolutions throughout the support process lead to better future outcomes and an improved buyer experience.
Refined Analytics
System-wide metrics let you analyze trends that were never on your radar before, providing insights about your entire customer base at a granular level.
Automated Tasks
All of your CRM and other interconnected financial data processes that used to be manual can now be automated without tying up human resources.
Centralized data
By pulling all of your customer data into a single database, everyone who needs access to that data can use it without departmental silos obstructing the way.
GPS-Enhanced Processes
You can use geographic customer data in networking, workflow automation, lead management, sales, optimization, and bolstering customer satisfaction.
Reduced Redundancy and Data Errors
Data used in CRM, ERP, and accounting can be shared across every channel without having to be entered multiple times. Automated data entry reduces the chance of errors.
What Are the Benefits of QuickBooks CRM Integration?
When a company starts growing a large customer base or makes an effort to scale, it’s the right time to consider a QuickBooks CRM integration.
The aforementioned benefits apply, with the additional perk that you don’t have to do without the familiarity and rich features of QuickBooks. This works for a lot of small- and medium-sized businesses up to a point. But be aware that you might grow to a place where the cost and learning curve are justified to gain even more from enterprise-level CRM features.
What Are the Most Popular QuickBooks CRM Integration Options?
One of QuickBooks’ strongest points is its ability to meet the unique needs of every business. This includes customizing your version using add-ons, extensions, and connectors. That being the case, CRM applications are often more complex than standard additions to a financial management program, so most businesses ready for fully integrated CRM may consider a complete upgrade to a stand-alone CRM program.
For companies still growing, Salesforce and HubSpot are two popular CRM integrations for QuickBooks.
Salesforce
Salesforce is a popular option for cloud-based CRM that you can integrate with QuickBooks. This lets you benefit from personalized marketing tools, customer insights, and customizable automation.
In fact, the Salesforce CRM connector is included in your QuickBooks Enterprise Diamond subscription. The connector syncs with QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise to prevent duplicate data entry while streamlining your data.
The Salesforce CRM connector makes it quicker and easier to serve customers, automate invoicing, receive faster payments, and get a better view of your sales pipeline.
HubSpot
HubSpot provides a great CRM option for companies on a tight budget looking to integrate CRM basics with QuickBooks. HubSpot’s CRM is free to use with features that can be added as upgrades.
It’s a good option for companies that are scaling quickly but haven’t reached a large enough size to warrant ditching their QuickBooks for a more comprehensive solution. Some find integration complex because you have to hunt down the HubSpot app in the QuickBooks App Store and install it.
What Are the Benefits of ERP Applications?
ERP applications offer numerous back-office improvements.
Greater Efficiency
Inventory, supply chain, and other complex resource management processes can be automated and streamlined with an ERP application.
Enhanced Collaboration
A centralized database relevant to your financial management and back-office systems can be used across siloed departments, helping teams collaborate in ways that weren’t possible before.
Data-Backed Decisions
With data embedded in every aspect of your business, you can gain insights that help you manage inventory better and anticipate issues in shipping, sourcing, and even specific vendors long before they interrupt business.
Reduced Operating Costs
With efficiency comes cost savings. A quality ERP saves time and illuminates opportunities to streamline operations.
Increased Productivity
With automated data entry, your workforce isn’t tied up with menial, redundant tasks, freeing individuals to apply their talents to more beneficial tasks.
Accelerated Scalability
With better information shared across all of your business channels, you have a clear vision of where operational improvements can be made, and you can see the path to growth with less guesswork and lower risk.
What Are the Best Dedicated CRM and ERP Options?
Fourlane recommends Acumatica and NetSuite for large companies and those growing at a fast pace. If you’re unsure which path is best, contact our CRM/ERP experts! Both platforms are designed for companies that need comprehensive ERP features and include full accounting and CRM capabilities.
What Is the Difference Between Acumatica and Netsuite?
Both Acumatica and NetSuite are excellent options for stepping up your financial management, CRM, and ERP, but they have different strengths. The following are the key differences between Acumatica and Netsuite.
Features
NetSuite is more feature-rich, which benefits companies with those needs, but it can be confusing and distracting to companies that won’t use them. NetSuite also has more third-party integrations.
NetSuite is a cloud-only software as a service (SaaS) platform, while Acumatica offers you a range of options, including cloud, on-premises, and a hybrid of the two.
Pricing
Acumatica is priced based on the resources used, whereas NetSuite’s pricing structure is based on the number of users.
Customer Support
Fourlane is proud to offer comprehensive support for Acumatica and NetSuite.
What Are the Challenges of Integrating CRM and ERP with QuickBooks?
Integrating CRM or ERP with QuickBooks requires your most valuable resources: time, personnel, and money.
Integrating CRM for QuickBooks can lead to downtime while your accounting and associated processes are unavailable. Delays can cause company-wide bottlenecks and lost revenue.
Your workforce will need to train on newly implemented systems, and with the time and labor invested in integration, you want to be certain it’s the right decision for your company.
Sometimes, there are application errors when trying to get programs to work together, and often, the do-it-yourself path isn’t the best way to go. It’s always best to discuss your situation with a QuickBooks integration expert before making a decision.
Why Consider Migrating to a Dedicated CRM and ERP?
Dedicated CRM and ERP systems are designed to accommodate companies that are scaling quickly or already operating at an enterprise level.
If you know you are likely to reach a point where the size and complexity of your operations have outgrown QuickBooks’ usefulness; you may find it’s a waste of time, labor, and money to integrate important front-office and back-office features when you will eventually have to learn how to use more complex, feature-rich systems.
Switching to an enterprise-level solution will eventually be the way to go when you have outgrown QuickBooks.
For many, the decision is about overcoming the fear of migrating your valuable data from QuickBooks to a new financial management platform that includes CRM and ERP. Fourlane is here for you every step of the way to make sure you have a safe and low-stress migration experience, including any training you need on your new system.
Get the Most from Your CRM and ERP
Nobody knows your business like you. That includes your current challenges and your long-term goals. But these choices can be complicated. Some companies think they’ve outgrown QuickBooks when it’s still the best option for them.
Whether you are a QuickBooks user trying to learn how CRM and ERP would benefit you or you’re certain you’ve reached the tipping point and have outgrown QuickBooks, Fourlane is ready to stand right by your side to make the right choice.
Fourlane’s services, like consultation, assistance with integration or migration, and product training, are second to none. We look forward to hearing from you!
