There are various initially confusing acronyms floating around in online articles about business software. However, even once you have determined what these acronyms mean, you may still feel daunted by the prospect of having to install lots of different types of software for your workforce to use.
Fortunately, the installation process doesn’t have to be quite this cumbersome after all – as MRP and CRM software can be combined into a single tool that is straightforward to implement and use.
What exactly is MRP software?
The MRP in this term means material requirements planning, and refers to a company’s process of planning which parts, components or products it needs to meet manufacturing and assembly requirements.
Investopedia says that MRP is meant to answer three particular questions: “What is needed? How much is needed? When is it needed?” Basically, you would start with a production plan for a finished item and then convert that into the parts, components and raw materials you would need to assemble it.
MRP system can play a particularly crucial role in helping you to identify potential shortages that would need addressing if you want to avoid a bottleneck. Left unaddressed, shortages can force companies to delay manufacturing or dispatching a given product.
Why you shouldn’t leave out CRM cloud software
While opting for MRP software that integrates stock management features can assist you in avoiding such shortages, you could go further by choosing MRP software also incorporating Manufacturing CRM cloud functionality. In this context, the acronym CRM stands for customer relationship management.
In MRP software, features that let you manage stock and inventory and, in this way, streamline how you purchase and receive goods, can be further complemented by CRM software. That’s because this software would enable you to restore and update your company’s customer information and interactions.
By maintaining good CRM practices, you can help your team to act quickly on new sales enquiries, quotations and orders. CRM software also includes task management features with which you are able to keep close track of follow-ups. However, should your MRP and CRM cloud software be intersected?
A lot of functionality in just one cohesive solution
While there’s no doubting that MRP software and CRM cloud software are both packed with features that would help you to get the most out of your manufacturing business, you shouldn’t underestimate how much you could gain from opting for a combined MRP-and-CRM-cloud-software solution.
One simple benefit of going down this route is that you would have just one system that needs funding. However, another big plus point is that the integrated corporate processes would enable you to more comprehensively and seamlessly manage end-to-end customer journeys.
Each of those journeys could take you from the initial enquiry and quotation through to the ordering, purchasing and scheduling stages – and then to building, dispatching and invoicing. An integrated CRM and MRP system could also help you with servicing and asset management – a good incentive for you to enquire to us about an integrated CRM and MRP system.
