When companies start to grow, so does the complexity of their processes: finances, customers, suppliers, inventory, sales, marketing... Keeping everything under control becomes a challenge.
This is where three acronyms that are often confused come in: ERP, CRM and SCM. Although they complement each other, each plays a different role in business management.
In this blog we will clearly explain the difference between ERP, CRM and SCM, and how to strategically integrate them to achieve efficiency, growth and a better experience for customers and partners.
What is an ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning)?
ERP is a system that centralizes the management of the company's internal resources.
Its objective is to optimize operational processes such as
Common ERP examples:
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SAP ERP → Popular in large manufacturing, logistics and retail corporations.
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Oracle NetSuite → Cloud ERP widely used by midsize and growing companies.
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Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central → Integrates finance, operations and projects.
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Odoo → Modular and flexible ERP, ideal for SMEs.
Example: A manufacturing company uses SAP ERP tocoordinate its production with financial and accounting management.
What is a CRM (Customer Relationship Management)?
CRM focuses on the company's most valuable asset: its customers.
Its goal is to manage relationships, sales and marketing to improve the buyer experience and increase revenue.
With a CRM like HubSpot, teams can:
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Centralize all customer and prospect information.
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Automate sales and marketing processes.
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Create personalized experiences at every stage of the buyer journey.
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Connect marketing, sales and service data in one place.
Common CRM examples:
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HubSpot CRM → 100% free in its basic version, ideal for marketing, sales and customer service in one place.
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Salesforce→ Widely used by large corporations with global operations.
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Zoho CRM → Popular in SMEs for its flexibility and competitive cost.
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Microsoft Dynamics 365 Sales → Integrates CRM with the Microsoft ecosystem.
Example: A digital agency uses HubSpot CRM to nurture leads automatically with email marketing workflows and pass them to the sales team when they are ready to buy.
What is SCM (Supply Chain Management)?
SCM focuses on supply chain management:
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Coordination with suppliers
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Transportation and logistics
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Inventory management along the chain
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Optimization of delivery times
Common SCM examples:
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SAP SCM → Strong in large complex supply chains.
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Oracle SCM Cloud → Powerful for global operations with multiple suppliers.
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Infor SCM → Used in industries such as fashion, automotive and food.
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Manhattan Associates → Specializing in warehouse and distribution management.
Example: An international retail company uses Oracle SCM Cloud to coordinate with suppliers in different countries and ensure on-time deliveries to its stores.
Difference between ERP, CRM and SCM.
| System |
Primary Focus |
Usage Example |
Popular Examples |
| ERP |
Internal processes and company resources |
Accounting, production, inventory |
SAP, Oracle NetSuite, Microsoft Dynamics, Odoo |
| CRM |
Customer relationship and revenue generation |
Marketing, sales, customer service |
HubSpot, Salesforce, Zoho, Dynamics 365 Sales |
| SCM |
Supplier coordination and external logistics |
Purchasing, transportation, deliveries |
SAP SCM, Oracle SCM Cloud, Infor, Manhattan Associates |
Where does HubSpot come into all this?
Being HubSpot partners, we highlight that HubSpot CRM not only organizes customer information, but also integrates with ERP and SCM, achieving complete business synchronization.
With HubSpot, companies can:
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Connect their ERP (e.g., NetSuite or SAP) to align financial data and inventory with sales and marketing.
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Integrate with their SCM (such as Oracle SCM Cloud) to inform customers about availability and delivery times.
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Unify all information in one place, creating a seamless experience for both internal teams and customers.
Conclusion
The difference between ERP, CRM and SCM lies in their purpose: one manages resources, one manages customers, and one manages the supply chain. But the real power is when they work together.
With a CRM like HubSpot at the core, companies can align marketing, sales and service with internal processes and the supply chain. The result: more efficiency, better decisions and happier customers.
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