ERP vs CRM: Can monday.com Be Used As Both? [2025 Guide]

ERP vs CRM

In the business world, ERP and CRM platforms are often viewed as tools that can be used interchangeably. But what are they?

Enterprise resource planning (ERP) connects and helps manage business operations and finances. The ERP software market will witness a 14.4% CAGR and reach USD 238.79 by 2032. Compared to that, a customer relationship management (CRM) tool is used to nurture relationships with leads and clients. The CRM industry will reach USD 262.74 billion by 2032 due to a 12.6% CAGR.

Even though they aren’t the same thing, companies often mistake between these valuable tools. For example, many believe that monday.com can also double as an CRM and ERP tool. Well, they aren’t wrong.

Let’s learn more about functions, benefits, similarities, and differences between ERP and CRM solutions.

CRM vs ERP: The Basic Differences

You might be thinking: What exactly is an ERP?

Enterprise resource planning (ERP)

Well, it can become your enterprise’s single source for data, reporting, and processes across all departments. A survey proved that businesses with a new ERP system had an 85% success rate.

An ERP can easily integrate systems and data into a cohesive platform for easy access. With this, your organisation can:

• Extend sales volume
• Streamline internal processes
• Reduce decision-making burden by 35%
• Reduction in overall operational costs

Now, let’s define a CRM system. About 92% of businesses believe that CRM systems play a crucial role in achieving all revenue goals.

Customer relationship management (CRM)

This interactive data repository focuses on helping the sales team with customer service and assisting marketing professionals in providing the best customer experiences.

For example, with monday sales CRM, you can:

• Store everything related to customers and business leads (logs, messages, emails, notes, etc.)
• Use it as a task management system to communicate with clients, employees, leads, and more.
• Get detailed insight through data visualisation to help support and refine the sales pipeline.

What Are the Different Benefits of CRM and ERP Tools?

Today, both CRM and ERP software are important for the functioning of an organisation. All you have to do is select a system that’s right for your given department, process, and task.

Implementing either can bring your business inevitable benefits. Examples include better collaboration and efficiency. Let’s learn more about those:

CRM Tools

ERP Tools

Function

Customer relationship improvement

Financial and operational data repository

Uniqueness

Actionable sales insights and customer service

Better financial decisions

Efficiency

Efficient sales process productivity

Efficient business operations and processes

Data

Centralises customer data for better insights

Integrates business operational data for a holistic view

Automation

Automates sales processes and marketing

Automates supply chain and financial processes

Analytics

Detailed reports on customer interactions

Comprehensive analytics across business functions

Customisation

Customisable to meet sales needs

Adapts to business requirements

Technically, monday CRM and other tools have benefits like improved customer relationships, better customer service, increased productivity, and more. ERP tools feature benefits like reduced risks, improved financial decisions, efficient business processes, etc.

The Difference in Features Between CRM and ERP Tools

Sometimes, CRM and ERP features overlap. But they are generally quite different. Let’s take a look:

CRM Features

It was predicted that 73% of businesses would use a CRM system by the end of 2024. Similarly, 86% of companies are more likely to succeed in their sales operations with a CRM system. This is all thanks to the following features:

Sales Automation

CRMs can automate various components of the sales cycle.

monday sales CRM automations

For example, monday sales CRM can help you automate sending reminders to your team when they need to reach out to leads. This software can also help automate marketing processes, send follow-up messages, craft emails, and more.

Dashboard Analytics

Tools like the monday CRM system come with reporting features that help you analyse and visualise real-time customer data. This way, you can stay informed about the sales pipeline metrics.

Dashboard analytics on monday CRM

It also comes with a dashboard that you can customise. In case you’re stuck, feel free to reach out to Fruition Services, a trusted monday consultant. With our help, you can tailor the dashboard to your needs to showcase deal progress reports, sales figures, team performances, and more.

Lead and Contact Management

A highly regarded CRM tool will allow you to centralise and qualify leads in a single place. For instance, it gives you access to contacts for better management.

monday CRM deals and contacts board

On the monday CRM platform, you can score leads and track customer journeys. You can also keep an eye on the sales pipeline with details about the lead’s communication history, contact info, and more.

ERP Features

Did you know that ~70% of large enterprises use ERP software? Among them, only 53% experienced a positive ROI through implementation.

Data Integration

monday work management

ERP systems consolidate every aspect of a business operation. Examples include HR, accounting, supply chain management, customer service, manufacturing, and more. You can also integrate the data from all these departments in one place, making it visible and actionable.

Data Analytics

monday.com data analytics

Businesses can collect and analyse the metrics on an ERP tool. It helps create vital data insights and gives forecasts based on the company’s performance, finances, and efficiency. Teams using the monday platform can now better predict, plan, and forecast.

Resource Management

monday.com team planning and management

With ERP software, you can consolidate all business resources. All teams can now collaborate on a single platform to plan, schedule, and allocate tasks. Employees can also become more efficient with this resource management tool.

CRM and ERP Systems: Differences vs Similarities

CRM and ERP solutions are for SaaS products. Both work to streamline productivity and business efficiency. Your company can use this software to improve business processes and simplify operations.

CRM vs ERP

Take a look at some of the similarities and differences:

Similarities

Both ERPs and CRMs are central data repositories that help with data integration. They can also provide access to essential sales-related or financial reports. Both tools can ensure seamless organisational communication.

Differences

ERP tools have a broader back-office business scope compared to CRM software's front-office functionalities. Your entire organisation can use an ERP to manage core processes. ERPs focus on financial, supply chain, and HR management. CRM deals with marketing automation, sales management, and customer service.

CRM or ERP: Which One Should You Choose?

Research found that ERPs are almost 10 times more expensive than CRM tools. For example, an ERP can cost USD 9,000 per user every year. However, CRM systems like monday.com only cost USD 12 per seat per month.

ERP solution

Even with this huge pricing model difference, you’re probably confused about which solution to choose. Go for an ERP when you need:

• Advanced operational insights and reporting features to identify business opportunities.
• Streamlined supply chain management to easily forecast demand and optimise inventory or production management.
• Automation for repetitive tasks to increase efficiency throughout your organisation.

On the other hand, choose CRM tools like monday.com when you want to gain:

• Sales insights using a customer interaction database to help your team refine the sales pipelines.
• Automate marketing tasks efficiently so your team members can focus on other aspects of the campaign.
• Increased customer retention rates by managing existing relationships and building new partnerships, leading to higher loyalty and satisfaction.

Using monday Platform as an ERP: Is That Possible?

Nathan Whitehouse used the monday.com tool to create an ERP system. He implemented mirror board elements and customised automations while using Make.com to refine the process.

Since monday WorkOS is an open platform, it offers specialised products that you can customise to fit your business requirements. That includes tuning the monday CRM features to support ERP functions.

ERP and CRM

With this product, you can use one database to share information, manage leads, look after company-wide operational processes, and more. Here’s how:

• Seamless integrations allow you to centralise all your data and tools. You can consolidate your company’s financial workspace on monday.com.
• Getting real-time insights helps your team set targets, manage operations, ensure finances are on track, and more.
• The robust dashboards and analytics help you visualise the business data and get reports. These shareable insights help you make changes to your operations, sales tactics, and more.
• Automations on monday.com help you get rid of repetitive operational tasks. Examples include sending reminders, asking for updates, drafting emails, and more.
• It integrates with ERP technology and various platforms like Slack, Jotform, TeamBoard, CRM systems, Gmail, and more.

The monday tool also comes with seamless integrations to create a unified platform for automation, collaboration, workflow, and more. For instance, the monday WorkOS tool can help with resource management, project planning, issue logs, and more.

A monday.com expert can help you understand the exact capabilities in detail. We’ll also assist you in implementing the integrations to fit your business requirements, be it to streamline sales or business operations. By using monday as an ERP, you can benefit from improved efficiencies, cost savings, and seamless communication.