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CRM or ERP? How an Indian SME should decide

CRM manages customers and sales. ERP manages operations. Here's how to know which one you need first.

CRM or ERP? How an Indian SME should decide
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A CRM is about the customer: leads, follow-ups, deals and communication. An ERP is about operations: orders, inventory, production, purchase, dispatch and accounts.

Start with a CRM if…

  • Leads arrive on WhatsApp, calls and forms and some are never followed up.
  • You can't tell which marketing channel brings paying customers.
  • Sales depends on one person's memory.

Start with an ERP if…

  • Orders are tracked in Excel and dispatch is often late.
  • Stock numbers never match.
  • The same data is typed into three places, including Tally.

Custom or off-the-shelf?

Off-the-shelf works when your process is standard. Custom pays off when your process is your advantage, or when you're paying for many seats of software that only half fits.

CRM Development

CRM Development

Never lose a lead between WhatsApp and Excel

Custom CRM with lead capture from every channel, pipelines, follow-ups and WhatsApp integration.

₹1,50,000 – ₹10,00,000 Explore

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Cartel Planet Team
Strategy, design & engineering

The people who plan, design, build and grow websites, apps and software at Cartel Planet — since 2016, across 500+ projects.

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Frequently asked questions

Straight answers on cost, timelines, ownership and support. Can't find yours? Ask us — a real person replies within one working day.

Can a custom ERP connect to Tally?

Yes. Invoices, ledgers and stock can sync with Tally so accounts stay where your CA expects them.

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