Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) are similar in many ways, as they are both used to increase the overall profitability of a business. These systems overlap in some areas, and can be completely integrated in others.
ERP and CRM systems use different approaches to increase profitability. ERP focuses on reducing overheads and cutting costs. By making business processes more efficient, ERP reduces the amount of capital spent on those processes. CRM works to increase profits by producing greater sales volume.