Managing a legal office demands skills and tools that go far beyond theoretical knowledge. Thus, technology applied to management has strengthened as one of the main trends in the future of law, prompting many leaders to question: CRM or ERP? What is the best option for my company?
Want to understand more about the subject? Then join us and check out the topics below!
- What’s the difference between CRM and ERP?
- Defining ERP
- Defining CRM
- Which technology to apply in my company?
CRM or ERP: What’s the Difference Between Them?
Despite often being treated as one entity, ERP and CRM technologies have a significant difference that directly impacts the choice of technology to apply in a law firm.
In general terms, we can say that the ERP system consists of technology focused on managing companies through a multifunctional approach (where various operational modules can be activated simultaneously).
Meanwhile, the CRM system has its interface focused on managing activities related to customers and the sales sector. In this way, it is possible, for example, for a law firm’s CRM system to be attached as a module to an ERP system.
Defining ERP
ERP stands for Enterprise Resource Planning, a highly robust and capable software technology designed to integrate an entire company’s network of data and information into a single system.
According to a survey conducted by Clio in 2018, the majority of lawyers struggle to focus their time on activities within their specialty, as approximately 72% of their routine is devoted to handling administrative matters.
The use of software technologies such as ERP for office management enables us to reduce the time spent on tasks unrelated to a lawyer’s core legal practice. This is because, with ERP, instead of accessing multiple operating systems to conduct an analysis or obtain information, a lawyer can simply open the ERP system of their company to extract the desired data.
Advantages of Implementing ERP
In addition to reduced time expenditure, the ERP system offers several advantages, including a decrease in the risk of data loss, improved communication among teams, quicker delivery to clients, and increased productivity and efficiency among employees.
Defining CRM
As mentioned earlier, the CRM system provides much simpler functionalities compared to ERP. However, this doesn’t mean that this technology should be disregarded in the business management process.
CRM stands for Customer Relationship Management, and it is a software system designed to assist a company in managing activities related to customers: monitoring negotiations, customer loyalty, acquisition and retention, process history, and other relevant data.
This type of system is crucial for evaluating the overall quality of service and maintaining a record of services provided to a particular client, even if they are handled by multiple lawyers within the same firm.
Thus, we can assess the history of a family court case for a client concurrently involved in a criminal proceeding, for example. This cross-referencing of information, previously done manually, can now be autonomously maintained by a data network through CRM.
Advantages of Implementing CRM
With all this data, legal professionals can provide greater agility in analyzing cases, delivering assessments and results more efficiently.
Moreover, the CRM system also ensures the security of information provided in legal services, preserving client data in accordance with LGPD (General Data Protection Law), as well as providing automatic reminders for case follow-ups.
Which Technology to Apply in My Company: CRM or ERP?
We have been able to observe that both technologies are extremely important for managing a law firm and ensuring the smooth operation of the company’s routines. Therefore, the ideal approach is for a legal sector corporation to implement both tools in its management process, aiming to enhance the productivity of professionals and the overall client experience seeking legal services and consultation.
Together, ERP and CRM can provide a broader view for the manager and improve data and information communication within the office. However, if you choose to adopt only one system, the recommendation is to prioritize ERP.
Considering the diverse range of activities involved in managing the office, a CRM software may not be able to meet all demands. Therefore, the manager will need to opt for the more comprehensive technology capable of addressing their objectives and improving the office’s daily operations.
Want to know how you can implement ERP and CRM in your office? Get in touch with Ubistart’s experts and choose the best software technology for your company!
