Sales Force vs CRM: Are They the Same Technology?

Wondering about Sales Force Automation and Customer Relationship Management Technology?

Do you think they both are the same? If the answer is yes, then today with this blog we are going to end your confusion.  

Sales force automation (SFA) and customer relationship management (CRM) are two technologies that are often used in businesses to manage customer interactions and improve sales processes. However, many people are confused about whether SFA and CRM are the same technology. In this article, we will explore the differences between SFA and CRM to help you understand if they are the same technology or not.

It is important for potential users to understand the differences between SFA and CRM to choose the right tool according to your business needs.

Basics: Defining Sales Force Automation and CRM

Let us strengthen our foundations and understand SFA vs CRM tools with a 360° view.

Sales Force Automation

SFA software is a solution that focuses on streamlining the sales process, automating repetitive tasks, and increasing sales productivity.

CRM software is a broader concept that encompasses SFA as well as other functions such as customer service, and analytics. CRM is focused on managing the entire customer lifecycle and providing a seamless customer experience.

Features OF SFA and CRM  

SFA typically is made for the sales team who are responsible for transactional field work like order processing, and territory management.

CRM Software is made for the salesperson who is on the field as well as in an office mainly responsible for closing deals and increasing business.

Goals

SFA is designed to help sales teams manage their sales processes and improve their sales performance.

CRM is designed to help businesses build better relationships with their customers and improve customer satisfaction.

Example:

Let us consider a situation where your sales team might use the SFA software to manage their operations. They could automate manual order processing and streamline their inventory management process. The SFA software would then help to improve their order accuracy, reduce errors and delays, and increase customer satisfaction.

On the other hand, if you are a salesperson handling a long list of customers for managing the leads or solving your customer issues. You use the sales CRM software to manage leads and close deals in less time, A sales CRM software enables sales teams to win more deals in less time, it helps them achieve greatness. The software ensures effortless adoption through its easy, intuitive, and automated data collection process.  

Difference between SFA and CRM

While SFA and CRM share some similarities, they serve different purposes. Both CRM and SFA are focused on improving sales productivity. But, it is important for potential users to evaluate their business needs and choose the right tool that aligns with your business goals.

SFA vs CRM As Per Business Need

The key decisions in any organization are based on the goals that they want to achieve. So, stating which one of SFA vs CRM is right for your organization will remain pointless till the goal of your organization matches the purpose served by either of these software. Thus, let us clarify the different goals fulfilled by SFA & CRM.

Order Fulfillment or Customer Relations

When it comes to sales, SFA is a valuable tool for order management. By automating tasks such as order placement, inventory management, order tracking, and shipping and logistics, SFA can help businesses streamline their order process, reduce errors and provide a seamless and efficient order process, businesses can increase productivity and profitability, while providing an exceptional customer experience

Customer relations are equally important, as it can lead to repeat business, referrals, and positive word-of-mouth marketing. This is where CRM comes in. By providing a 360-degree view of the customer, CRM can automate the tasks such as lead management, workflow automation, mobile access, sales reporting & analytics and opportunity management allowing field force to understand customer needs and preferences, anticipate potential opportunities; and provide personalized service and support.

Maximizing Output or Maximizing Feasibility

SFA, or Sales Force Automation, is primarily focused on maximizing output by automating routine sales tasks and processes. It is designed to help sales teams be more productive and efficient.

CRM, or Customer Relationship Management, is focused on maximizing feasibility by providing a holistic view of the leads that need to be closed.  

Tracking sales force or Tracking Customer Communications

Tracking sales force and tracking customer communications are two important aspects of sales and marketing that can be managed using SFA or CRM. These have different approaches to achieving these goals.

SFA, or Sales Force Automation, focuses on tracking the sales force and automating sales processes. While CRM, or Customer Relationship Management, focuses on tracking customer communications and interactions.

Processing sales Data or Customer Data

SFA, or Sales Force Automation, is designed to help sales teams manage inventory and orders to do their sales activity efficiently and enhance their performance.

CRM, or Customer Relationship Management, is designed to help salespeople manage their leads, opportunities and field force tracking.  

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(Reference: This picture can be shared on google images as the topic is trending, a link to the company website with this image can lead to more traffic. Also, this image in the blog helps the reader to know how CRM is better than SFA)

If you have decided that CRM Software is a fair match to your organization's goals, then look for no solution other than Assistive CRM which can enhance your business productivity and sales.

Assistive: A Field First CRM Software

Assistive is loaded with features that focus the most on building customer reltionships, and keeping the sales reps first in line. Assistive CRM helps businesses increase their sales success rate while reducing the time required to close deals. The software facilitates easy, intuitive, and automated data collection, making it effortless for sales teams to adopt and use. It is trusted by many leading companies.

Features of Assistive CRM

Geo Awareness

Assistive CRM allows the sales reps to make verifiable visits, score new leads and track their performance. This helps in improving productivity all throughout the process.

Workflow Automation

Using most CRM software can be challenging as users often have to navigate multiple interfaces to complete various tasks. However, investing in Assistive CRM can streamline your workflow and free up more time for you to focus on what truly matters in your customer relationships.

In- built automation

Assistive CRM creates automated tasks that reduce the manual intervention from sales reps and provides in-app notifications to complete the tasks on time.

Offline Availability

Assistive CRM works offline as well as in low bandwidth seamlessly & ensures sales representatives never miss any lead.

Performance Assists

This CRM Software helps sales reps to identify deals that are likely to close, customer stakeholders who are enablers or detractors, which product mix is more likely to sell and so on. So, the sales reps know their users the best.

Managerial Assists

The Software guides managers and identify the actionable items analyzing thousands of customer interactions. Through such valuable information, they can help their team win deals and coach them on skills rather than reading reports or doing review meetings.

Productivity Assists

This feature of Assistive CRM can provide reminders for the most promising deals to follow up on during the day, suggest the optimal time to calls a customer and plan the most efficient route for the day's meetings.  

Additionally, it can offer insights on how a salesperson's meeting frequency and duration compare to those of other successful colleagues within the company.

Customer Data

Assistive CRM is a powerful tool that allows sales representatives to store a wide range of customer data. Sales reps can gain unparalleled insight into customer needs and preferences, ultimately enabling them to foster stronger relationships with the customer and tailor their approach more effectively.

This data can include basic information such as the customer's name, contact details, company information, customer's preferences, needs, and behavior, customer's purchase history, the products or services they are interested in, and their communication and most importantly interaction of sales reps with the clients, this include details about phone calls, emails, and meetings, as well as notes about the customer's questions, concerns, and feedback.

You can also access the link below for more information

https://www.getassistive.com/blog/10-key-benefits-of-sales-crm-software-for-salesperson

Wrapping up

Understanding the differences between SFA and CRM is crucial in determining which tool is best suited for your organization's goals. If you've decided that a CRM solution is the right fit, then look no further than Assistive CRM. With its powerful features, including geo-awareness, in-built automation, offline availability, and productivity assists, Assistive CRM is designed to help businesses build better customer relationships and increase sales productivity. Plus, it provides valuable insights on customer data, enabling businesses to provide personalized service and support.

Don't just take our word for it, try a free demo of Assistive CRM today and see how it can help take your business to the next level!