SharePoint vs. Traditional CRMs: Which Is Right for Your Business?
Introduction
Choosing the right platform to manage your business processes can be a game-changer. While Traditional CRMs focus on customer relationship management, SharePoint offers a broader set of tools for document management, collaboration, and integration with other Microsoft 365 applications. But which is the better fit for your business needs? This guide compares SharePoint and Traditional CRMs to help you make an informed decision.
1. Purpose and Functionality
SharePoint is designed as a document management and collaboration platform, making it ideal for businesses that require centralised storage and team collaboration. On the other hand, Traditional CRMs like Salesforce or HubSpot focus on managing customer interactions, sales pipelines, and marketing campaigns.
Example:
A project-based firm may benefit more from SharePoint’s robust document management capabilities, while a sales-driven organisation might prefer a CRM to manage leads and customer data. Learn more about organising company information in SharePoint.
2. Collaboration and Document Management
SharePoint excels in enabling teams to co-author documents, track changes, and maintain version control. Traditional CRMs offer basic collaboration features but are primarily focused on customer data management.
Example:
A marketing agency used SharePoint to centralise campaign documents, enabling seamless collaboration and reducing email clutter. Discover more about Power Platform SharePoint document management.
3. Customer Relationship Management Features
Traditional CRMs shine when it comes to features like sales forecasting, lead tracking, and automated follow-ups. SharePoint lacks these specific CRM tools but can integrate with Microsoft Dynamics 365 or other CRMs to enhance its capabilities.
Example:
A retail company opted for Dynamics 365 integrated with SharePoint to combine customer data with document management for a holistic approach. For insights on integration, see Exploring Power Apps Component Framework.
4. Customisation and Scalability
Both SharePoint and Traditional CRMs offer customisation, but the extent and purpose differ. SharePoint’s flexibility allows businesses to create workflows and custom apps for internal processes, while Traditional CRMs provide tailored tools for customer engagement and sales.
Example:
An IT firm used SharePoint with Power Apps to create a custom project management tool, scaling their operations without additional costs. Learn more about customisation in AI Power Platform for Smarter Processes.
5. Cost and Maintenance
The cost structures of SharePoint and Traditional CRMs differ significantly. SharePoint, as part of Microsoft 365, offers flexible pricing based on usage, while Traditional CRMs often require subscription fees per user, along with potential add-on costs.
A startup saved 25% on software expenses by using SharePoint for document management instead of investing in a full-scale CRM. For secure and cost-effective solutions, explore Managing Permissions and Security in Power Automate.
Conclusion
The choice between SharePoint and Traditional CRMs depends on your business needs. If you prioritise collaboration, document management, and integration with Microsoft 365, SharePoint is the better choice. However, for businesses focused on customer relationships, sales pipelines, and marketing, a Traditional CRM is the way to go. Evaluate your specific requirements to determine the best fit for your organisation, and consider combining both for a comprehensive solution.
