Question
Clearly sourced
Expert knowledge for digital decisions
Which systems can be integrated with a CRM?
Short answer
In principle, any system with an interface: accounting and DATEV, ERP systems, webshops, email and calendar, telephone systems, newsletter tools and payment services. Where no interface exists, the way via file exchange remains – functional, but slower and more error-prone.
Common Integrations
| System | What is exchanged |
|---|---|
| Accounting, DATEV | Customers, Invoices, Payment Status |
| ERP | Articles, Stock, Orders |
| Webshop | Orders, Customer Accounts |
| Email and Calendar | History, Appointments, Tasks |
| Telephone System | Call Lists, Notes on Contacts |
| Newsletter | Recipients, Consent, Unsubscribes |
How an Integration Looks Technically
- API – both systems communicate directly. Cleanest solution, requires a documented interface.
- Webhook – the source system actively reports changes. Efficient and fast.
- Scheduled Sync – a service retrieves data at fixed intervals. Robust, but not real-time.
- File Exchange (CSV, XML) – last resort for legacy systems without an interface.
The Question That Comes Before Technology
Which system takes precedence? If a customer address can be changed in two places, you need a rule defining which one wins. Without this definition, a data set emerges that no one trusts – and this is harder to fix than any technical error.
What Is Often Underestimated
Error cases. What happens if the target system does not respond? An interface without retry logic and without logging silently loses data.
Key facts
- Most Important Preliminary Question
- Which system takes precedence in case of conflicting data?
- Often Overlooked
- Error handling and logging
Sources
All external claims are backed by traceable sources.-
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Ouhud CRM Ouhud GmbH