HubSpot vs SAP C/4 HANA CRM Independent Review
HubSpot CRM, has a somewhat simpler data and process model, making it a better fit for SMBs focused on content-centric marketing workflows. In contrast, SAP C/4HANA is ideal for companies operating in industries with high transaction volumes and strict regulatory requirements. HubSpot, in particular, is designed with a focus on upstream marketing activities, offering a stronger ecosystem, but it may not be the best fit for companies with complex audiences or transactional customer-facing workflows. Whereas, SAP C/4 HANA is fit for sectors like medical devices or pharmaceuticals, where CPQ workflows often need to adhere to regulatory constraints.
HubSpot excels in user-friendliness and customization, even though it may not match the depth of customer and field service workflows or provide as many built-in custom objects for specific industries. On the other hand, with SAP C/4HANA, businesses benefit from both extensive customization capabilities and advanced security layers to support and control these workflows seamlessly. To better understand HubSpot vs SAP C/4 HANA CRM systems, let’s take an in-depth look into their features, strengths and weaknesses.
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| HubSpot CRM | SAP C/4 HANA | |
| Started in | 2006 | 2018 |
| Ownership by | Publicly traded listed on the NYSE under the ticker symbol HUBS | SAP SE |
| No. of customers | >70,000 | >1000 |
What Is HubSpot CRM?
HubSpot CRM is a leading choice for smaller companies aiming for seamless integration of customer-centric workflows, covering essential CRM processes such as sales, service, CMS, and marketing automation. In contrast to Salesforce, HubSpot excels in user-friendliness and customization, even though it may not match the depth of customer and field service workflows or provide as many built-in custom objects for specific industries.
However, this adaptability might pose challenges for companies unfamiliar with robust data and process governance. HubSpot CRM proves advantageous, especially for content-heavy B2B companies aiming for centralized management of digital marketing and sales channels. The recent acquisition of Clearbit further enhances HubSpot’s capabilities by integrating data and intelligence with core CRM processes, solidifying its position in the market.
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What Is SAP C/4 HANA CRM?
SAP C/4 HANA, an integral part of the S/4 suite, offers a range of best-of-breed CRM options in the CX portfolio, including sales, marketing, commerce, customer experience, and service cloud. It caters primarily to large utility, finance, and public sector companies, especially those with deep regulatory workflow requirements within CRM processes.
The spin-off of Qualtrics may suggest that SAP is not as committed to the CX portfolio. Moreover, SAP faces substantial challenges with newer entrants in the headless space to disrupt its commerce portfolio. Still a viable option for companies requiring tight integration with CPQ and configurator available through the Hybris portfolio.
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HubSpot vs SAP C/4 HANA CRM Comparison
Navigating the choice between HubSpot vs SAP C/4 HANA CRM is a significant decision for businesses particularly looking for operational efficiency and strategic alignment. Thus, this section delves into the comprehensive comparison of HubSpot vs SAP C/4 HANA CRM across various critical dimensions.
| HubSpot CRM | SAP C/4 HANA CRM | |
| Data Model | Isn’t well-suited for complex operational use cases. | Extremely detailed data model for enterprise use cases combining many business models. |
| CRM Features | It may not suit companies with deeper compliance, regulatory, and quoting needs. | The CPQ processes are especially friendlier for industrial companies implementing configurator-driven 3D experience. |
| Ecosystem | The second choice for most leading marketing technologies to integrate with. | SAP C/4 HANA ecosystem is not as popular among MarTech vendors as other leading CRM options. |
| Marketing Automation | Provides an immersive experience as it’s part of the same product and data model. | Capabilities are generally limited, so an external tool may be necessary. |
| Integration | Provides options for seamless integration with other CRM systems, CMS platforms, and eCommerce tools. | Provides integration with other SAP products, enterprise-grade CPQ and sales performance management tools. |
| Operational Capabilities | The operational capabilities are not as detailed as some of the other CRM systems. | The operational workflows will generally be much more comprehensive. |
| Territory and Comp Planning | The weaker data model makes it less suitable for industries requiring robust out-of-the-box capabilities. | Offers advanced capabilities for implementing sales funnel scenarios or territory planning scenarios. |
| Customizability | Custom objects come with significant limitations, particularly around parent-child hierarchies. | Highly customizable platform for enterprise-grade use cases. |
| Price | Offers a free version, but the price spikes substantially with tricky limits and tiers, making estimating prices highly challenging. | One of the most expensive CRM options out there, pricing might not be friendly for SMBs. |
HubSpot vs SAP C/4 HANA CRM Module Comparison
Both platforms offer a plethora of features and functionalities designed to streamline business operations and enhance efficiency. In this feature comparison, we delve into particularly the distinct capabilities of HubSpot vs SAP C/4 HANA CRM across various critical dimensions, providing insights to aid businesses in making informed decisions regarding their CRM selection. Thus, this section discusses features under each of the following modules, particularly marketing, sales, customer service and e-commerce.
Marketing
In this section, we are discussing a detailed comparison of the marketing capabilities particularly offered by HubSpot vs SAP C/4 HANA CRM. By examining their respective strengths and functionalities, particularly in managing marketing processes. Businesses can therefore gain valuable insights to determine the best-suited CRM solution for their marketing needs.
| Features | HubSpot CRM | SAP C/4 HANA CRM |
| Content Creation | Offers tools for creating blog posts, landing pages, and also marketing emails. | Does not have dedicated content creation tools. |
| SEO Tools | Includes built-in SEO recommendations and also optimization features. | Does not have dedicated SEO tools. |
| Social Media Management | Allows scheduling, publishing, and also monitoring of social media posts. | Does not have dedicated social media management tools. |
| Email Marketing | Includes email marketing tools with templates, automation, and also analytics. | SAP Marketing Cloud, a part of SAP C/4HANA, includes email marketing functionalities. |
| Analytics | Provides detailed analytics and reporting particularly on marketing campaigns. | Provides capabilities to provide deep insights into customer data and behavior. |
Sales
In this comparison, we explore and analyze the sales capabilities of HubSpot vs SAP C/4 HANA CRM, shedding light particularly on their respective strengths and weaknesses.
| Features | HubSpot CRM | SAP C/4 HANA CRM |
| Lead Management | Manages leads with tracking and nurturing tools. | Not specifically, but it integrates with SAP C/4HANA for comprehensive CRM capabilities. |
| Sales Pipeline Management | Visualizes and also tracks sales pipeline stages and progress. | Features provided through Sales Order Management component. |
| Email Tracking | Tracks email opens, clicks, and responses. | Not directly, but can be integrated with SAP’s other platforms for this functionality. |
| Meeting Scheduling | Integrates with calendars for easy scheduling of meetings. | Not specifically designed for this purpose. |
| Collaboration Tools | Facilitates team collaboration with shared information and tasks. | Has collaboration tools for efficient teamwork. |
Customer Service
In this comparison, we explore and analyze the customer service capabilities of HubSpot vs SAP C/4 HANA CRM, shedding light particularly on their respective strengths and weaknesses.
| Features | HubSpot CRM | SAP C/4 HANA CRM |
| Ticket System | Offers a support ticketing system for customer inquiries. | SAP Service Cloud includes ticketing capabilities for managing customer issues effectively. |
| Live Chat | Provides live chat support for customer interactions. | Offers live chat functionalities to provide real-time support to customers. |
| Customer Support Automation | Automates customer support processes and workflows. | Offers automation tools to streamline customer support processes. |
| Omni-channel Support | Supports multiple channels like email, chat, and also social media. | Supports omni-channel engagements, ensuring consistent customer experiences across various channels. |
E-commerce
In this comparison, we explore and analyze the e-commerce capabilities of HubSpot vs SAP C/4 HANA CRM, shedding light particularly on their respective strengths and weaknesses.
| Features | HubSpot CRM | SAP C/4 HANA CRM |
| Product Catalog Management | Manages product listings and also descriptions. | Includes comprehensive tools for managing and organizing product catalogs. |
| Order Fulfillment | Tracks and manages order processing and fulfillment. | Components like SAP Commerce Cloud and SAP Marketing Cloud helps streamline and automate order processing. |
| Personalized Shopping Experiences | Customizes shopping experiences particularly based on customer behavior. | Analytics and customer data platforms support highly tailored shopping experiences. |
HubSpot vs SAP C/4 HANA CRM Pros
When evaluating CRM solutions, understanding the distinct advantages of HubSpot vs SAP C/4 HANA CRM is crucial. In this section, we are particularly exploring the strengths of HubSpot vsSAP C/4 HANA CRM across various dimensions. Thus, shedding light on their respective capabilities and functionalities.
| HubSpot CRM | SAP C/4 HANA CRM |
| Stronger with upstream marketing and also content-driven workflows. | Consent and preferences with audit-ready capabilities for compliance workflows such as GDPR, CCPA, and LGPD. |
| Has strong workflows and also custom-coded actions. | Offers cross-channel personalization and identity management. |
| Offers consolidated platform that siloed apps. | Tight integration among SAP products is one of the biggest highlights of SAP C/4 HANA. |
| Offering fairly detailed custom objects. | Integration with enterprise-grade CPQ and sales performance management tools. |
HubSpot vs SAP C/4 HANA CRM Cons
Just like recognizing strengths is important, it’s also crucial to weigh the specific drawbacks of HubSpot vs SAP C/4 HANA CRM. Therefore, in this section, we will delve into the limitations and challenges associated with HubSpot vs SAP C/4 HANA CRM across various operational and financial dimensions.
| HubSpot CRM | SAP C/4 HANA CRM |
| Not fit for ad-hoc flows. | Lacks sophistication in pre-sales processes, including marketing automation. |
| Overall expensive, also tiers are tricky to work with. | The data model may feel restrictive for sales and marketing teams seeking fluidity to focus on sales rather than operational details. |
| The data model is rigid and also weak for B2B businesses. | Unnatural and complex for small to mid-size organizations seeking more straightforward CRM solutions. |
| It may not suit companies particularly with deeper compliance, regulatory, and quoting needs. | Maintaining the required data layers and enabling those workflows will require significant consulting support for customization. |
Conclusion
In conclusion, selecting the right CRM system between HubSpot vs SAP C/4 HANA CRM ultimately depends on the unique needs and priorities of a business. HubSpot CRM shines as an accessible, user-friendly solution tailored for SMBs, particularly those focused on content-centric B2B marketing workflows. It offers robust marketing automation, seamless integration, and an intuitive interface, making it ideal for businesses seeking an all-in-one platform without requiring extensive technical expertise. However, its pricing structure and limited suitability for ad-hoc flows and complex regulatory requirements may pose challenges for larger enterprises or industries with specific needs.
On the other hand, SAP C/4 HANA CRM is a powerful solution designed for enterprises with high transaction volumes and stringent compliance requirements. It excels in advanced operational capabilities, comprehensive customization, and tight integration across SAP’s ecosystem. While it is a strong contender for large-scale businesses in industries like utilities, finance, or pharmaceuticals, its complexity and resource-intensive setup may deter smaller organizations or those seeking straightforward CRM solutions. Both systems have their strengths and limitations, so businesses should carefully evaluate their specific needs. Also, seeking assistance from an independent CRM consultant can significantly aid the decision-making process.
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