Cross-functional enterprise systems are information systems that are integrated combinations of business information resources across the functional units of an organization. These enterprise systems cross the boundaries of traditional business functions to reengineer and improve vital business processes all across the enterprise. Cross-functional enterprise systems use Information technology to share information resources, while improving the efficiency and effectiveness of business processes. Because of this, relationships with customers, suppliers, and business partners are formed and strengthened. Three example of cross-functional enterprise systems are customer relationship management (CRM), enterprise resource planning (ERP), and supply chain management (SCM).One strong trend companies are turning to is customer relationship management (CRM). CRM is an information industry term for methodologies, software, and usually Internet capabilities that help an enterprise manage customer relationships in an organized way. Accordingto the textbook, "CRM uses information technology to create a cross-functional enterprise system that integrates and automates many of the customer-serving processes in sales, marketing, and customer services that interact with a company's customers." One benefits of CRM is that it allows a business to identify and target its best customers and most profitable ones so they can retain them for a lifetime to become more profitable. "CRM makes possible real-time customization and personalization of products and services based on customer wants needs, buying habits, and life cycles." CRM also keeps track when a customer contacts the company and allow a company to provide a consistent customer experience and superior service and support.Enterprise resource planning (ERP) is an industry term for the broad set of activities supported by multi-module application software that helps a business manage the important parts of its operations, including product planning, parts purchasing, maintaining inventories, interacting with suppliers, providing customer service, and tracking orders. ERP is a cross-functional enterprise system driven by an integrated suite of software modules that supports the basic internal business process of a company. ERP is also very beneficial. ERP creates a framework for integrating and improving a company's internal business processes that result in significant improvements in the quality and efficiency of customer service, production, and distribution. ERP helps reduce transaction processing costs and hardware, software, and Information Technology support staff. ERP also quickly provides vital, cross-functional information on business performance to managers. This drastically improves their ability to make better decisions in a timely manner across the entire business enterprise. ERP provides enterprise agility. That agility results in more flexible organizational structures, managerial responsibilities, and work roles and therefore a more agile and adaptive organization and workforce that can more easily capitalize on new business opportunities.

Supply chain management (SCM) is a cross-functional interenterprise system that uses information technology tohelp support and manage the links between some of a company's key key business processes and those of its suppliers, customers, and business partners. The goal of SCM is to create a fast, efficient, and low-cost network of business relationships. SCM provides key business benefits, such as faster, more accurate order processing, reductions in inventory levels, quicker times to market, lower transaction and material costs, and strategic relationships with their suppliers.