If you are in the market for a configure-price-quote (CPQ) solution, you know how many choices and options are out there. You probably also already know all about the amazing benefits: with the right CPQ you can deliver quotes faster, win more bids, improve internal communication and engineering efficiency while truly standing out from the competition. But not all CPQ solutions are created equal. So how do you find the one that’s right for your business? Check out the step-by-step guide below.
Consider Your Budget
Some CPQ solutions charge far more than you might be expecting for extras that you don’t need (or want). Similarly, some charge monthly subscriptions while others offer flat fee billing. Before you start the search process, think about which model best fits your needs.
List Out The Must-Haves
Simply put, not all CPQ solutions offer the same capabilities and features. Which ones are most important for your team and organization? Conversely, what are the extras that will just serve as distractions and might actually be counterproductive. Determining your must-have, nice-to-have and don’t-need feature can help make your ultimate choice much clearer.
Think About Media Ownership
Some CPQ solutions don’t confer ownership of the media (images, CAD models, renderings, etc.) to the business that’s licensing the software. That’s a problem for many businesses, since once your agreement ends – your right to use thousands of already-created assets could end as well.
Consider Internal Adoption
One of the main barriers to implementing a new CPQ solution is internal communications. The best CPQ solutions make this process easier by serving as an avenue for internal departments to communicate, from engineering all the way up to sales. But if the CPQ solution is too complicated or requires too much technical proficiency, it could backfire and actually become an impediment to your team’s success.
Plan For Integration and Syndication
Your CPQ software will need to easily integrate into whatever internal eCommerce and web platforms you are using – and it will need to syndicate across external channels. The best solutions make that process simple by working seamlessly with your CRM software, your CMS systems and beyond. But making the wrong choice here could prove disastrous, so ask the vendor that you ultimately choose for specific example of successful implementations. Choose a solution that’s platform agnostic, so that it works across your partner’s eCommerce systems and is easy to integrate. Consider a SaaS solution and whether or not it’s able to accept and publish data from other systems. Other factors to consider: what is the size of the vendor? Do they offer UI and UX customization? And can it improve your efficiency with CAD automation?
Future-Proof Your CPQ
While still developing technologies, augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) will soon be the standard for product visualization and CPQ. Choose a solution that’s ready to support those capabilities from day one.
Ready to learn more about CPQ solutions? At CDS Visual, we are leading the industry when it comes to turnkey, easy-to-implement CPQ software that has been proven to lift sales and build brand loyalty. Visualization allows CPQ users to see before they buy – and our visual configuration technology supports engineered-to-order (ETO) product and systems. Request your complimentary consultation to learn more.
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