Justifying a CPQ Software Solution for Your Manufacturing Business

Justifying a CPQ Software Solution for Your Manufacturing Business

Making a major change in the way your business operates can be a scary proposition. Executives considering changing an entire system that has been used for years or even decades, need to have confidence that it will be worth the disruption, not to mention the cost. When looking at changing from a manual product configuration process to one that’s automated using CPQ (Configure, Price, Quote) software, it’s understandable to experience hesitancy or pushback. Let’s take a look at all of the...

read more
The Impact of Choosing the Wrong CPQ Solution

The Impact of Choosing the Wrong CPQ Solution

CPQ (Configure, Price, Quote) software has changed business as we know it. You’ve heard how your competitors adopted CPQ and now they’re reaping the benefits of this technological revolution. You’ve probably already decided to start evaluating CPQ solutions for your own company, but be sure to take your time when choosing such a critical software system. What’s the potential impact of choosing the wrong CPQ solution? Let’s take a look at how important this decision is and what can happen if...

read more
Enhanced Guided Selling for Manufacturing Companies

Enhanced Guided Selling for Manufacturing Companies

Since the advent of technology like computers, the tech industry has promised it would make everyone’s lives easier by simplifying and streamlining tasks. While we might still be waiting on artificial intelligence to give us our perfect robot butlers to keep our homes clean and organized, AI has found a way to make selling products easier. This is where “enhanced guided selling” comes in. Enhanced guided selling makes the salesperson’s job much easier by giving assistance in the sales process....

read more
What Can a CPQ Solution Do for Your Company? Here are 7 Things

What Can a CPQ Solution Do for Your Company? Here are 7 Things

There’s a bit of conventional wisdom that’s making its way around the business and technology world: innovate or die. It all comes down to the simple idea that businesses that fail to adapt and innovate will ultimately fail and fall by the wayside. This goes beyond just innovative products, it extends to how a company operates and keeping customers satisfied. Certainly, this maxim fits perfectly in the manufacturing industry. CPQ (configure, price, quote) software solutions help manufacturers...

read more
3 Ways to Increase B2B Lead Generation for Manufacturers

3 Ways to Increase B2B Lead Generation for Manufacturers

For years now, the word “leads” has had a note of dread to it in the sales and manufacturing world. Some people may remember the days of “the good leads” being closely guarded by management while everyone else was forced to cold-call prospects trying to get sales. While lead generation in the digital age has changed greatly, it’s still an essential component of the manufacturing and sales industry. Here’s what manufacturers need to know about lead generation and how it can improve your sales,...

read more
B2B vs B2C Sales: Four Key Differences and Their Importance

B2B vs B2C Sales: Four Key Differences and Their Importance

If you’re involved in the world of sales, then you know it can be a rough business. It’s necessary to find as many different avenues as possible to get your product out there. Typically, sales are focused on either B2C (business-to-customer) or B2B (business-to-business). In order to truly be successful, you’ve got to diversify and cover as many potential clients as possible. That’s why it’s important not to limit yourself to just one sales avenue. Let’s take a look at the big differences and...

read more
Strategies for Selling Configurable Products Online

Strategies for Selling Configurable Products Online

Arguably one of the biggest changes for manufacturers in the last twenty years has been the explosion in the field of configurable products. Customers no longer expect a “one-size-fits-all” approach to products and want to be able to create items that fit their needs. Thankfully, the increase in interest has also led to a massive outpouring of software solutions that can assist you in providing these products. Unfortunately, while many manufacturers are fully knowledgeable about how to design...

read more
Enterprise CPQ for Manufacturing Companies

Enterprise CPQ for Manufacturing Companies

In today’s world, manufacturers must stay competitive. You won’t find a better way to stay ahead of your competition, while also increasing efficiencies and reducing costs, than with the Configure One Enterprise CPQ (Configure, Price, Quote) solution.  Designed specifically for manufacturers that produce customizable products to fit customer requirements, Configure One’s reliable software can meet the needs of any company. With a long-established reputation as one of the top software solutions...

read more
Benefits of B2B eCommerce

Benefits of B2B eCommerce

To stay competitive, you have to be willing to evolve. While many businesses have embraced eCommerce, everyone hasn’t fully optimized the opportunities that it offers. One such area is in the field of B2B (Business-to-Business) sales. What is B2B eCommerce?  B2B eCommerce involves the sale of products from one business to another using an eCommerce website. Typically, this allows the purchasing business to buy products without having to interact with a salesperson.  Why is B2B eCommerce...

read more
CAD Automation for Manufacturing

CAD Automation for Manufacturing

Computer-Aided Design (CAD) has been one of the most enduring and adaptable aspects of computers in the workforce. The first use of a CAD program goes back to 1962 and SketchPad, a program that lets users draw directly on a screen for the first time. Since then, it has been adopted by the automotive and aerospace industries to design better cars and planes. In manufacturing, it has been used to design almost anything that you can imagine being created by a factory. To give you a better...

read more
Benefits of Upselling and Cross-Selling

Benefits of Upselling and Cross-Selling

Every business is looking to find an advantage that will help edge out the competition and add to the bottom line. One of the best ways to do this is to improve your sales division so that you can clearly see added profits as they come in. Many of us have negative opinions when it comes to “sales techniques,” largely because they have gotten such a bad reputation from disreputable salespeople who are trying to push out inferior products on an unsuspecting populace. How do you improve sales...

read more
10 Signs You Need a CPQ Solution

10 Signs You Need a CPQ Solution

Chances are you’ve heard about CPQ (Configure, Price, Quote) solutions as the game-changer for many manufacturers. But some people are still on the fence about whether they need to make the switch. How do you know if a CPQ software solution is right for your business? If any of these situations sound like your manufacturing company, a CPQ solution will take your business and profitability to the next level. 1. Your quoting time takes days or weeks — One big sign your company will benefit from...

read more
How AI Helps Drive Manufacturing Sales

How AI Helps Drive Manufacturing Sales

The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) may sound like a science fiction film with overdramatic consequences of automation. But the reality is that AI, via machine learning, is making its way into many avenues of our lives, and manufacturing is no different. Virtual assistants such as Siri and Alexa are already in our homes, but how exactly is AI driving manufacturing sales? AI technology to take your business to the next level: Quality Control with Visual Recognition — A big issue that...

read more
Visual Product Configurator Overview

Visual Product Configurator Overview

One of the biggest hurdles in getting customers to purchase customized products is not being able to determine what their product will actually look like. Many people are uncomfortable buying made-to-order or engineered-to-order products because they’ve been burned before. Oftentimes, they may have ordered something that seemed great in their mind, only to get a product that looks completely different. Difficulty returning custom products bought online can compound that negative experience....

read more
Getting Your Extended Sales Channels on the Same Page

Getting Your Extended Sales Channels on the Same Page

Businesses that fail often have one thing in common—not getting their products into the hands of customers. Manufacturing is just one piece of the puzzle; sales and distribution is the other big piece. For manufacturers, those with an established distribution chain, as well as those looking to create a distribution/sales channel, communication is essential to ensure everyone is on the same page. Your business depends on it to be successful. How to Streamline Communication Think about all of...

read more
Digital Transformation in Manufacturing

Digital Transformation in Manufacturing

The digital revolution has transformed every area of society, from commerce and banking, to healthcare and education. Throughout this digital transformation, one common theme has been clear: those who fail to embrace technology inevitably fall behind and get replaced. This continues to ring true for manufacturers facing the need to reduce costs and compete in a global marketplace. What Does Digital Transformation Mean? In a nutshell, digital transformation is the huge shift that is occurring...

read more
Speed Up Your Quoting Process

Speed Up Your Quoting Process

One of the promises of technology was that it would streamline our work processes making our lives easier. In many ways, this has happened in the manufacturing industry. But ask yourself this: has it truly sped up your quoting process? Chances are, the answer is a resounding “No!” Let’s take a look at quoting processes and some of the issues that can be solved with today’s technology. Why Do You Need to Improve Your Quoting Process? When it comes to manufacturing customizable products, there...

read more
What is the Quote-to-Cash Process?

What is the Quote-to-Cash Process?

For those in manufacturing, you know how important it is to update and modernize your production equipment. The same is true for your business software and a CPQ (Configure, Price, Quote) solution can bring all kinds of efficiency for manufacturers. CPQ software can streamline and speed up your entire quote-to-cash process. What Does Quote-to-Cash Mean? Quote-to-cash refers to the entire end-to-end sales process, starting with product configuration and pricing, quoting, customer acceptance,...

read more
Traits of a Successful CPQ Admin

Traits of a Successful CPQ Admin

If you’re ready to switch your manufacturing business over to CPQ (Configure, Price, Quote) software, you’re poised to experience efficiency and growth like never before. Something we’ve found to be vital to the success of the implementation of such robust software is a dedicated position to oversee and handle the details as you set up the software and get it ready for everyday use. That’s why it is so important that you find a quality CPQ administrator who can manage the switchover,...

read more
Create Better B2B Ecommerce Experiences with CPQ

Create Better B2B Ecommerce Experiences with CPQ

There aren’t many certainties in the business world, but one of the few you can count on is this: without innovation, companies are doomed to failure. It may take a while, but eventually, they’ll be rendered obsolete. This can come in two different forms—innovations of product and innovations in marketing. Those who’ve embraced B2B Ecommerce have already taken to innovating in their marketing by seeking new and varied businesses to market their product towards. But the addition of CPQ can...

read more
3 Steps for Proper Software Implementation

3 Steps for Proper Software Implementation

A big wrench in company productivity these days is a new software implementation. Employees are open to new software if it will serve a function and make their work easier; however, some fear it will be a repackaging of the same old stuff. Worse, yet, is the fear that the new software being implemented will replace them. An implementation process is one of the best ways to help ease this fear. This requires proper planning leading up to the changeover. Here's how you can execute a smooth...

read more
4 Reasons Why Excel Makes a Bad Product Configurator

4 Reasons Why Excel Makes a Bad Product Configurator

Excel is a great tool for organizing information, but there are far better solutions available when it comes to configuring products for manufacturing. If you’re still taking customer orders using an Excel spreadsheet, it’s time to take a serious look at what CPQ software can do for your business. So why is Excel such a bad choice as a product configurator? To put it simply, Excel is a nightmare to maintain and it often results in costly errors from miskeyed entries or incompatible product...

read more
Industry 4.0: What Manufacturers Should Know

Industry 4.0: What Manufacturers Should Know

In the past 50 years, we’ve seen the introduction of home computers, the internet, smartphones, and tablets. This period of time is sometimes referred to as the Third Industrial Revolution. We are now entering into what has come to be known as the Fourth Industrial Revolution, or Industry 4.0. Let’s take a look at how this revolution is impacting the business world, particularly for manufacturers. What is Industry 4.0? The fourth industrial revolution is the new advancement in technology which...

read more
Full-Service CPQ Solution

Full-Service CPQ Solution

Many businesses have to take new approaches to their business model to stay viable in a competitive market and set themselves apart from the rest of the pack. For those in the manufacturing field, one solution is CPQ software. CPQ (Configure, Price, Quote) allows you to create a fully customized product for a client. Configure One offers a three-pronged CPQ solution featuring the technology, support, and community you need to make your business thrive in today’s economy. Technology The first...

read more

Engineer to Order (ETO) vs. Made to Order (MTO)

When it comes to manufacturing, there’s more than one way to cook an egg, as the saying goes. One of the standard methods for designing and building a product is Made to Order (MTO). Another more comprehensive process is known as Engineer to Order (ETO). ETO manufacturing involves the creation of an entire product that is custom made to the desired specifications of a customer. This form of manufacturing is a complicated process and requires close collaboration between the manufacturing...

read more
The Necessity of a Virtual Presence

The Necessity of a Virtual Presence

When you think back to the beginning of this year, it’s not likely you could ever imagine the way 2020 has gone. The COVID-19 pandemic has left even the healthy among us with a strong dose of cabin fever as we have to stay home. A result of this is that more and more people are changing their behaviors and companies are changing their business models to suit this. From entertainment to fast food to grocery shopping, everything is becoming virtual and can be ordered online. But what if you’re a...

read more
Software Adoption – Finding Your Champion

Software Adoption – Finding Your Champion

When it comes to software adoption, you can count on one certainty—nobody likes change. Despite this, change is a necessity to building a successful business. Companies must adapt to stay competitive in our modern world. When an organization rolls out new software, there is usually a good reason for it. But it is often met with pushback from employees who don’t like change. So how do you implement new software while also getting employees to buy-in? Finding software that works for your company...

read more

NetSuite ERP & CRM Integration Solution

NetSuite is one of the most popular ERP and CRM systems on the market today. This widely used platform allows businesses to keep track of production and sales from one centralized hub. Those who are familiar with the system already know it can be a lifesaver when it comes to managing your business, particularly when that business is manufacturing. But what if there was a way to make it even better? Configure One’s CPQ (Configure, Price, Quote) software integrates perfectly with NetSuite to...

read more
CRM Integration with Configure One CPQ

CRM Integration with Configure One CPQ

Remember the “old school” method of keeping track of a customer’s valuable information? This usually took the form of Rolodexes, which had business cards and Post-it notes shoved in. You might remember that it was next to impossible to find the information you needed when it was required. This all changed with the advent of computers and digital databases. These days, CRM software not only keeps track of your customer data but can also do so much more for you. Let’s take a look at this tool...

read more
ERP Integration with Configure One CPQ

ERP Integration with Configure One CPQ

Today, businesses need as many tools as possible to help them stay competitive, stand out from the crowd, and optimize their processes. Fortunately, many different software suites can help achieve these objectives. A key objective when considering the various systems that you run your business on is ensuring that those systems can be successfully integrated and work side-by-side to maximize efficiency. Configure One’s CPQ software stands out from many other options on the market because we can...

read more
Salesforce and Configure One CPQ – A Profitable Partnership

Salesforce and Configure One CPQ – A Profitable Partnership

It may seem a little unusual at first to think of using Salesforce's CRM (Customer Relationship Management) platform alongside Configure One's CPQ (Configure, Price, Quote) solution. After all, both companies offer CPQ solutions, which may seem to be at odds with each other. However, the robust and customizable CPQ software from Configure One makes for a successful partnership with Salesforce. This is especially true for manufacturers, who often require more powerful product configuration...

read more

Manufacturing Industry Looks Good in 2020. We Can Make It Better.

Early indicators for a rebound in the manufacturing industry have begun to show for 2020. The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia recently released its January Manufacturing Business Outlook Survey with a much higher rating for the industry than was expected. In December of 2019, the reserve’s manufacturing read was only 0.3. Forecasters were hoping for a January number of 3.0. However, the January survey went well beyond these expectations with a score of 17.0. Correcting the Dip in the...

read more
Top 5 Features Product Configurators Need for Manufacturers

Top 5 Features Product Configurators Need for Manufacturers

There are currently over 250,000 manufacturing companies in the United States employing over 12 million employees. The fact is that manufacturing is a highly competitive field and those manufacturers need to do everything they can to stand apart from the competition. One way to do this is by offering customization options for your products. Today, a one-size-fits-all product isn’t going to bring in as much business as those companies which allow customers to tweak the products to fit their...

read more

CPQ Best Practices for a Successful, Smooth Launch

People’s natural tendency is to resist change. It’s true in our personal lives as well as in work. That’s why, if a company announces a major change in the processes, this can cause stress and anxiety for staff. This level of anxiety is counterproductive for those implementing a new program. As a manufacturer switching to a Configure, Price, Quote software (CPQ) system, anticipate this reaction and prepare for a successful launch of the system. Here are the best practices you can use when...

read more
CPQ Implementation – 9 Tips for a Successful Rollout

CPQ Implementation – 9 Tips for a Successful Rollout

Any expert will tell you one of the most critical parts of a software product implementation is the launch. If the rollout goes smoothly, your company will avoid many potential problems in the weeks and months that follow. This is especially true with Configure, Price, Quote (CPQ) software. Here’s our list of best practices enabling a manufacturing company to launch a CPQ system effectively: 1. Understand Your Needs The first thing you want to establish is what your company needs from this...

read more

What is CPQ? A Manufacturer’s Best Friend!

Imagine this scenario: You work at a small, independently owned manufacturer of specialty delivery vehicles. You receive a call from a company looking to order 10 trucks for their fleet. As a sales rep, you go through all of the available options with the customer, explaining what your capabilities are. Once that’s done, you contact the manufacturing floor, talk to the engineers and machinists to determine exactly what will go into the bill of materials (BOM) and look at the specifications...

read more

How manufacturers can overcome years of poor data management

Driven by increasing market demand for highly personalized products, the need for manufacturers to leverage the full value of their data is greater than ever. Yet, producing smaller batches of non-standard, unique products is significantly more complex and requires data on-demand. With the amount of information already being generated, collected and stored within their organizations, you’d expect industrial businesses to be well versed in unlocking and leveraging the value contained within...

read more

Manufacturers must bridge legacy systems with new software

Driven by customer expectations for unique, personalized products, the need for manufacturers to leverage data is greater now than ever. Yet, producing smaller batches of bespoke variants requires data on demand, 24/7. Creating such a capability requires businesses to integrate their existing systems with powerful new tools, such as CPQ (configure, price, quote). Jon Lidbury, director of EMEA for Configure One explains all, and shares the story of how one manufacturer is already using the...

read more

Your sales process is inefficient and error-prone, but we can fix that

By manually generating manufacturing drawings, routings and bills of materials, businesses are overlooking a huge opportunity to reduce cost and lead-times, eliminate errors and deliver exceptional customer experiences.Mention automation and almost everyone will think of a physical piece of equipment, most probably a robot – a spot-welder on an automotive assembly line, the waste collecting star of Disney’s hit movie Wall-E or the entertainment androids that populate HBO’s...

read more

A simple way of reducing costs, removing errors and increasing customer satisfaction

Manufacturing businesses frequently make life harder for themselves through their reliance on manually generated quotes, bills of materials and production drawings, not to mention out-dated price lists and having to continuously re-key information into their systems. Streamlining these processes and automating the creation of manufacturing-related data represents a huge opportunity to reduce cost, reduce lead-times, remove errors and ultimately increase customer satisfaction. Jon Lidbury,...

read more

CPQ software – The aspirin to your customization headache

Customers’ acceptance of a one-size-fits-all product may be ending, but the demand for more personalized, unique experiences doesn’t have to cause the production challenges many manufacturers believe it will. Smart, intuitive digital technologies have permeated every aspect of our lives, meaning it’s never been easier for customers to educate themselves, shop around and find products that precisely fit their needs. Fortunately, these same digital technologies, particularly CPQ software...

read more

How manufacturers can overcome the challenges of mass customization

Standardized product offerings are on the decline as customers demand ever more customization from those they purchase from. Austin Roche, Director EMEA at Configure One, explains why this trend is happening now, the impact its having on manufacturing organizations, and how CPQ can help overcome or eliminate outright these challenges. INTERESTED IN MORE INFORMATION?Let’s setup a Configure One demonstration for you and your team. Download our PDF on essential CPQ functions sought out by top...

read more

3D configuration tools are the key to increased sales and customer delight

For manufacturers trying to juggle greater product complexity and customer demand for personalized, unique experiences, 3D configuration tools offer the ability to quote complex products with confidence. Customers have always wanted to feel special and, today, they are increasingly willing to pay a premium for it. In return, they want to have a deeper, more influential role in the development of the products they buy, putting pressure on manufacturers to identify ways of making their processes...

read more

What exactly is real-time visual configuration?

Austin Roche, Director EMEA at Configure One, explains what visual configuration is, the business benefits it brings, and shares an exciting example of how one manufacturer is already using the technology to take its organization to the next level. INTERESTED IN MORE INFORMATION?Let’s setup a Configure One demonstration for you and your team. Download our PDF on essential CPQ functions sought out by top manufacturers to increase revenue and accelerate sales.  Understand the CPQ market and...

read more

Top 3 Reasons Customers Choose CPQ Solutions

As part of our Conversations with Configure One series, we invited Chris DiEllo to join us. Chris is responsible for sales at Configure One. He is a hands-on leader and spends as much time as possible with prospects and customers. As a result, his understanding of what the market needs from a CPQ solution are insightful and often unique.  “Those three reasons are growth, enablement, and cost.” In my day-to-day activities, it’s easy to see that there are 3 primary reasons why our customers look...

read more