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...

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...

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....

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...

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,...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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....

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...

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...

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...

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,...

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,...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...