Quotation configurator: Create quotations for complex products quickly and accurately
Author: Elisabeth Sonnleitner
Quotation configurators help companies to configure even technically complex products quickly and without errors. The quotation is created automatically at the touch of a button. This solves the well-known problem: quotations for complex products require many work steps, technical queries and checks, which is why the quotation preparation process takes a long time. A CPQ configurator (Configure-Price-Quote) like the one from Combeenation combines technical rules, pricing logic and visualization in one system. The result: faster quotes, fewer errors and more deals.
What is an offer configurator? The configurator is a digital tool that is used to compile and offer products according to fixed rules. Users configure the product (variants, features, dimensions), the CPQ solution automatically calculates the price and immediately creates a complete quote that can be sent directly.
More than configuration: a powerful lever for more efficient sales processes
Successful sales consist of many individual steps. Combeenation's configurator covers these complex processes. Additional functions increase efficiency and quality in the sales process:
- Rule-based plausibility check: Only combinations that can be produced can be configured and offered. There is no need for technical checks or queries.
- Real-time price and discount calculation: With central price management in the background, offers can be calculated without errors. Role-based user differentiation also allows different prices, discounts, etc. to be stored.
- 3D visualization: 3D product visualization improves the buying experience for customers. Interactive 3D visualization brings the product to life digitally.
- Product description, parts lists and assembly instructions: These important components are also created by the Combeenation configurator in parallel with the quotation.
- Embedding in existing IT landscapes: Combeenation's quotation configurator is independent and can be connected to existing ERP, CRM, PIM or store systems via interfaces.
In just a few minutes, you can create error-free offers with appealing product visualization and important documents. This shortens the sales process and increases the closing rate. Orders can be processed digitally immediately. This will make your sales faster and more successful.
Where is a quotation configurator used?
Quotation configurators are used wherever products are rich in variants, technically complex or customizable. Depending on the industry, different things are important - for example, technology, design or sales that are as automated as possible.
B2B sales configurator for technical industrial products
- Electronics & automation technology: When configuring control systems, sensors, control technology or specific housing variants, there are millions of configuration options. A quotation configurator ensures that everything is right and the price is quoted correctly. This creates a high-quality quotation at the touch of a button instead of a lot of manual work.
- Mechanical and plant engineering: A powerful configurator with reliable rules is used to put together modular machines, plant components or entire systems. A precise technical check and fast, error-free quotations help sales in these sectors considerably.
Other classic areas of application
- Medical technology & laboratory equipment
- Automotive industry
- Agricultural technology
- Component manufacturers
In technical and industrial sales, many processes are still heavily dependent on employees. This often makes sales processes slow and leads to many interested parties dropping out. A quotation configurator reduces errors in product selection and price and speeds up the entire sales process.
Configurator checklist
Avoid stumbling blocks.
Configure offers for the consumer goods, furniture and construction industries
- Furniture industry: Whether kitchens, built-in wardrobes, shelving systems or upholstered furniture - a configurator simplifies furniture sales enormously. Planning errors are avoided and the data can be transferred directly to production. The buying experience for customers is significantly improved thanks to 3D views during the sales pitch and immediate offers.
Experience the benefits and functions using our example of a quotation configurator for a manufacturer of outdoor kitchens.
- Building industry: Flexibly plannable structures such as carports, garages or pergolas are in high demand due to fast delivery, easy assembly and resource conservation. With Combeenation's configurator, such products can be designed, visualized and offered immediately in a simple, secure and free manner. Combeenation is one of the leading providers in the construction sector because the configuration with sliders works without restrictions. This allows suppliers to fulfill a particularly large number of variants and individual wishes and set themselves apart from the competition.
Find out more about a practical example of an offer configurator from Combeenation for Easycarports.
- E-Commerce: A product and offer configurator brings many advantages for online stores and customers. Products with many variants can be put together easily and prices can be displayed immediately. The intuitive experience makes shopping more pleasant and increases the willingness to buy. Combeenation's CPQ solution automatically checks whether the configuration fits and reduces technical queries.
Combeenation's quotation configurator is very flexible and optimally combines customer requirements, sales and technology.
How can a quotation configurator be successfully integrated?
The introduction of a quotation configurator requires more than just technical know-how. It is a pioneering project that brings together processes, systems and user needs. With Combeenation, the introduction is structured, efficient and future-proof. This is how we proceed:
- Analysis and planning as a foundation
It all starts with a structured planning process: together with our customers, we analyze objectives, existing sales processes and requirements for user roles and functions of the quotation configurator. In workshops, we create a clear product tree that maps all configuration options, dependencies and rules. We build a concept for the configurator on this, which provides early insights into operability and usability.
- Develop user-centered UI and UX design
An offer configurator can only develop its full potential if it can be used intuitively and smoothly by all user groups. That's why we at Combeenation develop the user interface in line with specific user needs - for maximum acceptance and sustainable use.
- Smooth system integration
An important success factor is that the configurator can be integrated into existing IT systems such as CRM, ERP or PIM. This is the only way to ensure that all important data (prices, product information or availability) is synchronized automatically and in real time. The Combeenation configurator can also be integrated into online stores so that the entire sales process runs digitally. Combeenation works independently and can be integrated into any IT landscape. This demonstrably saves time and money during implementation.
- Implementation and data maintenance with full service
Combeenation's experienced CPQ experts take care of the technical setup, define all the rules and prepare the data. This means that your configurator is ready for use from day one.
As with any digital project, success depends on good planning and professional implementation. With Combeenation, you have an experienced partner at your side.
Would you like to know more about how to successfully introduce a quotation configurator? Then download the free Combeenation whitepaper with checklists and useful practical knowledge.
What are the advantages of using a quotation configurator?
A sales configurator offers great advantages: It automates important sales steps, speeds up the sales process, reduces errors and increases the closing rate.
Concrete advantages of a CPQ configurator in sales:
- Accelerated quotation creation: Even complex quotations can be created in just a few minutes. Employees no longer have to check technical details manually because the configurator takes over the product logic. This is a major advantage, especially for products with many variants and dependencies.
- Higher tempo, more finishes: Quick responses to inquiries make you more competitive. An immediate offer triggers the impulse to buy and ensures more deals. Your sales department has more time for customer care. Product management and technology can concentrate more on innovations.
- Error-free offers thanks to defined rules: Only product combinations that can be produced can be selected in the configurator. Incorrect configurations are excluded. This significantly reduces queries and corrections. Standardized and clear offers increase quality and are particularly important for international, multilingual teams.
- Correct prices, secure margins: Prices are calculated in real time and take individual price and discount rules into account. Special prices for certain users, customers or countries are also possible. In this way, the configurator prevents sales staff from giving unwanted discounts and secures the defined profit margins.
- Efficiency in digital processes: The quotation configurator can be integrated into the CRM (Customer Relationship Management) system to automatically save quotations and customer data. Configuration data can be transferred directly to production. Errors during data transfer or missing information on customer history are therefore a thing of the past.
- Scalability & internationalization: The quotation configurator can be used from different locations, in different markets and also by sales partners. Automatic translations as well as regional price and currency rules facilitate international expansion and growth.
Combeenation's innovative configurator is a strategic sales tool that saves time while improving quality, efficiency, closing rates and customer relationships. Combeenation's CPQ solutions offer real competitive advantages, particularly in markets with a large number of variants, complex products or a high need for explanation.
Take advantage of a free initial consultation with Combeenation and ask your questions about sales and quotation configurators for your industry and your product portfolio.
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Configurator checklist
Avoid stumbling blocks.