CPQ, or Configure, Price, Quote, is a crucial aspect of the sales process for many businesses. It involves creating custom proposals and quotes for customers based on their specific needs and requirements. A good CPQ system can help streamline the sales process, improve accuracy, and increase efficiency. In this blog post, we'll take a look at some of the most prominent CPQ vendors on the market today.

There are many different CPQ software solutions available, so it's important to choose a reputable vendor that can provide the features and support your business needs. Some popular CPQ vendors include Oracle, Salesforce, and Tacton.

In addition to generating quotes, a good CPQ vendor should also be able to help manage product configurations,  set up CAD automation, and deliver real-time pricing. They should also be able to assist with cross-selling by suggesting related products to customers based on their needs and preferences.

When selecting a CPQ vendor, be sure to carefully research and compare their offerings to ensure you are getting the best solution for your business. A good CPQ vendor will not only provide the features you need, but also offer excellent customer support and training to ensure a smooth implementation and ongoing success.

Don't let the sales process hold you back any longer – consider partnering with a trusted CPQ vendor to take your business to the next level.

Top rated CPQ Vendors 2023

1. Salesforce CPQ: Salesforce is a well-known name in the world of customer relationship management (CRM) and their CPQ offering is no exception. It integrates seamlessly with their CRM platform and offers a wide range of features including quote generation, contract management, and pricing automation.

2. Oracle CPQ: Oracle's CPQ solution is known for its advanced capabilities in areas such as quoting, pricing, and proposal generation. It offers a range of tools for automating and streamlining the sales process, including integration with Oracle's CRM and ERP systems.

3. Tacton CPQ: Tacton is a leading provider of CPQ solutions, offering a range of tools for configuring, pricing, and quoting complex products and services. It's particularly well-suited for businesses with complex products or pricing structures.

4. Configure One: Configure One is a CPQ vendor that specializes in serving the manufacturing and engineering industries. Their platform offers a range of features including configurator tools, proposal generation, and integration with ERP systems.

5. SAP CPQ: CallidusCloud is another well-known name in the CPQ space, offering a wide range of features including pricing optimization, proposal generation, and contract management. It also offers strong integration with CRM systems.

In conclusion, these are just a few of the most prominent CPQ vendors on the market today. Each one offers a unique set of features and is well-suited for different types of businesses. It's important to carefully evaluate your needs and choose a vendor that offers the tools and capabilities that best meet your business requirements. Let's look at the strength and weaknesses of these CPQ vendors.

Salesforce CPQ

One of the strengths of Salesforce CPQ is its strong integration with the Salesforce CRM platform. This can make it easier for businesses to manage customer relationships and sales processes in one place. Another strength is its wide range of features, including quote generation, contract management, and pricing automation.

One potential weakness of Salesforce CPQ is that it may be more expensive than some other options on the market. It's also worth noting that it is tightly integrated with the Salesforce CRM platform, which may not be a good fit for businesses that use a different CRM system or prefer more flexibility in their integration options.

Oracle CPQ

One of the strengths of Oracle CPQ is its advanced capabilities in areas such as quoting, pricing, and proposal generation. It also offers strong integration with Oracle's CRM and ERP systems, which can be a benefit for businesses that use these platforms.

A potential weakness of Oracle CPQ is that it may have a steeper learning curve for those who are new to using CPQ systems. It's also worth noting that it is tightly integrated with Oracle's CRM and ERP systems, which may not be a good fit for businesses that use different systems or prefer more flexibility in their integration options.

Tacton CPQ

One of the strengths of Tacton CPQ is its focus on serving businesses with complex products or pricing structures. It offers a range of tools for configuring, pricing, and quoting these types of products and services. Another strength is its strong integration with other business systems, such as CRM and ERP platforms.

One potential weakness of Tacton CPQ is that it may not be as well-suited for businesses with simpler products or pricing structures as it is focused on serving manufacturers with complex products or pricing structures.

Configure One

One of the strengths of Configure One is its specialization in serving the manufacturing and engineering industries. It offers a range of features specifically tailored to these sectors, such as configurator tools and integration with ERP systems.

A potential weakness of Configure One is that it is specialized in serving the manufacturing and engineering industries, which may not be a good fit for businesses in other industries. It's also worth noting that it may have a higher price point than some other options on the market.

SAP CPQ

One of the strengths of SAP CPQ is its wide range of features, including pricing optimization, proposal generation, and contract management. It also offers strong integration with SAP's CRM and ERP systems, which can be a benefit for businesses that use these platforms.

A potential weakness of SAP CPQ is that it may have a higher price point than some other options on the market. It's also worth noting that it is tightly integrated with SAP's CRM and ERP systems, which may not be a good fit for businesses that use different systems or prefer more flexibility in their integration options.

License model for CPQ Vendors

The license model for most CPQ vendors is based on a per-user pricing model, with an annual contract required. This means that businesses will pay a set fee for each user who has access to the software. The specific pricing for CPQ will depend on the number of users, the features and functionalities required, and other factors.

Most CPQ vendors offers a range of subscription plans, with different levels of functionality and support available. These plans may include additional features such as proposal generation, professional quote templates, and guided selling capabilities. It is important to carefully review the pricing and licensing options available for each  to determine which one is the best fit for your business.

The CPQ vendors mentioned in this post have pricing that is comparable to other top-ranked vendors in the market. However, it is important to carefully review the pricing and licensing options available from each vendor to determine which one is the best fit for your business.

Some CPQ software vendors may require a CRM (Customer Relationship Management) license in order to use the CPQ functionality. This means that businesses will need to purchase a separate license for the CRM platform in addition to the CPQ software. It is important to consider these additional costs when evaluating the total cost of a CPQ solution.

It is also worth noting that some CPQ software vendors may offer additional features or functionality that may justify a higher price point. It is important to carefully review the features and functionality offered by each vendor to determine which one provides the best value for your business.

It is important to carefully research and compare the pricing and licensing options available from various CPQ software vendors to determine which one is the best fit for your business needs.

Evaluation criteria's

When evaluating CPQ vendors it's typical to consider a range of factors, including:

1. Product/service: This includes the features, functionality, and capabilities of the CPQ software, as well as the quality and reliability of the product.

2. Overall viability: This includes the vendor's financial health and stability, as well as its ability to invest in and support its CPQ products over the long term.

3. Sales execution/pricing: This includes the vendor's sales and pricing strategy, as well as its ability to effectively execute and deliver on its sales goals.

4. Market responsiveness/track record: This includes the vendor's ability to respond to market changes and trends, as well as its track record of delivering successful CPQ implementations for its customers.

5. Marketing execution: This includes the vendor's ability to effectively market and promote its CPQ products, as well as its overall brand awareness and reputation in the market.

6. Customer experience: This includes the vendor's ability to provide excellent customer service and support, as well as the overall satisfaction of its customers with the CPQ software and solutions.

In addition to these factors, it may also be helpful to consider the following when evaluating CPQ vendors:

Ease of use: The CPQ software should be easy to use and navigate, with clear instructions and intuitive interfaces. This can help ensure that your sales and support teams are able to quickly and efficiently use the software to generate quotes and process orders.

Integrations: It's important to consider whether the CPQ software integrates seamlessly with your existing systems, such as your CRM, ERP, and e-commerce platforms. This can help ensure that the CPQ software fits seamlessly into your existing workflow and can help reduce the time and effort required to maintain multiple systems.

Scalability: Consider whether the CPQ software can scale to meet the needs of your business as it grows. This may include the ability to handle large volumes of quotes and orders, as well as support for multiple languages and currencies.

Flexibility: Look for a CPQ software that is flexible and customizable, so that it can be tailored to meet the specific needs of your business. This may include the ability to configure complex pricing rules, support for custom product configurations, and the ability to integrate with custom systems and processes.

Implementation and training: It's important to consider the vendor's ability to provide timely and effective implementation and training services to ensure that your team is able to quickly and effectively use the CPQ software. This may include on-site training, online resources, and dedicated support teams.

Conclusion

When selecting a CPQ vendor, it's important to carefully evaluate your business needs and choose a vendor that offers the tools and capabilities that best meet your requirements. It's also important to consider the cost, customer support, and training options that are available from each vendor.

In conclusion, CPQ systems are an invaluable tool for businesses looking to streamline their sales process, improve accuracy, and increase efficiency. There are many reputable CPQ vendors on the market, each offering a unique set of features and capabilities. It's important to carefully evaluate your business needs and choose a vendor that can best meet those needs.

If you are unsure of which CPQ vendor is the best fit for your business, consider working with a consultant such as cpq.se, who are world class experts in this field and can help you make an informed decision. By partnering with a trusted CPQ consultant, you can take your business to the next level. Check out our success stories here (Swift) and here (HMF).

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