How CPQ Software is Changing Quoting for Manufacturers
Creating a quote has become more difficult for manufacturers today. Customers want more personalized products, global markets are more competitive, and supply chains are often uncertain. Sales teams now need to send accurate quotes quickly to win orders.
This is where CPQ software for manufacturing helps. It allows companies to create accurate quotes faster, improve sales, and grow their business.
In this article, we’ll explore how quotation software for manufacturing works, why it is important, and what to look for when choosing the best quoting software.
Why Quoting in Manufacturing is Difficult
Manufacturing quotes are not simple. Here are some challenges:
Products often require custom configurations and complex bill of materials (BOMs).
Many products are built-to-order or engineer-to-order.
Parts may not always be in stock, and delivery times vary.
Prices and discounts change depending on the customer or location.
Quotes must follow local and international rules.
Sales teams must work with data from ERP and CRM systems.
Using spreadsheets or old tools to handle all this leads to mistakes, delays, and unhappy customers. In fact, quoting errors can result in lost sales and damage customer trust.
What Does CPQ Software Do?
CPQ (Configure, Price, Quote) software makes the quoting process easier and more reliable. It helps sales teams:
Pick the right product options based on rules.
Automatically calculate accurate pricing, discounts, and taxes.
Create professional quotes and proposals.
Connect quoting with CRM, ERP, and production systems.
Let sales reps, partners, and customers easily request quotes.
By automating the process, CPQ ensures every quote is accurate and fast.
Benefits of CPQ Software for Manufacturing
Using the best CPQ software brings many advantages:
1. Faster Quotes
Sales teams can generate quotes quickly, helping them respond to opportunities faster than competitors.
2. Fewer Mistakes
Rules built into the software help avoid errors, ensuring all quotes are correct.
3. More Productive Sales Teams
Salespeople spend less time on spreadsheets and more time selling and building relationships.
4. Better Customer Experience
Customers get professional, clear, and accurate quotes — which makes buying easier.
5. Higher Revenue
With faster and more accurate quoting, companies can close more deals and increase profits.
6. Works Well with Other Systems
Modern CPQ software integrates smoothly with ERP, CRM, and PLM systems, keeping data consistent.
How to Choose the Best Quoting Software for Manufacturing
There are many CPQ tools available. Here’s what to look for:
Designed for Manufacturing Choose software built to handle complex products and configurations.
Easy to Use Sales teams and customers should find it simple to configure products and request quotes.
Flexible and Scalable The software should meet your current needs and grow with your business.
Good Integrations Make sure it works well with your ERP, CRM, and other key systems.
Strong Rules and Workflow Management The software should enforce product, pricing, and approval rules.
Reliable Performance It should handle complex products and generate quotes quickly.
Vendor Experience Pick a vendor with a strong background in manufacturing and successful CPQ projects.
For example, Cincom CPQ is a great choice for manufacturers. It is flexible, scalable, and integrates well with other business systems. As Xait also highlights, the ability to create professional proposals helps your company stand out.
Conclusion
In today’s fast-moving manufacturing world, manual quoting is no longer enough. CPQ software for manufacturing helps companies create fast, accurate quotes that win more business.
By using the best quoting software, you can improve quote accuracy, speed up sales, and give your customers a better experience.
With global competition increasing, adopting quotation software for manufacturing is now a smart move. The time to upgrade your quoting process is now.