This article will help you quickly compare and evaluate the best quote software and understand the basics of what CPQ applications do.
Configure, price, quote software—or CPQ software—is exactly what the name sounds like: a digital system to assist with pricing and sales quoting. Getting the best quote engine will amplify the process. If you have ever wondered how to set up a quote, using CPQ software is designed to automate a lot of the process.
Choosing the right CPQ platform can help you manage product configuration requests, collect e-signatures, set up CAD automation, deliver real-time pricing, and cross-sell various products. The best CPQ product will go above and beyond merely providing proposals and quotes and will address many touchpoints of the sales lifecycle in order to grow your bottom line.
Here are my favorite picks for the best CPQ software on the market right now.
The Best CPQ Software List
Here’s a shortlist of the best CPQ tools:
- Oracle CPQ Cloud
- Salesforce CPQ
- Infor Cloud CPQ
- Service Path
- Armatic Sales QTC
- Zimit Services CPQ
- Cincom
- Expedite Commerce
- Experlogix CPQ
- Qmaze CPQ
Configure Price Quote Solutions FAQ
You might have some questions before developing a price quote. This handy FAQ should help you get started.
What Is CPQ?
CPQ stands for “configure, price, quote”, used most often in the B2B and construction industry to describe processes that involve selling and/or quoting complex and configurable products.
What Does “Configure” Mean in CPQ?
CPQ stands for “configure, price, quote”…but what exactly does “configure” mean here? “Configure” refers to the need for combining components and parts to create an accurate product for the customer’s situation. Therefore, you are “configuring” the complex solution to best meet their needs.
What Is CPQ Software?
CPW software is a digital tool used to assist buyers and sellers with automating parts of the quoting and pricing systems of their business operations. CPQ software might keep detailed lists of prices, discounts, and exceptions; assist with providing faster quotes; help to make adjustments on products and visualize the results, and keep a database of client contacts.
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Overviews Of The 10 Best CPQ System Software
Here’s a brief description of each of the quotation management software that is featured on this top 10 list.
1. Oracle CPQ Cloud – Best for easily scalable configure price quote software
Pros
- AI-based price optimization
- Multi-site document designer
- List and customer specific pricing
- CRM integration with leading SFAs
Cons
- Only 1 Oracle pricing tier
- Additional services add cost
2. Salesforce CPQ – Best for customized pricing using multiple versions of rep price books
Pros
- Fast proposal generation
- Supports multiple rate quote packages
- Professional quote templates
- Easy integration with other Salesforce solutions
Cons
- Per-user products require an annual contract
- No 2D/3D modeling
- No self-service portal
3. Infor Cloud CPQ – Best for its innovative product configuration engine
Pros
- Products in 2D or 3D models
- Automatically produce BOMs
- Robust product cataloging
- Easy to follow programming steps
Cons
- Emphasis on cataloging over quoting
- No guided selling
- No renewal management options
4. ServicePath – Best for Value Added Resellers (VARs) & System Integrators (SIs)
Pros
- Requirements Wizards for customer needs
- Good logic flow of process
- Detailed cost to service modeling
- Quick product change requests
Cons
- No 2D/3D modeling of products
- No built-in ecommerce
- Tailored more for IT Service Providers
5. Armatic Sales QTC – Best for eSign automation across the sales cycle
Pros
- Native ecommerce functionality
- Self-service portal
- Supports subscription-based businesses
- Small business friendly
Cons
- No 2D/3D product modeling
- Proposal to eSign exclusive to higher tiers
- Hefty additional-user cost
6. Zimit Services CPQ – Best for quoting professional services, managed services, subscriptions and XaaS.
Pros
- Pricing and cost calculations
- Robust quote analytics and forecasting
- Easily tie-in additional services post-sale
Cons
- Web-based only, no install option
- Smaller online presence for community and support
7. Cincom – Best for international customer experience, with multi-language document printing
Pros
- Good business information capturing
- Easily customizable data fields
- Supports different languages and countries
- Fully integrated with Microsoft Dynamics 365
Cons
- Good business information capturing
- Easily customizable data fields
- Supports different languages and countries
- Fully integrated with Microsoft Dynamics 365
8. Expedite Commerce – Best for B2B manufacturers & distributors of electronics & chemicals
Pros
- 2D/3D product modeling
- Supports renewal management
- Highly flexible and intuitive
Cons
- No free trial
- Geared towards made and assembled-to-order products instead of engineered-to-order products
9. Experlogix CPQ – Best for guided selling, like make-to-order automation
Pros
- Rules and formulas are very robust
- Excellent integration with MS Dynamics 365
- No-code configurations through design center
- Great use of Gmail integration for status updates
Cons
- No renewal management
- Occasional metadata errors
10. Qmaze CPQ – Best for accurate quotes in a customer self-service environment
Pros
- Supports also different 3D systems and API’s
- Rule-based configuration
- Multiple languages and currencies
- Accurate price calculation on options
Cons
- Slow-loading reports
- Dated-looking UI
Other Quoting Software Options
Here’s a few more that didn’t make the top list. If you need additional suggestions for handy quotation software, check these out.
- SAP Sales Cloud (was CallidusCloud) – Best sales vehicle for enterprise resource planning (ERP).
- Tacton – Best for CPQ with visual configurations and an augmented reality (AR) app for your product portfolio.
- eRep CPQ – Best for consistent pricing and discount rules without manual data entry.
- In Mind Cloud – Best for customer and supplier insights to optimize the buying experience.
- 3D CPQ Solutions – Best for complex business rules, no matter the deal size.
- PandaDoc – Best for out-of-the-box integrations with more than a dozen CRM platforms.
- Configure One – Best for a large or complicated product catalog.
- CIS Configurator – Best for software solutions for complex products with many options.
- Technicon – Best for leveraging customer preferences from your CRM to quick-start quotes.
- DealHub CPQ – Best for creating quotes in any format, like a web page, link, pdf, Word, or Excel.
- Apttus CPQ – Best for applying artificial intelligence (AI) to revenue generation and management of commercial relationships.
- Axonom PowerTrak – Best for self-service augmented reality or virtual reality product building.
- Verenia – Best for dynamically generated BOMs and routings.
- Cincom CPQ – Best for the sales of financial services, like banking and insurance.
- ConnectWise Sell – Best for built-in notifications when the client is interacting with the quote or proposal.
- QuoteWerks – Best for the cash process (Quote-To-Cash) sales management.
- Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Sales – Best for those already using Microsoft’s business management software.
- Verenia for NetSuite – Best (only) native NetSuite CPQ sales tool.
What Sales Quote Software And CPQ Tools Do You Recommend?
The quoting process has a lot more moving parts than the business processes of old. With the CPQ tools I’ve covered, you can directly connect your sales channels to your CRM systems so you’re leveraging your customer experience database to produce an error-free and faster sales cycle. You can also access and use more previous data in order to make more accurate quotes.
Have you tried out any of the quotation tools listed above? What quote tool do you prefer and why? Let me know in the comments.
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