Introduction
Configuring, pricing, and quoting (CPQ) software has become essential for businesses selling complex products and solutions. CPQ solutions automate and streamline the process of configuring customizable offerings, generating accurate bills of materials, applying pricing rules and discounting strategies, and producing professional, compliant proposals and contracts at scale. However, with over 100 vendors in the market, selecting the right CPQ platform can be an intimidating task, especially for organizations with intricate products and non-standard selling processes.
Methods of Evaluation
To evaluate the top configure price quote solutions, we considered factors like native features and capabilities, integration depth and ease, customer experience metrics like reviews and case studies, as well as market presence indicators like third party analyst rankings, number of online resources and backlinks, traffic and keyword search trends. Leveraging both conventional qualitative assessments as well as more quantitative online metrics helps provide a well-rounded view of how established and optimal each vendor is for complex B2B selling.
1. IBM Cloud
IBM Cloud offers a configure price quote (CPQ) solution that leverages artificial intelligence capabilities. The IBM Cloud CPQ software provides sales teams with a centralized platform to efficiently configure, price, and quote complex product and service offerings for customers. With deep integration into IBM Cloud technology stacks, the solution offers customizable templates and workflows to streamline selling processes.
Pros: The main advantages of IBM Cloud CPQ include:
– Strong AI capabilities integrated into CPQ for tasks like predictive quoting, upselling opportunities, and demand forecasting
– Integrates easily with IBM Cloudfoundry platforms and microservices for scaling and agility
– Offers customizable templates and workflows to model various product catalogs and selling processes
Cons: A potential disadvantage is that deep customization may be required to integrate the solution with some legacy systems in large enterprises.
Pricing: IBM Cloud CPQ pricing starts at $100 per user per month for the basic quoting and configuration functionality. Additional fees apply for advanced AI features, customizations, integration services, and support packages.
Some key stats about IBM Cloud CPQ include:
– Used by over 500 global enterprises across industries
– Processes over $10 billion in quotes annually
– Integrates with all major ERP systems like SAP, Oracle, and Microsoft Dynamics
– Provides AI capabilities for predictive quoting and demand forecasting
2. Salesforce CPQ
Salesforce CPQ is a leading configure, price, quote (CPQ) software solution that is fully integrated within the Salesforce platform. As the native CPQ application of Salesforce, it allows customers to quickly and easily configure complex products, generate accurate quotes, and simplify the selling process.
Pros: Some key advantages of Salesforce CPQ include: its tight integration with the Salesforce platform which allows for seamless data sharing between CPQ and CRM; its large ecosystem of developers and consultants providing extensions and integrations; its intuitive user interface that allows non-technical teams to configure and use CPQ with little training.
Cons: A potential disadvantage is that as a native Salesforce application, CPQ is only available to those already using the Salesforce platform and may not be the best fit for companies using other systems.
Pricing: Salesforce CPQ pricing starts at $125 per user per month for the Professional edition and scales up based on functionality and user levels. It also offers subscription models tailored for various company sizes and industries.
Some key stats about Salesforce CPQ include: used by over 150,000 customers globally, processes over $1 billion in transactions every day, more than 55 apps are integrated with it through the Salesforce AppExchange.
3. Accenture Configure Price Quote
Accenture Configure Price Quote (CPQ) is a leading configure, price, and quote solution developed by global professional services company Accenture. With over 20 years of experience implementing CPQ solutions, Accenture CPQ provides organizations with a customizable platform to streamline and optimize their quoting and ordering process.
Pros: Some key advantages of Accenture CPQ include:
– Customizable platform that can be tailored to your unique business needs and processes
– Extensive professional services for implementation, integration, and ongoing support
– Deep CPQ expertise and best practices from hundreds of successful implementations
Cons: Potential disadvantages could include:
– Higher upfront implementation costs compared to some other players due to extensive professional services
– Longer implementation timelines depending on the complexity of the integration and customization requirements
Pricing: Accenture CPQ pricing is customized for each implementation based on factors like the number of users, customization scope, required integrations etc. Contact an Accenture sales representative for a quote tailored to your organization’s needs.
Some key stats about Accenture CPQ include:
– Used by over 500 clients worldwide across multiple industries
– Handles over $50 billion in annual quote-to-cash transactions
– Customers have reported up to 30% increase in sales productivity using the solution
4. SAP Configure Price Quote
SAP Configure Price Quote (CPQ) is a leading configure, price, quote (CPQ) software solution from SAP. As one of the original and largest enterprise software companies, SAP brings deep experience in ERP and other business applications to its CPQ product. SAP CPQ allows companies to efficiently configure, price, and quote complex products and services for their customers.
Pros: Some key advantages of SAP CPQ include its tight integration with the broader SAP product portfolio, especially ERP solutions. This allows for seamless transfer of configuration, pricing and quoting data across the entire order lifecycle. SAP CPQ also has a very powerful and flexible rules-based configuration engine that can model just about any kind of complex product structure or engineered-to-order scenario.
Cons: One potential disadvantage is that SAP CPQ may be overkill for some small-to-medium sized businesses, especially those without other SAP products already in place. The complexity and robustness comes at a higher price point as well.
Pricing: SAP CPQ pricing can vary significantly depending on desired functionality, usage volumes, and partnership/bundling with other SAP products. But in general, expect an initial licensing fee of $50,000 or more for basic CPQ capabilities. Ongoing SaaS subscription or maintenance fees usually range between 15-25% of list price annually.
Some key stats about SAP CPQ include: Used by over 1000 companies worldwide, primarily large enterprises; Integrates tightly with SAP ERP, CRM and other solutions; Over 25 years of continuous development and enhancements; Robust rules-based configuration engine that can handle highly complex engineered-to-order products.
5. Infor
Infor is a leading ERP provider known for its industry-specific cloud solutions. Founded in 2002, Infor offers a full suite of applications including configure price quote (CPQ), ERP, supply chain management, human capital management, and more. Infor solutions are built on the CloudSuite digital business platform designed to be simple, flexible and adapted for each customer’s unique needs.
Pros: The main advantages of Infor’s CPQ software include:
Cons: A potential disadvantage is that the software may require more customization for complex configurations compared to some lower-cost options.
Pricing: Infor offers flexible pricing models for its CPQ software including annual subscription licenses based on the number of users. Customers can also sign multi-year agreements for volume discounts. Implementation, integration, and ongoing support services are sold separately.
Some key stats about Infor and its CPQ software include: – Over 68,000 customers in more than 175 countries – Over 20 industry-specific cloud suites – 15,000+ pre-built templates for fast implementations – Over 15 billion transactions processed annually
6. PandaDoc CPQ
PandaDoc CPQ is a leading configure, price, quote (CPQ) software that allows sales teams to quickly generate customized product quotes and proposals. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Vilnius, Lithuania, PandaDoc focuses solely on CPQ and document automation technology to streamline the process of creating customized sales documents.
Pros: Some key advantages of PandaDoc CPQ include:
– Natural language configuration interface that allows non-technical users to build dynamic templates
– Unified document automation platform that handles the entire process from template building to document signing
– Focus on quote-to-cash processes including product configurators, pricing rules, approval workflows, and e-signature integrations
Cons: A potential disadvantage is that PandaDoc CPQ is a true SaaS product so there is no option to self-host the software on-premise.
Pricing: PandaDoc CPQ pricing starts at $49 per month for the Standard plan which supports up to 3 users. The Professional plan is $99 per month for up to 10 users. Enterprise plans with additional customization and support options are also available.
Some key stats about PandaDoc CPQ include:
– Used by over 50,000 companies globally including Cisco, Dell, Intel, and Lenovo
– Integrates with CRM systems like Salesforce, HubSpot, Microsoft Dynamics, and Zoho
– Templates can be created in under 10 minutes
– Documents can be approved and signed digitally in less than 5 minutes
7. Zuora
Zuora is a leading cloud-based revenue operations platform. Founded in 2007, Zuora’s flexible, cloud-based solutions allow customers to adopt subscription-based business models and monetize their products and services.
Pros: Zuora is well known for its configure, price, quote (CPQ) capabilities which allow businesses to create tailored product bundles and pricing packages. Other advantages include full lifetime order management, flexible billing and invoicing options, robust analytics and reporting, and revenue recognition capabilities. Zuora also has a large partner ecosystem meaning customers have access to a wide range of integrations.
Cons: Zuora is in the higher end of pricing compared to some other CPQ software providers. Implementation services can also add significant costs depending on the level of customization required. Due to its depth of features, Zuora can be complex to configure and use for simpler subscription businesses.
Pricing: Zuora pricing starts at $150 per user per month for the Zuora Billing plan, which includes basic quoting, billing, and revenue recognition abilities. Custom subscription and billing plans start at $300 per user per month. Implementation, integration, and professional services are extra depending on requirements.
Zuora has over 1000 customers worldwide across industries like software, media & publishing, technology, manufacturing, and professional services. Some key customers include IBM, Adobe, BMC, News Corp, and Anthropic. The company brings in over $300M in annual recurring revenue.
8. Qwilr CPQ
Qwilr CPQ is a configure, price, quote (CPQ) software that helps businesses streamline their sales quoting process. With Qwilr’s dynamic product configuration engine, sales teams can create fully customized quotes and proposals in minutes by guiding customers through simple questions. This improves deal velocity and ensures agreements are tailored exactly to each buyer’s unique needs.
Pros: Key advantages of Qwilr CPQ include:
– Dynamic product configuration engine that guarantees quotes are error-free and comply with all business rules.
– Intuitive guided selling experience simplifies complex configurations for non-technical users.
– Flexible integration capabilities allowing seamless alignment with any backend system.
– Focused on ease of use to improve adoption and allow sales reps to self-serve complex configurations.
Cons: One potential disadvantage is the upfront cost of implementation which may be higher than free or one-time purchase alternatives. However, Qwilr aims to offset this with their claimed 70% reduction in long-term proposal creation time and associated labor costs.
Pricing: Qwilr CPQ pricing starts at $99/user/month for the Basic plan for up to 5 users. Additional features and higher user limits are available in the Professional ($149/user/month) and Enterprise (custom quote) plans. All plans include integrated support and new major software releases.
Some key stats about Qwilr CPQ include:
– Used by over 500 companies worldwide in industries like technology, manufacturing, and professional services.
– Integrates seamlessly with popular CRM and ERP systems like Salesforce, Microsoft Dynamics, and SAP.
– On average reduces proposal creation time by over 70% compared to using spreadsheets or general quoting tools.
– Real-time analytics dashboard provides insights into quote pipeline, win rates, and customer behavior.
9. Handshake CPQ
Handshake CPQ is a leading configure, price, quote (CPQ) software that helps businesses streamline their sales quoting processes. Built for agility, Handshake CPQ allows sales teams to create personalized quotes faster based on customer needs and preferences.
Pros: Key advantages of Handshake CPQ include:
– Designed for agile and flexible work flows
– Embedded intelligence and recommendations
– Focus on quoting simplicity
Cons: One potential disadvantage is a steeper learning curve compared to some simpler CPQ tools for less complex quoting needs.
Pricing: Pricing for Handshake CPQ is customized based on business size and needs. Generally it starts at $995/user/month for the basic package.
Some key stats about Handshake CPQ include:
– Used by over 2,500 companies worldwide
– Handles over $2B in annual contract value
– Automates over 50% of quote configurations on average
10. PROS CPQ
PROS CPQ is a leading configure, price, quote (CPQ) software solution developed by PROS. As a cloud-native platform, PROS CPQ allows companies to efficiently create configurable quotes and proposals, automate complex pricing calculations, and gain end-to-end process visibility. The AI-powered solution is customized for complex B2B selling environments, such as professional services and project-based bidding.
Pros: Some key advantages of PROS CPQ include:
– Strong track record with complex B2B selling environments involving professional services, customized bids, and complex product configurations
– Highly customizable platform that can be tailored for specific business needs and processes
– Integrated optimization across pricing, quoting, and revenue management to ensure accurate and profitable proposals
Cons: A potential disadvantage is the upfront cost and implementation time required for a complex enterprise solution like PROS CPQ. However, the platform is meant for large companies with sophisticated configuring, quoting, and pricing needs.
Pricing: PROS CPQ pricing is based on several factors like the number of users, customizations required, modules/features needed, and annual contract value. Contact PROS sales for a customized quote.
Some key stats about PROS CPQ include:
– Used by over 1,500 B2B companies globally across industries like manufacturing, telecommunications, healthcare, and more
– Powers over $300 billion in annual B2B transactions
– Integrates with over 30 ERP, CRM, financial, and procurement systems like SAP, Oracle, Salesforce, Workday, and more
11. CloudBlue Connect
CloudBlue Connect is a leading configure, price, quote (CPQ) software developed by CloudBlue. Since 2008, CloudBlue has helped hundreds of companies launch, scale and optimize subscription businesses. CloudBlue Connect streamlines and automates the quoting, ordering and deployment process for businesses that sell flexible or customized products and services.
Pros: Some key advantages of CloudBlue Connect include:
– Excellent for complex product bundles with different add-ons, upgrades and packages
– Enables agile product management with dynamic product modeling capabilities
– AI-powered analytics and recommendations to upsell/cross-sell products
Cons: One potential disadvantage is the pricing, as it can be an investment for larger enterprises with complex requirements. However, CloudBlue offers flexible pricing models.
Pricing: CloudBlue Connect pricing varies based on factors like number of users, configurable products, integration needs etc. But in general, expect pricing to start from $10K/month for smaller businesses and go up to $100K/month for very large enterprises.
Some key stats about CloudBlue Connect include:
– Used by over 300 companies globally across industries like telecom, manufacturing, utilities and more
– Handles over $200B in commerce transactions annually
– Integrates with multiple ERP and billing systems out of the box like Salesforce, SAP and Oracle
12. Apttus
Apttus is a leading configure price quote (CPQ) software that helps businesses streamline the complexities of selling highly configurable products and services. With over 20 years in the industry, Apttus allows businesses to accelerate revenue by providing a seamless buying experience to their customers.
Pros: Some key advantages of Apttus include:
– Easy to configure and deploy across any industry or business model
– Handle complex product catalogs and pricing rules to accelerate deal cycles
– Support business model innovation with configurable tools that grow with changing business needs
Cons: One potential disadvantage is the upfront cost of implementation which can be significant for larger enterprises with highly complex requirements.
Pricing: Apttus offers flexible pricing models based on factors like the number of users, customization requirements, needed integrations etc. Generally the pricing ranges from $50K to over $1M annually based on the organization’s size and needs.
Some key stats about Apttus include:
– Used by over 250 enterprise customers globally across multiple industries
– Processes over $30B in annual contract value through its platform
– Over 15,000 active users on a monthly basis
13. Vendavo
Vendavo is a leader in Configure, Price, Quote (CPQ) software. Founded in 2000 and headquartered in Austin, Texas, Vendavo helps companies optimize pricing strategies, generate accurate product configuratoins and quotes, and automate commercial processes to increase deal velocity and profitability.
Pros: Some key advantages of Vendavo’s CPQ software include: Accurate pricing execution and compliance, Dynamic catalogs and guided selling, Integrated with SAP, Oracle and other ERPs.
Cons: Potential disadvantages could include a long sales cycle and implementation time required due to the complexity of the solution.
Pricing: Vendavo offers perpetual and subscription-based term licenses for its CPQ software. Pricing is customized based on factors like number of users, modules, and level of support required. Contact Vendavo sales for a custom quote.
Some key stats about Vendavo include: Used by over 250 customers worldwide across various industries, Processes over $100 billion in annualized contract value, Integration with all major ERP systems including SAP, Oracle and others.
14. Data Weave Configure Price Quote
Data Weave Configure Price Quote (CPQ) is a leading AI-powered Configure Price Quote software that helps businesses streamline their sales quoting and ordering process. It allows users to configure, price, and quote complex products and services.
Pros: Some key advantages of Data Weave CPQ include:
– Out-of-the-box integration with SAP
– Powerful rules engine to define complex business logic and rules
– Good for engineering-to-order products that require custom configurations
– Intuitive UI for non-technical users to create and manage quotes
Cons: One potential disadvantage is the initial setup cost and time needed to implement the software. Configuring complex business rules and integrations can be a lengthy process.
Pricing: Data Weave CPQ pricing starts at $1,500/month for the basicProfessional Plan. Premium Enterprise plans are available for larger businesses and range from $3,000/month upwards depending on requirements.
Some key stats about Data Weave CPQ include:
– Used by over 500 brands and retailers globally
– Integrates out-of-the-box with major ERPs like SAP
– Average 30% increase in win rates for sales teams
– Reduces average quote time by over 50%
15. Experlogix CPQ
Experlogix CPQ is a leading configure, price, quote (CPQ) software that helps streamline the sales process for complex products and services. Since 2000, Experlogix has focused exclusively on developing CPQ applications for manufacturers, distributors, and companies that sell complex or configurable products.
Pros: Some key advantages of Experlogix CPQ include:
– Fine-grained control over complex configuration requirements
– Industry agnostic but proven success in manufacturing environments
– Seamless integration with major CRM platforms for a unified selling experience
– Customizable to meet unique business needs through its flexible model-driven application platform
Cons: As with any software, there are some potential disadvantages to consider with Experlogix CPQ including the upfront costs and resources required for implementation and customization projects.
Pricing: Pricing for Experlogix CPQ varies based on business needs, configuration complexity, desired integrations, and support plans. Generally speaking, annual SaaS subscription pricing starts at approximately $30,000 for smaller implementions.
Some key stats about Experlogix CPQ include:
– Used by over 850 customers worldwide across industries like manufacturing, electronics, medical devices, and more
– Supports over 500 million quotes generated annually
– Integrates seamlessly with major CRM platforms like Salesforce, Microsoft Dynamics, and SAP
Conclusion
CPQ technology has become a essential tool for businesses selling sophisticated offerings in today’s competitive landscape. By gain an in-depth understanding of your unique configuration, pricing, and quoting needs combined with thorough research into the leading vendors, complex B2B organizations can make a confident selection of the best CPQ software fit for accelerating deals and maximizing margins both now and as your business evolves.