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Thinking about implementing a new CPQ? Do this first!
Download the CPQ Migration Checklist to prepare for a clean transition.
When implemented correctly, CPQ software acts as a sales co-pilot; helping AE's package, price and generate accurate quotes quickly.
When implemented poorly, CPQ software can actually slow down your sales process, losing you deals and frusturating your sales team and customers.
In this SaaS CPQ implementation guide, we’ll help you understand the key steps involved in implementing a CPQ solution. Also, learn the best practices to make this implementation a breeze for your sales team.
If you want to learn the basics of what CPQ software can do, start here!
CPQ implementation can turn chaotic without proper steps in place. You must understand what you require and find a solution that will help you achieve your goals. Here’s how:
CPQ implementations are notorious for being delayed and expensive. But with new solutions launched over the past three years, the default timeline has improved from 6+ months to just weeks to go-live with a new CPQ.
Unless you have 1000’s of SKUs and rules, avoid code-heavy CPQ solutions. Opt for code-light, or no-code solutions that are known for ease of use and rapid deployment.
A simple and streamlined CPQ solution will save you hundreds of thousands of dollars, lead to faster adoption, and still meet your core pricing and selling requirements.
Create a dedicated CPQ task force led by RevOps and include key stakeholders like the head of sales, finance, and customer success.
By having a dedicated task force, you will guarantee that your CPQ solution answers the needs of different teams and fits into the overall business objectives. It will have a very important role in defining requirements, selecting vendors, managing implementation, and driving user adoption.
As you bring diverse perspectives, you can create your CPQ requirements and use it to guide your evaluation process to ultimately buy the right CPQ software. [read more on how
Now is the time to input all this relevant data into your CPQ. The system needs all of these inputs to generate accurate quotes, automate approvals, and streamline the sales process.
So, take the time to organize your product catalog, pricing information, approval workflows, user permissions, and any other relevant data. Here are some key data points to consider:
Careful planning and adding accurate data help you minimize errors and avoid delays. Remember, a well-organized data foundation sets the stage for a successful CPQ rollout.
With everything (including your data and team) in place, it’s time to implement the CPQ you chose. You need to work closely with the CPQ partner to configure the system and integrate it with your existing work stack. Here are some key considerations during implementation:
A well-executed implementation will set the stage for a smooth transition and maximize the benefits of your CPQ investment.
The success of CPQ implementation hinges on how well the team and end-user adopt the solution and work their way through it. Many CPQ implementations fail because sales and CS fail to be properly trained and resort back to manual workarounds.
If the team does not understand the benefits of the solution and finds the tool complex, it will create obstacles in adoption. So, make sure your team knows about the potential the system holds, how it integrates with the existing workflows, and the potential benefits to the daily tasks.
Provide ongoing support and resources to address any questions or challenges that arise during the transition.
A well-planned CPQ implementation will help your team reap its benefits quickly. In this section, we discuss best practices that will pave the way to successful CPQ implementation to help you get the maximum value out of your investment.
To successfully implement CPQ, one of the first things you need is to define what you're trying to achieve.
With measurable goals set from the outset, you can track your progress and align CPQ implementation with your overall business strategy.
Over-complicating the configuration can easily happen in CPQ implementation. While it's tempting to use all features and customization options, the question is whether to focus on simplicity or ease of use. Complexity in the CPQ system is hard to learn, maintain, and adapt to changing business needs.
Focus on core functionalities that directly address your pain points and goals. Avoid unnecessary customizations that add complexity without significant value. Keeping your CPQ configuration lean leads to faster implementation, easier user adoption, and a more agile system that can scale with your business.
Accurate quotes and pricing details are only possible if you feed clean and well-structured data into the system. Thus, you must invest time and effort upfront to prepare your product catalog, pricing rules, and other relevant information. Maintain up-to-date data that is free of inconsistencies.
As you focus more on data quality, you will reduce errors, avoid delays, and help establish a solid foundation for a successful implementation of CPQ.
CPQ implementation is an ongoing process of improvement. Track key metrics such as quote turnaround time, deal close rates, and sales team productivity to understand how effective your CPQ system is.
Regularly analyze this data to identify areas for optimization. Are there bottlenecks in your quoting process? Are certain product configurations causing delays? Are there opportunities to automate further?
By keeping a constant watch and optimizing your CPQ processes, you can help your system deliver maximum value over time.
Cacheflow is the easiest CPQ software to take your quoting and billing processes from hours to minutes. The no-code design allows for complete implementation and training in under one month.
If you wish to implement a hassle-free, feature-rich, and integrated CPQ solution, then explore Cacheflow. We are the platform designed to help SaaS businesses streamline their sales processes, speed up deal closures, and, ultimately, hit revenue goals.
[Looking to migrate to a new CPQ tool? Download the CPQ Migration Checklist template first!]
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