Back in 2015, Gartner Research found that the global market for CPQ (Configure-Price-Quote) software was about $570 million. In the same year, the CRM (Customer Relationship Management) market was way bigger, at about $26.3 billion. This meant that while lots of companies were using CRM software, not many were into CPQ tools for their sales teams. But hey, that was 2015, and things change fast!

Fast forward to 2024, and the scene might be different. We know for sure that CPQ software has hit the billion-dollar mark yet, but it's growing fast – at a rate of 20% each year according to Gartner.

What is CPQ Software?

In today's fast-paced business world, sales teams need to be efficient and effective in order to stay ahead of the competition. One way to achieve this is by implementing a CPQ (Configure, Price, Quote) software solution. CPQ software streamlines the sales process by automating the configuration, pricing, and quoting of products and services. This not only saves time and reduces errors, but also allows sales teams to focus on building relationships with customers and closing deals.

But with so many CPQ software solutions on the market, how do you know which one is the best fit for your business? In this article, we'll explore the top 5 CPQ software solutions that can help streamline your sales processes and boost your bottom line.

Why Use CPQ Software?

CPQ software can help your business in a number of ways. It enables sales teams to quickly and accurately configure, price, and quote products and services. This helps to ensure accuracy and consistency, eliminating costly errors and reducing manual processes.

It also provides greater visibility into the entire sales process, allowing you to track and analyze data to better understand customer needs and preferences, boosting sales productivity and efficiency. Finally, CPQ software can help to reduce costs by eliminating manual tasks and streamlining processes.

Before we dive into the top CPQ software solutions, let's first understand why using CPQ software is beneficial for your business.

Increased Efficiency and Accuracy

CPQ software automates the configuration, pricing, and quoting process, eliminating the need for manual data entry and calculations. This not only saves time, but also reduces the risk of human error. With CPQ software, sales teams can quickly generate accurate quotes, allowing them to focus on selling rather than administrative tasks.

Pro Tip: Dealintent is a virtual sales room platform for you to reduce your sales cycle, higher conversion rate and high buyer intent. Check it out.

Improved Sales Performance

CPQ software provides sales teams with a centralized platform to access product and pricing information, as well as customer data. This allows them to quickly and accurately respond to customer inquiries and provide personalized quotes. With the ability to generate quotes faster and with more accuracy, sales teams can close deals more efficiently and effectively.

Better Collaboration and Communication

CPQ software allows for better collaboration and communication between sales teams, marketing teams, and other departments. With a centralized platform, everyone has access to the same up-to-date information, ensuring consistency in messaging and pricing. This also allows for a smoother handoff between departments, leading to a more seamless sales process.

Top 5 CPQ Software Solutions

Now that we understand the benefits of using CPQ software, let's take a look at the top 5 solutions on the market.

1. Salesforce CPQ

Salesforce CPQ is a cloud-based solution that integrates seamlessly with Salesforce CRM. It offers a user-friendly interface and a wide range of features, including product configuration, pricing rules, and quote generation. With Salesforce CPQ, sales teams can quickly generate accurate quotes and track the progress of deals in real-time.

2. Oracle CPQ Cloud

Oracle CPQ Cloud is a comprehensive solution that offers advanced features such as guided selling, product bundling, and discount management. It also integrates with Oracle CRM and other popular CRM systems. With Oracle CPQ Cloud, sales teams can easily configure complex products and services, and generate quotes with accurate pricing.

3. Apttus CPQ

Apttus CPQ is a highly customizable solution that integrates with Salesforce and Microsoft Dynamics CRM. It offers advanced features such as AI-powered pricing and guided selling, as well as the ability to handle complex pricing and discounting scenarios. With Apttus CPQ, sales teams can quickly generate quotes and proposals that are tailored to each customer's needs.

4. PROS Smart CPQ

PROS Smart CPQ is a cloud-based solution that offers advanced features such as dynamic pricing and guided selling. It also integrates with popular CRM systems, including Salesforce and Microsoft Dynamics. With PROS Smart CPQ, sales teams can quickly generate quotes with accurate pricing and discounts, as well as upsell and cross-sell recommendations.

5. Cincom CPQ

Cincom CPQ is a highly customizable solution that offers advanced features such as guided selling, product configuration, and pricing optimization. It integrates with popular CRM systems, including Salesforce and Microsoft Dynamics. With Cincom CPQ, sales teams can easily configure complex products and services, and generate quotes with accurate pricing and discounts.

How to Choose the Best CPQ Software for Your Business

With so many CPQ software solutions on the market, it can be overwhelming to choose the best one for your business. Here are some factors to consider when making your decision:

Ease of Use

The best CPQ software should have a user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate and understand. This will ensure that your sales team can quickly learn and use the software without any major disruptions to their workflow.

Integration with CRM Systems

CPQ software should integrate seamlessly with your existing CRM system. This will allow for a more streamlined sales process and ensure that all customer data is up-to-date and accessible to all departments.

Customization Options

Every business has unique needs and processes, so it's important to choose a CPQ software that can be customized to fit your specific requirements. This will ensure that the software aligns with your business goals and processes.

Pricing

CPQ software can be a significant investment for businesses, so it's important to consider the pricing options and choose a solution that fits within your budget. Some software solutions offer a pay-per-user model, while others charge a flat fee. Be sure to compare pricing options and choose the one that best fits your business needs.

Conclusion

CPQ software is a valuable tool for businesses looking to streamline their sales processes and improve their bottom line. With the right CPQ software, sales teams can quickly generate accurate quotes, collaborate more effectively, and close deals more efficiently. Consider the top 5 CPQ software solutions mentioned in this article and choose the one that best fits your business needs.