"Is the human touch in B2B sales on the brink of extinction?"
The Evolution of Mobile CPQ: A Retrospective
"Think Mobile CPQ is a recent phenomenon? Think again."
For many, the rise of Mobile CPQ seems like a fresh wave. Yet, the trajectory of mobile CPQ's development is longer and more intricate than most realize. Delving into this history not only offers a fascinating journey into technological evolution but also a window into the future of sales optimization.
A Mobile CPQ Time Capsule
Mobile CPQ didn't just pop onto the scene; it's been a steady transformation spanning years. Its roots trace back to the initial days of mobile tech, when businesses realized the potential of harnessing mobile capabilities to refine their quoting processes. As mobile devices became smarter and more ubiquitous, the intertwining of CPQ solutions with these devices was inevitable.
The Milestones that Shaped Mobile CPQ
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The Advent of Smart Devices: When smartphones took the world by storm, they opened a gateway for advanced software solutions. Businesses quickly grasped this potential, seeking to offer their sales reps a platform that allowed for quoting on-the-go.
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Connectivity & The Cloud: With the introduction of cloud storage and faster internet connections, real-time data syncing became a reality. This allowed sales reps to access the most updated product catalogs and pricing, ensuring they were always equipped with the latest information.
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UX/UI Advancements: As mobile devices evolved, so did their user interfaces. This enabled the development of more user-friendly CPQ apps, ensuring that even the least tech-savvy sales rep could generate complex quotes with ease.
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Integration with AI: The inclusion of Artificial Intelligence in mobile CPQ brought along predictive analytics, chatbots, and smarter product configurations. This not only improved the accuracy of quotes but also offered valuable insights into customer preferences.
Why Self-Service Took Center Stage
It’s one thing to empower sales reps with advanced tools; it's another to put the power directly into the hands of the customer. The age of information means that customers are more educated and demanding. They want autonomy, and self-service CPQ has answered this call.
Allowing customers to configure their product preferences, access pricing, and even generate their quotes has revolutionized the B2B sales journey. It saves time, reduces errors, and gives customers a sense of control and transparency. And it's no surprise - businesses that have been quick to adopt self-service features have witnessed increased customer satisfaction and loyalty.
Peeking Into The Future
The past indeed informs the future. Given the rapid advancements we've seen in mobile CPQ over the past years, it's only a matter of time before we experience even more revolutionary features. Perhaps, augmented reality will soon enable customers to visualize product configurations in real-time, or maybe AI will predict customer needs even before they articulate them.
The story of Mobile CPQ is far from over. As we look back, it's essential to recognize that what might seem like cutting-edge today could very well be standard tomorrow. Businesses need to stay agile, embracing the evolving capabilities of mobile CPQ to stay ahead in this dynamic sales environment.
