It's crucial to have a seamless sales process that not only meets customer expectations but also...
Unlocking the Potential of PIM and CPQ Integration: A Guide for Manufacturers
When it comes to integrating Product Information Management (PIM) systems with Configure, Price, Quote (CPQ) solutions like Tacton, many manufacturers are still exploring the possibilities. The value of combining these systems is immense, yet it’s often an underutilized strategy.
Let’s dive into why this integration is essential for modern manufacturing companies and how it can improve your sales and operational efficiency.
Why PIM and CPQ integration matters
A PIM system is responsible for managing all the product data in a centralized place, keeping track of specifications, images, descriptions, and any other details about your products. For manufacturers with complex and diverse product catalogs, this ensures that the right product information is accessible at all times.
On the other hand, CPQ systems like Tacton are focused on streamlining the sales process. They help sales teams configure products, calculate prices, and generate quotes quickly and accurately. But here’s the catch: if the product data in your CPQ system isn’t up-to-date, the sales process can easily fall apart. Incorrect data leads to errors, misquotes, and ultimately frustrated customers.
Integrating PIM and CPQ allows your sales teams to access real-time, accurate product information directly within the quoting process. This ensures that the right products are configured and quoted correctly, based on the most up-to-date data. It also minimizes manual data entry, eliminating costly errors and reducing time-to-quote.
Which PIM systems work with Tacton CPQ?
One of the questions we often receive is whether certain PIM systems are easier to integrate with Tacton CPQ. The answer is yes—Tacton has flexible integration capabilities, and there are several widely used PIM systems that can be integrated with minimal customization. Some of the popular PIM systems that manufacturers often use include:
- inRiver
- Akeneo
- Salsify
- Pimcore
These PIM systems are known for their strong capabilities in managing product information across different platforms, and Tacton CPQ can seamlessly pull product data from them. However, the integration isn’t limited to just these platforms—Tacton can connect to other PIM systems as well. The key lies in ensuring that the product data is properly structured and ready for integration.
How does PIM-CPQ integration work?
The process of integrating a PIM system with a CPQ solution generally involves mapping product data fields between the two systems. This allows the CPQ system to pull the right data when configuring a product or generating a quote. For example, when a sales team configures a product, the CPQ system can instantly fetch product specifications, dimensions, and available options from the PIM system, ensuring that the quote is based on accurate, current data.
Our team, with deep expertise in CPQ integration, often starts with a thorough analysis of your current systems. This analysis helps identify the data flows and key fields that need to be synced between the PIM and CPQ systems. Once the integration is in place, the result is a smooth, real-time exchange of product data between systems.
Benefits of integrating PIM with CPQ
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Improved data accuracy: The integration ensures that all sales quotes are based on up-to-date, accurate product information. This minimizes the risk of errors and ensures that your sales teams are quoting the correct products every time.
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Faster time-to-quote: With product data readily available, your sales team can configure products and generate quotes much faster. This shortens the sales cycle and increases the chances of closing deals.
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Consistency across platforms: By integrating PIM with CPQ, you ensure that all platforms, from sales to marketing, are working with the same data. This consistency improves customer experiences and internal collaboration.
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Reduced manual work: Automated data sharing between systems eliminates the need for manual updates and reduces the chances of human error.
Tailored integration for your business
PIM-CPQ integration is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Each manufacturer has unique needs depending on the complexity of their product catalog and their current system landscape. That’s why it’s essential to work with a team experienced in both CPQ and integration. Our consultants, including experts like Rolf Staflin and Jonas Canholm, specialize in designing and implementing tailored integration solutions to meet the specific requirements of each client.
Whether you’re working with standard products or highly configurable ones, we can guide you through the best approach for your business. This includes reviewing your current data structures, aligning them with your sales processes, and implementing the integration in a way that fits your overall digital strategy.
Ready to explore PIM and Tacton CPQ integration?
Integrating your PIM and CPQ systems is a smart move for manufacturers looking to optimize their sales processes and improve product data management. If you’re ready to explore how PIM and CPQ can work together to drive efficiency in your business, our CPQ Analysis Workshop is an excellent place to start.
This workshop consists of five focused sessions designed to evaluate your current systems, explore integration possibilities, and create a clear roadmap for implementation. Led by our top consultants, the workshop will help you prioritize your efforts and ensure a successful integration.
