DealHub CPQ vs. CloudSense CPQ

Configure, price, quote (CPQ) software automates the quote generation process for products and services. By enhancing the accuracy and speed of this critical sales function, CPQ software helps companies increase their conversion rates and sales volumes. That way, their sales teams can dedicate more time to activities directly tied to revenue generation. This article compares two prominent (yet somewhat different) CPQ solutions: DealHub CPQ and CloudSense CPQ.

Introduction

Compare DealHub CPQ vs. CloudSense CPQ

CPQ software is a pivotal tool in the sales cycle—it automates complex processes related to pricing, product configuration, and document generation (e.g., quotes, proposals, contracts, NDAs, and BOMs). Without it, businesses grapple with confusing and inaccurate quotes, which hinder prospective buyers’ understanding of the purchase. By automating quote generation, businesses can focus on more profitable activities like prospecting, outbound sales, and product demos. 

DealHub CPQ and CloudSense CPQ both aim to streamline quoting and expedite the sales cycle but approach this goal quite differently. Both offer standard CPQ functions like product configuration, guided selling, document generation, and CRM integration, but their focus areas set them apart.

DealHub CPQ is a comprehensive revenue lifecycle management (RLM) solution. Its core strength lies in providing B2B software companies the resources to sell to new customers while managing subscriptions and billing for existing ones. Guided selling workflows and automated document generation accelerate repeatable sales processes, like those in SaaS sales organizations.

CloudSense CPQ is a versatile solution catering to a broad spectrum of industries, including media companies, telecoms, and enterprise B2B sellers. Its flexible and adaptable nature allows it to fit into diverse business models, providing comprehensive CPQ functionality in various settings.

Product Overview

Overview of each CPQ Solution

DealHub and CloudSense Have some overlap when it comes to their product, but their overall execution is different. While DealHub works well for companies with standardized sales processes and well-defined RevOps functions (such as mid-sized and enterprise organizations), CloudSense offers a more agile, customizable solution that fits the needs of both small and large businesses.

Defining DealHub CPQ

DealHub CPQ is designed to help B2B software companies automate complex quote-to-cash (QTC) processes, such as offer configuration, contract negotiation, and billing. It also includes advanced features like subscription management, upsell/cross-sell support, and insights for revenue visibility.

Branded as a “revenue amplification platform,” DealHub CPQ helps companies standardize their sales processes to increase sales productivity. During product configuration, the first stage of the QTC process, reps using DealHub’s interface can quickly access their product catalog and assemble itemized quotes based on previously-stated needs and preferences.

As back-and-forth ensues with other decision-makers, DealHub and its sales engagement platform, DealRoom, create a system where buyers and sellers can share documents, update each other, and communicate concerns in one centralized place.

After order fulfillment, DealHub automates the subscription management process, reducing involuntary churn by accepting multiple payment forms, managing invoicing, and monitoring customer abandonment. When it comes time for contract renewal, DealHub makes it easy for busy sellers to transition from one contract term to a subsequent one.

Defining CloudSense CPQ

CloudSense CPQ is an intelligent, cloud-based solution built on Salesforce. It helps companies streamline the sales process by offering guidance on product configuration and document generation. By connecting to Salesforce, CloudSense delivers real-time visibility into customer data across departments, providing reps with a full view of the customer journey from lead to close.

CloudSense is designed to power all of a business’s sales channels, including direct sales (e.g., field sales and roadshows), digital sales (e.g., ecommerce and online portals), and outbound sales (e.g., webinars and cold calls). Its automated configuration capabilities also offer customers personalized product recommendations based on their needs and preferences and upsell opportunities to maximize order value.

That’s why CloudSense is able to serve customers like telecom providers and media companies—its adaptable nature allows it to cater to large companies with abstract functions. Still, CloudSense is a viable option for small companies too, particularly those without a sales program that is hard to quantify.

Product Features

Comparison of Key Features

DealHub and CloudSense have similar core features. But each of these features is tailored to different different business functions within the sales process.

DealHub takes a streamlined approach to product configuration, leveraging guided selling capabilities to automate the process. Products are often predetermined and organized in an intuitive structure, allowing reps to quickly and easily create competitive offers. The software helps sellers move their buyers through the decision-making process with suggestions on products and features best suited to their needs.

CloudSense takes a flexible approach, allowing customers to configure products and features according to their preferences. This gives them greater control over the product configuration process, but also requires more user input from the customer.

DealHub stands out with its sales engagement features. It’s perfect for companies selling to buyers with multiple decision-makers because it is the only CPQ software that offers such a high degree of centralization. Most organizations rely on email for communication, which causes lots of deals to fall through the cracks. DealRoom helps to prevent this and accelerates the sales process.

CloudSense is more of a jack-of-all-trades—its platform is designed to meet the needs of companies with multiple vendors, digital self-service portals, and several sales channels and revenue streams. It allows energy companies, utilities, and other businesses using a usage-based model to create customized solutions for clients and manage their contracts on an individual basis.

Here’s a breakdown of each product’s features:

DealHub CPQCloudSense CPQ
Centralized revenue management platform offering quote-to-cash, billing, subscription management, and sales engagement capabilities.Technical solution designed for telecoms, energy companies, utilities, media companies, and other organizations using non-linear pricing models.
No-code integration with third-party applications, including CRM, ERP, accounting, DocuSign, and billing platforms.Built on Salesforce, and integrates with all Salesforce apps for a unified interface and experience.
IT implementation a requirement for larger companies. Faster deployment for mid-sized organizations, but additional support is still ideal.Implementation time depends on the complexity of the organization and requirements of its customers.
Guided selling flows based on CRM data and manual input from past sales and product information help sales reps generate objective proposals and quotes.Powerful product configurator that allows salespeople to estimate costs based on historical data.
Scales with sales team needs, able to add new subscribers without any code or downtime for IT implementation.Capable of handling large-scale, complex product configurations and one-off contracts, making it great for large project-based deals.
DealRoom stimulates the whole QTC process with digital proposals sent via attachable files or links.CPQ capabilities extend to partners and value-added resellers (VARs).
Ready-to-use features for contract management, document generation, e-signature, and multi-dimensional pricing models.Offers a comprehensive suite of tools for managing product configurations, pricing models, and documentation.
Predictive sales playbooks accelerate the sales process by guiding sales reps.Uses advanced configuration rules to help sales reps manage multiple disparate vendors and partners.
All-encompassing suite for subscription, renewal, and order management with rules-based quoting for complex sales.Centralized product catalog for products and related services offered by the company, enabling accuracy in variable service/product estimates.
Adds buyer engagement insights based on sales funnel and revenue lifecycle management metrics.Provides detailed configuration data, aiding sales reps in refining their approach for future sales engagements.
Approval workflows and centralized communication push buyers through the funnel faster.Provides detailed configuration data, aiding sales reps in refining their approach for future sales engagements.
Audit trails for accountability and transparency.Automation in order and subscriber management reduces order fulfillment costs.
Web-based platform.Web-based platform.
Phone, mobile, and online customer support
Knowledge base
Training and enablement from DealHub experts
Online support
Customer help portal
Webinars and lessons
Training and enablement from CloudSense experts
5/18/2023 Update
Based on capterra.com

Customer Size

Ideal Customer Profiles

Both DealHub and CloudSense have distinct ICPs. Understanding them helps companies better identify which one (if either) is the best fit.

DealHub is ideal for businesses that prioritize customer engagement, especially those in need of a central hub to communicate across departments and manage multiple conversations at once. Thanks to its subscription management capabilities, it is a solid choice for comapnies using the recurring revenue model.

Suppose a software company already has a well-defined outbound program, but its reps spend hours coming up with product recommendations and packages that suit the needs and budget constraints of their buyers. The software is broken into price tiers but includes multiple add-on services.

With DealHub, all sales reps need is input data from their prospects and their quote can be ready within minutes. Throughout the contract negotiation process, all document sharing and stakeholder communication can take place through DealRoom, saving reps time and preventing deals from slipping through the cracks.

CloudSense is well-suited for organizations (large and small) with complex product configurations, multi-tiered contracts, and multiple stakeholders to manage. They may or may not offer services in addition to their products.

Take a telecommunications company, for example. The firm offers a range of services, including multi-site networks, mobility solutions, security, and cloud services. Customers may choose to bundle services, all of which have varied pricing based on customer usage.

CloudSense allows companies to configure their products according to the needs of their customers, allowing them to tailor the offering based on the customer’s specific requirements and budget. The software provides a self-service portal for customers so they can manage their contracts and services individually, and it integrates with multiple sales channels.

Customer Support

Support Features & Resources for Each Solution

CPQ requires a great deal of implementation effort, especially at the enterprise level. Any organization that needs to use CPQ software will have challenges with software adoption, tech stack integration, and operational efficiency.

At DealHub, thorough customer support begins with onboarding and lasts as long as a customer does business with the company. Its team of experts assists new customers in setting up and integrating and educates sales reps and managers on using it efficiently. Continued support post-purchase drives software adoption and minimizes the chances of any problems arising after implementation.

CloudSense’s software functions seem more varied, but it is a specialized tool at its core. With extensive experience in telecommunications, media, and utilities, its in-house professionals are experts at CPQ implementation in these domains. CloudSense also offers customer support and training to help its customers get the most out of its software.

Pricing

Breakdown of Pricing Options

Pricing is a big factor when deciding which CPQ software to choose. While each company has its own pricing model, some general trends are helpful to explore.

DealHub’s pricing is quote-based but starts at around $50. If customers want an accurate quote, they should contact the team directly.

CloudSense CPQ is completely quote-based with no pricing information available on its website. Pricing depends on the functionality and level of customization needed for each customer’s product configuration, so prospective customers to contact CloudSense directly for a quote.

Here’s a quick rundown of the costs associated with each product:

DealHub CPQCloudSense CPQ
Product PricingContact salesContact sales
Implementation FeesOne-time implementation feeOne-time implementation fee
Additional LicensesNo additional license feesAdditional licensing for Salesforce AppExchange add-ons

Summary

Considerations for Choosing Between the Two Solutions

Choosing between DealHub and CloudSense ultimately comes down to the industry a company operates in.

DealHub is designed to automate repetitive processes and manage ongoing subscription revenue streams. It works for agency contracts and one-time sales, but scaling SaaS companies with some sales infrastructure get the most out of its suite of product features.

CloudSense helps telecom providers and energy companies reduce order fulfillment for complex product configurations and usage-based contracts. It also helps them manage customer support and usage of their services, which makes it ideal for companies with a long-term relationship with their customers.

Both companies offer excellent customer service and sell valuable products, but they fit into completely different workflows. It’s important to consider all of these factors before making a decision.

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I evaluate what I need out of CPQ software?

The best way to evaluate your needs is to look at your current sales process and identify which tasks can be automated or improved with the help of CPQ software. If you have a lot of complex product configurations, then it’s likely that you need a tool like CloudSense to streamline order fulfillment. If you need a more repeatable process to scale, DealHub will fit better into your workflow.

Does DealHub integrate with Salesforce?

DealHub CPQ allows for guided selling and error-free quoting on autopilot. The sales process is streamlined through approval workflows, and the software integrates easily with Salesforce CRM. Through API, it also integrates with enterprise data sources and back-end systems to provide a seamless customer journey.

Does CloudSense offer any additional services?

CloudSense is built on microservices as a part of the Salesforce ecosystem. Although it is a separate software altogether, it offers users a way to generate quotes while working in the Salesforce environment. CloudSense also offers customer support, training sessions, and post-implementation services to ensure the software is being used effectively and customers are taking advantage of its capabilities.

What does it mean to be built on Salesforce?

Being built on Salesforce means that CloudSense is a part of the Salesforce family. It uses the same microservices architecture but is not directly connected to Salesforce. This allows CloudSense users to take advantage of CPQ functionalities individually while remaining in their sales environment and leveraging the strength of the Salesforce platform. For non-Salesforce customers, CloudSense still offers CPQ capabilities through its own platform.

CPQ Integrations
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