Cincom CPQ Overview

Cincom CPQ is a configure, price, quote (CPQ) tool designed to configure highly complex engineer-to-order products and handle the long, intricate sales processes that accompany contract manufacturing at the highest level. In addition to standard CPQ features like guided selling and CRM/ERP integration, its standout features include its cutting-edge 3D modeling and visualization tools, a built-in ROI calculator, and its ability to integrate seamlessly with other enterprise systems.

While it has a relatively small customer base (compared to other CPQ solutions for manufacturers), the majority of Cincom’s customers have more than 10,000 employees and do over $1 billion in revenue. Primarily aimed at manufacturing industries, including those focused on industrial equipment, medical devices, and specialty vehicles, Cincom CPQ has more recently expanded its utility to sectors like IT and commercial services. Its native tools for customer communications management, ERP, and custom application development enable enterprise manufacturers to create custom workflows and deploy full-fledged enterprise applications.

Cincom CPQ is a cloud-based, customizable CPQ solution complex manufacturers use to generate quotes, proposals, bills of materials (BOMs), sales contracts, SLAs, and other sales and contractual documents. It integrates with CRM, ERP, and B2B ecommerce systems like Oracle, Salesforce Sales Cloud, SAP, SAGE, SugarCRM, and Microsoft Dynamics 365 (its deepest integration) to streamline complicated B2B sales processes. And Cincom’s PaaS and development solutions (Cincom MANTIS and Cincom Smalltalk) support custom application development, so you can build web and mobile configuration and quoting interfaces to fit your company’s specific needs.

Key features of Cincom CPQ include:

• Sales portal
• Guided selling
• Visual 3D product configurator
• Automated quote, PO, and BOM generation
• Product lifecycle management (PLM)
• Pricing and discount management
• Business intelligence

Guided selling. Easily configure product rules, so reps can build product configurations that are technically feasible and practical for your business. You can customize its interface with questions, filters, prompts, minimum/maximum quantity limits, and required/optional bundle components to ensure the sales process is efficient and effective. The platform also makes upselling and cross-selling easy —  it suggests related and complementary products that increase deal sizes and add more value for the buyer.

Collaborative sales portal and product configurator. Cincom CPQ facilitates collaborative selling — salespeople, vendors, territory managers, customer service, and deal desk team members can work together to negotiate, build quotes, align on contract terms, and close deals. Buyers can see the final product in detail (2D or 3D), request additional information pertinent to their purchase decision, and validate product specifications before committing to an order. Reps can also play around with custom options and make changes to the configuration in real time, providing a highly interactive and engaging experience for both parties.

Automated quote, PO, and BOM generation. Cincom CPQ’s quote builder automatically generates other documents you’ll need in the production process. And since it integrates with your ERP system, you can easily send POs to your vendors without switching applications or worrying about manual data entry errors.

Product lifecycle management. Cincom CPQ provides a product catalog that organizes products by categories, features, and related components for easier navigation and filtering. It also manages version control and expiration dates to ensure your offerings are up-to-date and error-free whenever you create proposals or contracts.

Pricing and discount management. The software can simultaneously configure prices for different product combinations and apply preset volume discounts, seasonal promotions, or customer-specific pricing to the quote. Automated approval workflows make it easy to pass along special one-time pricing requests beyond these parameters.

Deep integration with Dynamics 365. Cincom’s CPQSync offers a unique and seamless integration with Microsoft Dynamics 365 that delivers a more cohesive experience compared to its integration with other systems. As an Azure-native, multi-tenant solution, it ensures that all data related to customers, products, pricing, and quotes is centralized within the Dynamics 365 ecosystem. And since it’s fully embedded within the Dynamics 365 Customer Engagement (CE) environment, users can access CPQSync’s features directly within Dynamics 365 without needing pop-ups or navigating to external applications.

Business intelligence. With Cincom CPQ, you have a real-time dashboard that captures data from your quote-to-cash process (e.g., sales cycle time, average deal size). CRM integration ensures you also have the most accurate insights regarding your whole sales pipeline. You can view top performers, identify bottlenecks, and streamline your sales motion.

Cincom CPQ offers manufacturers and sellers of complex products and services several benefits.

• Pricing and product rules ensure consistent and accurate product configurations and quotes without the need for constant oversight or customization.
• 100% real-time accuracy in document generation means fewer manual errors and rework for sales, production, and fulfillment teams.
• Guided selling, quote automation, and approval workflows remove friction from the sales process for customers and salespeople alike.
• 3D configuration ensures technical and non-technical buyers are on the same page about the product they’re buying, how it works, and how it’ll look.
• Reps can upsell, cross-sell, or uncover new sales opportunities with the interactive quote builder.
• Consistent data and operational workflows across systems with seamless CRM, ERP, CAD, and B2B ecommerce system integrations.
• New insights into your quoting and sales processes supplied by built in business intelligence tools.

Cincom CPQ helps complex manufacturers, IT service providers, and commercial/residential service businesses set up and run complex configuration and quoting workflows. Its extensibility and customizability make it a solid fit for larger companies in those industries that sell high-value engineer-to-order (ETO) or configure-to-order (STO) products and have the resources to invest in developing a custom CPQ tool.

Here’s how it benefits those industries:

Complex Manufacturing

CAD and PLM system integration: Cincom CPQ integrates seamlessly with computer-aided design (CAD) and product lifecycle management (PLM) systems. These integrations help engineers and designers create design files and technical drawings within the same UI. Without the need to switch between systems, there’s less manual effort, and sales configurations are always technically viable. By connecting sales and engineering data, you can maintain consistency and accuracy throughout the product development process.

Compliance with regulatory standards: Some manufacturers are subject to stringent regulatory requirements (e.g., the FDA and other regional health authorities in the medical space). Cincom CPQ facilitates compliance by ensuring all configurations and associated documentation meet the necessary criteria. This includes managing version control, maintaining detailed records of product configurations, and generating documentation that aligns with industry regulations, thereby reducing the risk of non-compliance.

Support for complex pricing models: Just like it enables advanced configuration, the platform accommodates the intricate pricing structures industrial equipment, medical device, and specialty vehicle manufacturers use. That includes considerations for regional pricing variations, bulk purchasing agreements, and service contracts. Once you set up your pricing rules on the backend, Cincom CPQ automatically applies them, so your quotes are always accurate, consistent, and reflective of your business objectives.

IT Services

Advanced configuration for customized IT services: Cincom CPQ empowers managed service providers (MSPs) to configure and customize IT solutions that meet client-specific needs. This capability ensures that complex configurations are managed efficiently, aligning sales, engineering, and IT for seamless, customized solutions.

Global delivery support: Cincom CPQ simplifies quoting and configuration for IT service providers operating across the globe, with built-in support for multi-currency, multi-language, and global compliance. This feature ensures services are tailored to diverse client requirements, facilitating international operations and compliance with regional regulations.

Seamless integration with IT management platforms: You can integrate Cincom CPQ seamlessly with popular IT platforms and existing CRM/ERP systems, providing an efficient service configuration and quoting experience. This way, every department within your organization is aligned, you eliminate some of the most error-prone parts of the selling process (e.g., sending configuration/quote info from one department to the next), and you make your service delivery a lot more efficient.

Commercial and Residential Services

Dynamic pricing and quoting: Pricing frequently varies based on market conditions, geographical factors, and individual client agreements. Cincom CPQ’s dynamic pricing capabilities allow for instant adjustments in response to these variables, ensuring that quotes remain accurate and competitive. And its dynamic quoting interface recommends products based on location, profession, size, and material type, giving your customers the tools to make precise purchases through a dealer, salesperson, or online store. This way, you can stay profitable while accommodating client-specific pricing structures.

Automated proposal generation: Creating detailed and customized proposals is a critical aspect of commercial services sales. Cincom CPQ automates this process by generating professional proposals that align with the specific needs and branding of the service provider. Automation reduces manual effort in the quoting process, minimizes errors, and accelerates the sales cycle, allowing teams to focus more on client engagement.

Multi-channel integration: Commercial services often require coordination across various sales channels, including direct sales, partners, and online platforms. Cincom CPQ integrates seamlessly with multiple channels, ensuring consistent and up-to-date service offerings and pricing information. Doing so enhances the customer experience by providing uniform information regardless of the sales channel, thereby expanding market reach and improving service delivery.

Because of its customizable and intricate nature, Cincom CPQ’s pricing is not standardized. Pricing is based on the specific needs and requirements of each business, taking into account factors like development, implementation, and training requirements, user licenses, ongoing maintenance fees, and deployment options.

According to information available on Capterra, pricing starts at approximately $50,000 (one-time fee). But recurring annual licensing fees are unknown.

To understand what it would cost for you, contact Cincom directly for an individualized quote.

Although Cincom CPQ is an excellent solution for enterprise manufacturers selling complex products and services, it isn’t the only manufacturing CPQ on the market (nor is it the best option for everyone). Some companies don’t need such an advanced product configurator, while others might prefer more integration with AI, machine learning, or other advanced technologies. Some smaller manufacturers might not need any of this — they might get everything they need from a traditional approach to quoting their customers.

Top Cincom CPQ Alternatives

Infor CPQ

Infor CPQ is an excellent alternative to Cincom CPQ, offering robust tools to streamline your sales cycle and optimize quoting processes. It enables the configuration of product and service bundles, tailoring quotes to customer needs, and maximizing sales opportunities. Fully integrated with the Infor CloudSuite CRM platform, it provides industry-specific functionalities, enterprise-grade security, scalable add-ons, and granular price control. Key features include advanced visualization with real-time 3D and 2D modeling for complex products, seamless ERP integration for improved production planning, and an adaptable pricing rules engine for precise margin control. Its real-time data insights empower sales teams to make data-driven decisions, deliver accurate quotes, and improve win rates.

Zilliant CPQ

Zilliant CPQ eliminates quoting delays and ensures competitive, accurate pricing. Automated rules and seamless ERP/CRM integrations reduce errors and improve quote accuracy, building customer confidence. Zilliant also boosts sales productivity by automating time-intensive tasks, allowing reps to focus on closing deals, while its user-friendly interface minimizes training needs. With guided selling, interactive visualizations, and self-service options, customers can independently explore configurations and generate quotes, driving engagement and new leads. Tailored for complex manufacturing needs, Zilliant handles intricate configurations and diverse pricing models, delivering an optimized experience for sales teams and customers alike.

Configure One CPQ

Configure One CPQ offers integrated CAD automation to reduce quote-to-production lead times. It instantly generates 3D models, sales drawings, and production drawings. It boosts efficiency by eliminating manual errors and enabling sales reps to close deals faster. The platform simplifies workflows for both sales and engineering teams, streamlines approval processes with automated workflows, and enhances the customer experience by providing immediate access to 3D models in the browser. Configure One empowers businesses to deliver accurate quotes, accelerate the sales cycle, and improve overall productivity.

Configit CPQ

Configit Quote® is a robust CPQ solution for manufacturers managing complex products, making it a strong alternative to Cincom. Its proprietary Virtual Tabulation® technology ensures 100% valid configurations by pre-calculating all possible product combinations, enabling fast and error-free quotes. With advanced features like 3D visualization powered by Unity, declarative modeling, and Solution Space for visualizing product options, Configit enhances sales efficiency, customer engagement, and production accuracy. Seamless integrations with systems like SAP, Salesforce, and Microsoft Dynamics further streamline operations. It’s ideal for industrial automation, renewable energy, medical devices, and HVAC companies.

Logik

Logik.io is for businesses looking to enhance their CPQ capabilities without fully switching vendors. It bridges the gap between legacy systems and modern quoting needs, eliminating restrictions like product bundle size limitations and offering flexible deal structures. Logik.io provides advanced features, such as automated bill of materials (BOM) generation, intelligent recommendations, and AI-driven pricing guidance, that make it ideal for companies facing constraints with their current CPQ. With a user-friendly interface, point-and-click administration, and seamless integration with ERP, PLM, and CAD systems, Logik.io also offers a dynamic, scalable solution that works across departments, partner channels, and ecommerce.

Out of 4 reviews, Cincom CPQ has a rating of 3.9 out of 5 stars on Gartner Peer Insights. In their reviews, users note the software’s ease of use and ability to automate complex sales processes. 

The reviewers and customer demographics are as follows:

Reviewer’s Company Size

• $50M-$1B: 100%

Reviewer’s Industry

• Manufacturing: 75%
• Construction: 25%

Reviewer’s Deployment Region

•  North America: 75%
• Asia/Pacific: 25%

Gartner Peer Insights affirms that Cincom provides excellent customer support and continually adds features and improves the product.

Rhonda Bavaro

Rhonda Bavaro excels in boosting SaaS companies’ growth through innovative content marketing, thriving in the dynamic sales tech industry amidst evolving technologies that drive revenue acceleration.

Cincom CPQ Overview

• 1Why this product is good
• 2Product Details
• 3What are the advantages of using Cincom CPQ?
• 4What industries are CPQ solutions best suited for?
• 5Prices
• 6CPQ Integrations
• 7Valuable Insight From Real Customers
• 8FAQs