glossary > product-configurator

What is a Product
Configurator?

By Mercura Experts
  ·   Updated January 7, 2024
A configurator, also known as a product configurator or product builder, is a software tool that allows customers to customize and personalize products to their exact specifications. These tools are used by a wide range of industries, including manufacturing, automotive, and furniture, and can be integrated into e-commerce platforms or standalone software.
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Understanding Product Configurators

Product Configurators simplify the sales of customizable products.
Here's a breakdown of their functionality and benefits:

Operational Insights:

These tools assist sales teams in creating configurable product options and generating accurate, tailored quotes. They manage complex pricing rules and business logic to provide precise cost calculations based on customer preferences.

Core Features and Capabilities

  • Product Configurator: A dynamic user interface that allows customers to customize products according to their specific needs.
  • Pricing Engine: Sophisticated algorithms manage complex pricing, including discounts, packages, and promotional offers.
  • Quote Generation: Systems that automatically produce detailed, customized quotes and contracts.
  • Data Analysis: Advanced analytics provide insights into sales trends, performance metrics, and customer preferences, facilitating strategic decision-making.
  • Integration: Seamless integration with CRM, ERP, and other essential business management systems ensures data consistency and streamlined operations.

The comprehensive capabilities of Product Configurators enable businesses to respond efficiently to customer inquiries, eliminate manual errors, and maintain uniformity in sales practices.

Companies using product configurators experience:

  • A 66% higher conversion rate compared to those using 2D solutions.
  • A 40% increase in conversion rates when utilizing interactive 3D configurators.
  • An 82% engagement rate from visitors who activate 3D views on product pages.

This efficiency boost allows sales teams to focus more on customer interactions and closing deals. The improved accuracy and speed of the quoting process reduce delays and errors, leading to faster deal closures and enhanced customer satisfaction. Product configurators also offer features like augmented reality, allowing customers to visualize items in their own space, which leads to a 40% higher likelihood of purchase.

Advantages of Implementing a Product Configurator

A Product Configurator offers substantial benefits across various organizational departments. Here are a few examples:

  • For Sales Teams: Empowers sales personnel with tools to quickly generate accurate and personalized proposals, enhancing response time and customer satisfaction.
  • For Operations and Efficiency: Automates critical sales processes, reduces manual data entry, and minimizes the chance of errors, improving overall operational efficiency and data reliability.

Automate sales process with dynamic quoting and pricing

Ensure error free order handling and production

Scale your business into new markets

Sector-specific Applications of Product Configurators

Product Configurators are versatile and can be customized to meet the specific needs of different industries, enhancing unique sales workflows.

  • In the automotive sector, they allow for detailed customization of vehicles, from engine choices to interior finishes, ensuring compatibility and accurate pricing.
  • For office design and real estate, Product Configurators facilitate the planning and integration of different layout options, providing updates on costs as choices are made.
  • In manufacturing and heavy industries, they help manage complex product assemblies, calculate costs for custom designs, and streamline the quoting process for projects with multiple variables.

Integrating Product Configurators with Systems

Integrating Product Configurators with existing systems such as CRM, ERP, and CAD ensures a seamless operational flow. Real-time data synchronization updates customer and inventory changes instantly, enhancing the accuracy of quotes and the efficiency of the sales process.

  • CRM Integration: Syncs sales data with customer profiles, enabling personalized quote creation based on detailed customer histories.
  • ERP Integration: Facilitates smooth transitions from quote to order fulfillment, keeping inventory and financial data aligned with sales activities.
  • CAD Integration: Allows for the automatic generation of detailed quotes based on precise engineering drawings, ensuring product specifications meet customer requirements.
  • Data Synchronization: Maintains up-to-date and consistent data across integrated systems, ensuring quotes are always based on the latest information.
  • Workflow Automation: Automates critical processes such as quote approval and order initiation, speeding up the sales cycle and reducing human errors.

Do you need a product configurator?

We empower manufacturers to master product modeling, streamline quoting process, reduce errors, and ultimately deliver the tailored solutions that customers demand.

Advanced Features of Product Configurators

Advanced features in Product Configurators extend beyond basic functionalities, providing sophisticated tools designed to address complex sales scenarios and compliance requirements.

  • Quote Approval and Workflow Management: Streamlines the review and approval process, ensuring that proposals meet established standards and receive timely endorsements.
  • Regulatory Compliance and Governance: Ensures all sales activities adhere to industry regulations, managing data securely and applying consistent pricing policies effectively.

Selecting the Right Product Configurator Software

Selecting the appropriate Product Configurator is essential for aligning with your business's strategic goals and operational requirements.

  • Criteria for Selection: Determine your needs such as product complexity, customization requirements, and system integration. Consider scalability and user-friendliness.
  • Evaluating and Comparing Providers: Assess potential providers based on their capabilities, support, and development trajectory. Weigh the costs against the benefits and efficiencies provided.

Implementing and Adopting Product Configurators

Effective implementation and user adoption are crucial for leveraging the full benefits of Product Configurators.

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  • Deployment Best Practices: Initiate with comprehensive planning, engage stakeholders early, and opt for a phased rollout to manage transitions smoothly.
  • User Training and Adoption: Customize training sessions to suit different user roles, ensuring thorough understanding and proficient use of the system.

Let’s build together.

We empower manufacturers to master product modeling, streamline quoting process, reduce errors, and ultimately deliver the tailored solutions that customers demand.