Product customization is one of the hottest trends in the manufacturing industry. When it comes to customization, these brands have nailed it:
Nike took product personalization to a different level with its “Nike by You” marketing campaign. Through this campaign they let their customers customize their shoes, helping them showcase their personality and stand out from the crowd.
Tochta a custom mattress manufacturing company lets their customers customize their mattresses for their RV and home helping them choose from various designs, sizes, shapes, and types.
Whether it’s a shoe, a laptop, a car, or a piece of furniture, personalized products empower customers to create a product that is uniquely theirs, ensuring that their needs and preferences are met to the highest standards.
Being a manufacturer, you must have had this urge to offer Configure to Order product (customized products) options for your customers.
If you’re considering offering personalized products, this blog will guide you to streamline the Configure to Order Manufacturing with CPQ.
Advantages of Configure To Order Manufacturing
Configure to Order (CTO) manufacturing offers distinct advantages, especially when producing customized products. Here’s why CTO products are game-changers:
Faster Production and Delivery
Predefined configurations reduce the need for engineering consultations, speeding up production and delivery times.
More Time for Innovation
Automating the pre-production process allows engineers to focus on developing innovative products.
Product Personalization Made Easier
CTO’s product configurator comes with the ability to handle complex configuration rules, making it easier for sales teams to confidently sell customizable products.
How CPQ Software Optimizes Configure to Order Product Manufacturing?
To offer CTO products, you will need a CPQ tool to streamline the quote-to-order process based on specific customer requests.
CPQ is divided into three main phases: Configure, Price, and Quote:
- Your sales reps will have to feed product personalization details into the system.
- Based on the product personalization details, the CPQ tool will generate accurate pricing
- Finally, after having accurate pricing of the CTO product, sales reps will be able to share the final quote with the customer for the requested product.
But the magic of CPQ Software doesn’t end here!
It plays a crucial role in ensuring order accuracy throughout the production process. By seamlessly transferring product configuration data to manufacturing systems, CPQ minimizes the risk of errors and delays.
Imagine a furniture manufacturer offering custom products.
They have got a customer request for a unique dining table that fits perfectly in their living room. They have specific requirements for size, shape, materials, and finish.
Without CPQ: The manufacturer would need to manually take measurements, create drawings, and estimate costs. This process can be time-consuming and prone to errors.
With CPQ: Sales reps at the furniture manufacturing company can use the CPQ tool to configure their desired table requirements. The system automatically calculates the price and generates a detailed order.
Once the order is approved, the accurate configuration data is transmitted to the manufacturing team, ensuring that the desk is built to the exact specifications.
Why use CPQ Software for CTO Manufacturing?
Efficient Customization: CPQ allows users to configure complex products easily, ensuring only feasible options are selected, and eliminating errors in the customization process.
Accurate Pricing: CPQ automates pricing based on selected configurations, providing precise quotes, and reducing the chances of costly pricing mistakes.
Faster Quotes: CPQ drastically reduces the time it takes to generate quotes, speeding up the sales cycle and improving customer experience.
Error Reduction: By validating configurations in real-time, CPQ ensures that only compatible components are selected, preventing production errors.
Seamless Collaboration: It bridges sales, engineering, and production processes, ensuring smooth handoffs with accurate product specs and BOMs.
Data-Driven Insights: CPQ offers data on customer preferences and configurations, enabling businesses to optimize their offerings and predict future trends.
Configure to Order Manufacturing not only speeds up production but also enhances collaboration, fosters innovation and makes selling easier—all of which contribute to a more agile and customer-focused business.
With a powerful CPQ solution, you can automate product configuration, ensure pricing accuracy, and bridge the gap between sales and production seamlessly.
