Welcome to the CPQ Sales Advantage series, where we explore how Frontier ERP’s built-in CPQ software transforms the way manufacturers sell configurable products. In this series, we’ll break down each component: configuration, pricing, quoting, and cross-department integration over several weeks. Plus, you’ll learn how these tools work together to speed up sales, reduce errors, and deliver precise products that delight your customers.
Frontier ERP With Integrated CPQ Software
For custom manufacturers, speed, accuracy, and efficiency are required for success. Any errors in configuration, pricing, or quoting can cost time, money, and even customers. That is why having Configure, Price, Quote (CPQ) software built directly into your ERP system, like Frontier ERP, is a game-changer compared to using separate, standalone CPQ solutions.
A separate configuration and quotation software package may handle your configuration or quoting needs. Still, it often relies on manual data transfer, spreadsheets, or delayed data updates in your ERP system. This disconnect can lead to mistakes in pricing, inventory, or production scheduling, as well as slow down your sales cycle. When CPQ is built into your ERP:
- Sales, inventory, scheduling, production, shipping, and service teams operate from the same real-time data
- Quotes automatically reflect accurate costs, inventory availability, and lead times
- Configuration, pricing, and quoting errors are virtually eliminated
- Orders move seamlessly from sales to production, reducing rework and delays
The result is faster quotes, precise products, happier customers, and a measurable impact on your bottom line.
The CPQ Sales Advantage Series
This series breaks down the processes step by step, showing how CPQ works with the Frontier ERP system to deliver accuracy and speed across every stage of the sales and production process.
Part 1: Confident Complex Configurations
Manufacturers often sell highly configurable products, which can create confusion and errors if sales rely on manual processes. Built-in CPQ guides your team through every option, feature, and dependency, ensuring that only valid configurations are offered.
With Frontier ERP:
- Configuration rules are stored within the system, reducing errors and ensuring feasibility.
- Parametric configurators allow complex products to be built automatically from approved options.
- Dealers and sales reps can quote products confidently without waiting for engineering approval.
The result is faster, accurate configurations that save time, reduce mistakes, and give customers exactly what they ordered.
Part 2: Pricing You Can Trust
Pricing is a critical component in quoting and finalizing the sale. Too high, and you risk losing the sale; too low, and you erode profit. Standalone quotation systems often require manual updates from ERP data, which can lead to errors or outdated pricing. Built-in CPQ automatically pulls real-time costs, labor rates, and margin rules directly from the ERP system, so every quote is accurate and profitable.
With Frontier ERP:
- Sales always see up-to-date material costs and labor rates.
- Pricing rules and margin approvals are applied automatically.
- Profitability is protected, even with complex configurations or custom discounts.
This ensures consistent, trustworthy pricing that strengthens customer confidence and protects your margins.
Part 3: Quote Faster, Close More
Slow or inaccurate quotes are one of the biggest barriers to winning new business. Built-in CPQ allows sales teams to generate complete, professional quotes in minutes with real-time ERP data.
With Frontier ERP:
- Inventory availability and production capacity are checked automatically.
- Quotes transition seamlessly into sales orders without re-entry or errors.
- Customers receive fast, accurate, and professional proposals.
The result is shorter sales cycles, faster order processing, and improved customer satisfaction, giving your company a competitive edge.
Part 4: Connected for Success
The real power of built-in CPQ lies in its ability to connect every department. From sales to inventory, production, shipping, and after-delivery service, your team operates from a single source of truth.
With Frontier ERP:
- Sales quotes automatically update inventory and production schedules.
- Manufacturing teams know exactly what to build and when.
- Delivery and service teams have complete visibility into orders and customer history.
This cross-departmental alignment ensures accuracy, reduces delays, and keeps customers happy, turning a simple quote into a seamless, end-to-end experience.
Why Built-In CPQ Matters
Using a separate CPQ system creates gaps that can slow your sales process and increase errors. Built-in CPQ within Frontier ERP eliminates these gaps, providing:
- Real-time integration with inventory, production, and pricing data
- Reduced errors in configuration, pricing, and quoting
- Faster quotes and order processing
- Greater customer satisfaction and trust
- A more efficient, connected organization
For manufacturers selling complex or configurable products, the choice is clear: CPQ belongs inside your ERP system. With Frontier ERP, you gain speed, accuracy, and visibility across your entire operation, turning quotes into precise products, happy customers, and measurable business results.
Conclusion
Stay tuned for the full series, where we will dive deeper into each part of the series. We’ll show you how Frontier’s built-in CPQ helps your team sell smarter, reduce errors, and deliver precise products that delight your customers.
Have questions now? Contact us to learn more about Frontier’s CPQ features and how the Frontier ERP system can benefit your company.
