Custom window treatments have continued to increase in popularity for homeowners and businesses over the years. Buyers seek personalized solutions that match their style and functional needs. Whether it’s motorized shades, eco-friendly blinds, or custom drapery, consumers want high-quality, made-to-order options.
With the demand increase, manufacturers and dealers face challenges in managing product variations, pricing complexities, and order accuracy. This is where CPQ (Configure, Price, Quote) software plays a crucial role. CPQ software simplifies the sales process, enhances the customer experience, and improves efficiency by automating product configuration, pricing, and quotes.
In this article, we’ll explore current design trends and how CPQ software can boost sales for custom window treatment businesses.
What to Expect in 2025’s Custom Window Treatments
The window treatment industry is evolving as homeowners and businesses seek innovative, stylish, and functional solutions for their spaces. Advances in technology, sustainability efforts, and a demand for personalization are reshaping how manufacturers, dealers, and consumers approach window coverings. Here’s a closer look at the major trends influencing the custom window treatment industry.
1. The Rise of Home Automation
One of the fastest-growing trends in the window treatment industry is the integration of smart blinds and motorized shades. Consumers seek convenience, energy efficiency, and enhanced security, making automated window treatments attractive.
“In the last few years, automated shading has jumped from a highly technical commercial luxury to becoming a standard in luxury homes,” according to interior designer Isfira Jensen in an article on marthastewart.com. Motorized window treatments offer convenience and efficiency through remote and voice control. This allows users to operate them via apps, remotes, or smart assistants like Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit.
Beyond convenience, automated window treatments also enhance energy efficiency and home security. By simulating occupancy through scheduling, they help deter potential intruders when homeowners are away. Plus, advanced motorized shades come with built-in sensors that adjust automatically, contributing to better energy efficiency. These features combine to create a modern, efficient, and secure window treatment solution.
2. Sustainable & Eco-Friendly Treatment Materials
Bamboo blinds are just one example of how consumers are moving to more eco-friendly and sustainably-sourced materials for their window fashions.
With increasing awareness of environmental issues, consumers are actively seeking sustainable and eco-friendly custom window treatments. Businesses in the industry are responding by offering environmentally responsible products without compromising on style or durability.
As manufacturers embrace sustainably-sourced materials like organic cotton, linen, bamboo, and hemp, eco-friendly window coverings are soaring in popularity. Many brands are using recycled materials like repurposed wood and polyester. This helps reduce waste and supports a circular economy.
Beyond sustainability, these custom window treatments also offer functional benefits. Energy-efficient designs, like honeycomb shades, improve insulation and reduce heat transfer, leading to lower energy bills. Health-conscious consumers look for non-toxic and low-VOC options that help reduce indoor air pollution. Together, these innovations promote both environmental responsibility and healthier living spaces.
Offering sustainable custom window treatments not only appeals to environmentally conscious consumers but also positions businesses as responsible and forward-thinking industry leaders.
3. Rising Demand for Made-to-Order Window Treatments
Today’s consumers are looking for unique, made-to-order window treatments. The days of “one-size-fits-all” solutions are fading, and customization is now a standard expectation.
Custom window treatments offer a perfect fit for unique window shapes like bay, arched, or oversized designs. With a wide selection of colors, patterns, and materials, homeowners’ window-covering design ideas are unlimited.
Personalization extends beyond fabric choices to decorative hardware. Customized curtain rods, finials, and trim details all add a refined touch. Dual and layered window treatments provide enhanced versatility by balancing style, privacy, and light control.
Businesses that offer a broad range of customization will be the go-to place for custom window treatments in 2025.
Sales Order Processing Challenges for Custom Window Treatments
Sales order management for custom window treatment manufacturers comes with several unique challenges. Managing made-to-order production is demanding, especially when handling intricate product details. Balancing these complexities is essential to ensuring exceptional customer satisfaction. Here are some key challenges:
1. Complex Product Configurations
- Custom window treatments involve a wide range of materials, colors, sizes, control mechanisms, and mounting styles.
- Ensuring accuracy in product specifications while configuring orders can be difficult, leading to potential miscommunications and errors.
2. Accurate Pricing and Quoting
- Pricing varies based on many factors. Examples might include fabric selection, smart features, special finishes, custom dimensions, geographic location, and select discounts.
- Generating accurate quotes quickly, especially for dealers or direct customers, requires integrated CPQ software.
3. Managing Lead Times and Production Scheduling
- Custom orders mean production schedules could vary significantly.
- Delays in sourcing specific materials or components can impact promised delivery dates.
- Balancing made-to-order production with batch manufacturing to optimize efficiency is challenging.
4. Inventory and Material Tracking
- Tracking fabric rolls, trims, motorization components, and hardware across multiple SKUs requires precise management.
- Insufficient inventory visibility can lead to production delays or increased costs from last-minute supplier orders.
5. Dealer and Customer Order Entry Errors
- If dealers or customers input incorrect specifications, the result can be costly remakes or customer dissatisfaction.
- Ensuring that order entry portals or systems validate inputs correctly is essential to minimizing mistakes.
6. Communication Across Sales Channels
- Orders come from multiple sources—dealers, designers, retailers, or direct customers—each with different expectations and processes.
- Managing order revisions, approvals, and special requests without dropping the ball is a daunting task.
7. Production and Order Visibility
- Customers and dealers expect real-time updates on order status.
- Without an integrated ERP system, providing accurate tracking of custom window treatment orders can be difficult.
8. Field Service Coordination
- Scheduling installers, tracking service appointments, and ensuring they have the right parts and tools can be complicated.
- Managing post-installation service requests, such as adjustments or motorization troubleshooting, requires seamless communication between sales, production, and field teams.
9. Shipping and Delivery
- Window treatments require careful handling and packaging to avoid damage during transit.
- Coordinating shipments across different geographic regions, especially for large-scale orders, adds complexity.
What is CPQ Software?
CPQ (Configure, Price, Quote) software is a digital tool that automates the process of configuring complex products, setting accurate prices, and generating professional quotes. It ensures that every order is accurate, competitively priced, and processed efficiently.
Key Features of CPQ Tools:
- Product Configuration – Guides customers through selecting the right window treatments, from material choices to automation features.
- Pricing & Discounts – Automatically applies pricing rules, discounts, and bulk pricing options.
- Quote Generation – Instantly produces professional, error-free quotes.
- Integration with ERP – Connects with inventory and manufacturing systems to streamline the order process.
For window treatment businesses, CPQ software simplifies selling highly customizable products, reducing errors and improving customer satisfaction.
CPQ with parametric product configuration ensures the generation of quick and accurate quotes.
How CPQ Improves the Sales Process
CPQ tools can significantly streamline sales order management for custom window treatment manufacturers by addressing each challenge with automation, accuracy, and integration. Here’s how:
1. Complex Product Configurations
✅ Configuration Validation – CPQ enforces configuration validation, preventing incorrect selections (e.g., ensuring specific motorized blinds only work with certain fabrics).
✅ Visualization Tools – Some CPQ solutions integrate with 3D or AR tools. This allows customers to see their selections before finalizing orders.
2. Accurate Pricing and Quoting
✅ Dynamic Pricing Engine – Automatically calculates pricing based on fabric type, dimensions, motorization, special treatments, and special discounts.
✅ Instant Quote Generation – Reduces manual calculations and errors, allowing dealers and customers to get quotes in seconds.
3. Managing Lead Times and Production Scheduling
✅ Automated Lead Time Estimates – CPQ software dynamically calculates production and material lead times based on order complexity.
✅ Production Visibility – Orders flow seamlessly into ERP and scheduling systems, ensuring efficient workflows.
4. Inventory and Material Tracking
✅ Real-Time Material Availability – CPQ checks available inventory before allowing selections, preventing orders with out-of-stock materials.
✅ Alternative Material Suggestions – If a selected fabric or component is unavailable, CPQ suggests comparable alternatives to avoid order delays.
5. Dealer and Customer Order Entry Errors
✅ Guided Selling – CPQ helps sales reps and dealers offer the best window treatments based on customer preferences, budget, and functional requirements.
✅ Automated Order Accuracy Checks – Detects errors like incorrect dimensions, incompatible parts, or missing selections before an order is submitted.
6. Communication Across Sales Channels
✅ Centralized Order Processing – Dealers, designers, and sales reps use the same CPQ system, ensuring uniform pricing and configuration options.
✅ Automated Approval Workflows – Custom orders requiring review can be automatically flagged for approval before submission.
7. Production and Order Visibility
✅ Order Tracking Integration – CPQ connects with ERP systems to provide real-time updates on order status.
✅ Self-Service Dealer Portals – Dealers can view production progress, estimated completion, and shipment tracking without calling customer support.
8. Field Service Coordination
✅ Installation Scheduling – CPQ can integrate with scheduling tools to book field service teams based on lead time and availability.
✅ Work Order Generation – Automatically generates installation instructions and required parts lists for field technicians.
Increase Sales & Customer Satisfaction with CPQ
CPQ software not only makes the sales process smoother but also helps businesses build relationships that increase revenue and improve customer satisfaction.
1. Reducing Quote-to-Order Time
A faster, automated quoting process means more closed deals in less time. CPQ software accelerates sales cycles by reducing delays in approvals, calculations, and manual input.
2. Improving Customer Experience
A streamlined, professional quoting system creates a better buying experience, increasing customer trust and satisfaction. Customers appreciate receiving clear, accurate quotes without waiting days for a response.
3. Guided Selling
CPQ software can suggest premium features, complementary products, or upgrades based on customer selections. For example, if a customer chooses motorized shades, the system might recommend smart home integration or energy-efficient materials.
4. Enhancing Dealer Efficiency
Dealers no longer need to go back and forth with manufacturers to finalize pricing or confirm product availability. CPQ software gives them instant access to accurate pricing and configurations, making the dealer’s sales process more efficient.
Window Treatment Software with Built-in CPQ
For custom window treatment businesses, Frontier ERP provides a complete solution. It offers strong window treatment software with built-in CPQ features.
Key Benefits of Frontier ERP’s Window Treatment Software:
✔ Automated CPQ Functionality – Configure, price, and quote orders instantly.
✔ Robust Product Configuration – Frontier’s CPQ software uses a powerful parametric product configurator for the most complex product variations.
✔ Seamless ERP Integration – Manage sales, configurations, and manufacturing in one platform.
✔ 3D Visualization Tools – Help customers see their custom selections before purchase.
✔ Dealer & Customer Portals – Enable user-friendly collaboration tools and self-service quoting for sales teams and customers.
✔ Real-Time Pricing & Discount Management – Ensure accurate, competitive pricing on every order.
With Frontier ERP, businesses can improve efficiency, reduce costs, and increase sales—all while providing an exceptional customer experience.
Conclusion
CPQ software is a must-have tool to configure products quickly and accurately. It is the top choice for streamlining sales, enhancing customer experience, and scaling operations efficiently. Through automation, CPQ eliminates errors, speeds up order processing, and helps businesses close more deals faster.
Investing in Frontier ERP with built-in CPQ ensures seamless integration with day-to-day manufacturing, inventory, and sales processes. This helps custom window treatment manufacturers stay ahead of the competition.
Are you ready to revolutionize your sales process? Explore Frontier ERP’s built-in CPQ solutions to maximize efficiency and boost your custom window treatment revenue.
