Manufacturers need CPQs that handle complex BOMs, pricing variability, and tight ERP integration right out of the box. But most CPQ tools rely on expensive, time-consuming customizations to meet these needs. As complexity increases (think large product catalogs) performance suffers, slowing quote generation and increasing errors.
Even if a do-it-all CPQ works today, will it still fit tomorrow? Adding new products, ERP migrations, and scaling operations can turn an already customized tool into a costly, hard-to-manage burden. If your CPQ can’t scale with your business, it holds you back—causing delays, missed opportunities, and lost revenue.
5 Questions You Should Ask Before Choosing a CPQ
Before you commit to a quoting solution, drill into how well it aligns with your manufacturing needs. Here are five crucial questions to ask when evaluating CPQs:
1) Can it handle complex configurations and BOMs?
Your products are intricate and your CPQ should keep up. Look for a system that supports complex product logic and automatically generates accurate bill of materials (BOM) without manual intervention. If it can’t quote your most complex product or project assembly, it’s not the right fit.
2) Does it support dynamic pricing?
Pricing shifts fast in manufacturing and you need to stay agile through tariffs, commodity pricing fluctuations, and supply chain disruptions. Your CPQ should apply real-time price updates based on cost, volume, and market conditions. That means accurate quotes that protect your margins and stay ahead of the competition.
3) Can it integrate to your ERP seamlessly?
If your CPQ can’t sync with your ERP, expect costly errors. Real-time integration ensures quotes reflect current inventory, updated costs, and current customer data. No more quoting products you don’t actually have.
4) Will it scale with large quotes and catalogs?
Large quotes shouldn’t break your system. A manufacturing-grade CPQ must handle thousands of SKUs and complex BOMs without slowing down. Speed and scale aren’t optional, they’re required.
5) Is it built to evolve with manufacturing?
You need a partner, not just a platform. Choose a vendor with deep manufacturing experience and a roadmap that invests in features you’ll actually use. Your quoting solution should grow with your business, and the solution you choose should have similar customers you can talk to.
By asking these five questions, you’ll quickly zero in on which CPQ solutions can support your growing business – and which are likely to cause frustration. If a vendor can confidently address all of the above, you’re looking at a tool that’s worth serious consideration.
If You’re Fighting With Your CPQ, It’s Time To Break Up
A CPQ that creates friction isn’t worth keeping around. Manufacturers who switch to purpose-built solutions see faster quotes, smoother workflows, and measurable ROI. The right CPQ works with your team, not against it.
Zilliant CPQ Is Purpose-Built To Support Your Business
Our CPQ solution was made for manufacturers from day one. That means:
- Accurate, fast quotes for highly configurable products
- Real-time AI-powered pricing to protect margins
- Native SAP ERP integration and out-of-the-box CRM integrations
- Scalability to handle 10,000+ line-item quotes and complex catalogs
- 4x a year product updates, focused on manufacturing use cases
If your current tool breaks under pressure or slows your sales, pricing, and operations team down, it’s time for an upgrade. Stop patching together a system that wasn’t made for your business and doesn’t understand your challenges. Choose a CPQ that’s built for manufacturing—flexible, scalable, and ready to grow with you.
Outgrown your one-size-fits-all CPQ? Contact us today to see how Zilliant CPQ helps manufacturers turn quoting into a strategic growth engine.
