Product configurator use rules to eliminate errors, and even when it comes to complex products, they ensure the selected solutions are viable. It makes them ideal for reducing the number of order returns and providing customers with faultless service. They also help your customers make accurate choices and see the impact of their selections in 3D, increasing their satisfaction. Additionally, they enable a more efficient quoting process and automate engineering and manufacturing by creating BOMs and CAD models.
Intuitive User Experience
Today, customers want products that can be tailored to their individual needs. That’s why a configurator is essential. It offers a unique shopping experience that makes customers feel like they are designing their product. It fosters an emotional bond with the product and lowers returns and refunds, substantially impacting the company. Product configurators enable customers to select their preferred dimensions, materials and color options using intuitive graphical tools. In addition, they can add accessories, like screens, wheels and locks. It allows the customer to make a complete purchase without visiting a showroom or contacting a sales representative. The configuration process also captures valuable information that can be pushed to ERP and CRM systems. It can even act as a configure, price and quote (CPQ) solution, allowing companies to reduce order-to-ship times to hours. A robust rules-based CPQ configurator solution will flag incorrect or incompatible combinations and prevent companies from sending out bad orders. Moreover, this kind of information management can be integrated into the business processes of many departments, including research and development, manufacturing, sales, and marketing.
Personalized Products
A configurator allows shoppers to build products tailored to their needs and preferences. It enables them to feel a sense of ownership over the product, which leads to increased customer loyalty and repeat business. Many businesses, such as Radio Flyer and Stratasys, use a web-based product configurator that enables consumers to design structures and tools like sheds, barns, and outdoor buildings before purchasing them. In addition, a configurator allows customers to personalize products, such as t-shirts, by selecting colors, styles, fabric, stitching, and other options. Incompatible choices are automatically disabled, which saves the user time and makes the experience more intuitive.
Configurators also bring a 3D visualization element to the e-commerce experience, which gives shoppers a more accurate view of the final product and reduces returns. Returns can cost businesses up to 66% of the product’s original price. Some configuration tools can also be downloaded on mobile devices for salespeople to use on the go or during events, creating a truly omnichannel marketing experience. This feature is especially important as more consumers shop on their phones.
Increased Efficiency
There is almost no end to the range of products that customers can customize, whether consumer goods like shelves, kitchen appliances or furniture or capital goods such as modular control cabinets and transport systems. A CPQ system makes it easy for sales reps to generate quotes while providing the customer with a detailed and accurate description of each product option and its features. It allows businesses to streamline the quoting and specification processes, shortening the time to market.
Moreover, by centralizing the product data, product configurators ensure that all of the information inputted by customers or sales reps is validated against a set of rules. It creates a consistent and accurate database, safeguarding valuable knowledge that would otherwise be lost when experienced employees leave the company. It can be particularly beneficial during periods of staff shortages. As a result, companies that implement product configuration software achieve greater efficiency and a competitive advantage.
Enhanced Customer Satisfaction
A top-notch product configuration tool allows you to provide customers with an online experience like visiting your store in person. It will enable them to visualize better the products they’re purchasing, thus increasing their confidence and satisfaction. Furthermore, the configurator’s ability to capture a customer’s selected options enables manufacturers to automate their quote-to-production process. It means they can cut down on lead times and ensure timely delivery of each customized order. Product Configurator software is valuable for businesses in all industries and niche markets. In addition to enhancing the customer experience, it also improves efficiency in sales and manufacturing departments. The more deeply the configurator is integrated into business processes, the more benefits it will deliver for companies and their customers. It is especially important when complex or unique products require much customization. This way, customers will receive exactly the product they want and need. It will help build loyalty and create a strong relationship between the business and the client.
Streamlined Processes
A product configurator is a great way to streamline your entire pipeline. The configuration software captures all product options, customizations and customer preferences and pushes them to your ERP, CMS or PIM system. It helps to eliminate errors in quotes and orders and saves time for everyone involved. The resulting data also makes it easier for manufacturing teams to produce the correct product for each customer.
In addition, many product configurators feature cost estimation tools and visualization capabilities that help customers better understand how much their customized design will cost them before they buy it. It helps to reduce return rates, which can cost businesses up to 66% of the item’s original price. Finally, a product configurator offers a more personalized shopping experience for customers. They can choose colors, materials, shapes, characteristics and functions and digitally experience the product from all sides and settings. It makes the shopping process more intuitive and similar to in-store shopping than traditional e-commerce. It’s also easier for customers to compare different products and find the right one that meets their needs.
