By implementing Experlogix CPQ for Dynamics NAV, Takeuchi is seeing immediate benefits internally and externally.
From an administration perspective, Takeuchi was able to shift responsibility for new product configurations and maintenance of existing models to the sales department. Instead of requiring programmers to handle configurator maintenance, one product specialist trained in Experlogix now easily manages it all.
Externally, customers and dealers now create all quotes and orders using Experlogix CPQ through a portal. Previously, according to Pollard, it used to take three hours to configure an order. Today, it takes 10 minutes.
Pricing is also simplified. All equipment and component prices are maintained online, rather than on paper-based price sheets. This makes it easy for end users to look at pricing via the customer portal. The single system sign-on ensures that customers are directed to the proper pricing schema for the class they’re in. In this way, pricing is more tightly controlled.
The company’s website typically receives more than 1,000 to 1,500 daily log-ins. All customers visiting have direct access to configure their own orders using Experlogix CPQ.
Experlogix CPQ also helps Takeuchi control and monitor the critically important issue of product branding. Fonts, colors, and logos can be changed, added, or deleted through a common tool set. This also helps Takeuchi ensure that products are going to market as advertised.
“We received excellent support throughout the Experlogix implementation and continue to receive excellent support,” says Pollard. “There’s never been an issue that they’ve not been able to resolve. From a business, budget, and engineering perspective, I couldn’t be happier.”