An online system can speed up the quoting process by up to 10 times.

Many companies work under tight time constraints; when a customer needs information or a quote, they often need it quickly. Up to 50% of lost sales are due to quotes not being delivered or followed up on a timely basis. Complex quoting systems can be simplified down to only a few clicks so that quotes can be issued, found, and followed up far more quickly than using conventional methods.

Features & Benefits

• Online automation
  Having an online quotation process means being able to find a quote anytime, anywhere. In most cases the quoting process can be automated to remove manual and mundane data entry, reducing the need to continuously look up data. Examples of automation are; emailing quote expiry notices, calculating prices and commissions, online payments, invoice generation, online acceptances, templated responses to questions, and sales KPI reports.
• Instant online quotes for complex solutions requiring input from numerous specialists
  However, much as a process can be automated, there always seems to be some elements that require human knowledge and input. A quote for a complex solution can go back and forth between a company and client several times before both parties reach agreement and complete the transaction. Our Datum Connect quoting system can generate both printable contracts to sign or online accepted quotes, depending on which method is more appropriate for the customer. This all helps to speed up the sales process.
• Online collaboration (where many skills are required to create a quote)
  Many quoting processes can be very complex and require multiple specialists to understand a customer's needs in order to confirm a price. With an online quote, each specialist can work on their part of the quoting process independently. For example a quote requiring the skills of a technical draftsman can just automatically appear in their list of tasks to complete. Any such team members can bring up the details of a quote while they are on the phone with the sales person or even in front of the customer, onsite.
• Guided sales methodology (templated responses and process)
  Combined with the Datum Connect CRM a "Guided Sales Methodology" will guide sales representatives through a defined sales and fulfilment process, and can help them to answer customer questions and objections.
• Increase speed of response to customer quotation requests and facilitate self service
  Online automation means the quoting system can be made up to 10 times faster (or in some cases, almost instantaneous). Ideally, depending on the complexity of the solution, customers should be able to initiate/generate quotes for themselves, online. Having such an online capability enables customers to choose options before or during the quoting and fulfilment process. Once a process is completed, the next process can begin instantly, without sitting in somebody's in-tray or inbox.
• Easy to use and minimal training required
  With a Guided Sales Methodology and a real focus on intuitive layout and design, a staff member can be up and running in half the time and with less support required from managers.
• Reduce errors and eliminate common mistakes
  An online system can also have set rules to ensure proper processes are followed when creating quotes. It is an ongoing process to isolate common errors and create a system to ensure that they do not happen in the future. An example of such a problem is when one product is not compatible with another product. In this case, the system can flag that the products will not work together. Also applies to products being out of stock and needing a refund or exchange.
• Instant integration of key information relevant to the sale
  Key information that is relevant to a sale can be automatically incorporated in online generated quotes. Examples of which are: preferential customer pricing, product stock levels, currency exchange rates, freight charges and detailed/technical product information.
• Anywhere, anytime access with strong security
  Our web based systems enable access to your business systems wherever and whenever you need them. Security access levels can be set for individual users.
• Reporting
  Keep track of progress as it is happening, in real time. No more waiting for reports to be handed in.
  Key KPI reports are customised to suit each company.
  Reports can be automatically emailed to managers and users.
  Alerts can be setup to inform managers when certain indicators go above or below a determined threshold.
• Task Management
  Assign and keep track of tasks.

Case Studies

Return on Investment

Common business problems / challenges and solutions

Organising all relevant data (such as prospective customers, quotations, expected budget, total spend, products interested in, expected closing date, key players in the deal, important dates and milestones)... all in one place, helps to guide the sales representative through the sales process.

Account executives need tools to respond to customer requirements faster and more effectively than previous methods. To do this, they’ll need the ability to easily record, track, and change quotations, customer and product information. Plus, they’ll need easy access to updated testimonials, sales programmes and competitive data. 

Sales reps will often spend at least a few minutes of company time each day tracking their commission. For most salespeople, there isn’t a bigger motivator than making money; anything that keeps sales reps updated on their ability to make money is a huge motivator.

Customer data is not accessible in one centralised system.

A challenge is the difficulty of running marketing campaigns via different communication channels, targeting a pre-defined group of potential buyers with a specific message referring to a product, or a group of products.

Integrating information from each area of the company and having the ability to extract targeted lists, is of key importance.

Responses as high as 30 to 40% have been achieved and costs have been significantly reduced through specialised targeted marketing campaigns.

Ill-informed staff is the biggest customer service bugbear.

55% of consumers would pay extra to guarantee better service.

52% have experienced poor service from a big name retailer in the last year.

Support staff need tools to respond to customer inquiries faster and more effectively than previous methods. To do this they’ll need the ability to easily record, track, and change quotations, customer and product information.

Questions and Answers

	Can I quote a job or take an order from my mobile phone? Nathan - Operations Manager - Equestrian products
	Yes, as long as the mobile phone has access to the Internet and has a screen large enough to see all the necessary information needed to create a quote. We can create a screen specifically for mobile phones if necessary. Danny- Founder - Datum Connect

	Can you get an email automatically sent to different people depending on the outcome of the result of the quote? Allan - General Manager - Insurance
	Yes, an email can be triggered to be sent to a specific person depending on the outcome of the quoting process or during the quoting process. David - Production Manager - Datum Connect

	I have a customer that has come back to accept a quote I made 18 months ago. Can you create a button so I can recalculate the quote automatically? Greg - Director - Household Heating
	Yes. Danny - Founder - Datum Connect

	Can I make it so my retailers cannot reduce the prices of the quotes they create but they can increase the prices? Greg - Director - Household Heating
	Yes. Danny - Founder - Datum Connect