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Why the proposal automation software forecast is “cloudy”

No brainer: sales proposal automation software like IQX is 100% dependent on the cloud, just like every other single piece of worthwhile business technology.

But if you still think “cloud” is just a marketing buzzword, we would be happy to take an hour of your time, subject you to a 40 slide PPT deck demonstrating how the cloud is, in fact, hardware that lives in data centers found in every corner of the world — some public, some private, some hybrid — that preserve, protect, and distribute data and services etc., etc., etc. Or we just just ask Marc Benioff, Founder, CEO and Chairman of Salesforce. Marc? What’s “the cloud?”

“If someone asks me what cloud computing is, I try not to get bogged down with definitions. I tell them that, simply put, @@cloud computing is a better way to run your business@@.”

Great! Thanks, Marc. It’s a better way to run your business. And what makes businesses run? Sales, and no sale takes place without a signed quote, which is why — in the future and in the present — the outlook for the configure, price, quote business is “cloudy,” and rightfully so.

Cloud catalogs

Cloud and CPQ: accessibility and consistency

When most people think “cloud,” the first thing that usually comes to mind is, “Cool. I can access my stuff from anywhere with a web connection.” Absolutely true. But that’s only the beginning.

And when they think “proposal automation software,” they think, “Cool. I can send more proposals faster.” Also true, and also only the beginning.

Marry-up these two preceding notions, and you can send sales quotes from anywhere, and fast. But this marriage is as much about control and consistency as it is about speed and accessibility.

For example, when your quoting software is cloud based, so is your product catalog, which means every quote any rep sends has consistency in pricing, in upsells, in everything.

You centrally administer your cloud-based product catalog, and ensure every price fits its demo and geo, and that every bundle is based on proven successes. And there’s no need to update individual devices with the latest info: do it centrally, push it onto the cloud, and let your salespeople access it.

If you’re thinking, “Heck, we only have three sales people, and we all work out of the same office. We don’t need sales proposals — or anything — in the cloud,” we respectfully disagree. So does Mr. Benioff:

“The cloud services companies of all sizes… The cloud is for everyone. The cloud is a democracy.”

We couldn’t have said it better ourselves. Accessibility, consistency, and speed are a fit for any business, no matter its size. If you'd like to learn more about this topic or see IQX for yourself with a free demo, contact us.