Welcome to SelectHub’s ultimate Infor CPQ review.
We’re here to give you a detailed tour and our honest, unbiased opinions about Infor’s CPQ software.
If you’re more of a binge watcher than a bookworm, good news! We’ve also recorded a 10-part video series. Check out the first video in the Infor CPQ series below.
Part one of SelectHub’s video series on Infor CPQ. Also available: Infor CPQ pricing, Infor CPQ alternatives and a playlist featuring the full Infor CPQ series.
Since you’re already here, you likely know that Infor is a major player in several areas, including ERP and other enterprise solutions. Now you’re doing your homework and trying to figure out if they’re right for your CPQ needs and how they stack up against the competition.
Table of Contents
What Does Infor CPQ Do?
Infor CPQ (Configure, Price, Quote) is a software solution designed to help businesses manage the configuration, pricing and quoting of their products and services. This software is aimed at simplifying complex sales processes, especially in industries where products have a variety of configurations and options.
Here are some of the key functions of Infor CPQ’s platform.
- Product Configuration: Sales teams can configure products according to customer needs, complying with predefined rules to ensure that configurations are valid. This helps reduce errors and rework.
- Pricing Management: Companies can maintain consistent pricing strategies across different channels and regions. Pricing rules can be complex, incorporating discounts, promotions and various other pricing structures.
- Quotation Creation: Infor CPQ streamlines the quoting process by allowing sales teams to create accurate and professional quotes. Quotes can be customized with branded templates, including detailed product descriptions, terms and conditions.
- Integration: Infor CPQ can be integrated with various ERP and CRM systems, ensuring that sales, finance and operations are aligned. This aids in keeping information consistent across the organization.
- Visualization: Visual configuration tools allow customers and sales reps to see graphical representations of the configured products. This can enhance customer engagement and improve understanding of the product.
- Sales Automation: By automating sales tasks, Infor CPQ helps sales teams to be more efficient, spend less time on manual processes, and focus on engaging with customers.
- Reporting and Analytics: Infor CPQ provides insights into sales trends, performance metrics and customer behaviors. This can help in making informed business decisions and identifying areas for improvement.
- Compliance: Infor CPQ minimizes risks by ensuring that all configurations, pricing and quotes are in compliance with industry standards and regulatory requirements.
By aligning sales processes with business rules and automating tasks, Infor CPQ enhances the accuracy, efficiency and consistency of sales operations. The result is faster sales cycles and increased revenue. It’s particularly useful for businesses with complex, configurable products that require tailored solutions for different customers.
Infor CPQ helps businesses manage configuration, pricing, and quoting processes of products and services.
Many CPQ platforms can achieve the outcomes listed above. However, there are several key differences that Infor CPQ claims to offer over its competitors, including the following.
- Industry Specialization: Infor CPQ provides features tailored to specific industries, such as manufacturing and distribution. This specialization may result in better alignment with unique industry requirements.
- Integration With Infor’s Ecosystem: If a business is already using other Infor products, such as Infor’s ERP or CRM, Infor CPQ provides a smoother and more native integration, ensuring consistency across the business.
- User Experience: Infor CPQ emphasizes user-friendly interfaces that aim to make it easy for sales teams and customers to configure and visualize products. This can lead to improved engagement and quicker sales cycles.
- Visual Configuration: While other CPQ systems also offer visual configuration, Infor CPQ’s 2D and 3D visualizations are often cited as being particularly robust, enhancing the customer’s understanding and engagement with the product.
- Advanced Analytics: Infor’s analytics capabilities may provide more detailed insights into sales performance, customer preferences and trends than other CPQ systems.
- Compliance Management: Infor CPQ’s focus on compliance with industry standards and regulations can be a critical factor for businesses in highly regulated sectors.
- Cost Considerations: Depending on business needs, Infor CPQ might offer a more cost-effective solution than others, especially if bundled with other Infor products.
Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s get into our deep dive.
In-Depth Infor CPQ Review
As a company that’s been around for 20+ years, Infor is certainly popular — but popularity doesn’t always make for a perfect fit. See who Infor CPQ is best suited for, who it’s not suited for, top features, pricing, alternatives and user reviews.
Who Is Infor CPQ Best Suited For?
Infor’s enterprise solution helps marketing, sales, engineering, manufacturing and IT leaders design, market, sell, make and deliver their products.
Infor performs well in markets that require a lot of configuration. Particularly where there’s a wide variety of components and products. Think windows and doors, building products, specialty vehicles, watercraft, furniture, equipment and machinery, industrial components, automotive, electronics, distribution, fashion and retail, and more.
Here is a deeper look at who Infor CPQ is best suited for.
- Manufacturing: Infor CPQ can handle complex product configurations, making it suitable for manufacturers with configurable products that have multiple variations, options and dependencies.
- Distributors: Distributors who need to manage a wide variety of products, pricing structures, and quotes across different channels can benefit from the streamlined processes that Infor CPQ provides.
- Businesses With Complex Sales Processes: If a business offers products that require detailed customization and configuration, Infor CPQ can help automate and simplify this process, making it a good fit.
- Enterprises With Global Operations: The scalability and flexibility of Infor CPQ allow it to adapt to the requirements of large enterprises operating across regions and markets.
- Companies in Regulated Industries: Infor CPQ’s strong focus on compliance and adherence to industry standards and regulations makes it suitable for sectors like healthcare, aerospace and automotive, where regulatory compliance is crucial.
- Organizations Using Other Infor Solutions: If a business is already using other Infor products (e.g., ERP or CRM systems), Infor CPQ’s seamless integration with the Infor ecosystem can provide a cohesive solution.
- Mid-to-Large-Sized Businesses: While Infor CPQ’s scalability allows it to cater to different business sizes, its extensive features and capabilities may be particularly beneficial to mid-sized and large organizations that require robust CPQ functionalities.
- Businesses Requiring Visual Configurations: Companies looking to enhance customer engagement through product visualizations during the configuration process will find Infor CPQ’s visual configuration tools appealing.
Overall, Infor CPQ is best suited for manufacturing companies, distributors and businesses with complex sales processes, including those requiring detailed customization and regulatory compliance. Its applicability extends to both product-based businesses and service-based industries, emphasizing streamlined processes and enhanced customer engagement.
Who Is Infor CPQ NOT Suited For?
As explained in the previous section, Infor CPQ works well for manufacturing companies, distributors and businesses with complex customization requirements.
Here are three scenarios in which Infor CPQ may not be a perfect fit.
Small-to-Midsize Businesses With Simple Configuration Needs
Organizations that have straightforward, non-configurable products and services will find Infor CPQ too complex for their needs. Infor CPQ’s robust features might also come at a price that may not be suitable for businesses with tight budget constraints, especially if they don’t need the extensive functionalities provided.
Process Manufacturing
Infor CPQ isn’t a good fit for businesses in process manufacturing. This is due to the unique complexities of formula-based production that require specialized handling, integration with process control systems and adherence to stringent regulatory requirements. There are other specialized solutions specifically tailored to the process manufacturing space.
Defense (Government)
Infor CPQ doesn’t support the defense sector due to specific requirements, such as stringent security standards, complex procurement processes, and the need to integrate with existing legacy systems. The need for highly customized solutions tailored to unique operational needs makes Infor CPQ unsuitable for the defense sector’s specific challenges.
Furthermore, considerations related to long-term support, sustainability, transparent cost structures, and alignment with financial constraints and reporting requirements in governmental projects may limit Infor CPQ’s appeal in this sector.
Compare Infor CPQ to the Top Competitors
Top 10 Infor CPQ Features
Infor CPQ has a lot of features packed into one product. Here are the top 10 differentiating capabilities that SelectHub found in its review.
Key Feature 1: Visual Configuration
One of the standout benefits of Infor CPQ is its powerful Visual Configuration capabilities. Users are able to generate a 3D version of a product that helps you visualize the lighting and look of that product right on the spot. Such visualization aids in perceiving the lighting and three-dimensional appearance of a product and facilitates instant customization.
Infor CPQ users are able to generate a 3D version of a product to help visualize it.
Infor CPQ’s 3D Design and Manufacturing Automation feature also offers deep integration with third-party 3D CAD solutions. This allows for the automatic generation of 3D models, drawings, and manufacturing information. It streamlines the entire process from conceptual design to production, and ensures designs are translated into tangible products.
Key Feature 2: Simple, Rapid Quote Creation
Infor CPQ’s simple quote creation process is designed to be efficient and intuitive. It allows for quick configuration and specification of line items. Users can begin the process from any point, and all essential information is easily accessible.
Infor CPQ’s visually organized catalog, which users can browse before quote creation.
The quoting process guides users through choosing products from a visually organized catalog with individual categories to simplify navigation. The interface includes a consistent and familiar search bar at the top, further enhancing ease of use.
Key Feature 3: Easy Bulk Quote Changes & Versioning
With Infor CPQ, it’s easy to update numerous records and do bulk configurations simultaneously. This can save considerable time and effort, particularly for businesses with complex or extensive product catalogs.
For example, say that you want to change the color of all doors in a quote from maple to toffee. The first quote with the maple color will be maintained while you play around with version two. Then, once you’re satisfied with the new color, the system will validate against the existing configuration, surface any incompatibilities and update the drawings to show the new color.
With these versioning capabilities, users can maintain multiple versions of a product or quote and keep track of changes over time. This offers a clear historical record, leading to better collaboration and providing a clear audit trail for accountability and compliance.
Key Feature 4: Extensive ERP & CRM Integrations
Infor CPQ stands out for its exceptional ERP integration capabilities, exceeding others in the marketplace. This allows their configurator (the C&P part of CPQ) to be embedded not only within Infor’s own ERP but also within other major platforms like Oracle and Microsoft Dynamics 365. This integration ensures a seamless connection between different parts of the business.
Furthermore, Infor CPQ’s capabilities extend beyond ERP systems, as they also service the front end, specifically customer relationship management (CRM) systems. Infor CPQ is able to embed both its configurator and its whole quoting capability within CRMs, providing an all-encompassing solution.
The ability to service both ERP and CRM platforms with embedded configurator and quoting capability makes Infor CPQ a versatile and comprehensive tool. By aligning various parts of a business, it creates a cohesive and well-integrated operation.
Key Feature 5: Easy Quote Previews
Previewing a quote with Infor CPQ is remarkably user-friendly, with a simple click on the “Preview” button generating a cover letter, breakdown and quote. What sets this feature apart is the ability to email the quote directly to the customer from the platform without needing to switch to another system.
Create quotes quickly and email them out without having to leave the platform.
The convenience is further enhanced by the availability of numerous pre-populated templates, allowing users to quickly select a layout that fits the customer’s needs. This integration of previewing, saving and emailing streamlines the quote creation and delivery process, providing a seamless experience that’s both efficient and professional.
Key Feature 6: Quick Quote-to-Order Conversions
Converting a quote to an order in Infor CPQ requires a single click. This ease of use extends to partial conversions as well, accommodating scenarios where a customer may be ready to order certain items but not others.
For example, you can convert specific lines — such as 1, 2, and 4 — to an order while leaving everything else as-is. This flexibility reflects a thoughtful understanding of varied sales scenarios, allowing for customized responses to different customer needs.
Key Feature 7: Configuration Designer
The Configure area in Infor CPQ places control directly in the hands of users, offering them autonomy over logic, entities, security and more. Unlike other systems where vendor intervention might be required for modifications, Infor CPQ empowers users to make changes themselves without needing to contact Infor.
Increase sales, cut costs, and differentiate your brand with Infor’s Product Configurator.
An intuitive interface simplifies the configuration of logic, dependencies and validation.
Key Feature 8: Intelligent Recommendations With AI
Infor CPQ’s AI offers intelligent product recommendations and pricing suggestions, taking the platform’s capabilities to a new level. Rather than relying solely on prepackaged algorithms, Infor has a dedicated data science team that works to define customized algorithms that are tailored to go beyond the standard ones.
They recognize that their customers are the ones with in-depth knowledge of the intelligence needed to drive efficiencies within their organizations. Infor engages with them to ensure the system is tuned to each customer’s unique requirements.
Key Feature 9: Flexible Quote Structure
Infor CPQ’s flexible quote structure is designed to enable speed and efficiency, particularly for high-volume sales. This flexibility is achieved through various features, such as line grouping and Excel import capabilities, allowing for seamless management of quotes and orders.
Alongside these efficiencies, Infor CPQ also incorporates an Engineering Approval Workflow, providing essential links to diagrams with each request. This ensures that unique products can be manufactured according to specific customer requests, maintaining alignment with customer needs and enhancing satisfaction.
The combination of these features positions Infor CPQ as a robust solution for businesses seeking to manage large-scale sales activities. It provides precision, responsiveness and a focus on customer-centricity alongside its integrated approach to sales configuration and order management.
Key Feature 10: Offline Configuration With Cloud Synchronization
Infor CPQ’s Offline Configuration feature provides the ability to handle quoting and configuration while on-site or in-home, even without a reliable internet connection. Full synchronization to the cloud ensures that all changes and updates are easily integrated once an internet connection is restored.
This capability allows for uninterrupted service and flexibility. Besides accommodating various working environments, it ensures that mobile quoting and configuration can proceed smoothly, regardless of connectivity challenges.
Features Not Supported by Infor CPQ
The following are features SelectHub found to be missing or still in development with Infor CPQ. Context about workarounds and whether or not these are planned is mentioned where possible.
- Subscription Management Functionality. Infor is continuing to build out its subscription management functionality to address requirements for customers that only sell via subscription or customers that sell subscriptions alongside existing products.
- Additional Support for Industrial Manufacturers. Certain industrial manufacturing capabilities — for example, Assembly Control — are still being built out. These capabilities are required for environments characterized by high production volumes and the complexity of producing many different configurations.
- Industry-Specific AI Functionality. While Infor CPQ supports a variety of AI capabilities, it’s working on developing additional AI features to solve industry-specific scenarios. For example, demand forecasting issues that arise from multiple bids for the same project and sector-specific price optimization.
It’s important to note that features and limitations of Infor CPQ can vary depending on an organization’s requirements. It’s crucial to thoroughly evaluate different platforms and choose the one that best aligns with your needs and objectives.
Compare Infor CPQ to the Top Competitors
Infor CPQ Pricing: How Much Does It Cost?
Infor CPQ’s solution suite isn’t sold in a one-size-fits-all fashion. It’s modular, with both user and usage-based pricing, and is aligned with every customer’s solution requirements.
While Infor doesn’t disclose pricing publicly, you can expect it to be consistent with other enterprise software. Expect key components to comprise some or all of the following.
- Subscription Fees: Enterprise software fees include monthly or annual subscriptions, which cover the use of the system and its features.
- Implementation and Training Fees: Depending on the scope of your implementation, there may be one-time fees for setting up the software, migrating data from your previous system and providing training for your staff.
- Add-on Modules: Beyond core features, optional modules may come at additional costs. Pricing for these add-ons will vary depending on the features you require.
- Integration, Support and Maintenance Fees: While basic customer support is generally included in subscription fees, you may need to pay extra for premium support, such as extended support hours and dedicated account management.
It’s important to note that Infor CPQ’s pricing can change over time and may differ based on your unique requirements or any promotions they are offering. To get an accurate quote for your organization, request a free price quote.
Get a Free Infor CPQ Price Quote for Your Specific Needs
Infor CPQ Alternatives: How Do They Stack Up?
Googling “Infor CPQ alternatives” will lead you down a rabbit hole of CPQ solutions.
- Capterra claims top Infor CPQ alternatives are iQuoteXpress, 3PLEX and Configure One Cloud.
- Gartner lists SAP CPQ, PROS Smart CPQ and CloudSense.
- TrustRadius says QuoteWerks, PandaDoc and ConnectWise.
While Infor CPQ alternatives include some of the logos listed above, the most common — and most competitive — would be Oracle CPQ, Salesforce CPQ, Tacton and Epicor CPQ.
In reviewing why businesses may choose Infor CPQ alternatives, reasons include the following.
- Technology Stack Alignment. If Infor CPQ doesn’t align well with the existing technology stack of an organization, or if the organization is heavily invested in another all-in-one provider (e.g., Salesforce), that alternative platform might be preferred. That said, with Infor’s extensive ERP and CRM integrations, technology stack alignment shouldn’t be the sole reason to select a competitor.
- Compliance and Regulatory Requirements. In some cases, such as with Defense and Government sectors, industry regulations and compliance needs might dictate specific requirements that Infor CPQ can’t fulfill.
- Industry-Specific Needs. Some industries have very specific requirements that might be better met by a specialized CPQ tailored to those needs. For example, Infor CPQ is not typically a good fit for process manufacturing due to the unique complexities of formula-based production that require specialized handling, integration with process control systems, and adherence to stringent regulatory requirements.
Now that we’ve covered some reasons why businesses might choose Infor CPQ alternatives, here are several reasons why you should choose Infor over the competition.
- Deep Integration With ERP and CRM Systems. Infor CPQ offers robust integration with various ERP systems (including Infor’s own) and CRM platforms like Oracle and Microsoft Dynamics 365. This ensures sales, operations and manufacturing are connected, fueling better information flow and decision-making.
- Visual Configuration Capabilities. With features like real-time 3D visualization and fully parametric 2D models, Infor CPQ allows users to visually configure products, enhancing the customization process. This is particularly valuable in industries where product customization is key.
- Flexible and User-Friendly Interface. Infor CPQ is known for its flexible quote structure, offline configuration and user-friendly design. Combined, they enable efficient quoting and order processing, catering to various sales scenarios and making the tool accessible to users with different levels of expertise.
- AI-Driven Insights and Custom Algorithms. By leveraging AI, Infor CPQ helps make intelligent product and pricing recommendations. Also, by working closely with customers to understand their specific needs, Infor ensures that the system’s algorithms align with each organization’s unique requirements.
- Scalability and Customization Options. Infor CPQ is designed to be scalable and customizable to suit various business sizes and types. Whether dealing with high-volume sales or complex configured orders, Infor CPQ’s flexible architecture allows businesses to adapt the tool to their specific needs, enhancing efficiency.
Despite a crowded space and a long list of alternatives, Infor CPQ is a solid category leader. If you’re looking for a best-of-breed CPQ solution, you won’t regret selecting it.
Infor CPQ Reviews: Themes From Users
There are many customer stories about how Infor CPQ has helped organizations of all sizes. Here are three themes commonly mentioned in Infor CPQ reviews.
Customer Quote About Configurability
“[Infor CPQ] is highly configurable, it can handle multiple workflows and can connect with multiple 3rd party vendors.”
—Rohith R., Human Resources Information Systems Analyst
Customer Quote About Visual Experience
“Infor CPQ supports every part of our business…The visual experience from the kiosks in the showroom has been a real game changer for us. We’ve kept our costs down because we chose an enterprise CPQ solution that is the best in the market for discrete manufacturers.”
–Frans J. Beerkens, Director, CIO/CDO, Fetim Group
Customer Quote About Easy-to-Use Interface
“I can certainly say that the ease of use, high-resolution dashboard really enables me to generate coherent quotes.”
–Verified Infor CPQ User in the Banking Industry
Conversely, here are some of the cons of what users say they would like to see improved.
Individual experiences with Infor CPQ vary, and user reviews may not be representative of all users’ experiences. It’s essential to evaluate Infor CPQ based on your specific requirements and to get a demo to better understand its capabilities and potential fit with your business.
Final Infor CPQ Review
Infor CPQ continues to be a prominent player in the CPQ market, catering to businesses across almost every industry. With its innovative visual configuration capabilities, including real-time 3D visualization and 2D modeling, Infor CPQ enhances product customization and facilitates an interactive customer experience. Moreover, its integrations with ERP and CRM systems like Oracle and Microsoft Dynamics 365 sets it apart from many competitors, ensuring seamless connectivity between different functions like sales, marketing, customer support and more.
One of the standout features of Infor CPQ is its focus on flexibility and user-friendliness. The platform offers industry-leading configurability and integrations, and its AI-driven insights and intelligent recommendations provide tailored solutions to help you improve sales and close deals faster.
However, while the platform is robust, some users might find the lack of certain specialized features, such as subscription management or industry-specific AI, to be a limitation, depending on their specific business models.
Ultimately, if a friend said, “Hey, I’m thinking about using Infor CPQ” here’s what I’d say…
Infor is a solid choice when it comes to a CPQ solution. From its visual configuration capabilities to the ability to preview and convert quotes easily, it blends comprehensive functionality with flexibility. Unless it doesn’t align with your existing technology stack or you’re unable to afford a proper implementation, you can’t go wrong selecting it.
Get a Free Infor CPQ Price Quote for Your Specific Needs
What’s Next?
Still haven’t decided on the right solution? Behold these resources.
About the Author
About Devon Hennig: Devon is SelectHub’s sultan of software selection. He most recently served as VP of Marketing for Docebo (Nasdaq: DCBO) and, prior to that, he was VP of Demand Generation at Vendasta, the leading provider of white-label products and services for resellers. His passion is helping companies find the right solutions for their tech stack. Visit devonhennig.com for more information.