Customer self-service is in vogue - even among B2B providers of modular product systems. Around 70 percent of their customers find it more convenient to buy via a website than from a sales representative. According to surveys, manufacturers and suppliers achieve up to 30 percent more sales if they offer customer self-service. The ability to individualize products and systems is worth up to 20 percent more to customers on average in the industry.

Many manufacturers now rely on CPQ systems such as the P'X Industry Solution from Perspectix. They combine interactive technical 3D configuration, layout planning and visualization with calculation, parts list and quotation generation to meet customer requirements. This effectively supports the sales organization, but the customer's ability to participate remains limited, especially in the important after-sales business.

Self-service in the Web Configurator

Perspectix has therefore expanded its CPQ solution to include a Web Configurator. Manufacturers can use the existing database to prepare a modular portfolio of offers for customer self-service. Customers choose from pre-configured modules, make adjustments and group them in the installation space. Thanks to an integrated augmented reality function, the product - such as system furniture - can be viewed virtually in the subsequent installation environment. A high level of user-friendliness and fast results ensure qualified inquiries from the Internet. This is because the project file is sent to the sales organization at the touch of a button, which creates the corresponding offer after checking it in the P`X Industry Solution. This works for new, individual product systems, such as load compartment equipment for tradesmen's vehicles, as well as for assembly technology components or ordering spare parts. The online platform works hand in hand with the sales organization and allows seamless transitions as the level of complexity increases.

Support from Consumer Communicator

Perspectix then expands the communication options with a Consumer Communicator. Here, the sales organization provides configuration proposals and associated documents in a project-related web front end. Customers can check their project using 3D views that can be rotated, zoomed, marked and commented on, without having to specify a time or place.