CPQ Podcast

In this episode I share some thoughts about how (generative) AI may be used in CPQ going forward. There are also some thoughts about how users may use it and some thoughts on how CPQ administrators may use it. I'm very interested to hear what you think about this topic and how important it is for your company / use case.  Send feedback to Frank.Sohn@NovusCPQ.com 

If you want to learn more about Bit2Win's  ( https://www.bit2win.com ) omni-channel sales suite plan to attend this industry event in Essen, Germany from June 21-23, 2022.  Learn more about the event @ https://www.e-world-essen.com/en/ 

Looking for a remote sales position in the US. Willing to travel 50%. Send email to Frank.Sohn@NovusCPQ.com if you want to get in contact with that person

Send a message to Frank.Sohn@NovusCPQ.com if you want to be put in contact with this person. 

If you are interested in this position please send an email to sales@yagnaiq.com or to Ram.Rai@yagnaiq.com and mention this CPQ Job & Event Cast Episode

To learn more about this opportunity go to https://candidate.hr-manager.net/ApplicationInit.aspx?cid=1351&ProjectId=143727&DepartmentId=18973&MediaId=5

Interesting opportunity for CPQ Vendors to add an accomplished Sales Manager to their team.  This is an individual with 25+ years of business experience. Hear what this individual is looking for and send an email to Frank.Sohn@NovusCPQ.com if you want to be connect to that person. 

April 13-14, 2022 in Lago di Garda Lazise (Verona) Event Details: https://gmsummit.it/

Job Description Senior Project Manager, Enterprise Software (m/f/d) (hr-manager.net) Configit Career Page https://configit.com/about/careers/ 

Evaluating Configure-Price-Quote (CPQ) solutions and drowning in buzzwords, vendor decks, and generic analyst reports? In this solo episode of the CPQ Podcast, Frank walks you through something he has been building for exactly that problem: the CPQ Sales Report from Novus CPQ. This is not a sales pitch. Think of this episode as a reference guide you can come back to whenever you need to shortlist CPQ vendors, support a sales cycle, or explain a solution to your internal stakeholders. You'll learn: What the CPQ Sales Report is and who it's for (buyers, system integrators, and CPQ vendors) What's inside each 20+ page, vendor-specific report and how it adds value to real sales cycles When to use a report for shortlisting, internal alignment, business cases, and partner enablement How the CPQ Sales Report differs from the CPQ Briefing Subscription Which vendors are currently covered: camos Software, Bit2win, XaitCPQ, Engineering Intent, SAP (CPQ-related), Salesforce Revenue Cloud Advanced, Nue.io – plus an upcoming report on Revalize Frank also shares what's new (including the updated XaitCPQ report), what's coming next, and how these reports stay vendor-neutral, fact-based, and practical—so you can make better CPQ decisions without rewriting everything yourself. 👉 Learn more and see the latest reports at https://novuscpq.com/cpq-sales-report/  💬 Questions or vendor suggestions? Connect with Frank on LinkedIn ( https://www.linkedin.com/in/franksohn/ ) or via info@novuscpq.com 

In this episode, Frank Sohn talks with Hiren Shah, founder of B2B-Matrix, about how small and mid-sized manufacturers and distributors are modernizing their sales processes through AI-driven CPQ, CRM, and ERP integration. Hiren, a former SAP America consultant turned Salesforce expert, shares his perspective on the future of Configure-Price-Quote (CPQ), Revenue Cloud, and AI in sales automation. He explains B2B-Matrix's three-phase Salesforce AI project, where automation is already reducing clicks, quote times, and approval delays—and how the final phase will connect directly to ERP and internet data. You'll also hear his insights on: When and why companies should migrate from Salesforce CPQ to Revenue Cloud Advanced (RCA) The "death of middleware" and how modern APIs enable seamless CRM-CPQ-ERP integration The top three customer priorities today: AI, master data cleanup, and faster transaction velocity Why CPQ customers typically replace systems every eight years How B2B-Matrix white-labels its services for larger consulting firms and delivers sub-$100K CPQ projects for SMBs Beyond business, Hiren also shares his personal passion for Pilates and Hot Yoga, a balance that keeps him focused as he leads digital transformation projects for manufacturers across North America. Whether you're interested in Salesforce Revenue Cloud, CPQ modernization, AI in sales, or integration strategy, this episode offers practical, real-world insights from someone who's bridging enterprise architecture, business process design, and cloud innovation. 👉 Listen now to learn how SMBs are achieving enterprise-grade automation without enterprise-grade complexity. 🔗 Learn more about B2B Matrix at https://b2b-matrix.com/  📬 Contact Hiren on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/hirenvshah/ 

Confused by all the CPQ options out there? You're not alone — with more than 135 vendors and endless marketing claims, figuring out where to start can feel impossible. In this episode, host Frank Sohn (Novus CPQ Consulting) breaks down the CPQ landscape in under 15 minutes and shows you a smarter way to learn it. You'll hear how the CPQ Briefing Subscription helps you cut through the noise with short, fact-based reports based on real demos — not hype. Learn how analysts, students, and business leaders use these briefings to understand capabilities, compare vendors, and explore the market with AI tools like ChatGPT. 🎯 Ready to learn CPQ the fast, structured, and reliable way? Sign up now for the CPQ Briefing Subscription at 👉 https://novuscpq.com/cpq-briefing-subscription/ Any questions: Contact Frank.Sohn@NovusCPQ.com 

How do you prove CPQ value in CFO terms—not hype? In this episode, Cameron Marsh, Analyst at Nucleus Research, breaks down how their ROI Case Study and Value Matrix quantify CPQ outcomes customers feel every day: faster quote cycles, higher throughput with the same team, better margins from pricing, and fewer back-and-forth revisions thanks to visualization. We also dig into why data quality—not model magic—decides CPQ AI success, and where channel vs. direct CPQ returns really land. Key Takeaways: Quantifying ROI like a CFO: Nucleus standardizes benefits into save time, save money, make more money—and they're NASBA-certified in how they measure value. Quote Cycle Efficiency: Typical improvements of 60–80%—from hours to minutes—plus 20–30% more quote throughput with the same headcount. Pricing > Cross/Upsell: Price optimization usually creates more value than cross/upsell alone by protecting margin. Payback Windows: Average CPQ payback in 9–12 months; channel CPQ often sees faster first-year payback, while direct CPQ compounds larger value longer-term. What's Beating AI (for now): Visualization (≈ 25% reduction in quote revisions), Deal Desk Automation (≈ 85% reduction in manual review time), and eSignature are delivering immediate, measurable wins. AI's Real Bottleneck: Inconsistent rules, outdated/fragmented price lists, and weak integrations. Bad data = bad outputs. Market View: Strongest traction in North America enterprise, with growing momentum across Europe and APAC. Vendor Advice: Lead with customer value and usability, not feature lists. 🔗 Learn more about Nucleus Research at https://nucleusresearch.com/ 📬 Contact Cameron on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameronjmarsh/ 

In this CPQ Podcast episode, Frank Sohn talks with Martin Johansen, founder of Mercura, a Denmark-based CPQ vendor focused on small to mid-sized manufacturers. With a background in finance and international business, Martin started Mercura straight out of college—initially building a configurator "by accident" for a customer request—and has since grown it into a SaaS platform used across Europe. We discuss Mercura's no-code setup and short implementation cycles (often 1–2 months), its support for cost-plus pricing, and partner/distributor workflows where channel users can upload and manage their own price lists. Martin explains how Mercura's in-browser 3D visualization enables room planning, snap-to placement, and collision detection in real time. While Mercura doesn't connect directly to CAD suites, customers can supply STEP files or drawings for CPQ-side visualization. A big portion of the conversation covers integrations—especially Microsoft Dynamics 365 Sales and Microsoft Business Central—plus experience with PIM solutions and HubSpot. Martin shares how Mercura applies AI on the admin side to speed configuration/rules setup, why headless is not a near-term priority, and the company's focus on manufacturers in sectors like playground equipment and healthcare (typical 5–200 users). We also touch on his sales mindset, weekly tennis/soccer routine, and how the book Work the System shapes Mercura's process discipline. Listen in for practical insights on delivering an easy-to-implement CPQ with modern visualization and tight Microsoft integrations. 🔗 Learn more about Mercura CPQ at  https://mercura.io/  📬 Contact Martin on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-johansen-65a810ba/ or via email at mj@mercura.dk 

Host Frank Sohn welcomes Marc de Mey of Merkato Group—the team behind Merkato CPQ and brands Quootz, CPQ Belgium, Sell It Easy, CPQing Solutions, and DOK.legal. Marc shares his path from aircraft mechanics to CPQ leadership and explains how Merkato's low-code/no-code, API-first, headless architecture helps manufacturers move from complex requirements to accurate quotes fast. We compare hands-off vs. hands-on implementation models across the group, and why an external ecosystem of Merkato experts accelerates adoption. You'll hear practical integration patterns with Salesforce, SAP, Epicor, Infor, Odoo, Zoho and CAD tools like PTC Creo and Solidworks. We also cover three buying drivers—capturing hard product knowledge, creating a single source of truth that eliminates double entry, and delivering modern visualization. Best for manufacturers, OEMs, distributors, and EPCs (50–1000 employees), primarily in Europe but with global reach. 🔗 Learn more about Merkato Group  https://www.merkatogroup.com/en/  📬 Contact Marc on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mdemey/     

Headed to Dreamforce (Oct 14–16)? In 30 minutes, Salesforce's David Beebe breaks down: RCA now: 6 releases, faster UX, upgraded constraint builder Revenue Cloud Billing: what's new + why demand is spiking Unified CPQ + Billing: fewer errors, faster cycle time Pricing & AI/Agents: usage-based, analytics, interoperability Sessions to add: RC Keynote, Consumption Models, Invoice-to-Cash Listen Oct 12 to plan your week! 🔗 Learn more about Salesforce RCA at https://www.salesforce.com/sales/revenue-lifecycle-management  📬 Contact David on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/dmbeebe/ 

In this episode of the CPQ Podcast, Frank Sohn welcomes Adam Wainright, a veteran with 15+ years in the Configure, Price, Quote (CPQ) space, now helping lead HubSpot's CPQ and revenue strategy. Adam shares his career journey across Selectica/Determine, CallidusCloud, Clari, Cacheflow (acquired by HubSpot), and beyond. Adam discusses: HubSpot's CPQ launch at INBOUND and how it delivers speed, visibility, and control to sellers and revenue operations teams. Why their North Star is Revenue Operations—and how HubSpot is building a complete Revenue Lifecycle Management solution. Lessons learned from scaling companies from $7M to $200M in revenue, navigating multiple M&As, and leading global sales teams. His "Supersonic Sales Process" philosophy, with the mantra: Don't pitch product—pitch process. The role of AI in CPQ, from conversational quote builders to revenue governance. Personal insights on leadership, active listening, and balancing life in Marina, CA with family, running, and hiking Big Sur. If you're interested in HubSpot CPQ, Revenue Operations, or the future of Revenue Lifecycle Management, this episode offers valuable insights into strategy, technology, and customer success. 🔗 Learn more about HubSpot CPQ  https://www.hubspot.com/products/commerce/cpq  📬 Contact Adam on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/awainwright/  Contact Adam via email at awainwright@hubspot.com 

In this CPQ Podcast episode, host Frank Sohn speaks with Tarak Patel, Sr. Vice President of Product and Technology at Aleran Software, about how Aleran is bringing sustainable innovation to Configure, Price, Quote (CPQ) and digital commerce. Aleran's Connected Commerce platform is designed for mid-size manufacturers ($20M–$1B) and their channel partners. Built on headless, API-first, cloud-native architecture, the platform integrates with leading ERP systems(SAP, Epicor, Microsoft Dynamics, Infor, Acumatica and more) and CRM solutions (Salesforce, SugarCRM). It also offers native eCommerce, pre-built connectors, Avalara tax, payment gateways, and shipping integrations—helping companies move beyond spreadsheets and home-grown tools. Tarak explains how Aleran supports CTO and ETO products, with a feature- and rules-based configuration engine, plus AI-driven guided selling and automated product content generation. With low-code/no-code flexibility and an average 2-month implementation, manufacturers can achieve fast ROI. Beyond technology, Tarak shares insights on trust-based leadership, Aleran's rapid growth, and how his philosophy of "sustainable innovation" drives both the company and his personal life—including golfing with his two teenage sons. 👉 Listen in to learn how Aleran is shaping the future of CPQ and B2B commerce. 🔗 Learn more about Aleran Software at https://www.aleran.com/  📬 Contact Tarak on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/tarak-patel-a6aa434/   

In this episode of the CPQ Podcast, host Frank Sohn sits down with Matthias Radner of Resolto, a Festo company, to discuss his journey from face-to-face mattress sales to enterprise CPQ software. Matthias shares how early lessons in customer interaction shaped his approach to selling Configure, Price, Quote solutions, and why patience is key in long sales cycles—like when a customer signed an offer he created four years earlier. Listeners will hear about Resolto's Configon CPQ platform, designed for both SMB plug-and-play deployments (with average implementation times of just four weeks) and enterprise-level projects worth €400K–€500K. Matthias explains the importance of CAD integration via Cadenas, their unique use of Google Blockly-style rule building, and how Resolto works closely with parent company Festo to shape its roadmap, including upcoming AI-driven innovations. Beyond technology, Matthias opens up about his personal passions—from competing in international hip hop dance championships to playing tennis for relaxation today. The conversation also explores Resolto's growing footprint across DACH, Italy, the Netherlands, the US, and Japan, and why industries like machine engineering and electrical devices are key focus areas. If you're interested in visual product configurators, CAD-driven CPQ solutions, and strategies for simplifying complex product sales, this episode offers valuable insights into the evolving world of CPQ. 🔗 Learn more about Resolto's Configon Solution  https://www.configon.com/en/  📬 Contact Matthias on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthias-radner/  Contact Matthias via email matthias.radner@resolto.com 

The CPQ Podcast is taking a short late summer break — but we'll be back with new episodes on September 21! In this quick update, Frank Sohn shares what's happening at Novus CPQ in the meantime: ✅ 18+ CPQ Briefings now available – more coming soon ✅ CPQ Sales Report updates for XaitCPQ, camos software, and Bit2win ✅ CPQ Selection help for customers evaluating vendors ✅ CPQ Circle Subscription with 12 monthly newsletters + 20 hours of consulting ✅ New webinars available on the CPQ Channel 🔗 Learn more: CPQ Circle Subscription: https://novuscpq.com/subscriptions-cpq-circle CPQ Channel on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@cpqchannel All Novus CPQ Subscriptions: https://novuscpq.com If you enjoy the show, don't forget to rate or review the podcast: On Apple Podcasts: Scroll to the bottom of the show page and tap ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ or "Write a Review" On Android: Use Spotify, Google Podcasts, or your favorite app to rate and follow See you back here on September 21!