Digitalisation opens up numerous opportunities for companies to make their sales processes more efficient and customer-oriented. One particularly effective means of achieving this is the Product configurator online. This digital tool helps customers to put together customised products easily. This allows complex product variants to be mapped in a comprehensible way and sustainably improves the entire sales process.
How an online product configurator works
A Product configurator online works on the basis of a rule-based system. This means that it checks the technical requirements and cost-effectiveness criteria when selecting products. An example from the furniture industry: if a certain fabric is selected for a sofa, only compatible colours and matching feet can be selected. This avoids incorrect configurations and the customer is only shown product variants that can be realised.
In addition, many configurators offer a user-friendly interface with drop-down menus, sliders and often 3D visualisations. One car manufacturer, for example, shows customers live how their car looks with different paint finishes or wheel designs. This creates an interactive shopping experience that builds trust and supports the decision-making process.
In addition to visualisation, modern systems also provide automated price calculations and availability checks. This makes it easy to synchronise the delivery times of different components in mechanical engineering and efficiently control the production process.
Practical examples from various industries
In the industrial sector, many manufacturers use Product configurators online, to customise complex machines. Customers select technical modules, allowing a wide range of variants to be modelled. The configurator only releases combinations that make technical sense and also takes delivery times into account.
Online configurators are used in the textile trade to customise clothing. Customers can freely choose the cut, colour, fabric and accessories. The configurator also shows a realistic preview, often even with 3D views or augmented reality.
In the furniture trade, sales employees benefit from an integrated Product configurator online, which automates the transfer to production. As a result, quotations are created more quickly and the customer receives customised solutions, for example when putting together kitchen modules or shelving systems.
Automation and process optimisation through digital configuration
Through the use of a Product configurator online many manual work steps in sales and production can be automated. An example from plant engineering illustrates this: As soon as a customer has finalised their individual configuration, the system automatically generates a quotation including technical drawings.
At the same time, the data is transferred directly to ERP or CRM systems. This enables better stock management, optimised supply chains and faster project implementation. Automation reduces errors and relieves the burden on sales staff, who can then concentrate on personalised customer care.
BEST PRACTICE with one customer (name hidden due to NDA contract)A medium-sized manufacturer of industrial systems was able to reduce the time it takes to submit a quotation by more than half with a product configurator customised to its needs. Customers use the intuitive online interface to combine modules and receive immediate confirmation of which options are technically possible. Production automatically receives correct technical data, which makes the manufacturing process more effective.
Improve customer experience thanks to personalised configurations
A major advantage of the Product configurator online is the ability to actively involve customers in the design process. In this way, customers can map their wishes transparently. For example, buyers in the online shop for sports equipment choose the individual colour and equipment variants.
This personalised design promotes motivation to buy and increases satisfaction because the products are perfectly tailored to their needs. A transparent experience and real-time price updates create additional trust. Sellers also benefit, as customer communication becomes clearer and more targeted.
BEST PRACTICE with one customer (name hidden due to NDA contract)The configurator is used in the high-quality office furniture sector to create customised seating and table solutions. Customers select size, material and colour on the website. The configurator visualises the selection immediately and shows which combinations are compatible. Sales staff can use this tool to better advise customers and respond more specifically to their requirements.
Tips for successfully integrating a product configurator online
The introduction of a Product configurator online is best achieved with a clear strategy. The following aspects are important:
- Precisely define the complexity and number of variants of your products.
- Work closely with experts who have experience in implementing rules and user interfaces.
- Link the configurator with ERP and sales systems to ensure end-to-end data processing.
- Invest in functional visualisation, for example via 3D or augmented reality, to enhance the customer experience.
- Train your sales teams so that they can make the best possible use of the tool for customer advice.
Companies often report that this not only improves the closing rates, but also increases customer loyalty in the long term.
My analysis
The Product configurator online is now an indispensable tool for revolutionising the sales processes of modern companies. It supports both customers and salespeople by reducing complexity and facilitating customised product solutions. Automation not only improves the speed and quality of sales, production also benefits from seamless data transfers.
Companies from a wide range of industries, such as mechanical engineering, furniture retail and e-commerce, can use product configurators to make their processes more efficient and strengthen their competitiveness. Above all, the combination of technical precision and customer-orientated user experience makes all the difference.
iROI-Coaching will be happy to assist you with the planning and realisation of your project relating to the Product configurator online. With many years of expertise, we help to identify potential and implement customised solutions.
Further links from the text above:
Product configurator software - definition, how it works
Top 10 advantages of a product configurator
E-commerce product configurator: everything you need to know
Advantages of using an ERP product configurator
Product configurator - definition and functions
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