Integrating 3D Visualization and CPQ: The Future of Sales

by | Configure, Price, Quote - Streamline Your Sales Process

Using 3D visualization technology to enhance CPQ systems creates a unique and personalized customer experience. It helps ensure sales processes are more efficient. Companies are integrating these immersive technologies to provide a unique and engaging experience to customers.

This lets shoppers visualize and configure products in an immersive environment, enabling them to make informed purchasing decisions. This method reduces the sales cycle and increases customer confidence and satisfaction.

Through the lens of 3D visualization, even the most complex product offerings become more intuitive and user-friendly.

Key Takeaways

  • By integrating 3D visualization in CPQ systems, manufacturers can develop immersive experiences that not only enrich product interactions, but increase customer satisfaction and loyalty.
  • Improved Accuracy and Efficiency: Real-time visualization and precise product representation reduces the risk of configuration errors. This simplifies the sales process, leading to quicker and more accurate quoting.
  • By integrating advanced visualization technologies, businesses can differentiate themselves, attract new customers, and retain existing ones, gaining a strategic edge.
  • Streamlined Sales Processes: Visualization tools help to simplify and clarify complex product offerings. They eliminate the time and labor needed to produce and update sales quotes, increasing operational efficiency.
  • Successful integration of 3D visualization with CPQ systems requires seamless data flow and ongoing training to ensure users can maximize the technology’s benefits.
  • Staying informed about emerging 3D visualization trends and advancements in AI and VR technologies can help maintain a competitive advantage and drive business growth.

Understanding 3D Visualization in CPQ

3D visualization is a CPQ technology that uses advanced algorithms to take complex product data and automatically convert it into interactive, lifelike 3D models. This process brings to life a three-dimensional representation of that product.

Today, customers can walk through its features and functionalities in a realistic, immersive way. State-of-the-art rendering technologies are fueling this change. They ensure that the users interact with visuals that are as true to life as possible.

When integrating software such as Threekit with Salesforce CPQ, you can automatically generate hyper-realistic product imagery. This allows customers to visualize exactly what they’re looking at buying. This added capability doesn’t just make products more attractive; it helps customers feel more confident in their buying decisions.

What Is 3D Visualization?

3D visualization takes the complex product data you already have, and transforms it into rich, immersive, and dynamic visuals. This iterative process is key for displaying product features in a realistic way, giving your potential buyers a clear view of what they’ll be getting.

The implementation of 3D models in CPQ is especially beneficial for industries that require high levels of product detail, such as automotive or furniture. With advanced rendering techniques, these 3D models look completely lifelike, providing a greater level of immersion and comprehension.

For example, a furniture retailer might use 3D visualization to show how a particular sofa would fit in a customer’s living room, complete with realistic textures and colors.

How Does It Enhance CPQ?

Connecting 3D visualization to CPQ systems changes the configuration game. This allows for CPQ products to instantly refresh product visuals as consumers build and select their ideal configuration.

It provides a real-time and precise representation of personalized products. By eliminating errors in product configurations and quotations, this integration leads to more efficient and error-free transactions.

When a consumer builds their dream car online, they expect to see those changes immediately. From dynamically changing the color of the car to changing the wheel set instantly.

This fast feedback loop simplifies the sales process and eliminates costly inefficiencies. In turn, companies experience up to 25% higher sales revenue, driven by a better customer experience.

Types of Visual Configurators

Configurator Type

Functionality

Applications

3D Configurators

Real-time, interactive product customization

Automotive, Furniture, Electronics

AR Configurators

Augmented reality for product placement

Home Décor, Fashion

Static Image Configurators

Non-interactive, pre-rendered options

Basic Retail, E-commerce

The various different visual configurators all serve distinct functions and industries. Since 3D configurators provide real-time interaction, they’re perfect for industries such as automotive and electronics, where customization is essential.

AR configurators allow products to come alive in the physical world through augmented reality. This technology already makes great sense in home décor and fashion applications.

Static image configurators present an easier solution, ideal for the entry-level retail market. Ultimately, which tool is right for you will depend on your unique business objectives and how you need to engage with your customers.

Benefits of 3D Visualization

In fact, 3D visualization is changing the face of business presentations forever. It provides a more informative and captivating visual experience for customers to explore your products. However, it adds a whole new dimension to the sales processes, massively increasing user acceptance and comprehension.

Customers have never been able to view products up close like they can today with 3D models. This new innovation is a complete game-changer for Salesforce CPQ systems. This greater insight does more than make the sales process more efficient—it helps make decisions quicker.

Accurate Product Representation

Getting it right with the product you’re presenting goes a long way in establishing customer confidence and ultimately satisfaction. When consumers shop online and view photorealistic images of products, they develop a clearer understanding of what they are buying.

This kind of clarity helps to eliminate risk and instill trust, even more so when they are making a major investment. For instance, a customer who is looking to buy new furniture can visualize exactly how a piece would look in their space.

Providing accurate representations such as these can contribute to lower product return rates and increased sales conversions. It gives customers the confidence of knowing exactly what they will be receiving, minimizing surprises and maximizing happiness.

Enhanced Customer Experience

Additionally, the immersive, engaging nature of 3D visualization allows you to create a more captivating buying experience. Customers can explore products like never before, rotating and zooming in to see every detail.

This level of interactivity not only satisfies each customer’s unique needs with personalized views, it empowers customers to customize products to match their unique tastes. Picture an auto buyer choosing the color of an automobile or a consumer designing the interior of a kitchen gadget.

These types of customized experiences are only possible through engaging and intuitive interfaces that allow users to seamlessly navigate and explore data. This deep level of customer engagement doesn’t just bring new customers through the door, it keeps them there, creating loyalty and repeat business.

Competitive Advantage in Sales

Providing an integrated 3D visualization CPQ system like Sculpted enables a clear competitive advantage. It gives businesses a competitive advantage, allowing them to deliver compelling product experiences that engage customers.

This technology makes product customization easy and more efficient, creating safe and unique experiences that today’s B2B buyers expect and deserve. Those that come on board with this technology the quickest experience as high as a 40% lift in conversion rates.

Organizations get ahead of the game when they leverage new visualization technologies. Not only do these tools enhance customer engagement, but they improve the configuration and quoting processes.

In Salesforce CPQ, 3D visualization is truly an impactful feature. It improves the ability of sales reps and customers to visualize and configure products quickly and accurately. There are some really exciting new technologies and features coming down the pipe!

The future of 3D visualization in Salesforce CPQ is looking extremely bright.

Streamlining Sales with 3D Visualization

Integrating 3D visualization into sales processes offers a better, more efficient, customer-centric way of working. The CASE experience is just one example of how this kind of 3D visual storytelling helps organizations simplify and humanize complex sales processes.

Real-Time Visualization After Configuration

Real-time visualization, a key feature in this integration, provides customers access to immediate visual updates reflecting their choices. Imagine configuring a car—picking the color, choosing the wheel type, and adding additional features—and seeing these choices reflect immediately in a high-quality 3D model.

This immediacy not only expedites the decision-making process, it increases certainty in purchasing decisions. Our customers greatly appreciate the accuracy and reliability of our service. Most importantly, they can visualize their dream products exactly how they’ll appear in real life, eliminating the fear of last-minute changes or revisions.

In addition, the ability to deliver immediate feedback throughout the product configuration journey improves the customer experience. Customers don’t see any of this. Their journey is easy and intuitive.

Their ability to quickly change features and see immediate results increases their empowerment and overall enjoyment. Most importantly, it is essential to maintain the visual representations’ fidelity as they make their way through the sales process. This makes sure that customers know precisely what they are receiving, which enhances their expectations and confidence.

Simplifying Configuration with Drag-and-Drop

The simple drag-and-drop functionality creates a powerful and engaging experience for the user allowing them to explore product configurations. This new tool enables users to easily personalize products.

By easily dragging elements such as trims or accessories into position, they develop an intuitive and engaging configuration experience. This ease of use reduces the time required to train sales staff. Thanks to the tool’s intuitive design, they’re able to spend less time learning and more time selling.

For end customers, an easier configuration experience means greater engagement and satisfaction. The user-friendly interface allows customers to easily compare various options, resulting in a more educated buying decision.

This functionality turns a highly customizable product offering into a simple to understand sales tool. It keeps the experience fun and engaging for your sales team and your customers.

Incorporating Visuals into Quotes

  • Include clear product images and CAD files.
  • Use visuals to highlight key features and benefits.
  • Ensure images accurately reflect product options.
  • Tailor visuals to enhance the quote’s appeal and informativeness.
  • Utilize visuals to simplify complex product details.

Visual elements are key in creating captivating and educational sales quotes. The result is that detailed images and CAD files make quotes more attractive.

In addition, they improve the transparency in presenting product alternatives to clients. This level of transparency improves customer experience by allowing them to make better informed decisions.

Techniques for Effective Integration

Pairing 3D visualization with Configure, Price, Quote (CPQ) solutions is revolutionizing manufacturing and other industries by improving operational efficiency and customer experience. In order to do so, we must recognize the most important techniques that lead to effective integration. One basic starting point is the integration of data between visualization tools and CPQ software.

This integration facilitates better communication and collaboration between departments such as marketing, sales, engineering, and manufacturing. Threekit’s Visual Configurator for Salesforce CPQ allows customers to generate beautiful product images and ideas. This new capability allows their customers a much better insight into the product offerings.

Integrating CPQ systems with Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) applications, like Siemens Teamcenter, makes for a strong combination. This integration automates the generation of a detailed bill of materials (BOM), slashing lead times and minimizing mistakes.

The need for continuous training and support is paramount. Ongoing education helps users get the most out of integrated systems, allowing them to realize the full benefits. We know that the world of online retailers is changing fast.

In turn, this is leading to the increased adoption of CPQ and visualization tools, which are currently seeing a phenomenal 25% CAGR.

1. Use Augmented Reality for Contextual Exploration

Augmented Reality (AR) takes customer experience to another level, allowing customers to see how products will look in their space. With augmented reality, customers receive contextualized information regarding product features and dimensions, making the decision-making process easier.

Picture flipping through a catalog and immediately being able to see how a new piece of furniture will look in your living room. These types of experiences make for memorable, high-touch interactions that nurture emotional connections with customers.

Threekit transforms the shopping experience by providing sophisticated AR capabilities. Customers are able to visualize, explore, and experience products in an entirely new, more engaging, and immersive manner.

2. Achieve Hyper-Realistic Visual Quality

High-quality visuals are pivotal in capturing customer attention. High-end rendering techniques perfect hyper-realistic representations so that every detail of your product is presented with exceptional quality.

This newfound level of detail affects how customers view a brand, which ultimately impacts their purchasing decisions. A perfectly crafted rendering can speak volumes to the quality and craftsmanship behind a product, helping raise it above the noise in a crowded market.

Visual quality doesn’t just pull in potential customers, it keeps them engaged and pushes them to dig deeper.

3. Enhance Customization with Image Uploads

Shoppers can upload their own graphics for custom product designs. This introduces a whole new level of personalization that increases user engagement and happiness.

This flexibility accommodates a wide range of abilities and preferences while giving users a greater sense of agency and engagement in the design process. A consumer purchasing a one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry might be able to see their design come to life with their initials or color palette.

This collaborative process turns into a one-of-a-kind, custom experience.

4. Ensure Accessibility Across All Channels

Making sure that 3D visualization tools are available on multiple platforms and devices is vital for engaging a wider audience. Increased customer experience is a direct result of this accessibility.

Cross-platform compatibility improves customer experience by offering customers more flexibility in how they engage with products. Whether on a smartphone, tablet, or desktop, accessibility ensures that potential buyers can access the information they need, leading to increased satisfaction and potential sales.

5. Simplify Sharing Configurations

Streamlined sharing of product configurations makes it easier for stakeholders to work together, providing better relationships and communication with customers.

  • Generate shareable links
  • Provide easy export options
  • Enable direct sharing to social media

These capabilities allow customers to seek opinions, share their configurations with peers, or present their ideas during meetings. This streamlines decision-making processes and fosters a sense of community.

Business Impact of Visual Configuration

Visual configuration has had a tremendous impact on the way businesses operate. By integrating 3D visualization and CPQ (Configure, Price, Quote) systems, companies can showcase their products in a dynamic and engaging manner. This serious, purposeful approach allows for a more informed understanding of a product’s capabilities, resulting in improved sales velocity.

Decisions become quicker and more confident when procurement teams are empowered to visualize the complete potential of a portfolio. This not only increases sales but improves the customer experience. Visual CPQ solutions are cost-efficient because they reduce the chance for costly errors. They minimize the need for physical samples, further reducing sales costs.

Streamlining Sales Processes

Automating manual tasks is just the beginning of driving sales efficiencies with 3D. Another key benefit of automation is speeding up time spent on manual processes, giving sales teams more time to create the tailored, interactive experiences their buyers demand.

This efficiency further translates when it comes to ensuring sales teams are focused on what customers want them to be. When prospects are able to view products in a manner that best fits their needs, it makes the decision-making process easier and improves the buyer’s journey.

Visual configuration has a direct impact on reducing the order error and warranty claim rate. It helps create the common ground between the customer and vendor, leading to smooth exchanges.

Improving Customer Engagement

With the added dimensions of interactivity and immersion, 3D visualization drives new levels of customer engagement. Eye-catching 3D content gets customers’ attention and helps increase the customer journey and conversion, which is why they’re a must-have in today’s sales arsenal.

This method incites not just acquisition of customers but retention as their experience becomes more gratifying. Improved engagement leads to increased customer satisfaction and loyalty, as customers realise they are being recognised and appreciated.

For example, 80% of B2B customers are looking for a B2C buying experience, something visual configuration provides.

Gaining Market Edge

Use 3D visualization to better position yourself to win market share. It further underscores the need for innovation as a key driver for success in today’s competitive sales environment.

By showing products in new and engaging ways, companies can drive new customer acquisition and strengthen customer loyalty. Visual configuration is a powerful tool for improving your product’s configure-ability potential, allowing even deeper complex offerings to be clearly understood by customers.

This powerful capability dramatically increases conversion rates. Furthermore, it enables vendors to identify trending configurations, streamline inventory requirements, and avoid out-of-stock situations.

Additionally, visual CPQ solutions facilitate the remote selling that shortens or removes the need for in-person appointments and physical samples. This has the added benefit of making it much easier to recruit highly skilled sales personnel, improving effectiveness and efficiency.

In short, leveraging 3D visualization just makes good business sense in today’s market and helps companies stand out from the competition.

With 3D visualization technology evolving at an incredibly fast pace, it has firmly established itself as a true game-changer within CPQ systems. It’s shaping the future of product configuration by providing immersive, engaging experiences. Platforms such as Zakeke use augmented reality (AR) to make the shopping experience more immersive.

According to our survey, 95% of respondents say they feel more confident buying e-commerce products with 3D visualization. This trend not only provides an engaging user experience, but serves as a powerful conversion rate driver. Shopify, for example, saw a jaw-dropping 250% boost in conversion rates for products with 3D visualization.

Understanding these trends and opportunities will be key for manufacturers and other businesses to stay competitive. Taking this leap will be the key to keeping them ahead of the curve.

Advancements in AI and VR Technologies

The advancements in AI and VR technologies are transforming 3D visualization, bringing about significant improvements in both efficiency and personalization. By delivering more relevant, personalized experiences based on AI-driven insights, businesses can improve customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Machine learning algorithms empower these platforms to make predictions. They offer intelligent recommendations of product configurations based on user behavior and preference. VR can provide immersive, interactive product demonstrations.

It creates a new space where users can engage with products in a 3D world before making a purchase. When you use immersive product visualization, your customers can virtually experience your product—leading to a potential 40% increase in conversion rates. Epicor CPQ’s 3D visualization capabilities are a perfect example of this powerful effect.

Universal Applications Across Industries

One aspect that makes 3D visualization so revolutionary is its versatility not just across industries, but within them as well. In manufacturing, 3D visualization is a powerful ally in accelerating the design-to-production process by minimizing costly rework and wasted time.

In retail, AR lets customers visualize products in their own space, creating a more inspiring buying experience. Application of this technology can help fill crucial sector gaps, incentivizing further innovation and efficiency.

According to a recent Deloitte study, 40% of consumers are interested in customized products—a trend that emphasizes consumer desire for increasingly personalized experiences. This positive trend is an example of how 3D visualization innovations can lead to further innovations.

It improves productivity across different commercial landscapes.

Collaborative Configuration Tools

Collaborative configuration tools promote better teamwork, brainstorming, and creativity. Key features include real-time editing, commenting capabilities, access control for team members, and integrated feedback loops.

These features help to streamline communication between internal teams and external stakeholders, keeping everyone aligned and informed. Collaborative tools are invaluable in encouraging that innovation and creativity during the product development process.

With improved collaboration across the organization, manufacturers can get to better answers faster, resulting in more fully developed product designs, and greater success for the business.

Conclusion

3D visualization in CPQ revolutionizes how businesses approach the selling and configuring of products. It provides compelling imagery, accelerates the sales process, and improves customer engagement. This easy integration into existing workflows gives companies a powerful tool to better compete in increasingly competitive markets. The future is looking even brighter with new trends that will help to better hone and in turn enhance sales processes.

Register today so you don’t miss the opportunity to start envisioning a new, more successful business. Learn more about this cutting-edge approach, and experience the improved efficiency and engagement for yourself. Prepare to take your sales strategy to the next level! Find out how 3D visualization can help your business stay competitive and agile. Contact us to begin your journey to a more dynamic and successful sales process today!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is 3D Visualization in CPQ?

3D Visualization in CPQ provides an immersive experience, allowing users to examine and manipulate products in a virtual, three-dimensional space. This significantly improves the customer experience by allowing customers to have a more detailed, immersive view of complex product configurations even before making a purchase.

How does 3D Visualization benefit sales teams?

3D Visualization provides sales teams with more impactful sales collateral, with a dynamic, detailed and realistic, 360-degree view of products. This minimizes errors, speeds up the approval process, and improves customer experience, all driving higher sales conversions.

What are the key techniques for integrating 3D Visualization with CPQ?

Smart integration starts with making sure you have compatible software, with seamless data flow between the two systems, and training your sales teams. Including easy-to-navigate interfaces and real-time information will ensure a seamless and positive return-to-work experience.

How does visual configuration impact business growth?

Visual configuration is an even more powerful tool to turn a customer into a passionate advocate. More accurate orders mean less time spent correcting mistakes. It results in faster sales cycles, more revenue, and improved customer loyalty.

Look for things such as augmented reality (AR) integration, more advanced rendering and AI-powered customization. With these innovations, user experience will be even further improved, and the sales process will be more efficient than ever.

Can 3D Visualization reduce configuration errors?

Absolutely, 3D Visualization helps customers visualize the exact product configuration they are ordering, lowering the chance of miscommunication and error. Elimination of miscommunication reduces mistakes and return, saving time and money.

Is 3D Visualization suitable for all industries?

Though a boon to all, 3D Visualization is uniquely valuable to industries with complex or customizable products, like manufacturing and retail. It improves customer engagement and experience in multiple industries.

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