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Salesforce CPQ (Configure, Price, Quote) has long been a cornerstone for businesses looking to streamline their sales processes. It enables sales teams to configure products, apply pricing rules, and generate accurate quotes quickly. Recently, Salesforce introduced a new model for CPQ, reimagining the platform with enhanced features and a focus on flexibility, scalability, and user experience. In this blog, we’ll explore the new Salesforce CPQ model, its key innovations, and how it differs from the old model to help you decide whether it’s time to upgrade. Key Innovations in the New Salesforce CPQ Model Dynamic Product Configuration The new model introduces a more dynamic approach to product configuration. With AI-powered recommendations and advanced guided selling features, the system now offers contextual suggestions based on customer needs and historical data. This contrasts with the static configuration rules of the old model, making the process faster and more intuitive. Enhanced Pricing Flexibility The new model provides more granular control over pricing strategies. It includes: Real-time price adjustments based on market conditions. Support for complex pricing models such as usage-based pricing and subscription bundling. Integration with external pricing tools for dynamic pricing optimization. In comparison, the old model relied heavily on pre-defined pricing rules, which lacked the ability to adapt quickly to changing business needs. Improved Scalability Built on a more modular architecture, the new Salesforce CPQ model can handle a higher volume of transactions and complex configurations. This makes it ideal for large enterprises with diverse product catalogs and global operations. The old model, while robust, often struggled with scalability in high-volume environments. AI and Automation Artificial Intelligence is a game-changer in the new model. From automating approvals to predicting discount thresholds, AI capabilities reduce manual intervention and accelerate deal closures. The old model had limited automation features and lacked predictive analytics, often requiring manual oversight. Streamlined User Interface The revamped user interface focuses on simplicity and efficiency. Enhanced drag-and-drop functionality, real-time updates, and a mobile-first design ensure that sales teams can work seamlessly across devices. The old model’s interface, while functional, was less intuitive and often required extensive training. Seamless Integration with Salesforce Ecosystem The new CPQ model leverages tighter integration with other Salesforce tools such as Revenue Cloud, Einstein Analytics, and Marketing Cloud. This unified ecosystem approach provides a 360-degree view of the customer journey. The old model offered integrations but lacked the depth and real-time synchronization capabilities of the new model. Key Differences Between the New and Old Salesforce CPQ Models Feature Old Model New Model Product Configuration Static rules AI-driven, dynamic configuration Pricing Models Pre-defined pricing Dynamic, usage-based, and flexible Scalability Limited in high-volume scenarios Enterprise-grade scalability Automation Basic approval workflows AI-powered automation and predictions User Interface Functional but complex Intuitive, mobile-friendly, and modern Integration Basic integration with Salesforce tools Deep integration with the Salesforce ecosystem Benefits of Adopting the New Salesforce CPQ Model Faster Sales Cycles: The enhanced configuration and pricing tools enable quicker quote generation. Higher Revenue: AI-driven recommendations and dynamic pricing maximize upselling and cross-selling opportunities. Improved User Adoption: A modern, intuitive interface reduces the learning curve and boosts productivity. Future-Proof Scalability: The modular architecture ensures the system grows with your business needs. Data-Driven Decisions: Advanced analytics and real-time insights empower sales teams to make smarter decisions. The new Salesforce CPQ model represents a significant leap forward in sales technology. By addressing limitations of the old model and incorporating cutting-edge innovations, it equips businesses with the tools needed to thrive in a competitive landscape. Whether you’re a long-time Salesforce CPQ user or considering it for the first time, the new model’s enhanced capabilities and scalability make it a compelling choice. If you’re ready to explore the new Salesforce CPQ model, contact Aptimized, your certified implementation partner to begin your upgrade journey.

Salesforce is a powerhouse CRM platform that provides businesses with a suite of tools to manage customer relationships, improve efficiency, and boost revenue. However, with so many features at your disposal, it's easy to overlook some of the most impactful capabilities. In this blog, we’ll uncover the Top 5 Salesforce Features that you might not be using yet, but absolutely should! 1. Salesforce Flow Salesforce Flow is a hidden gem when it comes to automating business processes without needing a single line of code. Whether it’s automating data updates, sending notifications, or orchestrating multi-step approvals, Flows empower admins to create powerful automation visually. Why You Should Use It: Reduce manual, repetitive tasks. Improve productivity by automating workflows. Enhance accuracy by standardizing processes. Example: Automate follow-up tasks for leads that meet specific criteria, ensuring no sales opportunity slips through the cracks. 2. Custom Report Types While Salesforce reports are well-known, many users overlook Custom Report Types, a feature that allows you to tailor reports beyond default settings. With Custom Report Types, you can pull data across multiple objects, creating highly specific and actionable insights. Why You Should Use It: Generate reports customized to your exact business needs. Combine data from related objects. Enable granular visibility into your processes. Example: Build a report that combines opportunities, activities, and campaigns to measure marketing impact on revenue. 3. Einstein Activity Capture Salesforce’s Einstein Activity Capture automatically logs emails, meetings, and calls into Salesforce, syncing with your calendar and email tools. This ensures your CRM remains up-to-date without requiring manual input. Why You Should Use It: Save time by eliminating data entry. Gain real-time visibility into team activities. Improve forecasting accuracy by capturing all client interactions. Example: Sync all outbound sales emails to Salesforce, giving managers a full view of pipeline activities. 4. Dynamic Forms Dynamic Forms is a game-changer for page layout customization. Rather than using static page layouts, Dynamic Forms allow you to configure fields and sections to display dynamically based on user input or profile. Why You Should Use It: Simplify user experience with cleaner, tailored layouts. Display only relevant fields to reduce clutter. Improve adoption by streamlining processes. Example: Show specific fields only when an opportunity stage changes to “Closed Won”, prompting sales reps for deal completion details. 5. In-App Guidance In-App Guidance is an underutilized feature that allows you to create customized, interactive prompts within Salesforce to guide users through processes, share updates, or offer training. Why You Should Use It: Reduce onboarding time for new users. Improve adoption of new features or processes. Provide instant, contextual help to users. Example: Launch a quick tooltip to guide users on how to use a newly implemented feature, ensuring a smoother transition. Salesforce is packed with tools and features that can drive efficiency and productivity to new heights. By leveraging these underutilized features — Salesforce Flow, Custom Report Types, Einstein Activity Capture, Dynamic Forms, and In-App Guidance — you can supercharge your CRM and ensure you’re getting the most value out of the platform. Start exploring these features today and take your Salesforce experience to the next level! Which feature are you most excited to implement? Let us know how we can help with your implementation!