In two previous blog posts, we gave an overview of the services a software solution should provide, including a rules-driven process; automating serviceability; costing and pricing across your on-net, off-net and near-net assets; dynamic visibility for who should see what; and an expandable architectural runway to meet your future needs.
It is important to consider that software vendors say they can do a lot, but if they can’t perform the automation described in this three-part blog series, then they really can’t automate telecom quoting.
In this blog post, we expand on the topic of quote distribution, what it is, and why it matters to the user and the stakeholders deciding to buy or build this capability.
Quote distribution is the process of taking finished quotes and getting those quotes into the hands of your sales teams (direct, agent, or wholesale) as quickly as possible. The main components of quote distribution are:
The bottom line is that quote distribution needs to be fully automated so all members of the exchange of services are receiving accurate information quickly. Many businesses claim to be fully automated but in actuality have a cumbersome, fragmented workflow different for each sales channel. To be fully automated, each workflow milestone must be achieved without kicking off a separate process or swivel chair. This automated workflow is what MasterStream delivers for its customers.
In telecom sales, there is a term called "corrupt time" that describes the time a sales rep spends performing administrative tasks versus selling. Here are a few telling stats:
Corrupt time is mostly quoting and ordering paperwork preparation. When using a fully automated configure, price, quote (CPQ) software, this time is cut down in part because a proposal can be instantly generated without a salesperson having to consolidate quotes from external systems or sources. A proposal should not require copy and pasting data into a template.
Instead of requiring manual research and consolidation of information, a proposal should allow for:
A proposal should be created instantly with one click that takes less than 10 seconds to create and send. With the right CPQ, this isn’t just a pipe dream.
Paperwork also needs to be fully automated by providing the following features:
A fully automated paperwork process ensures that the sales process moves quickly enough to avoid any potential sales loss.
To have the best-in-class quoting portal, each feature needs to be automated and immediate. These features include:
All sales channels—including direct, agent, and wholesale/carrier—need to be supported as well.
An interconnected ecosystem does just that: keeps you connected with retail and customers by providing them with the necessary information.
With an interconnected ecosystem, you’ll discover the following:
If you’re wondering how all of this is possible on a single platform, MasterStream is the carrier access product you need.
When buying external or building internal connectivity solutions, it’s important that you don’t settle for a partial solution that’s going to leave you in a dead-end. Many companies claim to be fully automated, but their processes are disconnected and often require multiple manual steps across multiple platforms.
With MasterStream ERP, you have all of the capabilities discussed in this three blog series on a single platform, or integrated into the systems you currently use. Our software products allow you to subscribe to the right platform that automates the portion of your business that needs to be streamlined:
Choosing MasterStream means that as your needs grow and change, you have the flexibility to expand at any time to cover the other portions of your business.
Don’t get stuck in a dead-end solution with limited functionality. Request a demo today!