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7 minutes

Steelbrick Salesforce CPQ: Everything You Need to Know

Steelbrick Salesforce CPQ
Contents

Jessica

Head of CRM & Marketing Automation at Mountainise

About Author

Certified CRM Consultant with 10+ years of experience in Salesforce, HubSpot, and Marketing Cloud implementations.

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Introduction

Sales teams lose up to 40% of their time just building quotes, according to Salesforce. That’s time they could spend closing deals.

SteelBrick CPQ, now known as Salesforce CPQ, helps cut that time in half. It simplifies complex pricing, speeds up quote creation, and keeps everything in one place.

If your sales process feels slow or full of errors, this tool might be the fix. In this guide, we’ll cover what SteelBrick CPQ is, how it works, and why so many companies are switching to it.

Key Takeaways

  • SteelBrick CPQ simplifies quoting and speeds up the sales cycle.
  • It reduces manual errors with real-time pricing and automation.
  • Built into Salesforce, it connects sales, finance, and billing seamlessly.
  • Ideal for complex sales in tech, manufacturing, and services.
  • Proper setup and user training are key to success.

What Is SteelBrick CPQ?

SteelBrick started as a small company focused on making quote creation easier. It built tools that helped sales teams configure products, set prices, and generate quotes without needing spreadsheets or manual work.

In 2015, Salesforce bought SteelBrick for $360 million. The goal was simple bring powerful CPQ (Configure, Price, Quote) features into the Salesforce platform. After the deal, SteelBrick was rebranded as Salesforce CPQ.

Today, it’s a key part of Salesforce Revenue Cloud. It connects directly with Salesforce CRM, making the sales process faster, more accurate, and easier to manage from end to end.

Key Features of SteelBrick Salesforce CPQ

SteelBrick Salesforce CPQ comes with a set of powerful features that help sales teams work faster and smarter. Here’s a breakdown of what it offers:

Product Configuration

Sales reps can build custom product bundles without needing help from technical teams. The system guides them through the right options and combinations. This reduces mistakes and ensures the customer gets exactly what they need.

Automated Pricing Rules

Pricing can be complex, but this tool makes it simple. It applies the right price based on quantity, customer type, region, or special rules set by the company. This removes guesswork and keeps pricing consistent.

Quote Generation and Templates

Users can generate polished, professional quotes in minutes. Templates make the process quick and ensure every quote follows brand guidelines. Quotes can also include product details, images, and terms.

Guided Selling Tools

Not every sales rep knows which product to suggest. Guided selling asks the right questions and then recommends the best options. This helps new reps sell like pros and speeds up training time.

Discount and Approval Workflows

If a sales rep offers a discount, the system can route the quote to a manager for approval. These workflows are built in and can be customized. This keeps deals moving without losing control.

Integration with Salesforce CRM and Billing

Because it’s built on the Salesforce platform, all customer data, products, quotes, and contracts live in one system. Once a deal closes, billing can start right away without re-entering information. This cuts delays and errors.

Integration with Salesforce CRM and Billing

Benefits of Using SteelBrick CPQ

Salesforce CPQ helps businesses sell faster and smarter. Here are the key benefits:

  • Faster Quote-to-Cash Cycle: With built-in templates and rules, reps can create quotes in minutes, not hours. This speeds up approvals and helps deals close faster. Companies see shorter sales cycles and quicker payments.
  • Fewer Manual Errors: Manual work often leads to mistakes. With automation, pricing, discounts, and product details are handled by the system. This cuts errors and avoids costly fixes later.
  • Streamlined Sales Process: Sales teams no longer need to switch between tools. Everything, from product selection to quote creation—is in one place. This keeps the process smooth and easy to follow.
  • Improved Pricing Accuracy: The system applies real-time pricing rules. This ensures every quote follows company policy. Sales reps no longer guess or give the wrong price.
  • Better Collaboration Between Sales and Finance Teams: Because quotes and data live in Salesforce, finance teams can access what they need without chasing down reps. This improves trust, speeds up approvals, and keeps records in sync.
  • Scalability for Growing Businesses: As companies grow, sales processes get more complex. SteelBrick CPQ is built to scale. It can handle more products, more reps, and more custom rules without slowing down.

How It Works: A Step-by-Step Overview

Step 1: Product Configuration

The sales rep starts by selecting products or services the customer needs. The system walks them through available options, bundles, and add-ons. It blocks invalid combinations and suggests the best ones. This helps reps offer the right solution every time.

Step 2: Real-Time Pricing and Discounts

As the rep builds the quote, the system automatically applies pricing rules. Volume discounts, regional pricing, and contract-based rates are all handled in real time. If the customer qualifies for a discount, it’s added without delay.

Step 3: Quote Creation

Once the products and pricing are set, the quote is generated using a branded template. The document includes all the product details, pricing, terms, and any custom notes. It’s ready to share with the customer right away.

Step 4: Approval Workflows

If a quote includes a special discount or pricing outside the norm, it gets sent to a manager for approval. The system routes it automatically and tracks the status. This keeps approvals fast and avoids back-and-forth emails.

Step 5: Sending and E-Signing

The quote can be sent to the customer directly from Salesforce. Customers can review and sign it electronically. This speeds up the process and avoids printing or scanning.

Step 6: Syncing with Salesforce Billing

Once the quote is approved and signed, it flows straight into Salesforce Billing. Invoices, payments, and renewals are tracked automatically. There’s no need to re-enter data, which cuts delays and errors.

Industries That Benefit Most from SteelBrick CPQ

Here are the industries that benefit the most:

SaaS and Tech Companies

These businesses often sell software in different plans with add-ons and usage tiers. SteelBrick CPQ helps them bundle products, apply usage-based pricing, and manage subscriptions with ease. It also supports quick changes, which is key in fast-moving tech markets.

Manufacturing

Manufacturers deal with parts, custom builds, and bulk pricing. CPQ makes it easier to configure products, apply volume discounts, and generate accurate quotes. This reduces errors and shortens the sales cycle, especially for custom orders.

Telecommunications

Phone, internet, and data service providers have many plans, packages, and contract options. SteelBrick CPQ helps reps build quotes based on location, service bundles, and usage needs. It also handles renewals and upgrades with less effort.

B2B Services

Service-based businesses need to quote based on hours, scope, and service levels. CPQ tools let them create clear, consistent quotes with terms that match the contract. This builds trust and speeds up deal approval.

Healthcare and Life Sciences

In this industry, pricing often depends on regulations, volume, and client type. SteelBrick CPQ keeps all that in check. It helps reps create accurate quotes while staying compliant with industry rules.

SteelBrick CPQ vs Other CPQ Solutions

SteelBrick CPQ vs Other CPQ Solutions

There are many CPQ tools on the market. Here’s how SteelBrick Salesforce CPQ compares to some of the top options:

  • Apttus (now Conga CPQ): Conga offers deep customization and works well for complex enterprise needs. It supports legal documents, contracts, and workflows beyond quoting. But it’s harder to set up and may need more IT support.
  • Oracle CPQ: Oracle CPQ is known for handling very complex product configurations. It’s built for large enterprises with heavy IT teams. However, it doesn’t integrate as easily with Salesforce and can feel disconnected.
  • SAP CPQ: SAP CPQ is best for companies already using SAP systems. It offers strong back-end support and can handle global pricing rules. But it lacks the user-friendly feel of Salesforce and takes time to learn.
  • HubSpot CPQ (for SMBs): HubSpot CPQ is simple and easy to use. It works well for small teams with basic quoting needs. Still, it doesn’t offer the advanced features needed for larger or more complex sales.

Pros of SteelBrick Salesforce CPQ:

  • Built directly into Salesforce
  • Easy for sales teams to use
  • Great for mid-sized to large businesses
  • Strong automation and guided selling
  • Fast setup compared to other enterprise tools

Cons:

  • Limited if you don’t already use Salesforce
  • May need custom work for very unique use cases
  • Not ideal for companies using other CRMs

Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them

Even with the right tools, using CPQ software can bring a few challenges. Here are the most common issues and how to handle them:

Complexity of Configuration

Setting up CPQ can take time. If your products have many rules or options, it can get complex fast. How to fix it: Start small. Focus on your most common products first. Work with a Salesforce consultant to build clean, simple rules.

User Resistance

Sales reps may be slow to adopt new tools, especially if they’re used to spreadsheets. How to fix it: Involve your sales team early. Show them how CPQ saves time and helps them close more deals. Offer clear training and support.

Integration with Legacy Systems

Older systems may not work smoothly with Salesforce. This can delay data updates and create gaps. How to fix it: Use Salesforce connectors or middleware tools. Map out your data flow before launch. Test everything in a sandbox environment first.

Maintaining Product/Pricing Accuracy

Pricing and product info change often. If updates aren’t made on time, reps could send out the wrong quote. How to fix it: Assign someone to own product and pricing updates. Set a regular schedule to review and update the CPQ system.

Conclusion

SteelBrick Salesforce CPQ helps sales teams work faster, quote smarter, and close deals with less effort.

From product configuration to billing, it keeps everything connected and accurate. If your sales process feels slow or error-prone, this tool can make a big difference.

Need help setting it up or deciding if it’s right for you? Contact us today, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.

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