apHarmony offers custom quoting software development services. With a flexible pricing engine and visualization tools, we will be happy to leverage our experience in developing quoting systems for your next software project. Please feel free to give us a call at 630-855-7522 for a free consultation.

The primary factors that define the ideal tool for the custom quoting software project are product scale, product complexity, order synchronization, and platform requirements. Each factor will influence either the client or server development.

With a large number of products, key system components are product maintenance and scalability. If an existing database exists that will be used as the master product record, it will be necessary to create synchronization scripts for data between the two databases. Depending on the product volume, a robust database may be necessary, together with product caching and dynamic lazy-loading.

Complex products offer the ideal situation for a flexible formula-based pricing engine. This class of tools will allow for simplification of the product list, since product combinations and permutations can be defined through formula and table-based lists. In addition, formula-based pricing also offers customized formulas on a per-customer and per-option basis. This can be effective when the sales force requires pricing flexibility in negotiating agreements with dealers, such as in the high-volume made-to-order industry.

Order synchronization defines how the orders will be sent back into the manufacturing, accounting, or scheduling system. Using mobile technology, order synchronization can even happen at the point of sale, at the customer site, or based on a set of custom triggers. Paperless technology can help reduce dependence on written contracts, and substitute tablets devices. The key to order synchronization is testing, reliability, and verification to make sure that orders are up-to-date.

Finally, platform requirements can significantly influence the applicable development tools. Cross-platform compatibility generally requires a web-based interface, while EDS systems will require a set of custom web services for data entry. The platform requirements are generally defined by the customer base and predicted longevity of current and emerging technology.

For a free consultation on custom quoting software, please feel free to give us a call at 630-855-7522.