What is Epicor CPQ? Modules, integrations and alternatives
Epicor CPQ is a cloud configure, price, quote product from Epicor for manufacturers selling configurable products. It emphasizes visual, often 3D, configuration along with pricing and quote generation. It was built from the technology previously known as KBMax and is aimed at use with Epicor ERP or other systems.
Also known as: KBMax, Epicor Configure Price Quote
Epicor CPQ lets sales teams and customers configure a product by selecting options, see the result visually, and receive a price and quote. The visual side is a notable emphasis: configured products can be shown in interactive 3D so buyers can see what they are ordering, which can reduce misunderstandings on custom equipment.
The product is aimed at manufacturers of configurable and engineered-to-order products, particularly those already in the Epicor ecosystem such as Epicor Kinetic or Prophet 21 users. It is commonly discussed alongside the Epicor ERP product family, though CPQ products generally need to work with whatever CRM and ERP a company uses.
In a stack, it sits between the CRM and the ERP. Configured items, quotes and bills of material can be handed to the ERP for order entry and production, while customer and opportunity details come from CRM. Companies should confirm the depth of integration with their specific ERP edition, since out-of-the-box connectors differ by product.
Modules and capabilities
Product configurator
Rule-driven configuration of options and components for sales users and customers.
3D visualization
Interactive visual models that update as options are selected.
Pricing engine
Calculates price from options, price lists, quantity and discount rules.
Quote and proposal output
Generates quote documents from configured products.
Bill of material and drawing output
Produces structured configuration data and outputs that support downstream engineering and ERP.
Web embedding and portals
Allows configurators to be embedded in websites and partner portals.
Integrations and data access
Epicor ERP
Designed to work with the Epicor ERP family, with product and order data exchanged for quoting and order entry. Confirm the connector scope per ERP edition.
CRM
Can be connected to CRM platforms so quotes align with opportunities and customer records.
CAD and 3D
Uses 3D models and CAD-derived assets for visualization and outputs; supported formats should be confirmed.
APIs and embedding
Provides APIs and web embedding options for integrating configurators into websites and other applications.
Other ERPs
Integration with non-Epicor ERPs is generally possible through APIs or middleware but requires project work.
Strengths
- Visual 3D configuration helps buyers and sales teams confirm what is being quoted
- Same-vendor alignment for companies already on Epicor ERP
- Suited to dealer and web-based self-service configuration
- Outputs structured data to support downstream bills of material
- Cloud delivery reduces infrastructure to manage
Limitations
- 3D asset preparation can add considerable modeling effort per product family
- Fit with non-Epicor ERPs depends on custom integration work
- Cloud delivery may not suit air-gapped or strictly controlled environments
- May be more than needed for custom part quoting from drawings, which is a different problem
Where AI helps Epicor CPQ users
- - Converting a customer's written requirements into a starting configuration for review
- - Reconciling configured items with ERP part numbers and bills of material before release
- - Summarizing why a configuration was priced as it was, for sales and approval review
- - Drafting product-model rules from existing engineering documents and spreadsheets
Evaluating Epicor CPQ? Check these
- Check whether your products truly need 3D visualization or if a simpler configurator suffices
- Estimate the effort to prepare 3D and CAD assets for each product family
- Ask for a demonstration of the connector with your exact Epicor ERP edition
- Define how configured quotes create parts, bills of material and routings in the ERP
- Decide who will maintain product rules once the project team leaves
- Review hosting and data handling for designs that are sensitive or export-controlled
Common alternatives: Tacton CPQ, Salesforce CPQ, DriveWorks, Oracle CPQ, SAP CPQ, Paperless Parts.
Frequently asked questions
What is Epicor CPQ?
Epicor CPQ is a cloud configure, price, quote application for manufacturers selling configurable products. It guides users through options, shows interactive visuals, calculates pricing and produces quotes, and can pass configuration data to an ERP for order entry and production.
Is Epicor CPQ the same as KBMax?
Epicor CPQ is based on technology that was previously sold under the KBMax name. Product names and packaging change over time, so confirm current naming, capabilities and licensing with Epicor when evaluating.
Does Epicor CPQ require Epicor ERP?
No requirement is implied, but it is designed to work well with Epicor ERP. Companies on other ERPs can usually integrate through APIs or middleware, though that takes project effort and should be scoped carefully.
Can customers use Epicor CPQ directly?
Configurators can generally be embedded in websites and partner portals so customers or dealers can configure products themselves. Whether this is appropriate depends on your pricing visibility policies and how much validation you want before a quote is released.
How is it different from Paperless Parts?
Epicor CPQ configures products from defined options and rules. Paperless Parts estimates custom parts from drawings and CAD geometry. A make-to-print job shop and a configurable-equipment manufacturer usually need different tools for these different quoting problems.
Related
Epicor Kinetic
ERPEpicor Prophet 21
Quoting & CPQTacton CPQ
Quoting & CPQSalesforce CPQ
Quoting & CPQDriveWorks
Quoting & CPQPaperless Parts
AI for ERPAI for Epicor Kinetic Estimating and Quoting: Faster Quotes Grounded in Your Own Job History
AI for ERPAI for quote-to-cash in manufacturing and job shop ERPs
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