Get Up and Running Quickly with SalesDoc Architect
One of the misconceptions about SalesDoc Architect is that it takes hours and hours to implement it to the point of actually being able to use the software to configure solutions and generate proposals, statements of work and other output documents. A few months ago, a newer client (while they were still considering SalesDoc Architect) asked us: “Won’t it take hundreds of hours to implement what you’re showing me today?”
We’re happy to report that it took a small fraction of that time to get the client up and running. Typically, it takes 5-15 hours to get a new client to the point where they can productively generate differentiated proposals and statements of work and immediately start saving time because of automation. For most of our projects, SalesDoc Architect saves the time expended on initially setting it up within the first month of use.
The thing that scares people most about proceeding ahead with new enterprise-wide software – even more than the cost of the software itself – is the time and associated disruption to implement it. That’s why over the past several years we have continuously introduced new features and functions that make it easier and easier to set up and maintain SalesDoc Architect.
First, we make it easy to “start small” (and quickly), then grow your level of automation and functionality over time. Relative to other software solutions where you have to fully map out the work flows to make sure that you are fundamentally implementing the solution the right way, with SalesDoc Architect you can start by automating solution configuration and proposal generation, then overlay other processes, outputs and features over time.
You can also increase the level of automation over time. For example, you might start with a doc section selector whereby users “manually” check off the doc sections that they’d like to include in their outputs. The next step might be to manage a small number of vendor part numbers (say, 25-50 parts) so that when they are imported into SalesDoc Architect from a vendor configuration tool, the associated doc sections are auto-configured. The final step might be to manage a larger number of vendor part numbers and associated data, including perhaps pricing data.
Second, we make it easy to import key data into SalesDoc Architect. I always recommend using the import functions over entering data one record at a time into the Parts Master or other data table within the SalesDoc Architect database. We’ve also built in some “intelligence” into our import functions. For example, our Parts Master import allows you to import part numbers along with a wide variety of associated data such as installation hours, rack requirements and pricing data. You can choose what fields of data you’d like to import based on how you set up the Excel-based import file. You can then subsequently import updates to those part numbers by importing, say, only the part numbers and list prices. SalesDoc Architect is smart enough to know that a part already exists in the database and that you only wish to update the list price for the item.
Third, we provide built-in proposal content for solutions from several vendors so that you don’t have to create that content yourself. As of this writing, we are able to provide subscriptions to vendor proposal content for telephony solutions from Avaya, Cisco, ESI, Mitel/Inter-Tel, NEC, Nortel, ShoreTel, Tadiran and Toshiba.
Fourth, because the foundation of our solution is Microsoft Excel and Word (along with a database to house the data and doc sections), it’s easy for new clients to incorporate configuration logic using Excel’s built-in formulas (such as the IF function). Moreover, with just a few modifications, existing Excel tools that you’ve already developed can be incorporated into Sales Doc Architect rather than having to rebuild them from scratch.
We’ve made it pretty easy to quickly implement a “working” version of SalesDoc Architect that provides immediate and substantial benefit, yet enables organizations to continue to grow and fine-tune SalesDoc Architect over time. If you are considering SalesDoc Architect, we invite you to talk to one of our Solutions Consultants about how we can get you up and running on SalesDoc Architect within just a few short hours of work.