SKU proliferation can silently disrupt growth in manufacturing businesses. What starts as an attempt to meet customer demand often leads to a tangled mess of product variations, overwhelming sales, inventory, and finance teams. So, how can Salesforce CPQ (Configure, Price, Quote) and Revenue Lifecycle Management (RLM) help solve this? And more importantly, how can process improvements complement these tools?
Let’s examine the issue, its impact on multiple departments, and the role of technology and process optimization.
Why SKU Proliferation Hurts Business
Adding new sizes, colors, and custom features may seem like a smart move to boost sales, but it often results in:
Utilizing Salesforce CPQ and RLM for Enhanced Business Performance
Although technology alone cannot resolve SKU proliferation, Salesforce CPQ and RLM can significantly enhance operational efficiency when combined with intelligent business processes:
Aligning Finance to Solve SKU Proliferation
Finance plays a critical role in controlling SKU proliferation. Here’s how it impacts—and can help:
The Real Fix: Processes and Technology Combined
While Salesforce CPQ and RLM provide powerful tools to tackle SKU proliferation, combining them with thoughtful business processes is the proper solution.
Here’s the approach:
Conclusion
SKU proliferation can be a silent killer, but with the right mix of technology and process improvements, you can streamline operations, boost efficiency, and improve profitability. Salesforce CPQ and RLM, when paired with smart process changes and alignment across departments—especially finance—can help transform SKU chaos into a streamlined and profitable system.