C3 release 3.2 and ABQ release 2.1 are now available, offering valuable enhancements to each of these MAC-PAC XE applications.

C3 Configuration release 3.2

MAX-PAC XE C3 Configuration (C3) provides intuitive web-based configuration capabilities using existing Expert Configurator (EC) rules along with extended controls for display and guided selling options.

Selected C3 release 3.2 enhancements include:

• Screen generation pause option. A screen pause can now be specified in conjunction with default values to allow marketing and sales to require review and validation of certain selected option values while allowing other default values to process without review.
• Screen option value highlighting. A new capability that allows rules developers to highlight or draw attention to specific values within screen option lists.  This allows marketing and sales to promote specific option values throughout the ordering process.
• Identification of mandatory screen options. Screen options that must have a valid input value or selection will be identified with an asterisk (symbol is customizable).  This provides the user with insight as to minimum amount of information required to complete the configuration or generate an initial price quote.
• Universal option selection. The Universal Option selection value now defaults to <None> indicating that no value has been chosen and no value is required.
• Required values notification. Values that are required but were not provided are now highlighted for easy identification by the user. 
• Infrastructure Improvements. Miscellaneous infrastructure improvements have been made to support future functionality.

C3 is a powerful tool for increasing sales and reducing costs. It enables MAC-PAC XE users to effectively extend the power of EC-driven configuration to customers, channels, and sales people via the Internet, an intranet, or Windows-based applications. With intuitive, highly accessible configuration, companies have the opportunity to reduce lead times, increase customer collaboration, replace paper catalogues with on-line access, reduce errors, and eliminate dual entry.

Advanced Bid and Quote release 2.1

MAC-PAC XE Advanced Bid & Quote (ABQ) is a multi-level channel sales support application designed specifically for manufacturers of highly variable products sold through dealers or distributors.

Selected ABQ release 2.1 enhancements include:

• Enhanced Excel bid document. Layout and controls have been enhanced to provide more flexibility for placement of highlighted configuration options and thumbnail images
• New QuickBid function. This new feature enables sales people to produce an on-line bid document with JPG thumbnail images for immediate faxing or e-mailing.
• Partial quote save. This feature provides the ability to save partially completed quotes so they can be worked on across multiple sessions (e.g. when doing multiple take-offs from prints and unable to configure all products at once).
• Active quote re-assign. This enhancement provides the ability to move active quotes when a re-assigning a lower level sales rep to a new higher level rep (e.g. when assigning a dealer rep to a different representative within the parent distributor or manufacturer organization).
• Order hold. This provides the ability to put selected orders on hold for manual review at configuration time, preventing e-mail acknowledgements and allowing use of standard Sales Order (SO) maintenance functions.
• New Bid Server dialogue box. A new ‘check status’ dialogue box provides improved visibility and administrative control of in-process bids.

ABQ leverages the Internet and standard desktop tools to provide a comprehensive, easy-to-use guided selling system that streamlines and accelerates the entire quote-to-order process while reducing both administrative cost and the potential for errors. Most importantly, ABQ makes it easier and more profitable for sales channels to do business with you, thus creating a competitive advantage and increasing sales and loyalty levels.

Order your CD Now

The new C3 and ABQ releases also include a roll-up of available software and documentation fixes. To order a new CD, contact your TDCI Account Representative.