How OpenBOM Helps Share Data with Your Sales Team

In today’s highly competitive market, seamless communication and data sharing between departments are crucial for success. One of the common challenges faced by manufacturing companies is efficiently sharing accurate and up-to-date product data with the sales team. There is no bigger problem when the sales team needs information about products they need to sell and the company doesn’t have this information handy and easy to share. Facilitating data sharing and collaboration is one of the top problems OpenBOM solves for our customers.

Although speaking about “generic data sharing” is important, the devil is in the details. You can share data between engineering team members, which is important. You can also share data with contract manufacturers. This is also a more or less ‘known’ pattern. But today, I want to be more specific and speak about sharing data with the sales team.

OpenBOM offers a robust solution to this challenge, enabling companies to bridge the gap between engineering, manufacturing, and sales. The value of sharing data with sales is huge because it can help you to put your sales team on the “same page” with people who are developing products and provide you with a cohesive set of information about what the company can sell. 

In this article, I will share my 7 characteristics of OpenBOM that help streamline data sharing with your sales team.

1. Centralized Data Repository

OpenBOM provides a centralized data repository that ensures all product data is stored in one accessible location. This centralization means that sales teams no longer need to hunt through multiple databases or systems to find the information they need. They can access the latest product specifications, BOMs (Bills of Materials), and other critical data directly from OpenBOM, ensuring they have the most accurate and up-to-date information at their fingertips.

The key capability of OpenBOM is creating a flexible data model for product knowledge graph with all information about the product organized, connected, and flexible. OpenBOM creates a digital BOM and won’t push you to some out-of-the-box settings. Similar to everyone loved “Excels”, OpenBOM gives you full flexibility to customize the data model. 

2. Real-Time Data Updates

One of the key features of OpenBOM is its real-time data collaboration. As changes are made to product designs or specifications by the engineering team, these updates are instantly reflected in OpenBOM. Sales teams can access the latest data without delay, ensuring they are always informed about the current product offerings and can communicate accurately with customers.

3. Easy-to-Use Interface

OpenBOM’s user-friendly interface makes it easy for sales teams to navigate and find the data they need. The platform is designed to be intuitive, reducing the learning curve and enabling sales personnel to quickly become proficient in using the system. This ease of use ensures that sales teams can efficiently access and leverage product data in their daily operations.

4. Customizable Data Views

Different departments often require different views of the same data. OpenBOM allows users to create customized data views tailored to the needs of the sales team. This customization ensures that sales personnel see only the information relevant to them, presented in a format that is easy to understand and use. For example, sales teams can create views that highlight key selling points, pricing information, and customer-specific configurations.

5. Integrations with Enterprise Systems including CRM

OpenBOM seamlessly integrates with enterprise systems (ERP, CRM, MES, etc) ensuring that product data flows smoothly between engineering, manufacturing, and sales. This integration means that sales teams can access product data directly within their enterprise tool (eg. ERP, CPQ, etc.)  reducing the need to switch between systems and streamline their workflow. The integration also helps maintain data consistency across all platforms, further enhancing the accuracy and reliability of information.

6. Collaboration and Communication Tools

OpenBOM includes robust collaboration and communication tools that facilitate interaction between the sales team and other departments. Sales teams can easily share feedback, request information, and communicate changes or customer requirements with the engineering and manufacturing teams. This improved communication helps ensure that everyone is on the same page and working towards common goals. Check how OpenBOM can communicate RFQ, Order, and Bill of materials with ease and robustness. 

7. Simple User Experience

By providing sales teams with accurate and up-to-date product information, OpenBOM  provides simple spreadsheet like user experience familiar to all sales teams. Sales personnel are better equipped to answer customer queries, provide detailed product information, and make informed recommendations. This level of service can lead to increased customer satisfaction and loyalty, ultimately driving sales growth. OpenBOM’s seamless integration with customers can help in different processes that are very important for the customers. For example, management of the maintenance parts for our customers. 

Conclusion

OpenBOM’s comprehensive digital-thread platform provides significant enhancements for manufacturing companies looking to improve data sharing with their sales teams. By centralizing data, ensuring real-time updates, offering a user-friendly interface, providing customizable views, integrating with ERP, CRM, and MES systems, and enhancing collaboration, OpenBOM empowers sales teams with the tools they need to succeed. In turn, this leads to better-informed sales personnel, improved customer interactions, and a stronger competitive edge in the market.

Embrace the power of OpenBOM and revolutionize the way your sales team accesses and utilizes product data, ensuring they are always equipped with the information they need to excel. By leveraging OpenBOM’s capabilities, you can create a more cohesive and efficient workflow, ultimately driving success and growth for your company.

REGISTER FOR FREE to check out how OpenBOM can help. 

Best, Oleg