A 3D configurator is an interactive design tool that allows users to customize their own unique products based on available configuration options like color, print, text, images, and textures and that supports dynamic pricing.
3D configurators are also known as Product Customizers or Product Editors. In this guide we will be using the terms interchangeably.
A better way to understand 3D Configurator software is to understand its purpose. A 3D configurator is not a stand alone design application. At BRIKL, we consider product configurators to be at the crossroad of sales software, customization software, visualization software and collaboration software.
BRIKL 3D configurator software is first and foremost considered sales software. The goal of customization software is to generate more leads, increase conversions and grow sales. In the B2B industry, configurators are part of what is called CPQ software (Configure, Price, Quote) to accelerate the request-to-quote process. In the B2C industry, configurators are part of ecommerce software to allow customers to design, and submit a request or place an order online.
BRIKL 3D configurator software is considered customization software. Customizations are at the heart of every product configurator software. The goal is to allow the user to configure a product real time in 3D by customizing colors, prints, text, images, textures and more.
BRIKL 3D configurator software is considered visualization software. Professional designers can convert 2D designs into a beautiful 3D rendering that they can spin in 360 real-time.
BRIKL 3D configurator software is considered collaboration software. Designers can generate a link of the design that they created, which they can share with customers for review.
BRIKL 3D configurator is not pure design software, rather it works together with other design software packages like Adobe Illustrator, CorelDraw, Blender or AutoCad to create new design templates that can be imported into the BRIKL system for customization.
Configurators are used both in the B2B and B2C domains to allow customers to design complex products in an intuitive, simple and quick manner.
B2B configurators are a key part of what’s called Configure Price Quote (CPQ). The goal of CPQ software is to accelerate the request-to-quote process by providing customers with a configurable product. Whereas in the past CPQ mostly relied on forms for the product configuration, customers can now visualize their dream product in real time in 3D. The rise of the visual configurator has transformed the CPQ industry.
B2B configurators help companies to shorten the sales cycle, give the sales team access to up-to-date product/pricing information, minimize errors in quoting products, reduce training for new sales reps and make the initial sales process more fun and exciting.
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Online B2C Configurators are a key part of eCommerce platforms. Configurable products are a trend that is accelerating with consumers wanting products that are designed by them. A product configurator allows customers to create exactly what they want giving them a sense of ownership.
The advantages of B2C configurators are clear. They increase the excitement (customers spend more time on your website), improve conversion rates (customers feel more engaged), and lead to higher quality of leads and more sales.