A Guide to Partner Led Pricing Software Implementation

In the fast-paced world of business, pricing strategies play a pivotal role in determining an organization’s success. Implementing pricing software is a transformative step, one that can be enhanced by partnering with experts who specialize in the field, particularly if your business does not have the skills or has the IT Team committed to other projects. Partners can play a multifaceted role in these pricing software implementation projects, uncovering how they collaborate with clients to ensure success.

With years of combined experience in assisting organizations to update, automate and implement their pricing and develop pricing strategies that align with their company’s encompassing business goals, Pricefx and Experis are business transformation specialists that can identify and leverage value opportunities for their customers that may have previously slipped under the radar.

This article will serve as your compass in understanding the dynamic realm of “Partner-Led Pricing Software Implementation” from understanding the partner’s expertise and the customer-focused approach to how partners proactively assess client needs, craft tailor-made solutions, and maximize the value of their pricing software investments.

Pricing Software Implementation: The Partner’s Role & Ensuring Success

In a pricing software implementation, the partner’s role takes center stage as the driving force behind success. Their primary objective? To harness the collective wisdom of experienced experts and unleash the full potential of the software to guide clients toward a triumphant outcome. This journey begins by formalizing a meticulously crafted process that spans from initial sales discussions to the triumphant deployment of the software.

 

This process is a comprehensive roadmap that leaves no stone unturned. It commences with precise estimates encompassing scope, timelines, budgets, and resource allocation.

 

The next step involves setting the stage by formalizing a cohesive team, constructing a project plan, a resource plan, and other vital project documentation.

 

But it doesn’t stop there. The partner also takes on the role of an educator, continuously enlightening the client on the intricacies of the process.

 

The result? A well-orchestrated, transparent process that eliminates surprises and ensures everyone, from the client to the partner, knows their role in this collaborative journey towards success.

Pricing software implementation can become transformed into an enjoyable and enlightening process, with the partner as the seasoned guide leading the way to a triumphant, insightful, and meaningful profit-driving product.

The Partner’s Client Assessment and Developing Custom Solutions

In tailoring custom solutions for clients, partners embark on a journey that begins with a meticulous client assessment. A partner will typically approach the process of assessing client needs and requirements by first setting a detailed discovery. It’s like peeling back the layers of a pricing onion to understand the client’s existing pricing processes. As they dive deeper, they keenly identify any gaps or potential areas for improvement. The partner is like a detective on a quest for clues to craft the perfect solution.

But that is not all. They also extend a welcoming hand to uncover the client’s aspirations, encouraging them to share their wish list of future features. The result is a treasure trove of insights that guides the partner’s next steps. Armed with this knowledge, they showcase the power of the pricing software, demonstrating how it can seamlessly meld with the client’s unique processes through custom configurations.

With data sources as their paintbrush and imagination as their canvas, they create a customized masterpiece. And if, by the slightest chance, a desired feature is not part of the initial demo, the partner’s architects step in, working together with the client to design a future that perfectly aligns with their needs. It is a customization journey that helps to turn clients’ dreams into pricing realities.

Partner Expertise & Resources That Help Clients Find Value Fast

Partners bring to the table a range of resources and expertise to ensure their clients are getting the most from their pricing software investment.

Depending on the size of the project, partners will typically bring in a full implementation team consisting of:

• The Senior Project Manager
• Dedicated Business Analyst
• Dedicated Quality Assurance (QA)/Tester
• Integration Engineers and;
• Data Scientist where applicable (not all implementations may require this resource)

Tests are run after every sprint to ensure that the users begin to gain knowledge within the software. The tests after each sprint are run to learn before continuing if portions of the solution will or will not work for the business and adapt accordingly.

A ‘train the trainer’ approach can help inexperienced or new users begin to adopt the software prior to their Go Live. In addition, User Acceptance Testing (UAT) can generate a lot of excitement for the new pricing software users, as the business and its employees can begin to use the software and see demonstrated ways that the software is a more efficient way to price.

What’s more, once teams discover the software automates the pricing process, they learn it is possible to focus on the actual art of pricing strategy and unearthing points of value the company never knew existed before, rather than simply driving the pricing process.

What Partner-Led Communication & Collaboration Occurs During the Implementation Process?

In a well-structured approach to software implementation, the role of a reliable partner is pivotal. This partnership thrives on a shared responsibility, where both the partner and the client work in tandem towards a successful implementation, ensuring the best possible outcomes.

The cornerstone of this collaboration is a robust governance process that encompasses communication plans, the choice of communication channels, strategically planned meetings, meticulous risk management, and a well-organized change control process.

 

 

Equally significant is the clear definition of roles and responsibilities for team members from both sides, often facilitated through a “RACI” matrix. This matrix clarifies who is Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, and Informed, ensuring that everyone involved in the project knows their role and responsibilities.

Communication and collaboration occur through scheduled calls, which are thoroughly outlined in a comprehensive communication plan presented to clients during the initial ramp-up phase. These calls serve various purposes, such as daily standups for updates on work progress, backlog refinements to prioritize and fine-tune tasks, sprint reviews and planning for thorough review and alignment, regular demos for feedback, and weekly status meetings to summarize progress, discuss timelines, budgets, resources, and address any pending issues.

This structured approach fosters complete transparency throughout the implementation process, providing ample opportunities for collaboration between both teams. Importantly, it also involves stakeholders’ agreement on the project’s scope and the definition of “Done,” a crucial step that can vary from one client to another. The creation of test cases and UAT ensures product quality. Eventually, this structured process leads to a successful transition to the hypercare phase and a seamless go-live at the project’s conclusion.

How Do Partners Measure Pricing Software Implementation Success & Provide Ongoing Support?

In a partner-led pricing software implementation, the true measure of success is often found in the enthusiastic embrace of the software by its users. It’s like a great symphony, where the conductor orchestrates the gathering of requirements with one goal in mind: to create a product that users will wholeheartedly adopt. This is where the magic happens.

By understanding the business’s unique requirements, the partner crafts a solution that resonates with users, making it not just a tool but an indispensable part of their daily routine.

 

And the grand finale? It’s the sweet sound of increased gross profit dollars that brings a smile to the bottom line.

But the story does not end there. Once the curtains rise and the software goes live, a new act begins, and it’s all about ongoing support and optimization. In the world of ongoing support, partners often offer a special package known as “Continuing Ongoing Support Agreement,” or COSA, a bit like having a dedicated caretaker for your prized possession.

Under the COSA, clients usually receive red-carpet treatment, with dedicated support that ensures swift response times and the assistance of experienced resources. Whether it is minor tweaks, major enhancements, or formal change control processes, COSA stands as a shield, safeguarding the software’s performance. In this ongoing journey, partners continue to fine-tune the software, ensuring it remains in perfect harmony with the evolving needs of the business – a true encore to the implementation’s initial success.

Is the Pricing Software Vendor Also Involved in Partner-Led Implementation?

When it comes to the partnership between pricing software vendors and partners, a remarkable dedication to a partner ecosystem (often shines through).

If you are an organization looking for pricing software with a strong partnership focus across a range of industries and specialty areas of expertise, then you will want to learn more about the Pricefx Advantage Partner Network.

 

And of course, by clicking here, you can also learn more about Experis’ role in the Pricefx Advantage Partner Network too.

A harmonious collaboration between partners, pricing software vendors, and clients should address challenges and cater to unique client needs. It should be like having a dream team at your disposal, ready to tackle any issue or navigate product enhancements with a finesse that can only be achieved through teamwork.

This collaboration, which goes beyond any specific brand, should ensure tailor-made solutions that align perfectly with the client’s unique requirements. For clients, it is about an exceptional blend of innovation and dedicated partner support, where value is maximized, and success becomes the norm in this dynamic partnership.

Why Choosing the Right Partner is Important

The secret sauce to ensuring a successful journey in the pricing software realm is choosing the right partner, one with a proven record of accomplishment of navigating the intricacies of implementations. Think of it as selecting a travel companion who’s been to your dream destination before.

So, dig into partner backgrounds, don’t be shy to request profiles, and even have a sneak peek at the resources joining your project. While it might not be an exact match, understanding the representation of these resources is like reading the traveler’s journal before embarking on a grand adventure. Remember, pricing is the most important part of any pricing implementation. Your implementation partner’s deep pricing acumen enhances your talented IT team and will help lead to the most meaningful product.

Some partners wear their references like badges of honor, showcasing achievements in the largest, most complex, global implementations. The key? Don’t just take the partner’s word for it. Dive deep into the experiences of those they’ve implemented for and discover firsthand what to expect from the implementation journey. It’s like getting travel tips from fellow explorers who’ve tread the path before you, ensuring a smooth and successful voyage in the world of pricing software.

To get more tips on selecting the right pricing software partner for you, check out the handy article below:

Happy Pricing!