KBMax (now part of Epicor) is a visual CPQ (Configure, Price, Quote) platform built for manufacturers and industrial companies selling highly configurable, complex products. It combines a rules-based product configuration engine with 3D product visualisation, CAD drawing generation, and automated pricing — streamlining the quoting process for engineered-to-order products.
Product Overview
KBMax addresses a specific gap that standard CPQ tools like Salesforce CPQ don't fill: configuring products with thousands of variables that have physical engineering constraints — material compatibility, dimensional limits, manufacturing rules. Its visual configurator lets buyers and sales reps select product options in a 3D environment that updates the 3D model in real time, reducing configuration errors and clarifying complex specifications. When configuration is complete, KBMax generates dimensioned CAD drawings and manufacturing BOMs automatically — documents that would otherwise require engineer involvement. This engineering-to-order automation shortens quote cycles from weeks to hours for manufacturers. Salesforce CPQ integration connects visual CPQ to standard sales workflow for pricing approval and opportunity tracking.
Key Features
- 3D Visual Configurator: Interactive 3D product configuration where buyers select options and see the result in real time — reduces specification errors.
- Rules-Based Configuration Engine: Engineering constraint rules prevent invalid configurations — ensures every quote is manufacturable before pricing.
- Automated CAD Drawing Generation: Generates dimensioned CAD drawings and manufacturing BOMs automatically from configured specifications — no engineer involvement.
- Dynamic Pricing: Calculates pricing in real time as options are configured — includes cost-plus, volume, and customer-specific pricing rules.
- Salesforce CPQ Integration: Connects visual configuration to Salesforce CPQ for pricing approval, opportunity tracking, and quote management.
Best For
Manufacturers and industrial companies selling highly configurable, engineer-to-order products where visual configuration and automated CAD generation are critical to the quoting process.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing. Contact for demo.
Key Integrations
Salesforce, Salesforce CPQ, Microsoft Dynamics, SAP, Epicor ERP, AutoCAD, SolidWorks, PTC, Siemens, Oracle ERP
Pros
- 3D visualisation reduces configuration errors and accelerates buyer decision-making
- Automated CAD generation eliminates engineer bottleneck in the quoting process
- Engineering rules prevent invalid configurations from reaching manufacturing
- Uniquely suited for complex engineer-to-order products that generic CPQ cannot handle
Cons
- Niche use case — only relevant for manufacturers with highly configurable products
- Complex implementation requiring both sales and engineering expertise
- Enterprise pricing — not accessible for smaller manufacturing operations
RevOps Jobs-to-Be-Done
- Visual Product Configuration and CPQ — Let customers and reps configure complex manufactured products in a 3D visual interface — selecting options, seeing real-time pricing, and generating accurate quotes without engineering involvement. KPI: Reduce quote turnaround from days to minutes with self-serve visual configurator
- Engineer-to-Order Automation — Connect product configuration logic to CAD and manufacturing outputs — generating BOMs, drawings, and production files automatically when a quote is accepted. KPI: Eliminate 80% of manual engineering handoff work between sales and production
- Dealer and Channel Partner Configurators — Deploy branded configurator portals for dealer networks so channel partners can quote complex products accurately without calling the factory for every variation. KPI: Increase channel partner quoting volume by 3x by eliminating factory dependency
How It Fits Your Stack
Primary system of record: KBMax (now Epicor CPQ) sits between CRM and ERP; Salesforce CRM drives quote creation; ERP receives approved order configuration
Key integrations: Salesforce, SAP, Epicor ERP, Microsoft Dynamics, AutoCAD, SolidWorks
Data flows: CRM opportunity → KBMax configurator → visual selection with pricing → quote generated → approved order pushes BOM/drawing to ERP/CAD
Security & Compliance
- SSO / SAML: SSO supported
- RBAC / permissions: Yes
- Audit logs: Yes
- Certifications: SOC 2 Type II
- Data residency: US
Implementation & Ownership
- Time to first value: 8–16 weeks — product configuration logic and CAD integration are complex
- Implementation complexity: High — requires deep product knowledge, rules engineering, and CAD/ERP integration work
- Typical owners: Sales Operations, Engineering, IT, RevOps
Now part of Epicor's product portfolio; specialized for manufacturers of configurable products — industrial equipment, furniture, architecture/construction
Proof & Buyer Signals
Ratings: G2 4.5/5 (50+ reviews); niche but high-satisfaction among manufacturing CPQ users
What buyers praise:
- 3D visualization is genuinely impressive
- Eliminates quoting errors
- Strong ERP integration
Common complaints:
- Implementation is long and expensive
- Requires internal CPQ admin expertise
- Less known than Salesforce CPQ
Often Compared With
- Zuora CPQ — Zuora CPQ focuses on subscription and recurring billing; KBMax/Epicor CPQ targets physical product configuration with 3D visualization
- SAP CPQ — Both target complex product CPQ; SAP CPQ is tightly integrated with SAP ERP; KBMax has stronger 3D visual configuration
- Nue.io — Nue.io is a modern SaaS CPQ for revenue operations; KBMax is manufacturing-specific with engineer-to-order automation
