A software tool can increase profit margins by as much as 5% for materials handling companies selling complex component or modular based-products, according to Johan Lyreborn, managing director of Configura.

"The traditional sales, order and production processes have too many activities and are done separately," said Lyreborn. "That means it takes too long to prepare a quote, is difficult to make changes, and has to be done all over again before an order goes into production."

The software serves as a bridge between the sales and production processes. It takes inputs like customer requirements, production constraints and financial goals to provide accurate quotations and pricing, as well as a graphical representation of the proposed solution.