Almost every day, MSPs send quotes to potential clients hoping they’ll get approved. But more often than not, the approval process takes some iterations and a lot of communication, which can be trying. 

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As MSPs traverse the ever-changing landscapes of technology and client demands, one constant remains: the need to create compelling quotes that can convince and convert potential clients. 

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But fear not. In this blog, we’ll provide you with the secrets of quote management for MSPs, revealing the actionable steps to create and manage quotes that transform potential clients into just clients. 

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Let’s dive right in! 

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What are Managed Service Quotes? 

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Managed service quotes are a fundamental document MSPs use to outline the costs associated with delivering a particular service or solution to a client. 

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It serves as a clear and concise breakdown of the financial investment required for the project, providing clients with a transparent understanding of the expenses involved. 

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Unlike an MSP sales proposal, which focuses on presenting a comprehensive solution to the client's challenges, the quote primarily centers on the monetary aspect. Clients often request a quote when they need to assess and comprehend the financial implications of the proposed service. 

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Sometimes, terminologies such as estimates, bids, proposals, and quotations might be used interchangeably within the industry. 

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To ensure clarity, you can engage in a brief conversation with the client, aligning both parties on the terminology and producing the appropriate document that fulfills the client's specific requirements. 

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How Can MSPs Create a Quote That Converts? 

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The quoting process for MSPs plays a significant role in determining if the potential client will convert. And if not done right, you might get out of business. 

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Follow the steps below to ensure that your managed service quotes convert more often than not! 

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1. Use a Professional MSP Quoting Template 

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MSPs deal with a lot of technical things, and sometimes tech is all they care about. While this helps them provide quality services, the design goes on the back foot, which is not quite good from a branding aspect. 

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Your professional MSP quoting template should be visually appealing and well-organized. It should reflect your brand's identity and colors, reinforcing your company's image. 

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A clean and modern design with easy-to-read fonts and appropriate formatting enhances the overall presentation. 

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The template should also have clear sections for the client's details, the itemized list of services or goods, terms and conditions, and your contact information. 

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By using a consistent template across all your quotes, you establish a cohesive and polished brand identity. 

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2. Add Client Details 

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Customizing the quote with the client's specific details makes them feel valued and attended to. Address the potential client by their name and include their company's name, address, and contact information. 

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This personal touch demonstrates that you have taken the time to understand their unique needs and are tailoring the quote specifically for them. 

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3. Set Up Your Quote Numbering Process 

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Having a systematic quote numbering process streamlines your operations and ensures better organization. It can be as simple as incorporating a unique identifier and date in your quote numbers. 

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Let's say you’re sending a quote to a brand named Zomentum; the quote number can be as simple as "ZMTM-2023-07-31." 

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A consistent numbering system helps you easily track your quotes, reducing the chances of errors or confusion and making quote management for MSPs easier. 

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4. Add Your Business and Contact Details 

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Your business information serves as a testament to your legitimacy and reliability. This is why you must include your company's name, logo, address, phone number, email address, and website URL prominently in the quote. 

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This not only instills trust but also makes it effortless for clients to reach out to you if they have any questions or are ready to proceed with the project. 

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5. Add an Itemized List of Services or Goods Provided 

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Present a detailed breakdown of the services or goods you are offering, along with their corresponding costs. 

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Itemizing each component allows clients to understand the value they will receive and enables them to make informed decisions. 

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Moreover, it helps clients identify and prioritize essential services while providing them with the flexibility to adjust the scope of the project based on their budget. 

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6. Specify Conditions 

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Defining the terms and conditions upfront sets clear expectations and minimizes potential misunderstandings later on. 

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Detail the payment terms, including the accepted payment methods and due dates. Clarify any refund or cancellation policies, delivery timelines, and any other important conditions that apply to the project. Moreover, you should also mention any additional costs that the client might have to pay. 

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This level of transparency demonstrates your professionalism and commitment to fair dealings and makes the quoting process for MSPs more trustable. 

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7. Include Additional Details or Information 

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Adding supplementary information can be the tipping point that convinces potential clients to choose your services. 

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Incorporate customer testimonials, case studies, or success stories that highlight the positive experiences of previous clients. 

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Demonstrating your track record of successful projects builds trust and confidence in your capabilities. Additionally, mention any relevant certifications, industry awards, or partnerships that showcase your expertise and credibility. 

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By including these steps in the process of quote management for MSPs, you will not only impress potential clients but also increase the likelihood of conversion. 

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Importance of Quoting Software for MSPs 

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Time is a precious resource for MSPs that must be utilized efficiently to stay ahead of the competition. 

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As companies strive to close more sales and cater to the ever-growing demands of clients, integrating robust Quoting Software for MSPs in their daily operations becomes not just a choice but a strategic necessity. 

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Let’s see why quoting software for MSPs is a must: 

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1. Pricing and Availability Integrations With Distributors and Vendors 

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Traditionally, MSPs had to navigate multiple websites and folders to gather pricing and availability information from distributors and vendors. This process was not only time-consuming but also prone to errors and delays. 

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With the help of unified quoting software, MSPs can now access accurate and up-to-date pricing and product availability from various sources, streamlining the quoting process for MSPs significantly. 

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Moreover, collaborating with subject matter experts becomes seamless, allowing MSPs to refine quotes before presenting them to clients, leading to more polished and enticing quotes. 

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2. E-signature and Electronic Collection of Payment 

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Closing deals quickly is vital for MSPs, and quoting software helps expedite this process. By enabling e-signatures, clients can promptly accept the quote, eliminating delays caused by manual signatures. 

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Additionally, integrating payment collection with quotes ensures a smoother and more efficient payment process, reducing the likelihood of delayed or missed payments. 

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3. Incorporation of CRM/PSA in Pipeline Management 

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MSPs often struggle between multiple systems to manage sales information, leading to inefficiencies and potential errors. 

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Quoting software's integration with MSP Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and Professional Services Automation (PSA) systems brings all sales data under one roof. 

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This centralization enables seamless quote management for MSPs, enhances communication within the business, and empowers the operations team to evaluate the sales pipeline effectively. 

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4. Better Procurement and Customer Satisfaction 

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Quoting software goes beyond merely generating quotes; it assists MSPs in better procurement and improving customer satisfaction. 

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By automating the tedious task of tracking ordered items, MSPs can stay on top of project expenses and ensure projects stay within budget. 

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Furthermore, streamlined processes lead to faster delivery, enhanced customer satisfaction, and seamless quote management for MSPs. 

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5. Quoting Software Helps MSPs to Close the Deal Faster 

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A well-crafted managed service quote plays a pivotal role in closing deals successfully. Quoting software for MSPs gives them the tools they need to create a quote that converts and converts fast. 

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With easy access to accurate pricing, professional templates, and a seamless e-signature process, MSPs can present compelling quotes promptly, instilling confidence in potential clients and increasing the likelihood of closing deals faster. 

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How Can Quoting Software Help MSPs? 

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Quoting software provides a range of benefits that enhance quote management for MSPs and streamline client interactions. 

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Let's see how quoting software helps MSPs in their day-to-day operations and client interactions: 

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1. Create & Send Quotes With Ease 

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Quoting Software for MSPs simplifies the process of creating and sending quotes to clients. By utilizing the software, MSPs can swiftly initiate quote creation, incorporating all the required service items. With just a few clicks, the quote reaches the client's inbox with a link, ensuring prompt and professional delivery. 

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2. Enable Quick Quote Approval or Rejection 

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Quoting software allows MSPs to expedite the quote approval process. Clients can conveniently approve or reject quotes with a single click, either through a public link or the portal. 

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This streamlined approach eliminates the need for follow-ups and reduces the waiting time, resulting in faster and pain-free decision-making. 

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Moreover, clients can provide contextual comments when approving or rejecting quotes, minimizing confusion and ensuring better collaboration. 

3. Efficiently Revise Rejected Quotes With Version History 

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MSPs often encounter situations where clients request multiple changes to a quote. Quoting software for MSPs offers a solution by allowing MSPs to revise a rejected quote without creating a new one. 

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With the "quote versions" feature, older numbered versions are saved in the same thread, providing a clear revision history. This functionality helps MSPs quickly trace back their steps, facilitating effective communication and minimizing errors. 

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When the steps can be traced back, you know how and why each iteration happened. This makes the process of quote management for MSPs more efficient and accountable. 

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4. Enhance Collaboration With Quote-Linked Conversations 

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Quoting software enhances collaboration between MSPs and their clients. By incorporating quote-linked conversations, MSPs can view all comments and discussions with the client right alongside the quote. This feature eliminates the need for siloed emails and centralizes communication, ensuring that all relevant discussions are readily available for reference and agreement. 

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5. Seamlessly Convert Approved Quotes Into Invoices 

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Quoting software for MSPs can convert approved quotes into invoices in just one click. This streamlines the billing process and ensures timely cash flow upon payment. This integration eliminates manual tasks, reducing errors and saving a truckload of time for MSPs to focus on core business activities. 

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6. Optimize Quote Management With Status-Based Views 

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Quoting software offers MSPs a comprehensive view of their quotes at various stages of the life cycle. The status-based quote views allow MSPs to declutter their quotes, easily identifying quotes that are in different stages of progress. This feature enables MSPs to prioritize and manage quotes efficiently, ensuring no important quote is left unattended. 

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7. Utilize Customizable Quote Templates for Effortless Communication 

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With MSP quoting software, MSPs can communicate with clients effortlessly using customizable quote templates. Instead of drafting emails manually, MSPs can access pre-designed templates and customize them as needed. This feature saves time, ensures consistent and professional communication with clients, and keeps all stakeholders informed about the quote's progress. 

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Create High-Converting Quotes With Zomentum 

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Zomentum makes the entire process of quote management for MSPs seamless. It’s the only tool you’ll need to create, send, and track quotes. And it doesn’t end at tracking; you can even receive payments from your clients with integrations like ConnectBooster, QuickBooks, and Stripe. 

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This platform allows you to interact with clients and instantly address the objections they have about your quote. Moreover, it also ensures there’s no pricing or availability error in the quote as it automatically picks up the right information from the catalog. 

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Zomentum automates the quoting process for MSPs, which allows MSPs to create a quote in just 3 minutes and decreases the time to sign a deal by 70%. 

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Want to know more about this quoting software for MSPs that can fit into your process? 

‍Book a demo today!