Proposal software also known as proposal management software, proposal writing software,[1] or proposal automation software is a computer program designed to help users develop proposals, presentations, and responses to RFPs.[2] Proposal management software is becoming increasingly popular in companies that manage frequent and extensive proposal writing projects. Such software allows businesses to automate the more routine tasks while easily tracking multiple versions.[3]
Proposal software allows users to create and manage all important sales and marketing documentation such as business proposals, welcome letters, contracts, quotes, and marketing collateral.[4] Often available as a web-based cloud service, proposal software helps sales, marketing, and legal teams both administer the proposal creation process and communicate their needs through a digital document.[5] Many software applications integrate with CRM software, accounting platforms, and electronic signature providers.
Proposal management software is considered to be a sales efficiency tool as it helps maximize every cross-sell and upsell opportunity by spending less time on creating and management sales documents and delivering timely and relevant information, when it's appropriate in the sales cycle of an opportunity. This means brand-compliant materials with the latest information on new products, on demand, based on the unique selling situation. It some cases, it’s argued that this software solution bleeds into an up-and-coming “sales enablement” software genre. However, proposal management software addresses inefficiencies and lack of visibility in the sales cycle, rather than “sales enablement” efforts defined as sales coaching and guiding the sale. [6] Forrester, a reputable sales, marketing, and business technology analyst firm, views sales enablement and efficiency tools, such as proposal management software, as the key linchpin required to help a B2B company bridge the gap between their business strategies and how they execute in the field. [7] Companies that are utilizing sales enablement tools help the company align sales and marketing goals and provides a strategic plan of how the business should be operating.[8]