Buyside user interface

  • Release version: Zurich
  • Updated September 30, 2025
  • 2 minutes to read
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    Summary of Buyside User Interface

    The Buyside User Interface in ServiceNow CPQ is a modern, intuitive configurator designed to simplify the configuration of complex products and services. Integrated with Salesforce CPQ and other enterprise systems, it enables sales representatives, customers, and partners to create, manage, and visualize detailed product configurations. This ensures accuracy and efficiency through the sales and fulfillment process by providing guided, attribute-based configuration with automated rules and enrichment logic.

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    Key Features

    • Multi-BOM Displays: Organize sales, installation, service, and support line items into separate, easy-to-navigate sections.
    • Dynamic Field Grids: Collect and manage structured data such as sales figures or configuration attributes in tabular formats.
    • Guided Configuration: Break down complex product offerings using sections, subsections, and nested tiers for straightforward product selection and customization.
    • Rule-Based Automation: Automate pricing calculations, field updates, and validation to ensure compliance with business logic and accuracy.
    • Enrichment Scripts: Apply advanced logic like surcharges, tax exemptions, or custom fields before passing data to downstream systems.
    • No-Code/Low-Code Administration: Allow business administrators to update and maintain configuration models without deep technical expertise using point-and-click tools.

    Key Personas

    • Sales Representatives: Use guided workflows and automation to configure and quote tailored product solutions efficiently and accurately.
    • System Administrators: Manage platform setup, integrations, and maintenance to ensure alignment with enterprise requirements.
    • Solution Architects: Design scalable configuration models and validate technical feasibility for complex deals.
    • Business Process Owners: Oversee adoption, collect feedback, and drive continuous improvement of the configurator experience.
    • End Users (Customers/Partners): Interact via self-service portals to customize products and services according to their needs.

    Key Benefits

    • Accelerated Sales Cycles: Guided, rule-based configuration minimizes errors and rework, speeding time-to-quote.
    • Enhanced User Experience: Intuitive interface with dynamic filtering and real-time feedback simplifies complex configurations.
    • Operational Efficiency: No-code administration reduces dependency on IT and lowers administration costs.
    • Scalability and Flexibility: Supports any industry, product complexity, or sales channel, including partners and self-service customers.
    • Governance and Compliance: Automated rules and AI-driven governance ensure configurations meet business and regulatory standards.

    Workflow

    • Launch the configurator from Salesforce CPQ or a ServiceNow portal.
    • Configure products and services using multi-BOM displays with sections, subsections, and nested tiers for filtering and selection.
    • Enter structured data in dynamic field grids.
    • Apply automated rules and enrichment scripts for pricing, surcharges, validations, and advanced logic.
    • Collaborate with stakeholders to review, approve, and finalize configurations.
    • Generate accurate quotes that comply with all business and regulatory requirements.

    Example Use Case

    A sales representative configures a tailored network solution for a SaaS customer by separating hardware, installation, and support items via multi-BOM displays. Using nested tiers, the rep filters product options by business size, while the system automatically calculates surcharges and applies tax exemptions through enrichment scripts. After review and approval by the solution architect, a compliant, accurate quote is generated and delivered to the customer, streamlining the sales process.

    The configurator buyside user interface is a modern, intuitive platform designed to simplify the configuration of complex products and services. Integrated with Salesforce CPQ and other enterprise systems, it enables users to create, manage, and visualize detailed product configurations, ensuring accuracy and efficiency throughout the sales and fulfillment process.

    • The buyside user interface (UI) in ServiceNow CPQ is where sales reps or customers configure products in Salesforce CPQ.
    • Provides guided, attribute-based product configuration with rules, enrichments, and integrations.
    • Ensures accurate Bills of Materials (BOMs) are generated for quoting, manufacturing, or service operations.

    Key capabilities

    • Multi-BOM displays: Organize and visualize different types of line items (sales, installation, service, support) in separate, easily navigable sections.
    • Dynamic field grids: Collect and manage structured data (like sales figures or configuration attributes) in intuitive, tabular formats.
    • Guided configuration: Use sections, subsections, and nested tiers to break down complex product lists, making selection and customization effortless.
    • Rule-based automation: Automate calculations, field updates, and validation, ensuring accuracy and compliance with business logic.
    • Enrichment scripts: Apply advanced logic—such as surcharges or custom fields—at the end of the configuration process, before passing data to downstream systems.
    • No-code/low-code administration: Empower business admins to manage and update configurations without deep technical skills, using point-and-click tools

    Key personas

    • Sales Representative: Configure and quote tailored solutions for customers, using guided workflows and automated rules to ensure compliance and accuracy.
    • System Administrator: Manages platform setup, integrations, and ongoing maintenance, ensuring the configurator aligns with enterprise needs. Maintain and update configuration logic, manage integrations, and ensure the platform aligns with evolving business needs.
    • Solution Architect: Design scalable configuration models and validate technical feasibility for complex deals.
    • Business Process Owner: Oversee adoption, gather feedback, and drive continuous improvement.
    • End User (Customer or Partner): Interact with the configurator via self-service portals, customizing products and services to their requirements.

    Key benefits

    • Accelerated sales cycles: Guided, rule-based configuration reduces errors and rework, speeding up time-to-quote.
    • Enhanced user experience: Intuitive UI, dynamic filtering, and real-time feedback make even complex configurations simple.
    • Operational efficiency: No-code administration empowers business users, reducing IT dependency and admin costs.
    • Scalability and flexibility: Adapts to any industry, product complexity, or channel—supporting sales teams, partners, and self-service customers.
    • Governance and compliance: Automated rules and AI-driven governance ensure configurations meet business and regulatory requirements.

    Workflow

    1. Access the ServiceNow CPQ configurator: Users launch the configurator from Salesforce CPQ or a ServiceNow portal.
    2. Configure products and services:
      • Use multi-BOM displays to separate sales, installation, and support items.
      • Filter and select products using sections, subsections, and nested tiers.
      • Enter and organize data in field grids for structured input.
    3. Apply rules and automation:
      • Automated rules calculate prices, apply surcharges, and validate configurations.
      • Enrichment scripts add advanced logic, such as tax exemptions or shipping fees.
    4. Collaborate and finalize:
      • Stakeholders review and approve configurations as needed.
      • Generate and share quotes, ensuring all business and compliance requirements are met.

    Example

    Jack, a sales representative, receives a request from a SaaS customer for a tailored network solution.

    • Jack opens the opportunity in Salesforce CPQ and launches the configurator buyside user interface.
    • He uses multi-BOM displays to separate hardware, installation, and support items.
    • Jack filters router models by business size using nested tiers, ensuring the customer only sees relevant options.
    • The system automatically calculates surcharges and applies tax exemptions, thanks to built-in enrichment scripts as Jack adds installation services.
    • The solution architect reviews and approves the configuration.
    • Jack generates a quote, confident that all business rules, pricing, and compliance requirements have been met.
    • The customer receives a clear, tailored proposal, ready for approval.