Customer Finance Programs Key to Increasing Sales
While studies show that technology spending is once again on the
rise, there's a reason you haven't heard a collective sigh of relief
from the software industry. While many budgets are once again allowing
for the purchase of enterprise software, hardware and peripherals,
there's no question that today's purchasers are smarter, savvier and
more selective than ever.
Even though the purse strings have loosened, competition is at an all-time high. It's no longer enough to provide a software solution that meets the potential customer's needs, or even to provide it at the best price. Today, smart vendors are constantly looking for ways to stay one step ahead of the competition.
While increasing sales is always part of
a competitive business strategy, software development companies often
overlook a simple method of accomplishing this objective - making it
easier for customers to buy.
One option increasing in popularity among software vendors is to establish a customized finance program that provides no-hassle financing solutions for your prospective clients. In addition to "one-stop shopping," your customers can reap the other benefits of financing that make it easier for them to commit to technology purchases, including:
100 percent financing -- Many finance companies offer 100 percent financing for the cost of software and maintenance contracts, which requires no down payment. Because customers don't have to come up with a down payment, they can make a purchase immediately, rather than hold up the sale with a "wait and see" mentality that often accompanies a dip into cash reserves. It also allows your customers to invest more capital in revenue-generating activities.
Improved cash flow management - With software financing, your customers can conserve capital for reinvesting in their business and improve budgeting accuracy through fixed monthly payments. Financing also makes it easy for customers to access multiple-year budgets by paying for the benefit of your software over its useful life.
Flexible payment structures - Customers can optimize project budgets by taking advantage of the flexible payment structures available through financing to maximize the return on their investment. For example, with software financing, customers can ramp up payments to match the revenue generation of a new technology project that is utilizing the software being financed.
While financing provides a clear advantage for the buyer, when a program is well planned, the list of advantages for software developers, distributors and resellers can be even more beneficial.
Improved Customer Relations
As noted above, financing packages add value for the customer by enhancing their buying power, offering greater flexibility and providing convenience. It also increases their satisfaction through the ability to leverage their budget to acquire the total technology solution - which could include software, hardware, service, support, integration and training - rather than only the parts and pieces they could afford through an outright purchase.
Shorter Sales Cycles
On the sales side, any customer who expresses some interest in a product seems like a good lead. However, there are many times when the question of how to pay for the new software prevents the sale from happening. Time lost on dead-end deals can be eliminated when financing is part of the sale, as the ability to pay is immediately considered in the equation. In addition, many finance companies now offer fast, easy credit and documentation processes, so you can complete a sale quickly and avoid costly processing delays.
Another benefit is that as software needs are being discussed in the sales process, the finance specialist can work with the chief financial officer or accountant to determine which financing option and payment plan best suits business needs and cash flow.
Direct customer financing can also save software vendors millions of dollars each year by reducing the number of days a sale is outstanding. Consider a company with quarterly cash sales of $50 million. On average, it can take 45 days to collect payment. Assuming a borrowing rate of 6 percent, the 45-day lag in payment results in a carrying cost of $371,204. If the same numbers are run with a leasing finance program that generates payment within 2 days, the carrying cost drops $82,253, saving the company more than $288,951 in one business quarter.
Even though the purse strings have loosened, competition is at an all-time high. It's no longer enough to provide a software solution that meets the potential customer's needs, or even to provide it at the best price. Today, smart vendors are constantly looking for ways to stay one step ahead of the competition.
While increasing sales is always part of
a competitive business strategy, software development companies often
overlook a simple method of accomplishing this objective - making it
easier for customers to buy.One option increasing in popularity among software vendors is to establish a customized finance program that provides no-hassle financing solutions for your prospective clients. In addition to "one-stop shopping," your customers can reap the other benefits of financing that make it easier for them to commit to technology purchases, including:
100 percent financing -- Many finance companies offer 100 percent financing for the cost of software and maintenance contracts, which requires no down payment. Because customers don't have to come up with a down payment, they can make a purchase immediately, rather than hold up the sale with a "wait and see" mentality that often accompanies a dip into cash reserves. It also allows your customers to invest more capital in revenue-generating activities.
Improved cash flow management - With software financing, your customers can conserve capital for reinvesting in their business and improve budgeting accuracy through fixed monthly payments. Financing also makes it easy for customers to access multiple-year budgets by paying for the benefit of your software over its useful life.
Flexible payment structures - Customers can optimize project budgets by taking advantage of the flexible payment structures available through financing to maximize the return on their investment. For example, with software financing, customers can ramp up payments to match the revenue generation of a new technology project that is utilizing the software being financed.
While financing provides a clear advantage for the buyer, when a program is well planned, the list of advantages for software developers, distributors and resellers can be even more beneficial.
Improved Customer Relations
As noted above, financing packages add value for the customer by enhancing their buying power, offering greater flexibility and providing convenience. It also increases their satisfaction through the ability to leverage their budget to acquire the total technology solution - which could include software, hardware, service, support, integration and training - rather than only the parts and pieces they could afford through an outright purchase.
Shorter Sales Cycles
On the sales side, any customer who expresses some interest in a product seems like a good lead. However, there are many times when the question of how to pay for the new software prevents the sale from happening. Time lost on dead-end deals can be eliminated when financing is part of the sale, as the ability to pay is immediately considered in the equation. In addition, many finance companies now offer fast, easy credit and documentation processes, so you can complete a sale quickly and avoid costly processing delays.
Another benefit is that as software needs are being discussed in the sales process, the finance specialist can work with the chief financial officer or accountant to determine which financing option and payment plan best suits business needs and cash flow.
Direct customer financing can also save software vendors millions of dollars each year by reducing the number of days a sale is outstanding. Consider a company with quarterly cash sales of $50 million. On average, it can take 45 days to collect payment. Assuming a borrowing rate of 6 percent, the 45-day lag in payment results in a carrying cost of $371,204. If the same numbers are run with a leasing finance program that generates payment within 2 days, the carrying cost drops $82,253, saving the company more than $288,951 in one business quarter.
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