Multiple Approvals Required

Multiple Approvals Required

Using Mobileforce CPQ, you can require approval, typically from a user with a managerial or supervisory role, for all quotes or quotes that meet specific criteria. However, some organizations may require escalated levels of approval/multi-tiered approval.

Example:

An organization requires escalated levels of approval for every quote, first from the manager and then the VP of Sales. So when a seller sends a quote for approval, Mobileforce CPQ notifies the manager of the required approval. If the manager approves the quote, Mobileforce CPQ notifies the VP of Sales of the required approval. If the VP of Sales approves the quote, the seller is notified of the approval and can complete the processing of the quote.

Submitting for Approval

When the Seller submits the quote for approval in a multi-tiered configuration, the changes to the process are only visible from the Approvals tab of the quote.

Example:

In the above screenshot, the quote has already been approved by the manager, as seen in the Approval History (highlighted in teal). However, it has yet to be approved by the VP of Sales.

Configuring Mobileforce CPQ

To configure multi-tiered approval, the Mobileforce Admin must do the following:

Approver Groups

The Approver Groups page allows admins to specify a group of one or more users that can approve a quote.

To create multi-tiered approver groups, you must not only create two or more groups, but also you must ensure that the Level is increased for each escalating tier.

Example:

The Mobileforce CPQ Admin creates an Approver Group for all employees at the manager level, giving the group a Level value of 1.

Additionally, the Admin creates a second Approver Group for the VP of Sales, with a Level value of 2.

If the business model changes, requiring CEO approval for all sales, then the Admin would create a third Approver Group where the Level is greater than 2.

Approval Rules

Next, you must ensure that the approval rules for the quote template reflect your approver groups.

Open the Approval tab of the desired Quote Template.

You must create an Approval Rule for each approval tier who must approve the quote before the seller can save it to the source CRM. Additionally, you must ensure that the Order is increased for each escalating tier.

Example:

The Mobileforce CPQ Admin creates an Approval Rule for the Management Approval Approval Group, where the Order is 10, and a second rule for the VP Approver Group where the Order is 20.

If the business model changes, requiring CEO approval for all sales, then the Admin would create a third Approver Group where the Order is greater than 20.