Case Study

Highstep builds a modern CPQ Tool for Brent Material

Executive Summary

Brent Material, a long-standing leader in the construction materials industry, relied on a dated desktop quoting tool that made their sales process inefficient and disconnected from their ERP system.

Highstep partnered with Brent Material to modernize this process by developing a custom, web-based Configure, Price, Quote (CPQ) solution. The new tool integrates directly with their ERP, eliminates manual work, introduces modern security controls, and provides built-in reporting for data-driven decisions.

As a result, Brent Material has achieved significant time savings, improved operational efficiency, and stronger governance over their quoting process.

Highstep builds a modern CPQ Tool for Brent Material 5

About

About Brent Material

Brent Material supplies contractors and prospects with a wide range of construction materials. Quoting is central to their business — whether responding to requests or proactively offering bids. Their quoting process, however, was limited by an outdated desktop application that had not kept pace with modern technology or the needs of a growing business.

Legacy system limitations

The desktop application was old, difficult to maintain, and lacked modern functionality.

ERP disconnect

The system did not integrate with their ERP, forcing manual re-entry of data and creating double work.

Limited usability

The tool was only accessible on desktops, restricting flexibility for the sales team.

Manual processes

Generating and emailing quotes required multiple steps outside of the system.

The company needed a web-based CPQ solution, integrated with their ERP, that could streamline operations, strengthen security, and scale with their business.

Approach

Highstep’s Approach

Highstep began with discovery sessions alongside Brent Material’s users, including the finance controller, to understand the quoting process and define desired features. A unique challenge emerged: the old system had to be reverse-engineered to uncover how it worked before it could be rebuilt.

Highstep’s solution design focused on:

Direct integration with Brent Material’s ERP system.
Enabling quotes to be emailed directly from the CPQ tool.
Eliminating duplicate data entry by syncing workflows across systems.
Delivering a modern, web-based interface for ease of use.
Embedding modern security access controls to safeguard sensitive data.
Implementing built-in reporting for real-time business insights.

Integration and migration

Mapping and migrating data from the legacy tool into the new ERP environment.

Testing

Writing detailed test scripts to validate data integrity and ensure system accuracy.

Training

Using a train-the-trainer model to build confidence and adoption within Brent Material’s sales team.

Enhanced security

The new CPQ tool leverages modern authentication and role-based access controls, protecting sensitive pricing and customer data.

Built-in reporting

Dynamic reporting capabilities were added, allowing decision-makers to quickly spot trends, opportunities, and potential issues. With faster access to accurate, up-to-date data, managers can act on insights before small problems escalate.

Time savings

Quotes now go out significantly faster, enabling sales reps to respond promptly to customers and prospects.

Operational efficiency

ERP integration eliminated manual re-entry, cutting down on errors and duplicate work.

Improved security

Sensitive data is now safeguarded with modern access controls.

Data-driven culture

Reporting tools give leadership real-time insights, helping identify opportunities and address issues proactively.

Scalable foundation

The web-based platform ensures Brent Material is prepared for future growth and enhancements.

The new CPQ tool transformed Brent Material’s quoting process from a siloed, outdated system into an integrated, efficient, and future-ready solution.

Why Highstep

Brent Material chose Highstep because of our proven ability to modernize legacy tools while integrating with complex ERP systems.

Our collaborative approach, hands-on discovery sessions, and technical expertise ensured a solution that not only solved immediate challenges but also created a foundation for long-term growth.