Microsoft Dynamics 365 provides a powerful CRM and ERP foundation. However, when managing complex quotes, navigating approval workflows, and streamlining contract execution, Dynamics alone may not offer the depth required to close deals at scale.
That’s where Configure Price Quote (CPQ) and Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM) solutions come in.
Empowering sales teams with end-to-end revenue automation
When integrated into Dynamics 365, CPQ and CLM bring much-needed automation and visibility to revenue-generating workflows. Together with automated sales approval processes, they empower teams to eliminate inefficiencies, accelerate sales cycles, and collaborate more effectively across departments.
Bridging the gaps in Microsoft Dynamics 365 with CPQ and CLM
Sales teams often need more specialized functionality within Microsoft Dynamics to support quote generation, pricing approvals, and contract execution.
Where CPQ Enhances Dynamics 365
CPQ solutions fill a critical gap by enabling sales teams to:
- Configure complex product offerings using guided selling tools.
- Automate pricing logic and discount thresholds, reducing errors and protecting margins.
- Generate professional, error-free quotes that reflect approved pricing, terms, and bundles.
- Accelerate quote turnaround time, enabling faster response to buyer requests.
When CPQ is embedded within Dynamics 365, it provides a seamless user experience. Sales reps can generate quotes, access product catalogs, and apply approval rules within the Dynamics interface they’re already using.
Where CLM Enhances Dynamics 365
On the contract side, CLM platforms extend the value of Dynamics 365 by:
- Automating contract generation from approved quote data.
- Standardizing legal language and ensuring compliance with corporate policies.
- Managing redlines and legal reviews with full visibility into document versions and stakeholder feedback.
- Supporting e-signatures and storage of executed contracts within Dynamics 365.
With CPQ and CLM working together, every quote can seamlessly transition into a compliant, approved contract without leaving the Dynamics environment.
Automated approvals leverage CPQ-CLM integration for greater efficiency and accelerated deal closure.
5 approval workflows CPQ automates within Dynamics 365
Approval workflows are often where sales velocity slows down. Manual approvals via email, unclear responsibilities, and disconnected systems lead to delays and confusion. With CPQ seamlessly integrated into Dynamics 365, organizations can automate and standardize approval processes across departments.
Here are five essential approval workflows CPQ can automate:
1. Discount approvals
When a rep applies a discount that exceeds predefined thresholds, the quote is automatically routed to the appropriate manager or finance approver. Conditional logic ensures that approvals align with deal size, margin protection rules, and customer tier.
2. Legal approvals
If a quote includes non-standard terms or custom addendums, CPQ automatically routes it to Legal for review, ensuring compliance and reducing back-and-forth between departments.
3. Finance approvals
High-value deals, multi-year contracts, or non-standard payment terms can trigger Finance review. Finance teams can verify that payment schedules align with accounting policies and revenue recognition standards.
4. Deal desk approvals
Complex, strategic, or cross-functional deals may require deal desk oversight. CPQ automates the submission of such deals for review by centralized teams, helping Sales, Legal, Finance, and Operations collaborate efficiently.
5. Multi-level approvals
CPQ supports tiered approval hierarchies. For example, a deal over $250,000 may need approval from a Sales Manager, followed by a Regional VP and then the CFO. Each approval is triggered based on logic configured in the system and tracked within Dynamics 365.
These workflows reduce bottlenecks, eliminate manual handoffs, and ensure consistent, policy-aligned approvals from a single interface.
Connecting quotes to contracts: unified workflows in Dynamics 365
Integrating CPQ and CLM with Dynamics 365 creates a unified quote-to-contract process that’s efficient, transparent, and compliant.
Here’s how the workflow unfolds:
- Quote Creation: A sales rep configures a solution and generates a quote using CPQ embedded in Dynamics 365.
- Approval Automation: The quote is automatically routed through required approval workflows.
- Contract Generation: Once approved, the quote data flows directly into a CLM system to generate a contract based on predefined templates.
- Redlining and Negotiation: Legal teams and buyers collaborate on contract revisions through a secure platform.
- Signature and Storage: Executed contracts are digitally signed and stored in the Dynamics 365 environment, with full audit trails.
- Renewals and Amendments: CPQ and CLM work together to support renewals and changes, maintaining historical context and contract integrity.
This integrated approach simplifies the handoff between Sales, Legal, and Finance while giving leadership teams real-time visibility into every stage of the deal lifecycle.
Business impact for Dynamics 365 users
By embedding CPQ, CLM, and automated workflows into Dynamics 365, companies can unlock measurable business benefits:
Benefits of CPQ + CLM in Microsoft Dynamics 365
These improvements enhance efficiency and empower revenue teams to focus on strategy and customer value rather than administrative tasks.
Next steps for streamlining your quote approval process
If you’re a Microsoft Dynamics 365 Sales user looking to enhance your customer-centric sales process, here’s where to begin:
- Evaluate your current sales approval and contract workflows. Identify areas where deals are delayed.
- Map your sales process to CPQ and CLM capabilities to uncover automation opportunities.
- Engage a DealHub for a pilot or demo of our revenue platform. It unifies quote, contract management, billing, and subscription management for a synchronized quote-to-revenue process.
- Train your revenue team on how to use guided selling, automated workflows, and contract collaboration within Dynamics.
CPQ is transforming business
CPQ systems are designed for organizations looking to streamline the deal-making process, automate approval workflows, and gain control of sales processes as they scale. Transforming the way organizations do business, DealHub’s Agile CPQ offers Dynamics 365 users a unified platform that increases the scope of an organization’s offering, enables sales teams to thrive by simplifying the quoting process, and ensures a smooth adoption with guided selling while gaining more control over sales operations.
Microsoft Dynamics 365 becomes even more powerful when paired with integrated CPQ, CLM, and automated approval workflows. By unifying these technologies, organizations can close deals faster, improve operational alignment, and deliver a better buyer experience while working in the Dynamics ecosystem.
The future of sales operations is seamless, automated, and data-driven, and it starts with DealHub CPQ and CLM.
