What is Price List Software and which are the most used?

Price list software is an essential digital tool for businesses aiming to optimize their pricing strategies and streamline catalog management. By automating the intricate processes of price list creation, updates, and customization, this software enhances operational efficiency and ensures accuracy and consistency across sales channels.

Furthermore, price list software meets diverse needs, from easy document creation to advanced data integration and analysis. It enables businesses to quickly respond to market changes and customize offers for specific customer groups. Ultimately, this flexibility helps maintain a competitive edge, making the software vital in today’s fast-paced business world.

Table of Contents

1. What Is Price List Software?
2. Types of Price Lists That Can Be Created
3. Types of Layout and Functionality That Can Be Automated
4. Automatic Processes Based on Data Files (Data Integration)
5. Examples of Implemented Features Requested by Customers

What Is Price List Software?

A Price list software can refer to different types of software, which can vary widely. Listed below are the most-used price list software choices, divided by type:

Price List Information Management Software

• Price List Rules Management and Quotation Software (PROS Pricing, Pricefx, Dynamic Pricing, KBMax, Vendavo, Qualtrics CoreXM, Verenia, Seller Republic, Wheelhouse Pricing, Zilliant, PriceEdge, Tillpoint, Flintfox, etc.)
• ERP Software (SAP, AS400, Netsuite ERP, Oracle ERP, SAGE, Microsoft Dynamics, etc.)
• Other Business App (Salesforce, Pipedrive CRM, Oracle Sales Cloud, SugarCRM, Zoho CRM, etc.) 

Price List Maker

• Price list Document Creation Software (from data to InDesign/PDF) (Pagination)
• From Data to PDF Software (Desygner, Flipsnack, PosterMyWall, Catalog Machine, etc.)

InDesign/QuarkXPress Plugin

• EasyCatalog, priint:suite, Silicon Paginator, InData e InCatalog, DataLinker, etc.

Price List Information Management Software

Price list rules management and quotation software are used to manage and analyze the best pricing strategies for products and services. This type of price list software allows sales teams to set customer-specific prices, discounts, and reductions. Another feature of these programs is “data analysis,” which allows the user to understand whether the adopted pricing strategies are working in terms of sales profitability.

Another use of price list software is to define initial price lists or to provide sales reps with dynamic prices based on a specific sales scenario. These tools are generally integrated with ERP or CRM. The most important features are:

• Creating customized prices for individual customers or customer categories based on volume, payment terms, contract conditions, customer value, sales goals, and other goals.
• Supporting pricing methods that help estimate how prices could change based on customer demand and the perceived value of the products and services offered by a company.
• Offering analytics to help sales teams determine the best pricing strategy and estimate the profitability of each sale, product line, customer category, etc.

In the price list software category, the most popular  PROS Pricing, Pricefx, Dynamic Pricing, KBMax, Vendavo, Qualtrics CoreXM, Verenia, Seller Republic, Wheelhouse Pricing, Zilliant, PriceEdge, Tillpoint, and Flintfox.

Price List Maker

With the term price list maker, we are going to identify two types of software:

• Price list document creation software (Pagination)
• From data to PDF software (Desygner, Flipsnack, PosterMyWall, Catalog Machine, etc.)

So, What are the Differences?

The main difference between price list document creation software and from data to PDF software is that the former allows you to use user-created InDesign templates and make them automatic.

Specifically, this means that the InDesign template is linked to the user’s data file, and when the user updates the data, both InDesign and PDF files are automatically generated. Conversely, from data to PDF Software, on the other hand, does not allow you to use InDesign templates, but the user must choose from a range of templates already built by the tool developer.

Price List Document Creation Software

Price list document creation software allows you to design your own custom template using Adobe InDesign (desktop publishing and typesetting software). Subsequently, you can link this file to a business application (ERP, PIM, E-commerce, CRM) via API or to a data file (Excel, CSV, TXT, XML) containing the information you want to insert in the price list. 

Updating Price Lists

Using this type of price list software, whenever you want to update the price list, just upload the data file and product pictures (if not included in the data file in URL format) to the cloud via the online interface or by clicking a button on your application (if developed an integration via API).

In a few minutes, you will have InDesign and PDF files optimized both for the web and for printing. Additionally, you will not have to manually enter the prices and other information that must be updated each time; this process will take place automatically in the price list list software. 

Features

The main features of this software are:

• The true, fully automated publishing process
  Create PDF and InDesign files through a fully automated system. The only operation required is to load the data file (if you don’t use the API).
• Complete data import
  Easily import your CSV, Excel, TXT, Google spreadsheets, and XML files as they are without adapting them to a predefined data structure.
• Enjoy design freedom to create product templates
  Enjoy the freedom to create the best layouts for your products or services (within InDesign) without having to think about how to make them automatic.
• Custom publishing rules
  Enable all the industry-specific publishing rules you need.
• Faster creation of customized price lists for customer, language, currency or state/region
  You can create unlimited documents at the speed of light (the average throughput is up to 100 pages per minute).
• Automatic detection of invalid data
  Price list document creation software includes an automatic analysis of the data source to find missing fields, duplicate part numbers, incorrect or misspelled field names, invalid values, and much more.
• Reduction of document creation and updating times
  Speed up the publishing process from days/months to minutes with a consequent time-to-market reduction.
• Reduction of errors in documents to zero
  No data manipulation is required.
• Significant savings on production costs
  These savings come from the time saved in both the design and revision processes.
• Mesh together structured and hand-crafted documents
  This enables you to integrate your hand-crafted covers, creating perfect documents that are always up-to-date and effective. You can use the InDesign Book feature to easily integrate front and back covers by uploading them to the cloud.
• Anyone in your company can use it easily
  No specific training is required.
• Available from anywhere and anytime (as it is cloud-based).
• Flexible customer care
  If you need to make changes to the template, just send the modified InDesign file to the support team or explain the change that needs to be implemented.
• Increase sales
  In the price list software, you can create more documents more easily, in more languages and currencies, or with specific product ranges. Importantly, this works perfectly for all the regions where you are already doing business and for regions you currently don’t reach but where you want to close new deals.

Enhancing Price List Management with Catalog Automation

Catalog automation represents a transformative shift in how businesses manage their product catalogs and price lists. Moreover, catalog automation enhances the efficiency of creating and managing product catalogs and price lists by automating their production.  

Additionally, this technology automates data integration, significantly reducing manual input and ensuring product details are consistently accurate and current. It serves as a cornerstone for businesses seeking to streamline operations and minimize errors in their catalog management processes.

Seamless Integration for Data Accuracy

Catalog automation thrives on the seamless integration of data. This technology leverages APIs and data files (such as Excel, CSV, TXT, XML) to feed product information into the price list document creation software, drastically reducing the need for manual data entry.

With price list software, the time required to publish updated price lists and catalogs significantly decreases, enhancing operational efficiency. This ensures that every price list reflects the most current data, reducing discrepancies and enhancing customer trust.

Improved Operational Scalability

Using catalog automation, companies can easily scale their operations without compromising on the quality or accuracy of their product listings. Additionally, this system enables businesses to manage a larger volume of data and handle more complex pricing structures efficiently, leading to improved market responsiveness and better customer engagement.

Business Impact and Customer Experience

Automated catalog and price list management in the price list software streamline internal processes and enhance the overall customer experience. Customers benefit from up-to-date, consistent product information and pricing, which helps them make informed purchasing decisions. Moreover, businesses can leverage this automation to introduce new products to the market more swiftly, staying competitive and responsive to customer needs.

Error Reduction

One key benefit of catalog automation is its role in minimizing errors. Moreover, by automating the catalog processes, businesses can significantly reduce the manual effort required to update price lists and product information. This minimizes human errors and frees up resources to focus on other critical aspects of business operations, such as customer service and product development.

Streamlined Operations for Cost Savings

By reducing the need for manual data entry and updates, catalog automation cuts operational costs. Additionally, it frees up resources that can be better spent on strategic planning and customer engagement, thereby driving business growth.

Empowering Dynamic Pricing with Real-Time Data

Catalog automation supports dynamic pricing strategies by providing real-time data. This enables businesses to adjust their prices in response to market changes, inventory levels, and customer demand, ensuring they remain competitive. Moreover, it facilitates faster updates to product offerings, which is particularly beneficial for industries where prices fluctuate frequently based on external conditions.

From Data to PDF Software

The price list software is an online software that allows you to create a price list in flipbook and HTML format. Furthermore, flipbooks can be embedded on your site and/or downloaded in PDF, JPG, or PNG formats. Price list software allows you to choose the template you want to use from a list of templates made available by the service. You can then modify the template online by entering your information.

Most of the templates are available upon paid registration, but you can register for free and try out a few to understand how the service works. Moreover, in addition to creating price lists, some of these pieces of software also allow you to generate other types of documents, such as flyers, logos, business cards, etc. Services tend to be sold on a monthly or annual subscription basis. The main features of this type of price list software are as follows:

• Create a price list in flipbook and HTML format
  Flipbooks can be embedded on your site and/or downloaded in formats such as PDF, JPG, and PNG (often for a fee)
• Choose only predefined templates (free or upon payment)

• Do all template editing online

We’ve found the following as the most popular price list software: Desygner, Flipsnack, PosterMyWall, and Catalog Machine. Here are some screenshots of the different web interfaces.

Desygner

In this price list software, saving to PDF, PNG, or JPEG is free

Flipsnack

Saving to PDF, PNG, or JPG is a Premium feature in this price list software, and an upgrade is required if you want to use this feature.

PosterMyWall

Saving files for printed items and online use is a Premium feature in this price list software as well.

Catalog Machine

InDesign/QuarkXPress Plugins

Several InDesign plugins or QuarkXPress plugins on the market allow you to create price lists automatically. Unlike price list document creation software, these plugins, which operate fully automatically, require installation first. Manufacturers often sell them under a license valid for only one computer. Furthermore, the license frequently depends on the version of InDesign/QuarkXPress you wish to use; thus, you must also update the plugin (for a fee) whenever you update your desktop publishing and typesetting software. 

Challenges and Limitations of Using InDesign/QuarkXPress Plugins

Developing a good understanding of the plugins is complex and difficult. The steep learning curve often imposes some limitations on the final graphic layout, resulting in a document that could be less complete or less attractive than you require.

These limitations often translate into accepting a partially automated document, which requires additional manual editing. A graphic designer must perform this manual work, increasing the time and cost to complete each revision.

Furthermore, when changes have to be implemented in the document’s structures, you’ll often find that you do not retain the knowledge necessary to complete even the initial setup. This skill falls into the “use it or lose it” category.

Features of InDesign/QuarkXPress Plugins

These plugins usually provide the following features: 

• Data Import
  Import CSV, Excel, Google Spreadsheets, and XML files.
• Modify your data within the plugin
  You can manage your data in a spreadsheet-style panel within the plugin.
• Bidirectional link (data source – InDesign document)
  Link your data to an InDesign/QuarkXPress document. If you connect the data source to your template, your document will always be updated. The link is bidirectional, so you can make changes to the data in the document.
• Product templates creation
  You can create templates and easily drag them from the library to the page, and the template will then be populated with live data. 

Advantages of Price List Document Creation Software

The features that we find only in Price List Document Creation Software are:

• Very fast cloud-based processing
  This means the price list software works from anywhere, 24/7. Whenever you want to create a document, the computer you are working with will not freeze due to high RAM usage to allow InDesign to complete the layout but will rather continue to work normally.
• Automatic data transformation (data integration) 

• Managing chapters

• Mesh together structured and hand-crafted documents
  This enables you to integrate your hand-crafted covers, creating perfect documents that are always up-to-date and effective.
• Automatic exporting in multiple formats
  At the end of the creation process, simply click on a link in an email to get several output files: INDD, IDML, package, web-ready PDF, and print-ready PDF.
• Avoid additional hardware and software costs
  Price list document creation software only works online (cloud-based). This means that you don’t need to update your hardware when the software is updated, and you won’t have to buy a new license when you update your InDesign version
• Avoid training the graphic designer to use the plugin
  Price list document creation software is a turnkey service. Just load the data source and, if necessary, the product images to create the documents in a few minutes.
• Enable business teams to launch paginations easily
  Price list document creation software is designed for anyone who can use the basic functions of a computer. It also allows graphic designers to quickly create executive files (INDD, IDML, packages) that can be worked with offline.

Take advantage of the flexibility of the customer service
If you need to make changes to the template in the price list software, just send the modified InDesign file to the support team or explain the change that needs to be implemented.

Latest Features

You can also obtain a few of the latest features in the price list software by using plugins, adding custom development, or installing additional modules. However, price list document creation software offers unmatched completeness and convenience.

Among the most popular InDesign plugins we’ve found are EasyCatalog, priint:suite, Silicon Paginator, InData e InCatalog, and DataLinker.

EasyCatalog

This is one of the best-known databases publishing InDesign plugins. It allows you to create catalogs, price lists, brochures, or any other publication that requires a combination of product data, images, and Adobe InDesign templates. Moreover, it includes most of the features mentioned previously, such as data import and the possibility of using multiple templates. It also gives you the option to check for errors within the plugin and connect any ODBC-compliant database.

Priint:suite

The priint:comet InDesign plugin allows you to create data-driven publications, such as catalogs, leaflets, spec sheets, and weekly adverts. The most-used features are flow layout, raster layout, free layout, automatic content updating, automatic content exchange (e.g., product swaps), intelligent reorganization of page content, page stretches without detail loss, and supporting a digital correction process. 

In addition to automation on the desktop workstation, the priint:suite also offers server-supported automation functions. You can connect it to your PIM, MDM, or DAM system or wherever you manage your content and your layout system (InDesign or Illustrator) to automate your processes.

Silicon Paginator

Silicon Paginator allows you to automatically create complex documents using the Adobe InDesign Server. Furthermore, it pulls data from different sources to generate customized documents such as catalogs, directories, financial statements, insurance booklets, and so on.

InData

InData and Xdata, respectively a plug-in for Adobe InDesign and an XTension for QuarkXPress, let you create data-driven publishing documents. You can create a template with rules explaining how to format text and graphics; the plug-in then creates your document.

Moreover, InData and Xdata have a powerful English-like scripting language. You can force page breaks, generate headers/footers, apply master pages, and lots more. InData/Xdata provides you with a scripting language to build simple or complex rules for including or excluding fields, pictures, and static text.

InCatalog

InCatalog and Xcatalog offer data linker panels as plug-ins for Adobe InDesign and XTensions for QuarkXPress, respectively. These panels enable you to link your documents to your data sources. Moreover, you can easily update prices, graphics, or product information, change versions, or swap languages.

DataLinker

DataLinke is another solution for creating data-driven publications like catalogs and price lists. It includes most of the features of the other plugins. However, the noteworthy feature of DataLinker is the possibility of writing simple scripts using InDesign’s XML Rule scripting feature.

Comparison of Functionality by Type of Software

Since the range of options is complex, we decided to make a summary scheme of the common and peculiar features of various price list software.

Types of Price Lists That Can Be Created

If you wish to create a price list, the most complete price list software you can find is Pagination (as you can see from the comparison table). Pagination is a turnkey and customizable piece of software that allows you to create any type of price list quickly. To illustrate, let’s see some examples:

• A price list for each product category or a unique version that combines all categories
• A price list for each supplier or a unique version that includes all suppliers
• For the wholesale industry, Pagination creates a data file to be delivered to suppliers, who compile it according to customer guidelines.
  In this way, our customer can quickly create their own price list without having to put together data from different spreadsheets.
• Multilingual price lists (one language per price list) with the same or different product assortment (only products where there is a translation are paginated). Each language corresponds to a field (Excel column).
• Multilingual price lists (two or more languages ​​in the same price list)
  Each language corresponds to a field (Excel column).
• Lists with different prices (e.g., one per customer/market)from the same data file (Multiprice), with the same or different product assortment (only the lists where the price is present are paginated). For example, you could have Price List 1 with retail price and Price List 2 with price to suppliers. We use a single process to obtain multiple exports simultaneously.
• Price lists with different currencies from the same data file (multi-price currency) with the same or different product assortment (only the lists where the price is present are paginated). Each column/field corresponds to a currency.
• Price lists with price groups by finish
  The right solution for companies that make furniture/design.
• Price lists with groupings by price
  The right solution for companies that produce paints.

Price List Software and Updating Process updating prices is required

• Price Update
  The customer maps the prices independently in their InDesign file. The system generates the new price list automatically by entering the name of the corresponding Excel cell and utilizing Pagination to upload the InDesign file and the data file to our cloud. This service is suitable for very complex price lists from the design/layout point of view and works for any type of document.
• Price Update Autodetect
  The customer already has an InDesign file and does not want to map the price fields. If the document allows it (after analysis by the Pagination team), the price update can be done automatically using Pagination. Subsequently, the InDesign and updated data files are uploaded to our cloud, and the new price list is automatically generated.
  This service only works for certain types of documents. This is only possible if the original document already contains a rule (in InDesign) to associate the data file with the graphic element (the rule must be constant for the whole document). For example, all prices share the same paragraph style.

Updating Different Fields with Price List Software

• Multi-field update
  The customer maps all fields independently in their InDesign file. Enter the name of the corresponding Excel cell and use Pagination (upload the InDesign file and the data file to our cloud), and the new price list is then automatically generated.
• Update Enterprise (plus InDesign Tag Generator and Excel Generator)
  The customer writes the translations in the Excel file (generated with the Excel Generator – see next point), entering one language per column. Upload the data file to our cloud, and the price lists will be automatically generated, one per language.
  • Just design the template in your language, and the InDesign Tag Generator will automatically tag the InDesign document.
  • Suitable for those who must generate price lists with layouts that are very different from each other and that differ in language or currency.
  • This service works for any type of document.

Excel Generator
Our Cloud generates the corresponding Excel file to be used for the Update Enterprise when the customer uploads an InDesign file.

Types of Layout and Functionality That Can Be Automated

Price list software like Pagination can automate templates and product layouts of almost any type:

• One column, two columns, three columns, etc.
• Alphabetical or numerical index
• Tables with double or triple headers
• Prices in columns
• Modular layouts

It can also automate the following features:

• Color change upon change of category
• Image import via URL link
• Page break at category change
• Associate a URL with an image or text (e.g., a link associated with the item number)
• Barcode or QR code creation
• Ability to use your own covers and static pages (InDesign Book Functionality)
• Data files and images can be imported to the cloud automatically using the API, and paginated files can be exported to predefined folders (hot folders).

Automatic Processes Based on Data Files (Data Integration)

Furthermore, Pagination can implement the following automatic processes:

• Validation of data

• • The presence of all the fields necessary for the layout of the predetermined template
  • The type of content inserted in a cell complies with what is established, E.g., if a field can be “white” or “black,” it cannot be “red.”
  • If there are repeated headers
  • If there are empty headers

• Cleaning up the data file

• • Elimination of white spaces
  • Elimination of empty lines
  • Elimination of empty columns

• Ad hoc manipulation of data

Examples:

• Extraction of the information necessary for layout if the customer is unable to export the data file with the ideal data structure. E.g., Divide information contained in the same field into multiple fields
• Concatenation of cells
• Mathematical operations
• Custom rules

• We check that the names of the assets (images, vector files, PDF, InDesign, etc.) contain only valid characters (a-zA-Z0-9 -_! &).

• We check if all the assets mentioned in the data file are physically present in the cloud.

• We check if the following file types are corrupt: JPEG, PNG, WebP, TIFF, GIF, and SVG images.

• Field abstraction
  We divide the header and related values (LabelAtt and Att) of the fields in the data file into two fields. This makes the mapping of the fields much easier, and it is possible to paginate the same document using data files with different headings or of a different nature.

Customized Notification Management

We can send notifications relating to the different phases of the processes (result of data validation, start of the process, end of the process):

• By email
• Via webhook (sending REST message to an endpoint provided by the Customer)

Examples of Implemented Features Requested by Customers

Pagination can develop customized solutions for its customers. Below is a list of features and solutions adopted to meet various project requirements:

Examples Set 1

• Automatic creation of price lists based on pre-established data files
  We use a rules file (CSV) developed by the customer to create the necessary documents, taking information from the data file containing the products.
• Automatic comparison of paginated files to speed up the pagination process
  Pagination has developed a feature that speeds up the document creation process by comparing the files that require pagination with those previously paginated. As a result, it only generates documents containing changes or new ones.
• Send file output via FTP
  Pagination sends metadata files to the customer’s server via FTP. The customer processes these to download the InDesign and PDF files as needed.
• Different groupings by colors and products
  The layout consists of two parts representing two different groups of information relating to the same product: a list of colors divided by type of material for the product variants and a table with product specifications.
• Inserting images into empty spaces
  Pagination has developed a feature that speeds up the document creation process by comparing files that must be paginated with previously paginated ones and generating only the documents containing changes or new ones.
• Updating multiple indexes (TOC) on a single page
  The price list creates different indexes (TOC) with different grouping parameters (by series, category, etc.).
  
• Center alignment with respect to the page and equidistant distribution of a group of graphic objects
  The system automatically aligns the graphic elements representing the products in the center of the page and distributes them evenly to fill the catalog page.
• Inserting text in HTML format
  TXT files containing HTML text are inserted, including bulleted lists and tables.

Examples Set 2

• Table height justification algorithm and optimization for the number of pages
  When customers need to arrange their products within a predefined number of pages, we have developed an algorithm that performs this function by recovering empty space at the end of each page to uniformly fill all the pages.
• Automatic generation of single chapters
  The customer can paginate a single chapter without an index and static pages to see how the products are paginated.
• Automatic generation of a catalog composed of the selected chapters
  The customer can select the chapters they want to assemble in the data file.
• Optimization of the page by resizing graphic elements chosen by the customer
  Pagination has developed an algorithm that allows you to lay out a predefined number of product layouts on a page, keeping the dimensions of an element decided by the customer fixed (e.g., table, image, description, etc.) and resizing and/or moving the remaining elements.
• Automatic import of images via URL link
  Images are automatically downloaded by Pagination and presented as URL links to the data file uploaded by the customer to its cloud.
• Abstraction through data integration of the data file
  We divide the header and related values ​​(LabelAtt and Att) of the fields in the data file into two fields. This makes the mapping of the fields much easier, and it is possible to paginate the same document using data files with different headings or of a different nature.
• Inserting images into empty spaces
  Pagination has developed a feature that allows you to insert images automatically into the empty spaces generated at the end of the first pagination cycle. The result is that the document does not have white spaces at the end of the column or page.

Examples Set 3

• Uniform distribution of product layouts
  The product layouts (image, product name, description, and table) are distributed evenly on the page so as not to create empty space.
• Creation of a data file containing the article code, price, and page number
  At the end of pagination, we create a data file containing all the products paginated, including the following fields: article code, price, and page number.
• Automatic creation of custom Excel files
  The customer uploads several Excel files to their server. Pagination has developed a feature that allows you to automatically create new data files, one for each customer, extracting the necessary information from the different data files (language and price). Subsequently, the generated Excel files are used to paginate documents with Pagination and are imported into the Customer’s SAP system.
• Automatic creation of multilingual documents whose master template (InDesign format) is created by the customer 
• The customer writes the translations in the Excel file 
• Automatic creation of multilingual documents whose master template (InDesign format) is created by the customer
  The customer writes the translations in the Excel file (generated with the Excel Generator – see next point), entering one language per column. Upload the data file to our cloud, and the price lists are automatically generated, one per language. Suitable for those who must generate price lists both with layouts that are very different from each other and that differ in language or currency.
  • This service works for any type of document.
• Automatic creation of an Excel file from an InDesign file
  Our cloud generates the corresponding Excel file for Update Enterprise when the customer uploads an InDesign file.