Login to Customer Portal
Contact
Search
How Alimak Accelerated CPQ Product Modeling and Time-to-Value by Up to 80%
The company
A global leader in vertical access solutions
Alimak is a global leader in vertical access solutions, providing equipment and services that enable safe and efficient work at height. Operating in over 120 countries, Alimak focuses on improving safety, productivity, and operational efficiency across construction, industrial, and infrastructure environments.
THE CHALLENGE
Resource-intensive product modeling slows market introductions
As Alimak expanded its CPQ footprint across multiple product lines, regions, and manufacturing sites, scaling configuration models became a major bottleneck.
- Building a single product model could take 3–4 months.
- Limited availability of expert resources slowed progress.
- Modeling required manual, repetitive work, increasing risk of errors.
- CPQ was often implemented after product launch, delaying value.
- Engineers had limited early involvement in modeling.
Alimak needed a faster, more scalable way to build and maintain configuration models without increasing resource demands.
The Solution
Scaling with AI-assisted product modeling
Alimak approached AI product modeling with a practical, structured rollout. The team began by organizing product data, aligning naming conventions, and defining a consistent product structure to guide model creation. That preparation helped Tacton’s AI Product Modeling Assistant generate more accurate starting points and made it easier for Alimak to refine and scale models across multiple product families.
By evaluating the tool through hands-on testing, Alimak quickly saw how AI could reduce repetitive work, support faster model duplication, and accelerate rollout with less risk. The team gained several key capabilities:
- Data translation: Upload unstructured data (e.g., product sheets, technical documentation) and automatically generate structured configuration models.
- Model expansion: Quickly build and expand models across product families and regions using a shared foundation.
- Model refinement: Continuously refine models by adding new data, reducing manual effort and improving accuracy over time.
- Modeling scalability: Standardize product structures and naming conventions to ensure consistency and scalability across teams.
The Impact
Faster time to value with fewer risks
Alimak significantly accelerated its CPQ rollout and improved how teams work across the organization:
-
40–80% faster model creation: Reduced modeling time from months to weeks, dramatically improving time-to-value.
-
Reduced time-to-market: CPQ is now introduced earlier in the product lifecycle, supporting faster product launches.
-
Stronger cross-functional collaboration: Engineering teams are now involved earlier, improving product accuracy and alignment.
-
Reduced risk of errors: Automation minimizes manual repetition, lowering the likelihood of configuration mistakes.
-
Improved resource efficiency: Less time spent on model building allows teams to focus on testing, optimization, and innovation.
-
Better product understanding: Structured modeling enhances internal knowledge of product architecture and possible configurations.
“By using the tool, we can build models much faster, with less risk of mistakes, and spend more time testing and improving the system.” — Frank Klessons, Group Product Support Manager, Alimak
Looking Ahead
Future scalability in Tacton CPQ
Alimak plans to expand its use of AI across additional models and processes, including model updates and maintenance, potential AI-assisted testing, and pricing and data management. With AI-driven modeling, Alimak is moving toward a more scalable, efficient CPQ strategy, enabling faster innovation and broader adoption across the business.
Key Takeaways
Lessons in product modeling
Start with structured data
Well-organized product data and naming conventions are critical for maximizing AI effectiveness.
Shift effort from building to testing
AI reduces build time, enabling more focus on validation and continuous improvement.
Adoption drives value
Early testing and hands-on experience help teams quickly recognize the benefits and build confidence.