Introduction 

StrataVAR PqW operates within Salesforce (or as an embedded interface for non-Salesforce users) and provides a structured workspace for building, editing, pricing, and exporting customer quotes.

This article introduces the PqW console and explains how its primary tabs, action panels, and data grids work together throughout the Quote-to-Customer process. Rather than focusing on step-by-step actions, this article helps you understand where each activity takes place and when a specific tab or action becomes relevant.

Where This Article Fits in the User Journey

This article is typically read:

• After: Introduction to PqW – Quote-to-Customer Process
• Before: Assembling a Quote, Editing Quote Items, Pricing and Discounting, and Exporting a Quote

By the end, you should be able to navigate the PqW console confidently and know which screen or tab to use at each stage of quote creation.

High-Level Layout of the PqW

The PqW interface is accessed within Salesforce and consists of two distinct layers:

Salesforce Org Navigation (Host Environment)

This includes:

1. Object tabs such as Accounts, Opportunities, and Quotes.
2. The App Launcher (9-dot menu), used to switch between applications like Sales, PqW, PrW, and other Salesforce or custom apps.

These navigation elements are part of Salesforce and may vary based on user role and org configuration. They are not controlled by PqW.

PqW Console

The PqW console is where quote-related activities are performed. Whichever tab you're on, the console keeps the same three-part frame. What changes from tab to tab is the controls in the middle — the ribbon and grid stay put.

1. Action ribbon — the row of workflow tabs across the top (Select BoMs, Copy BoM Items, Edit, Assign Supplier, Summarize, Go To Quote, Export Quote). It stays visible on every screen and is how you move through the quoting process. Each tab is explained individually later in this article.
2. Tab action area — the controls and buttons directly below the ribbon. These change depending on the active tab — for example, Quick Add to Quote on Select BoMs, Copy Selected BoM Items to Quote on Copy BoM Items, or Set Package and the quote summary band on the pricing-related tabs. Because they're tab-specific, each is covered in that tab's section below.
3. Data grid — the table of BoMs or quote items that fills most of the screen. It appears on every tab and shares a common set of behaviors (filtering, sorting, inline editing), described under Data Grids and Inline Controls.

The screenshots above show the same frame across different tabs: notice that the ribbon and grid remain consistent while the action area changes.

The rest of this article walks through the ribbon tabs in the order you typically use them.

Entry Points into the PqW Quoting Workflow

Before you work in the console, BoMs must be brought into the system. This happens through an entry point outside the console — most commonly Import BoM, accessed from the Salesforce Opportunity record which bridges Opportunity-level actions and the PqW quoting workflow.

Import BoMs (Opportunity-Level Entry Point)

From an Opportunity, use the Import BoM action to bring BoM data into PqW. This lets you:

• Select the import mode (API or File).
• Choose the source (for example, Cisco or a supported distributor).
• Select the relevant profile and BoM type.
• Optionally associate the import with an existing Quote ID, which acts as the container quote.

Once the import is completed, the imported BoMs become available within PqW. These BoMs can be reviewed and selected from the Select BoMs or BoM Items tabs. You can then proceed with standard quote assembly, editing, and pricing actions.

Import BoM prepares BoM data for quoting. It does not create or finalize a quote on its own, but it enables downstream actions within the PqW workspace.

Contextual Action Tabs (PqW Console)

Once you are working within a customer quote, you can select Copy BoM to Quote and launch PqW interface. A horizontal action ribbon appears on top. These tabs guide you through the logical sequence of quote creation.

Not all tabs are active at the same time — availability depends on the stage of the workflow.

Select BoMs

• Purpose: Identify and select one or more BoMs to include in the quote.
• When you use it: At the beginning of the quoting process, after BoMs are imported, before any items are added.
• What happens next: After selecting BoMs, you can copy items into the quote for editing and pricing. Click on Quick add to Quote button to copy all the items of the selected BoMs to customer quote. You will be redirected to the Edit tab directly using this option. If you need to select specific items from the quote, click the Copy BoM Items tab on the tab ribbon. Here, all items from the selected BoM will appear; you can select specific items using the check box and proceed. 

Copy BoM Items

• Purpose: Add BoM items to the quote so they can be edited, priced, and finalized.
• When you use it: Although Quick Add to Quote action in Select BoM and Copy BoM items- both result in BoM items being added to the quote, they are used in different scenarios and provide different levels of control.
  • Quick Add to Quote- Copies all items from the selected BoM(s) directly into the quote and proceed for editing. It is to be used when the entire BoM is expected to be quoted as-is.
  • Copy BoM Items- This tab displays the individual items contained within the selected BoM(s). It allows you to select specific BoM items to add to the quote. You can use this when items need to be selectively included or excluded before pricing.
• What happens next: Regardless of the method used:
  • Selected BoM items are copied into the quote
  • The Edit tab becomes available
  • Users can proceed with bulk updates, pricing, and margin adjustments

Editing a Quote

• Purpose: Modify quote items and perform bulk updates.
• When you use it: After items are added to the quote, once you're ready to refine quantities, pricing, and margins before review.
• Common actions include:
  • Updating quantities and terms
  • Adjusting pricing, discounts, and margins
  • Editing multiple items at once
  • Reviewing calculated costs and profits
• What happens next: Once the quote is finalized after editing, grouping, recalculations etc, you can summarize the quote, export to share with customer, assign supplier and so on.

1. Quote summary
2. Actions toolbar
3. Bulk editing option
4. Field filters
5. Data grid

This tab appears only after items are added to the quote, ensuring edits are made in the correct context.

Assign Supplier

• Purpose: Associate vendors or suppliers with quote items.
• When it’s used: After items are added and before pricing or finalization.

Summarize

• Purpose: Review aggregated pricing, discounts, and profitability.
• When it is used: This view helps you to validate customer pricing, review VAR margins and discounts, and ensure quote level accuracy.

Go To Quote

• Purpose: Navigate directly to the quote detail page for final review, approvals, or downstream actions.

Export Quote

• Purpose: Generate and export the finalized quote for customer sharing or system integration. You can click on Export Quote tab and will be redirected to the page as shown in screenshot. You can fill in the required details to export the quote and use it offline for sharing with customer.
• Common export formats include: PDF, Excel, System-specific templates

Understanding Data Grids and Inline Controls

Most PqW screens display information in table (grid) format. These grids share common behaviors across the application.

Common Grid Capabilities

• Column-level filtering
• Inline value editing
• Sorting and pagination
• Bulk selection of rows
• Inline icons for additional actions or details

Understanding these shared behaviors helps you work efficiently without relearning controls on each screen.

Summary

The PqW interface is designed to guide users through the quote creation lifecycle in a structured and intuitive way. By understanding the purpose of each navigation tab, action ribbon step, and grid behavior, you can move confidently through the quoting process without missing critical actions.

What’s Next

Once you are familiar with the PqW interface, proceed to:

• Assembling a Quote
• Editing and Pricing Quote Items
• Reviewing and Exporting Quotes

These articles build directly on the interface concepts introduced here and provide step-by-step instructions for completing each task.