To understand subscription management you need to develop an understanding of customer lifecycle operations like issuing refunds, assigning credits, managing trials, and making mid-cycle subscription changes. A subscription management system works alongside a payment processor to support recurring billing and give teams the leverage to take actions that were not being automated.
In other words, you get to address many of the customer-related scenarios that come into the picture when payments recur. Now the question arises: why do businesses need subscription management systems? The fact is, when customers make a transaction from week after week, month after month, it is no longer a simple transaction but a long, involved conversation.
While we are at it, let’s bear in mind that an overly complicated billing system is the reason why so many SaaS companies struggle to accurately decipher core metrics. If you wish to improve an understanding of your business, you should opt for a billing system that leverages the strengths of existing systems.
Zuora is a cloud-based subscription management system that helps track the entire customer lifecycle. They provide many categories of add-ons that allow you to easily mix-and-match features to design your unique subscription plan. Zuora is the billing system of choice if you’re above $20M ARR.
Pricing
By Quote
Pricing Model
- Free
- Monthly payment
- One-time payment
- Annual Subscription
- Quote-based
List of Features
- Zuora Billing
Zuora offers industry leading solution to manage subscriptions and keep pace with fast-evolving market strategies. Their dynamic product catalog enables changing the pricing plan for any product instantly, without the need for re-coding or interrupting your existing customer’s subscriptions. You can choose when to bill, how to bill from 40+ charge models. By designing unique strategic plans for each product in your product catalog, businesses can stay ahead of competition.
With Subscription Order Management you can easily handle all the subscription changes. Whether your subscriber wants to renew, pause, upgrade or change their subscriptions, Zuora will automate the entire process, no matter how complex the order is. Rating Engine ensures that all prorations are automatically calculated in real time. Through Global Payment Engine customers can choose to pay anyway they want, which in turn guarantees a faster sign up rate. Subscription Metrics Engine allows you to keep a track of all your financial transactions in one place. Subscription Accounting helps your accounting and finance teams seamlessly align their subscription sub-ledger with general ledger.
- Zuora RevPro
Managing revenue can become complicated when you launch into new markets or expand to new business models. You will have to deal with ongoing contract modifications or complexities of deferred revenue. RevPro has been put into place to save the day. You can tailor it according to your business needs so that it supports any discount model, any pricing strategy, and any billing model. Let RevPro do the work while you focus on expanding your offering.
- Zuora CPQ
No two customers are the same. Every subscriber gives preference to different features and may have different levels of willingness to pay. With Zuora CPQ, you can maximize the lifetime value of your customers. This is made possible when Zuora CPQ gives you the pricing flexibility to offer your prospects more options without making matters difficult for the finance team. You can easily guide your sales reps through the most complex deal arrangements.
- Zuora Collect
Lost revenue from credit card declines can pose serious threat for the business if not addressed on time. Zuora Collect gives you an opportunity to maximize revenue from your subscription business. With an automated solution optimize your collections success all in one place.
Integrations
- com
- FinancialForce
- Intacct
- NetSuite
- com
- Workday
- QuickBooks Online
- Salesforce Sales Cloud
Available Devices
- Windows
- Mac
Company Size
Zuora is the best choice of subscription management systems for large, established companies. The high degree of flexibility and customizability make it possible to address any scenario. This is most suitable for larger companies that are on the look-out for more flexible services, and are also willing to pay higher prices for these custom plans. Zuora’s many add-on features allow you to offer customizable pricing plans that can easily be modified and updated when necessary.
- Large Enterprises
- Medium Business
- Public Administrations
What Are They Great At?
Zuora focuses on providing “end-to-end” management of the entire customer lifecycle. Here’s what they allow you to do
- Manage the entire payment lifecycle
- customers are equipped with tools to manage their entire subscription lifestyle
- You have access to subscription quoting integration that connects with your billing, payment and revenue
- Get accurate insights on your company and your customers
- Similar customers are grouped to help to segment data
- Trigger interactions with customers based on insights
- Get a complete history of every subscriber to see how best to help them
What they need to work upon?
Some users report that Zuora has a bit of a learning curve, especially around the reporting interface.
Available Support
- Phone
- Live Support
- Training