What Skills Should You Look for in Apttus Developers?

Apttus, now a part of Conga, is a powerful Quote-to-Cash (QTC) and Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM) platform designed to streamline sales, pricing, billing, and contract processes. Businesses looking to optimize their sales and revenue operations often turn to Apttus, making skilled Apttus developers essential for successful implementation and customization.

If you’re looking to hire Apttus developers, it’s crucial to assess candidates based on their technical proficiency, business acumen, and ability to integrate Apttus solutions seamlessly with other enterprise systems. This article outlines the key skills and qualifications you should look for when hiring an Apttus developer.

Proficiency in Salesforce and Apttus Platform

Apttus is built on Salesforce, meaning that any hire Apttus developers must have a strong command of the Salesforce ecosystem. This includes:

• Salesforce CRM Knowledge: Apttus heavily relies on Salesforce objects, workflows, and automation tools. A strong grasp of Salesforce Sales Cloud, Service Cloud, and Lightning Experience is a must.
• Apex and Visualforce Development: Since Apttus uses Salesforce’s native programming language (Apex) and UI framework (Visualforce), developers should be proficient in writing triggers, classes, and batch processes.
• Lightning Component Development: With the shift towards Salesforce Lightning, an Apttus developer must be skilled in Lightning Web Components (LWC) for improved performance and UI/UX enhancements.

Expertise in Apttus CPQ, CLM, and Billing

Apttus developers should have hands-on experience with:

• Configure Price Quote (CPQ): They should understand how to set up pricing rules, discounting strategies, and approval workflows in Apttus CPQ.
• Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM): Knowledge of contract templates, clause management, e-signatures, and negotiation workflows in Apttus CLM is essential.
• Billing and Revenue Recognition: Understanding Apttus Billing, invoicing structures, and integration with financial systems is a plus.

Integration Capabilities

Apttus solutions often require integration with various third-party applications such as ERPs, payment gateways, and other CRM tools. Apttus developers should be proficient in:

• Salesforce APIs: REST and SOAP APIs are crucial for integrating Apttus with external applications.
• Middleware Platforms: Knowledge of MuleSoft, Dell Boomi, or Jitterbit helps facilitate seamless data flow between Apttus and other enterprise systems.
• Data Migration: Expertise in migrating data from legacy systems to Apttus using Salesforce Data Loader or custom ETL tools.

Strong Problem-Solving and Analytical Skills

Since Apttus implementations involve complex pricing and contract rules, developers should have:

• Strong logical thinking abilities to configure intricate approval processes.
• Experience with debugging tools like Salesforce Debug Logs and Developer Console to troubleshoot issues.
• An analytical mindset to optimize workflows and automation.

Understanding of ArangoDB and Other NoSQL Databases

While Apttus runs on Salesforce’s native data model, businesses may require external database integrations for analytics and data warehousing. If you also need to hire ArangoDB developers, it’s beneficial to find professionals with:

• Multi-model database expertise: ArangoDB supports graph, document, and key-value store models, making it useful for complex data relationships.
• Strong query language knowledge: Familiarity with AQL (ArangoDB Query Language) to manage large datasets.
• Scalability experience: Knowledge of distributed database architecture for handling high volumes of transactional data.

Experience with Advanced Reporting and Analytics

Apttus provides reporting features, but many businesses require custom analytics solutions. A good Apttus developer should:

• Know Salesforce Reports and Dashboards to create custom visualizations.
• Understand Einstein Analytics (now Tableau CRM) for AI-powered insights.
• Be skilled in SQL and NoSQL databases for data extraction and manipulation.

Knowledge of ArcGIS for Geographic Data Integration

If your business requires location-based analytics or GIS functionalities in Apttus, hiring an ArcGIS expert alongside your Apttus developer can be beneficial. If you’re looking to hire Arc developers, seek professionals with:

• GIS Mapping Expertise: Ability to integrate geospatial data into Apttus pricing or contract workflows.
• API Integration Knowledge: Familiarity with ArcGIS APIs to overlay geographic data in Salesforce.
• Geospatial Data Analysis: Experience with spatial queries for location-based pricing models.

Soft Skills: Communication and Collaboration

Technical expertise is crucial, but an Apttus developer should also have:

• Strong communication skills to interact with stakeholders, business analysts, and end-users.
• Teamwork abilities to collaborate with cross-functional teams, including sales, finance, and legal departments.
• Agile development experience to work in iterative sprints and adapt to evolving business requirements.

Final Thoughts

Hiring the right Apttus developer involves evaluating technical expertise, business acumen, and problem-solving skills. Whether you’re looking to hire Arc developers for CPQ/CLM implementations, hire ArangoDB developers for database management, or hire Arc developers for GIS integration, selecting professionals with the right blend of skills ensures a successful deployment.

By prioritizing Salesforce expertise, integration capabilities, and advanced data management skills, you can build a team that maximizes the potential of your Apttus solutions.

Paperub is a leading platform connecting businesses with top Apttus developers, ArangoDB experts, and Arc developers for seamless CPQ, CLM, and database solutions. Hire skilled professionals for Salesforce integration, advanced analytics, and GIS-based data management to optimize your enterprise workflows efficiently.