ActiveQuote
From Aligni Wiki
ActiveQuote™ is a full quote system embedded within Aligni that allows you to:
- Compile an RFQ (request for quote) from parts in your database.
- Choose which vendors (and their contacts) receive the RFQ.
- Email a private ticket to view the RFQ to each contact.
- Receive completed quotes from vendors and discuss them within Aligni.
- Convert quotes from vendors directly to quotes within your database.
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Requirements
In order to submit quotes to vendors, you will need to have the following information in your database:
- Manufacturers and vendors need to be associated through linecards.
- Vendors need to have contacts associated with them.
- Contacts you wish to send RFQs to must have valid email addresses.
With this information in place, you will be able to create an RFQ, add parts to the RFQ, add vendors and contacts as recipients, and submit the RFQ.
ActiveQuote™ Process
An RFQ within Aligni goes through 3 phases (+2 optional phases), each with specific permissions for the originator and the vendor(s). These phases are detailed below.
Phase 1: Creation
The creation phase starts when you create a new RFQ. To add parts to the RFQ, you select it as the active PartCart and add parts from any page on your account. For example, you can add parts from a shortage list, a part list, or just any part search.
As parts are added to the RFQ, vendors from which those parts are purchased become available as recipients. You can choose which parts are presented to each vendor and you can choose which contacts from each vendor receive the RFQ.
When you finish setting up the quote, you can "Submit to Vendors". At this point, a unique ticket is created for each vendor and a copy of this ticket is emailed to each of the contacts you select from that vendor.
Phase 2: Vendor Review
Each contact you have selected will receive an email containing a link to view and respond to the RFQ. They may then view the RFQ using a standard web browser and enter their quotes. When they have finished their response, they can submit the results.
Once the response is submitted, you will receive an email notification.
Phase 3: Discussion
When the vendor has submitted a response, the quote becomes open for discussion. The vendor can change the quoted values and both the vendor and originator may discuss the quote. The discussion remains in Aligni much like a blog discussion.
Quote responses provided by vendors are instantly available as quotes in your database. These quotes appear on the part details page along with a link to the RFQ from whence it came.
Phase 4 (optional): Archive with Vendor View
If you choose, you can archive the response so that no further changes can be made. This is done by clicking the link "Close this response" from the response page of the quote. The vendor may still view the quote, but may not change any of the information.
Phase 5 (optional): Archive without Vendor View
You can also optionally destroy the vendor ticket as well. This removes vendor access to the response so that only your user accounts may view the quote. All outside access is denied.
