To combine all the variables without making mistakes, several estimates must be made for each job, requiring professionals from several departments within the company to participate in the budgeting process even though they may not be technically prepared for this type of work. In short, preparing a quotation is a delicate and costly process that requires a good tool that minimizes any possible error, as such errors could result in a company experiencing economic losses that are difficult to quantify.
In today’s sheet metal sector, a common process is to make a complete simulation with nesting included. However, this system still comes with significant drawbacks such as the time required, since it is a very slow process in an activity where customers demand agility and precision. Not providing a timely quote can, and does, leave us out of the market. We should also remember that a good quote requires a good technician to prepare it. Frankly, there are not too many people around with this professional skillset.
To overcome these and other pitfalls that could end up costing you dearly, Lantek has various solutions available to the market that make the task of preparing quotations simple, fast, and much more reliable.
A tool for every need
Lantek has several tools with different capabilities that our customers can use according to their needs. These tools can work alone or be integrated together.
Lantek’s journey through the software options for preparing quotations begins with the CAD/CAM cutting program Lantek Expert. This includes a practical and intuitive tool that allows detailed calculation formulas (using variables such as time or raw materials) and analyzes many basic costs in great detail, but does not produce a final offer.
Next, as customers advance in the complexity of estimating for certain variables and costs, they need to integrate other programs besides Lantek Expert. This is achieved by also incorporating the Lantek MES Manager program which features a more complete algorithm for time and process calculations such as bending or painting. However, this program does not include 3D cutting operations or assemblies. Lantek Integrais our well-known ERP tool for the metal sector, which allows us to prepare a complete offer taking into account all the variables that affect costs, even including the transport of the final product. Lantek Integra is the only one of the three that shows the full quotation.
Lantek Smart Quoting, is Lantek’s intelligent quoting system, based on a powerful algorithm. It unites various benefits, the main one being the precision it offers when preparing something as sensitive as a quotation. Lantek Smart Quoting operates by combining algorithms with real data from manufacturing records, appropriately analyzed.
Lantek Smart Quoting ensures all the parameters that must be considered for the quote to be accurate are included. It therefore takes into account the geometry of the workpiece, the historical material utilization ratio and the required machining time, as well as additional costs such as transportation, possible customer discounts... Also included are inputs derived from the cost of machines, materials, employees, and consumables.
Smart Quoting combines speed, efficiency, profitability, and reliability, all of which results in better management of the company. It also allows users to prepare reliable quotes quickly without requiring them to be highly skilled.
Our tour of Lantek’s quotation solutions, from Lantek Expert, through Lantek Manager and Lantek Integra, ends with the new quotation tool recently launched on the market, an online metal parts store called Lantek MetalShop which is available 24x7 and allows access to additional offers. The operation of requesting and confirming a quote is totally digital. This e-commerce system also helps customers to track their orders, providing total visibility and transparency of the processes.
A quotation is based on an estimated budget, defined as "the calculation of expenses, income, or both arising from a public or private business". This definition is widely applicable, but the way in which the action of preparing a budgetary quotation is carried out, and the results of the process, differ considerably depending on what systems and procedures are used.
A bad quotation can sometimes be saved, the repetition of quotation errors leads inevitably to closure, sooner rather than later. Avoiding mistakes and improving the process is as simple as putting yourself in Lantek’s hands.
To all the advantages already mentioned, we can add professionalism in a key process, which also saves time and money and, most importantly, the peace of mind of knowing that Lantek’s proven experience guarantees that a complicated and sensitive process will be undertaken correctly.
Don’t just assume that you are quoting correctly. Let Lantek do it for you through our various complementary quoting tools.
