When Vendors Initiate Quotes
Vendors may initiate a quote on behalf of a customer when submitting an RFQ through the portal is not practical.
Common scenarios include:
The customer is away from their desk and needs a quote created quickly
The customer is a new prospect without Parts Portal access
The customer is not comfortable submitting RFQs through the portal
Vendor-initiated quotes help maintain momentum while still capturing all required part and pricing details.
Creating a Quote on Behalf of a Customer
When creating a vendor-initiated quote, you can bundle multiple existing parts, brand-new parts, or a combination of both into a single request. The unified part selection and creation interface removes the need to run separate workflows for different items.
For each part line item included in the quote, you will configure the standard requirements:
Part files and specifications
Quantities and revisions
Material and finish requirements
Pricing and lead times
Once created, the quote is stored in Parts Portal for tracking and future reference.
Sending Quotes & Inviting Customers
After the quote is created, vendors have multiple options for sharing it with the customer:
Send the quote directly for review and acceptance
Invite the customer to create a Parts Portal account
Allow the customer to view, accept, or request changes to the quote
Inviting customers into the portal ensures ongoing visibility, communication, and easier reordering in the future.
Key Benefits of Vendor-Initiated Quotes
Faster response for time-sensitive requests
Ability to quote new prospects without portal access
Centralized quote tracking inside Parts Portal
Streamlined multi-part builder: Combine new custom fabrications and existing catalog items into one unified quote, eliminating repetitive manual creation steps.