Supplier quotation collection and comparison

Purpose

1.1. To automate supplier quotation collection, automate collation, and automate comparison for efficient procurement in match box manufacturing.
1.2. Automating quotation requests, responses, storage, and side-by-side price/spec/lead time analysis.
1.3. Automatedly streamline evaluation of multiple suppliers to select the optimal sourcing partner with full traceability.
1.4. Reduce manual email handling, increase speed, automate reminders, and improve negotiation leverage via automated data-driven decisions.

Trigger Conditions

2.1. Low stock of raw materials or packaging inventory reaches reorder threshold, triggering the automation.
2.2. Scheduled procurement cycles (weekly/monthly) to automate repeated supplier quotation requests.
2.3. Manual initiation when procurement manager requires competitive quotes for a specific product batch.

Platform Variants

3.1. Gmail API
• Feature/Setting: Automate email quote requests to supplier contacts via `users.messages.send`.

3.2. Microsoft Outlook 365 Graph API
• Feature/Setting: Automate sending and fetching replies from suppliers with `/me/sendMail` and `/me/messages`.

3.3. Twilio Programmable SMS
• Feature/Setting: Automate SMS quote solicitation with `Messages.create()`; configure supplier number list.

3.4. Slack Web API
• Feature/Setting: Automate supplier communication channels and notifications using `chat.postMessage`.

3.5. WhatsApp Business API
• Feature/Setting: Automate bulk quotation requests and automated reminders with `messages POST` to supplier numbers.

3.6. Dropbox API
• Feature/Setting: Automate storage of returned quotations via `files/upload` endpoint.

3.7. Google Sheets API
• Feature/Setting: Automate parsing and storing quotation data in spreadsheet rows for auto-comparison (`spreadsheets.values.append`).

3.8. Microsoft Excel Online API
• Feature/Setting: Automate storing and visualizing quotations comparison with `/workbook/worksheets/{id}/tables` endpoint.

3.9. DocuSign API
• Feature/Setting: Automate e-sign workflows for selected supplier agreements with `Envelopes:create`.

3.10. Zapier Webhooks
• Feature/Setting: Automate cross-platform communication and data transfer via `Webhooks by Zapier` triggers and actions.

3.11. Salesforce REST API
• Feature/Setting: Automate supplier contact management and automate deal registration with `/sobjects/Lead` and `/sobjects/Opportunity`.

3.12. Monday.com API
• Feature/Setting: Automate procurement boards and quotation tracking using `items.create_item` mutation.

3.13. Asana API
• Feature/Setting: Automate procurement projects/tasks and automate quotation follow-ups via `tasks POST`.

3.14. SAP Business One Service Layer
• Feature/Setting: Automate purchase request creation and automate comparison reporting using `PurchaseQuotationsService`.

3.15. Oracle Procurement Cloud API
• Feature/Setting: Automate supplier invitations and automate RFP management (`fscmRestApi/resources/latest/suppliers`).

3.16. HubSpot CRM API
• Feature/Setting: Automate supplier deal stages, automate document attachments (`Engagements API`).

3.17. Google Forms
• Feature/Setting: Automate supplier submission collection with form link distribution; automate form response export.

3.18. Airtable API
• Feature/Setting: Automate tracking and automated reporting of quotations in procurement bases (`POST /v0/{baseId}/{tableName}`).

3.19. Trello API
• Feature/Setting: Automate quotation collection card creation and automate status change with `cards POST`, `cards PUT`.

3.20. Freshservice API
• Feature/Setting: Automate supplier queries as tickets and automate notification management (`tickets POST`).

3.21. Google Drive API
• Feature/Setting: Automate storing and sharing received quotation documents (`files.create`).

3.22. Jotform API
• Feature/Setting: Automate supplier quote data reception and automate export for analysis.

3.23. Notion API
• Feature/Setting: Automate building supplier databases and automate linking quotations with records using `pages.create`.

Benefits

4.1. Automatedly reduces procurement cycle times and human errors with automation.
4.2. Automates supplier outreach, ensures all vendors receive RFQs promptly, and automates follow-ups.
4.3. Centralizes and automates data entry, comparison, and reporting for better decision making.
4.4. Automator provides full audit trails and automated compliance for procurement policies.
4.5. Enhances negotiation via automated data aggregation, delivering cost savings and supplier quality improvements.