Supplier and rate review
This worked example is illustrative. Linked companies and default rates organise knowledge; they do not replace a current supplier quotation.
Situation
An estimator needs 250 kg of galvanised steel plate. The workspace contains one material record linked to three possible suppliers.
The material has a default rate, but the current job has an urgent delivery requirement.
1. Find the reusable material
The estimator searches the Materials catalogue using the normal name or an alias such as “gal plate.”
The record provides a consistent material identity, unit, category and specification context, default rate and currency, and list of linked companies.
2. Check linked companies
The company relationships identify businesses that commonly supply the material. They do not establish a preferred supplier, an exclusive agreement, or a price for this RFQ.
The estimator reviews the available companies and obtains current commercial information as required.
3. Compare like with like
Before comparing supplier values, the estimator confirms:
- the same material specification;
- the same pricing unit;
- the same currency;
- whether freight, cutting, minimum order, or tax is included;
- the required delivery date;
- the validity of each quotation.
A lower number is not automatically the better job cost if the basis differs.
4. Calculate the material cost
If the selected reviewed rate is 4.85 AUD per kg, the direct arithmetic for 250 kg is:
250 × 4.85 = 1,212.50 AUD
The estimator may ask Kwantflow AI to find the material and calculate the result. The record, unit, rate, currency, and any additional supplier charges are still checked before use.
5. Decide what to update
If 4.85 AUD per kg represents the new normal reusable rate, the estimator updates the material record.
If it is an urgent one-off quote including special freight, the estimator keeps that value in the job estimate instead of replacing the workspace default.
6. Maintain relationships separately
Adding or removing a company relationship does not delete the company or material.
The relationship answers “who is relevant to this record?” It does not copy rates between records or create supplier-specific pricing automatically.
What this example demonstrates
- Aliases improve record discovery.
- Multiple companies can be related to one catalogue record.
- Relationships and prices remain separate concepts.
- Units, currencies, and rate basis must match before arithmetic is commercially meaningful.
- Reusable defaults should not be overwritten by unusual job conditions.