Quoting using Microsoft XL

[BigSi]

I know, why bother. Well, I'm between quoting programs and will eventually purchase something. I don't need or want all the add On's. Just want to do quotes ONLY.
In the short term was thinking of quickly creating some XL tables. Maybe x3 or x4 tables for time-based items. (artwork, guillotining, wrapping/boxing) and a few for materials. (color click charges, grayscale click charges, stock, courier etc.)
I do both digital and offset,just happy to do something just for digital at this stage.
Has anyone out there got some tables they would be happy to share? Don't really want to keep quoting on the backs of envelopes. Not interested in spending hours learning another program and/or paying through the nose for a subscription that promises the earth.
Been there done that. Back in the day was using morning flight pro. Cheap as chips. (best value ever). Any thoughts appreciated. thanks Simon

 

[DYP]

Why are you no longer using Morning Flight? I am able to still use it and it still does a good job.

 

[Stickman42]

I have an Excel file that gets used very often for quoting. Granted, it's for one product only - perfect bound books. Even though I've got an MIS, it wasn't able to gather pricing as I wanted it to. As long as you are fluent enough in Excel, why not make something up? It's got to save you some time versus pad and pencil. I would share mine, but the calculations are not going to be relevant to you.

 

[BigSi]

Why are you no longer using Morning Flight? I am able to still use it and it still does a good job.

Moved to a cloud-based program, subscription got to expense. Just got of the habit of using morning flight. I'm not sure I can still find it. The old Pc it was installed on has long been chucked. Now that Hal has departed this mortal coil, I'm not sure how much longer it will keep going. I don't really want to keep an old Pc here with an old system just so I can keep running it. Very short of room. From memory It did have a few short comings. thanks for your input.

 

[BigSi]

I have an Excel file that gets used very often for quoting. Granted, it's for one product only - perfect bound books. Even though I've got an MIS, it wasn't able to gather pricing as I wanted it to. As long as you are fluent enough in Excel, why not make something up? It's got to save you some time versus pad and pencil. I would share mine, but the calculations are not going to be relevant to you.

Thanks, Not that fluent in Excel but thought I'd give it a go. I'd still be interested in how you have set it up if you did want to share it. thanks Simon

 

[Stickman42]

Thanks, Not that fluent in Excel but thought I'd give it a go. I'd still be interested in how you have set it up if you did want to share it. thanks Simon

How about this - pick one product (flyer, envelope, etc…) and make notes on how you would price it manually. As an example, 3 different quantities of the same item to be quoted. Do you have set up costs? Quantity breaks? Do you price by time, materials and overhead? Or do you have a digital style “cost per copy” method? If you can define these, I’ll try to put together a quick spreadsheet for you

 

[BigSi]

How about this - pick one product (flyer, envelope, etc…) and make notes on how you would price it manually. As an example, 3 different quantities of the same item to be quoted. Do you have set up costs? Quantity breaks? Do you price by time, materials and overhead? Or do you have a digital style “cost per copy” method? If you can define these, I’ll try to put together a quick spreadsheet for you

Thats very generous of you. If you do one list item in XL. I can use it as a base for creating other items . 1/ list item B/cards. - 2/price breaks. x125, x250, x500 x750. 3/ number of working sheets (based on 21 up) 4/ printed 1side or 2. 5 Number of clicks. required. Price per click (sliding scale 1-20clicks 40c per click 21-50clicks 35c per click 51+ 30c per click.) 6 Trimming time (in 5min blocks of time). 7 sorting and wrapping. (in 5min blocks of time). Exact numbers you put in don't matter as I can edit. thanks again. Simon

 

[DYP]

Moved to a cloud-based program, subscription got to expense. Just got of the habit of using morning flight. I'm not sure I can still find it. The old Pc it was installed on has long been chucked. Now that Hal has departed this mortal coil, I'm not sure how much longer it will keep going. I don't really want to keep an old Pc here with an old system just so I can keep running it. Very short of room. From memory It did have a few short comings. thanks for your input.

I hear ya. All Mac based here except for the Fiery RIP and an old PCs to control Duplo equipment which I have MF loaded on and access it with Microsoft Remote Desktop. MF works pretty well that way. No way will I ever go Cloud with accounting or quoting. I used to tell Hal he needed to use FileMaker Pro so it was cross platform and could be local server based. I wish someone would have written a Filemaker print quoting software, never understood why it was never done.

 

[Stickman42]

I wish someone would have written a Filemaker print quoting software, never understood why it was never done.

This is exactly what I have. Been using it since 2009. It is certainly unique and was very affordable compared to the options available at the time. We had it highly customized too. Unfortunately the developer has since passed. His family was also involved. Check into bakesmart.com (the bakery oriented version of the same software) for the contact info, if you have any desire, to see if it's still viable.

 

[Stickman42]

@BigSi Here is a quick sheet I made up Had to zip it as Excel files are not allowed to be attached Good luck and let me know if you have questions

 

[BigSi]

@BigSi Here is a quick sheet I made up Had to zip it as Excel files are not allowed to be attached Good luck and let me know if you have questions

Fab Stickman. I 'll have a look. ta Simon