RFQ Software for Supplier Quotations
inforum manages the RFQ process from scope definition to award. Each request covers parts with price breaks, a binding scope for all invited suppliers, and quotations submitted directly through the supplier portal. The price comparison sets quotations side by side per part and price break, and the award is made part by part. Supplier self-assessment, certificates and supplier evaluation are all held in the same system, so supplier quality feeds directly into the decision.
The RFQ Process in One System
Supplier selection determines quality in series production. An RFQ is therefore more than a price inquiry: it defines who a part will be developed, sampled and supplied with. Quotations only become comparable when all suppliers respond to the same scope in the same structure.
The inforum RFQ module maps this process in four steps: Create, Release, Quotations, Close. Each request bundles parts from the parts database with revision level, material, volume data and drawings. For each part, Purchasing defines the price breaks at which prices are requested. On release, the scope becomes binding and the invited suppliers receive the request via a direct link.
Suppliers enter their quotations themselves in the supplier portal: price per break, lead time, payment terms and attachments. The price comparison shows who leads at which volume and which line items are missing. After negotiation, the award is made per part. All other quotations are declined automatically.
For Supplier Quality, the added value lies in the interplay. New suppliers complete the self-assessment before the request. Certificate status from certificate management and KPIs from supplier evaluation support the award decision. After the contract is placed, initial sampling follows in the same system, with no media breaks and no duplicate data.
RFQ module overview
- Request with Complete Part Scope
Each request covers plant, project, commodity code, Incoterm and submission deadline. Every part carries part number, revision level, material, lot size, annual volume, supply period and attachments such as drawings or requirement specifications. - Prices per Price Break
Any number of price breaks can be defined per part. This makes quotations comparable across the full volume range, not just at a single assumed quantity. - Quotation Submission via Supplier Portal
Suppliers complete the same structure and submit their quotation directly in the system. Suppliers without access receive an invitation. Each supplier sees only the requests they were invited to and their own quotation. - Price Comparison as a Dedicated Process Phase
The comparison sets quotations side by side per part and price break, including lead time and terms. Missing line items are visible at once. Quotations can move into negotiation and be revised. - Award per Part
Individual parts can be awarded to different suppliers. On award, the system automatically sets all unsuccessful quotations to rejected and notifies the suppliers. - Purchasing and Engineering on the Same Request
Both owners are assigned to the request and receive the same notifications. Supplier queries are handled through the communication thread on the request. Internal notes remain hidden from the supplier. - Traceable Documentation
Release, submission, negotiation and award are recorded with user and timestamp. Closed requests are read-only. - Modular Design
RFQ is a module of the inforum Management Software and draws on the platform’s master data, parts database and supplier access. Supplier self-assessment, certificate management, supplier evaluation and initial sampling connect directly.
Supplier inquiries with inforum
Comparable Across All Volumes
Award Without Rework
Quality as an Award Criterion
Frequently Asked Questions about RFQ Software
What is an RFQ?
RFQ stands for Request for Quotation. With an RFQ, a company invites several suppliers to submit a quotation for a defined scope. For series parts, an RFQ typically covers the part specification, volume data, delivery terms and the submission deadline.
What does an RFQ in inforum include?
A request contains the requested parts with specifications, price breaks and attachments, as well as the invited suppliers. After release, suppliers enter their quotations in the supplier portal. The price comparison sets them side by side per part and price break, and the award is made part by part.
Why are prices requested per price break?
A single price only applies to one assumed quantity. Price breaks show which supplier is more competitive at low volumes and which at high volumes. This keeps the award decision justifiable even when call-off volumes deviate from the plan.
How do suppliers submit their quotation?
Invited suppliers receive the request by email with a direct link and enter their quotation in the supplier portal: price per break, lead time, payment terms and attachments. On submission, Purchasing and Engineering are notified automatically. Suppliers without access receive an invitation.
Can a request be awarded to several suppliers?
Yes. The award is made per part, so individual parts of a request can go to different suppliers. The system automatically sets all unsuccessful quotations to rejected and notifies the suppliers.
What role does supplier quality play in the RFQ?
In inforum, new suppliers complete the self-assessment before the request. Certificate status and KPIs from supplier evaluation are available at the award stage. This way, price and quality feed into the same decision.
How are RFQ and initial sampling connected?
The award is followed by initial sampling of the part. In inforum, both modules draw on the same parts database, so part, revision level and supplier carry over into sampling without being re-entered.
inforum for your supplier quotations
Jedes Unternehmen bringt eigene Prozesse und Anforderungen mit. Deshalb beginnt der Einstieg in inforum mit einem Gespräch, in dem wir uns Zeit für Sie nehmen. Lernen Sie inforum anhand Ihrer eigenen Anfragen kennen, von der Teilestruktur mit Mengenstaffeln bis zur Vergabe je Teil. Unser Team begleitet Sie dabei von der ersten Frage bis zur erfolgreichen Implementierung, einschließlich der Anbindung Ihrer Lieferanten an das Lieferantenportal.
