This guide is designed for administrators and advanced users who configure the Jobs and Estimation tool to ensure accurate and dynamic quoting. It covers how to access and manage the core configuration areas, products, machines, paper types, and pricing rules, so that estimators and sales agents can deliver fast, tailored quotes to customers. By setting up these components correctly, you’ll ensure the estimation engine runs smoothly and reflects your real-world pricing structure and production capabilities.

Introduction for Administrators

This section details the critical setup and ongoing maintenance tasks required for the Jobs and Estimation engine to function accurately. As an Administrator (e.g., CEO, Management, or designated personnel), you are responsible for defining:

Products
Materials
Machines
Production processes
Packaging
Shipping
Pricing logic

Accurate configuration is paramount for generating reliable estimates. The primary tools you will use are:

Google Sheets: Linked from the application, containing core data for paper, machines, processes, products, packaging, and shipping.

Estimates Configurations UI: Access configuration Google Sheets and manage dynamic Pricing Rules.

Accessing Configuration Settings

Log in to the Jobs and Estimation application.
Navigate to the left-hand side menu.
Click on Jobs and Estimations.
Click Estimates Configurations – the entry point to all setup areas.

Understanding the Configuration Structure

The configuration relies heavily on interconnected data defined within Google Sheets. Tags and matching names across different sheets/tabs link materials, machines, processes, and products together.

Machine and Paper Setup (via Google Sheets)

Access: Locate the link for "Machine and Paper Setup" from the Estimates Configurations page. Copy and paste it into a new browser window.
Purpose: Defines raw materials (paper) and production machinery and their limitation.

Key Tabs:

Paper Tab:

Lists all paper types.
Key Columns: Name, Width, Height, Weight, Thickness, Coat, Price per Ton, FSC, Tags.

Process Tabs (e.g., Print, Cut, Guillotine, etc.):

Each tab represents a specific machine and its capacity/limitation
Key Columns: Name, Machine Type, Tags, Size Limitations, Cost per Hour, Make Ready Time/Cost, Click Rate, Plate Cost, etc.

Interconnectivity:

We use tags such as ‘digital’, ‘litho’, or ‘large format’ to create a connection between papers and machines that can work together.

Product Setup (via Google Sheets)

Access: Locate the link for "Product" from the Estimates Configurations page. Copy and paste it into a new browser window.

Key Tabs:

Categories Tab:

Lists all sellable product categories (e.g., Leaflet, Merchandise, Banner). Don’t forget to create a new tab for every category that you list in this tab.
Key Columns:
- Category Name: The name of the category of product you offer
- Display Name: Category name that the estimator will see in the estimation page
- Price Model: there are 3 different price models that are currently available
  - paper_calculation: Standard print products. Calc
  - quantity_calc: Simple per-unit pricing (e.g., merchandise).
  - large_format: Special logic for large format products.
- Bleed (in mm)
- Impositions
- Gutter / Grind off
- Extra Grip
- Min Passes
- Max passes

Product Details Tabs for paper-based product

Define product build-ups linked to categories.
Key Columns:
- Part Name,
- Production Steps: This lists out all the steps that are included (such as print, cut, and lamination) for each product. Please be aware that the production step name must match the name of the machine already stated in the Paper and Machine Google Drive
- Optional: This setting determines if a part is optional. For instance, Sketchbook offers a self-cover option, making the cover part optional.

Quantity-Based Product Setup:

Products without associated labor or production costs. For example frame purchased from a wholesaler and sold as a single unit. A quantity-based product can still utilize dynamic pricing based on quantity through rule setup.
Key Columns: Item Name, Price Per Unit.

Supporting Configurations

Here, you will find the detailed breakdown as well as the parent-child relationship of all the fields to show in the Product Description section of creating the estimate

Paper Sizes: Standard/custom sizes, linked to categories.
Page Numbers: Showing which page number is available on what part and what product
Page Colors: Color options (e.g., Full Color, B/W).
Finishing: Options like Spot UV, Laminate with costs.
Packaging Configuration: Box types, dimensions, weights.
Shipping Configuration: Shipping options/costs linked to packaging.