The environment

PDQ – or ‘predictive dynamic quoting’ – is a new breed of estimating system that not only calculates the cost of a job pretty much instantly, but also shows how it might impact on the environment in terms of CO2.

Barry Grindrod, Haybrooke's sales and marketing director:

“We have worked intensively with our printing partners to build what we believe is the ultimate in estimating systems. PDQ is a natural extension to an MIS with a front end that mirrors the processes in the system itself, but delivers the prices virtually instantly to the user. Our software then adjusts the price based upon several predefined commercial rules and effectively guides the user on the correct commercial price for the job. It also simultaneously calculates a carbon footprint for each part of the production processes using an energy / CO2 equivalence formula, displaying the total carbon footprint for each specification calculated. This allows the user to not only compare the fiscal cost of each job, but also the environmental cost.”

The online development of PDQ adds to a list of already impressive features built into the system. As an expert estimating system PDQ uses a sophisticated mathematical algorithm to check every possible production method to determine the most cost-effective method of producing a job.

“We realise that most buyers of print don’t consider the environmental issues as relevant in the current economic climate – particularly if it means paying more” says Grindrod, “but if, and when, buyers become more conscious of the environmental impact of the jobs they procure, our product can provide this information. It also means that, as far as a printer is concerned, they can offer the best production price and, as an alternative, the most environmentally friendly solution – and that’s never been available before.”

Building connectivity to other MIS vendors has become top of Haybrooke’s priority list. The recent addition of a JDF-XML file output is the first step towards integration of its product into other receptive MIS solutions. Philip Roe, Haybrooke’s Operations Director, admits that this will not be without its stumbling blocks: “MIS has traditionally been very protective of its position within the market and probably perceives us as competition. We do not see it that way. We want MIS vendors to work with us to help their clients find more efficient ways of delivering prices to their customers. If integration of our product into their own is part of the solution then it will become inevitable that MIS suppliers will need to work with us and we would welcome this.”

For a busy printer, this might be just what the doctor ordered.

Contact sales@haybrooke.com or telephone 0116 2711000