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====== INSTANT QUOTE ======

Instant Quote is a fully automated, customizable, online solution for screening compound selection, quote calculation, ordering and shipment tracking. It eliminates unnecessary e-mail communications. It utilizes our unique **price optimization algorithm** which calculates the **best price and fastest delivery quotes** by comparing and optimizing compound prices, supplier discounts, small order fees, delivery costs, customs duties and reformatting options. It allows the user to exclude compounds based on their effective price, and it recalculates the quote on-the-fly. Instant Quote reduces screening compound sourcing costs especially for large orders where manual optimization is not possible (many suppliers, different price schemes, delivery options, etc.). Additionally, the elimination of e-mail communication saves valuable time of scientists and procurement managers.

You can find all your previously saved and ordered instant quotes **[[https://mcule.com/quote/list|HERE]]**. You can go back to saved quotes and place an order before the validity time of the quote expires.

===== Generating Instant Quotes =====

You can request Instant Quotes for single compounds and molecule collections by clicking on the orange **"Quote"** buttons, filling out the **[[quoteform|Quote form]]** and clicking on **"INSTANT QUOTE"**. The quote generation typically takes 1-2 minutes depending on the complexity of the **[[iq#price_optimization|price optimization]]** problem. After the calculations are finished, the best price and fastest delivery quotes are displayed. You can click on **"See details >>"** to analyze the quotes in more detail and to further optimize your purchase order by eliminating expensive compounds one by one (see **[[iq#effective_price|effective price]]**).

In the header of the generated Instant Quote you will find important information such as: quotation reference ID, quotation and validity date, payment terms, estimated delivery time, delivery format and Mcule contact (where PO can be sent). Below, you will find a table summarizing the contributions of compound prices and delivery costs to the total price. Please note that the shipping costs might include the procurement of compounds from various suppliers plus package consolidation. The minimization of the shipping costs is also part of the **[[iq#price_optimization|price optimization algorithm]]**.

Below the price summary table, you can find a detailed list of the selected products showing the supplier, available maximum stock amount and the quoted amount. Additionally, the **"Effective price"** is also displayed, which shows how much the total price will be reduced, when the particular compound is skipped from the quote. You can eliminate expensive compounds by selecting them and clicking on **"REMOVE SELECTED AND RECALCULATE"**. A new quote will be generated. You can go back to your original quote and all others generated by removing selected compounds by clicking on **"<< Back to quote list"** in the top right corner of your quote.

To place an order, click on the orange **"ORDER"** button, after which you can add a purchase order number to the corresponding quote. You can find all your "Ordered" quotes under **"INSTANT QUOTES / Ordered"**. To save an Instant Quote, click on the **"SAVE"** button. You can find all your "Saved" quotes under **"INSTANT QUOTES / Saved"**. You can go back to your saved quotes later on for placing an order before the validity of the quote expires. Although, we suggest to place orders for "fresh" quotes as the stock availability for products can change. You can also download instant quotes in PDF or Excel formats by clicking on the **"DOWNLOAD AS"** button.

===== Price optimization =====

Our unique algorithm calculates the **best price and fastest delivery quotes** by comparing and optimizing compound prices, supplier discounts, small order fees, delivery costs, customs duties and reformatting options. This is not a trivial task when searching the best purchasing option for several hundreds or even thousands of compounds. Total prices may differ by 30-50% depending on the selection of the suppliers. Our algorithm systematically checks various combinations to find the best ones. Mcule's price optimization algorithm is unique because it automatically finds the best combination and it does not require the user to set the priority of the suppliers. The user can exclude/include suppliers in the quote form, but from all the remaining suppliers we can find the best solution. Our algorithm can spare thousands of dollars when purchasing >100 compounds.

===== Effective price =====

**"Effective price"** is displayed for all products / suppliers / catalogs listed in an Instant Quote. 
It shows how the removal of the product / supplier / catalog effects the total price. In addition to the price of the product, "effective price" may include delivery cost, customs duties / taxes, packaging fees small / minimum order fees, etc. You can eliminate expensive compounds by selecting them and clicking on **"REMOVE SELECTED AND RECALCULATE"**. Please note that negative effective price is also possible and it means an increase of the total price upon removal of a product / supplier / catalog. This is possible when you are on the border of a price category jump, e.g. ordering 100 compounds instead of 99 could result in lower average price per product. Zero effective price is also possible if you are below the minimum order fee of a given supplier.

===== Online tracking =====

All your "ordered" Instant Quotes are listed under **"INSTANT QUOTES / Ordered"**. A tracking number of each of them is listed. By clicking the tracking number, you can track the status of your order, which is updated as your order is processed.