RFQ automation that starts in your inbox, not a portal
In short: Otto automates both sides of an RFQ for distributors: it reads the customer’s request from Gmail, sends your approved RFQ to the right suppliers, reads their price replies, and builds the priced quote. Customers and suppliers keep using plain email.
Most RFQ software asks your customers and suppliers to log into something new. Distributors’ requests don’t live there. They arrive as emails and PDFs, and they get answered by email. Otto automates the work around those emails instead of replacing them.
Request early accessThe customer’s request becomes structured lines
When an RFQ arrives, every line is pulled out with its quantity, unit and full description, along with dates, job numbers and any certification requirements. Lines Otto is unsure about are flagged with the reason, so you correct them once instead of discovering a mistake on the quote.
Supplier RFQs go to the suppliers who carry it
You tag each supplier with the materials they carry. Otto drafts one RFQ per supplier with only the lines they can quote, and leaves your customer’s name out. Nothing is sent until you approve it, from your desk or your phone.
Supplier replies are read and compared for you
Supplier price replies are read straight from email, including unit price, lead time and notes. On the quote, replies sit side by side for each line, with the lowest price and the fastest delivery marked. Choose one and your markup is applied in code, with the supplier and date recorded on the line.
| Step | By hand | With Otto |
|---|---|---|
| Reading the customer RFQ | Retype each line into a spreadsheet or quote | Lines extracted automatically, unclear ones flagged |
| Asking suppliers | Write and send an email to each supplier | One drafted RFQ per supplier, sent when you approve |
| Collecting prices | Dig through replies and copy numbers | Replies read automatically and shown side by side |
| Pricing the quote | Calculate markup by hand | Markup applied in code, source and date on every line |
| Sending | Build a PDF and attach it | Tap Send on your phone; PDF sent from your Gmail |
What stays manual on purpose
Approving supplier RFQs, choosing a supplier’s price when it matters, and sending the customer quote are human decisions. Otto does the reading, drafting and arithmetic, and waits for you at each point where money or your name is involved.
Questions
Do my suppliers need to use a portal?
No. Suppliers receive a normal email RFQ and reply by email. Otto reads their replies from your mailbox.
Can it send RFQs to several suppliers at once?
Yes. It drafts a separate RFQ for each supplier who carries the material, and each one is sent when you approve it.
How does it compare supplier quotes?
For each line on your quote it lists every supplier’s unit price and lead time side by side, marks the lowest price and fastest delivery, and lets you choose which to use.
See it on your own quote requests
Request early access and we’ll show you the quote Otto would have built from one of your recent RFQs. Questions first? Send us a message.
Request early access