When a machine shop requests a quote for metal finishing, the engineer or estimator sending the RFQ is often hesitant to include a 3D model of their part. Understandably, they want to protect the proprietary information contained in these highly detailed files, so they send 2D PDF files only. 

These PDF files do contain sufficient specifications for metal finishing shops to perform requested services on a part. Unfortunately, this limited information is not conducive to fast and accurate quoting. 

Metal finishing shops consistently produce the fastest and most accurate quotes when they can plug in the detailed data from a 3D model.

The dilemma is clear: machine shops are best served by metal finishing shops when they provide 3D models in addition to 2D drawings, but they don’t know how to securely transfer this proprietary information. 

5 Advantages of Global Metal Finishing’s Secure Quoting Platform

With over 30 years of experience in metal finishing, Global Metal Finishing knew we needed a quoting solution that would protect customers’ intellectual property while delivering accurate quotes quickly.

We selected the next generation quoting platform offered by Paperless Parts. 

We pride ourselves on being a tech-savvy, forward-thinking metal finishing shop. Completing the digital transformation of our quoting platform was not an easy process for our company. However, we knew the tremendous benefits this transformation would bring to our customers would make it worth the effort: 

1. Security. The Paperless Parts quoting platform is fully ITAR compliant, which is a critical requirement for many of our customers. Engineers can share a 3D model with confidence, knowing that their file is stored securely within the platform. Furthermore, engineers maintain full control over the file and can turn off access when it is no longer needed.  
2. Accuracy. When we have access to a customer’s 3D model, we can provide extremely accurate quotes (down to the decimal point) because we have full visibility into critical part dimensions like volume and surface area. 
3. Transparency. Our digital quoting platform allows customers to visualize and understand exactly what they are paying for. High-quality metal finishing is a comprehensive process that involves many nuances to ensure proper consistency and color. We break down each quote to provide full transparency into this process. 
4. Communication. Our quoting system establishes a central channel of communication for customers to ask specific questions about their quote directly within the platform. Global Metal Finishing team members respond to each question and in some cases will even call a customer directly to discuss further. An open line of communication helps to ensure a smooth metal finishing process.
5. Speed. With secure access to the 3D model and 2D drawings inside the quoting platform, we can generate quotes in under 24 hours. Customers then receive a convenient hyperlink which takes them directly to their quote. Within the quoting platform, they can review their quote in detail, ask questions, and ultimately accept the quote so that metal finishing can begin. The quoting platform streamlines these actions to dramatically increase the speed of quoting and approval.

Here at Global Metal Finishing, we respect our customers’ intellectual property. We’re committed to staying on the cutting edge of innovation with technical solutions like Paperless Parts. We are dedicated to protecting your proprietary information; we are even in the process of becoming Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certified (CMMC). We expect to be one of the first—if not the first—metal finishing shops in the United States to receive CMMC certification.

Ready to receive your fast and accurate quote? Request a quote online using our highly secure, ITAR compliant form.