Need Input for Color Deal

From the outside looking in, this deal begs for a total solution proposal that takes into consideration more than just speeds and feeds but you can't do it justice by tomorrow afternoon. What is the nature of the content? Is content that is color static and the variable B&W? If so, they would be better served financially with pre-printed stock. Is the intent purely to generate an invoice or do they intend to use this output to promote products or services. If it is the latter, have you looked into Ricoh's new Transpromotional Software called DataWorks?
If there is competition, the winner will be the one with the lowest CPC because at that volume, a few mills will amount to hundreds per month. The secret to winning in that scenario will be providing a better and complete solution. However, you will need more time and more information to do that.

I also received a copy of what they are printing. I will scan and attach tomorrow to show what the output is. I should be able to put the quote off until Monday to gain more insight.

I'd like to see the scan also

I also agree that this situation calls for much more than just hardware. There are data issues and workflow issues here. Hardware is the last part of this equation.

In addition to Old Glory's questions,

Have they discussed where their data is coming from, what format it's in and whether it's proprietary? How clean is the data? Do they have any other delivery needs for the output (for example, archiving pdfs of the invoices, searchable archiving, faxing, emailing)?

How do they currently generate invoices? (By that, I mean pulling the transactions together with the right customer, not putting the toner to the page.) What problems do they have with that system?

Do they store copies of invoices for future reference? How do they retrieve invoices when their customers have questions about their bills?

How expensive is their current system in terms of labor and accuracy?

Suggest that you also look at Objectif Lune's PlanetPress and Prism's DocForm. Both are transactional variable data products that can handle any transpromo needs, both are scaleable, and both offer more features than just printing. We've worked with both companies to install both products with various clients, and had good luck with both. PlanetPress is the higher ed product and pricier, DocForm just as good with a more moderate price.

To concur with Old Glory, if you bring them a COMPLETE solution that solves problems they thought they had to live with and gives them new features that improves their productivity, accuracy and bottom line, price is not going to be the determining factor.

Edited to say, I forgot to mention that PlanetPress has a module that assists with distributed printing

Well, unfortunately I do not get to present those ideas to this customer. They have already implemented a Pitney Bowes mail-merge system that is set up to send out renewal notices (not invoices) to 67 newspaper customers around the country. They aleady have in place a folder/envelope stuffer/sealer in place to take the printed notices.

I approached them with the idea of getting the notices pre-printed for greater savings, but the response was, the system was already in place to print. They had looked at the cost of getting 67 different pre-printed forms made up, but did not want to go through the hassle of having the correct form in the printer before the print job was started.

With that issue dead, I was able to prepare two quotes for them on the CLP240d systems and the C7075 systems, or a C7075 and a CLP240d. The printed form will come out to 90% black and 10% color.

I was not able to get the scanned file uploaded for you to see. I got an error message saying the FTP server had reached its limit on file size.

I appreciate the responses I got on this, and wish I was able to give them a full package quote, but the customer wanted an output only quote.

If I get the deal, I will post what got the deal and at what price.

Customer bought:
2 - Savin CLP240d Color Printers
2 - PB3010 Large Capacity Trays
2 - SR3030 Finishers for Output
$7,250 each
CPC - $.0582 with toner for color
CPC - $.0135 with toner for black