General
– What is Stoora?
Stoora works by using the same terminology for both buyers and suppliers,
based on the manufacturing results that are either required or on offer.
This system enables Stoora.com to provide suppliers of industrial components
and services with precisely targeted RFQs from potential buyers worldwide -
and this service is offered free of charge and with no obligation to
proceed. An international patent is pending for this system and its
application software.
– How does Stoora work?
A buyer uploads on the Stoora website his RFQ, eventually adds CAD drawings of the component he wants to subcontract, and indicates with the Stoora Manufacturing Classification (SMC) the Manufacturing Results needed.
It’s free.
Every supplier that has registered as being able to provide the same Manufacturing Results , on only them, will receive the RFQ, but not the buyer’s name, and will be able to study it. It’s free
Any supplier who wants to send a quotation can obtain the buyer’s name by paying a fixed fee not related to the value of the offer.
It’s free.
Every supplier that has registered as being able to provide the same Manufacturing Results , on only them, will receive the RFQ, but not the buyer’s name, and will be able to study it. It’s free
Any supplier who wants to send a quotation can obtain the buyer’s name by paying a fixed fee not related to the value of the offer.
– Can a company register as both a buyer and a supplier?
Registering as a buyer and a supplier must be done separately using, eventually but not necessarily, the same login (e-mail address) and the same password in both cases.
– What are the General conditions of use?
– How much does it cost to use Stoora?
Using Stoora is entirely free for a buyer wanting to subcontract a component or an assembly.
As for the supplier, he can study free of any charge, in all their details, all the RFQs he receives, but they are anonymous. The supplier pays a fixed fee, not related to the value of the job, only when he wants to obtain the buyer’s name
As for the supplier, he can study free of any charge, in all their details, all the RFQs he receives, but they are anonymous. The supplier pays a fixed fee, not related to the value of the job, only when he wants to obtain the buyer’s name
– What is subcontracting or outsourcing?
Subcontracting (outsourcing) means that a buyer asks a supplier to undertake the production of assemblies or components needed for the buyer's output. Subcontractors are companies to whom certain parts of the task are outsourced.
A subcontractor is different from a mere supplier since he manufactures a product designed by buyer or, frequently, in collaboration with him. The outsourced products are manufactured by the subcontractor exclusively on behalf of the buyer and do not feature the subcontractor’s name. The subcontractor is exclusively bound to ensure that his execution of the work complies with the specifications issued by the buyer who is the sole proprietor of said work
A subcontractor is different from a mere supplier since he manufactures a product designed by buyer or, frequently, in collaboration with him. The outsourced products are manufactured by the subcontractor exclusively on behalf of the buyer and do not feature the subcontractor’s name. The subcontractor is exclusively bound to ensure that his execution of the work complies with the specifications issued by the buyer who is the sole proprietor of said work
– What is a Component?
A component is any part that does not require any assembly, whose manufacture is requested in a RFQ
– What is an Assembly?
Manufacturing an assembly means putting together several components whether or not supplied by the buyer
– What is the SMC Classification? – (STOORA Manufacturing Classification)
The SMC Classification has been developed by engineers in order to ensure that RFQs issued by buyers are received only by suppliers able to answer them. This result is achieved by the extremely accurate approach provided by a tree-like classification.
In fact, each grid defining a manufacturing activity has its own tree structure: each box on the first line is linked to each of the boxes on the second line to which are added all the boxes of the third line etc. Accordingly, a grid with, for instance, 4 lines of 8 boxes could represent up to 4096 (84) manufacturing techniques for a given manufacturing trade!
However, neither buyer nor supplier is faced with such an abundance of choices! The buyer only has to tick on each line the box that matches the desired manufacturing result. As far as the supplier is concerned, having selected the grids corresponding to his manufacturing trades, the only effort he has to make to fine tune his profile consists in a single click on the alert messages, to eliminate the manufacturing results he cannot achieve.
In fact, each grid defining a manufacturing activity has its own tree structure: each box on the first line is linked to each of the boxes on the second line to which are added all the boxes of the third line etc. Accordingly, a grid with, for instance, 4 lines of 8 boxes could represent up to 4096 (84) manufacturing techniques for a given manufacturing trade!
However, neither buyer nor supplier is faced with such an abundance of choices! The buyer only has to tick on each line the box that matches the desired manufacturing result. As far as the supplier is concerned, having selected the grids corresponding to his manufacturing trades, the only effort he has to make to fine tune his profile consists in a single click on the alert messages, to eliminate the manufacturing results he cannot achieve.
– What is one of the main advantages of the Stoora classification?
Sometimes, a company, especially a SME without an available engineering department, does not know which manufacturing activity is the best able to manufacture a metal component.
The SMC classification solves that problem. By merely indicating on the “General Metalworking” buyer-grid what manufacturing results are necessary, the buyer’s RFQ will be sent to the suppliers having the following activities: powder metallurgy, foundry, forging, die-forging, machining. Those suppliers who want to make a quotation can then contact the buyer by paying a fixed fee.
The SMC classification solves that problem. By merely indicating on the “General Metalworking” buyer-grid what manufacturing results are necessary, the buyer’s RFQ will be sent to the suppliers having the following activities: powder metallurgy, foundry, forging, die-forging, machining. Those suppliers who want to make a quotation can then contact the buyer by paying a fixed fee.
| MATERIAL | CAST IRON | STEELS | STAINLESS STEEL | SPECIAL STEEL | ALUMINUM & ALLOYS | COPPER & ALLOYS | LIGHT ALLOYS | OTHER |
| DIMENSION mm | <10 | <50 | <100 | <500 | <1 000 | <2000 | >2 000 | |
| MONTHLY OUTPUT | PROTO | <10 | <100 | <1000 | <10 000 | >10 000 | ||
| PRECISION | <1/100 mm | <5/100 mm | <1/10 mm | >1/10mm |
– What is a manufacturing activity?
A manufacturing activity covers all the manufacturing techniques available from a supplier. Each manufacturing activity is represented by a supplier grid whose boxes allow a supplier to define his manufacturing techniques.
– What is a Box?
In the SMC Classification, each manufacturing activity is represented by a grid made up of lines and columns forming boxes.
The title of each line identifies one of the items relating either to the manufacturing result required in a RFQ or to a supplier’s manufacturing techniques; each box on the line specifies this definition.
The title of each line identifies one of the items relating either to the manufacturing result required in a RFQ or to a supplier’s manufacturing techniques; each box on the line specifies this definition.
– What are Manufacturing Techniques?
The profile of any supplier indicates the manufacturing techniques he can supply, within each of his manufacturing activities, in order to respond to RFQs sent to him.
Manufacturing techniques are defined by the boxes of the supplier grids of the manufacturing activity selected.
Manufacturing techniques are defined by the boxes of the supplier grids of the manufacturing activity selected.
– What are Manufacturing results?
Within the context of the SMC classification, the manufacturing results defines, for a buyer, the requirements needed to meet the conditions of a RFQ.
In the supplier profile, the list of manufacturing results defines his ability to answer a RFQ
A manufacturing result is expressed by which boxes are ticked in a grid
In the supplier profile, the list of manufacturing results defines his ability to answer a RFQ
A manufacturing result is expressed by which boxes are ticked in a grid
– What is meant by Monthly production?
In the buyer grid the buyer ticks a box labelled «monthly production» on the red line to indicate the monthly production range for the components or assemblies described in his RFQ
– Who are the partners made available by Stoora to its users?
The partners are world renowned enterprises, selected by Stoora for their seriousness and the quality of their services, in order to help both buyers and suppliers in their international relations and transactions; the services rendered are in the following fields:
Quality control
Shipping
Customs clearance
Translations
Stoora is not responsible for the eventual dealings with these partners
Quality control
Shipping
Customs clearance
Translations
Stoora is not responsible for the eventual dealings with these partners
– Is the Stoora website secure?
The Stoora website is totally secure (Secure Sockets Layer, ref SSL). Only registered users can access its data which is not available to the general public.
– What can I do if I do not find an answer to my question?
You can contact the Stoora customer service directly by e-mail; we shall answer promptly.
Buyer
– Who are the Buyers?
Buyers are the companies, registered on the Stoora site, that issue RFQs. These companies, quite often SMEs, are looking for suppliers able to provide them, within the best possible quality and price conditions, with the components and assemblies they want to have manufactured.
To register on the Stoora site, a buyer completes a form, provides his e-mail address as an identifier and chooses a password; he then has to read and accept the general conditions of use.
He will then receive an e-mail with a link on which he has to click to finalize his registration.
As soon as he has registered, the buyer can start issuing RFQs
To register on the Stoora site, a buyer completes a form, provides his e-mail address as an identifier and chooses a password; he then has to read and accept the general conditions of use.
He will then receive an e-mail with a link on which he has to click to finalize his registration.
As soon as he has registered, the buyer can start issuing RFQs
– What are, for a buyer, the advantages of Stoora?
A buyer uploads his RFQ on the website, joins its CAD drawings and specifies the “manufacturing results“ needed to obtain the component he wants to subcontract. It’s free of charge and the RFQ is sent to adequate suppliers without his name.
The buyer will receive only pertinent quotations since, in order to obtain his name, a supplier has to pay a fixed fee.
Moreover, when he creates a RFQ, a buyer may select the countries where he wants it sent to. Thus, he may choose to obtain quotations only from suppliers of his own country.
The buyer will receive only pertinent quotations since, in order to obtain his name, a supplier has to pay a fixed fee.
Moreover, when he creates a RFQ, a buyer may select the countries where he wants it sent to. Thus, he may choose to obtain quotations only from suppliers of his own country.
– What is a Buyer grid?
Each manufacturing trade is represented by a grid that allows the buyer to identify the manufacturing results necessary to answer his RFQ.
Accordingly, in the example provided below, the boxes ticked by a buyer define a RFQ that will be sent to suppliers working in the “metal forming“ industry and whose manufacturing techniques allow them to produce a “Stainless steel component weighing between 10 and 100 kg – to be delivered at the rate of 10 to 100 off each month – using the lost wax casting process”.
A buyer MUST tick at least one box in each red line. However, if he does not know which manufacturing technique(s) to use in order to achieve the desired result, he may omit ticking a box in the black line. In this case, the RFQ will be sent to suppliers whose supplier profile includes at least one of the manufacturing techniques
© 2008, stoora
Accordingly, in the example provided below, the boxes ticked by a buyer define a RFQ that will be sent to suppliers working in the “metal forming“ industry and whose manufacturing techniques allow them to produce a “Stainless steel component weighing between 10 and 100 kg – to be delivered at the rate of 10 to 100 off each month – using the lost wax casting process”.
A buyer MUST tick at least one box in each red line. However, if he does not know which manufacturing technique(s) to use in order to achieve the desired result, he may omit ticking a box in the black line. In this case, the RFQ will be sent to suppliers whose supplier profile includes at least one of the manufacturing techniques
| METAL FORMING | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MATERIAL | STANDARD STEELS | STAINLESS STEELS |
SPECIAL STEELS | ALUMINIUM AND ALLOYS | COPPERS AND ALLOYS | LIGHT ALLOYS | OTHER | |
| WEIGHT | < 50g | 50g - 1kg | 1kg - 10kg | 10kg - 100kg |
100kg - 500kg | 500kg - 1T | 1T - 10T | > 10T |
| MONTHLY PRODUCTION | PROTOTYPE | 1 - 10 | 10 - 100 |
100 - 1000 | 1 000 - 10 000 | > 10 000 | ||
| CASTING | MANUAL | MOLD | SHELL | LOST WAX |
GRAVITY | CENTRIFUGAL | OTHER | |
| FORGING DIE-FORGING | FORGING | HOT DIE FORGING | COLD HOBBING | UPSETTING | EXTRUSION | OPEN-DIE FORGING | COLD STAMPING | OTHER |
– What are RFQs (Requests For Quotation)?
In order to subcontract the manufacture of a component or an assembly using the Stoora service, a Buyer has first to send a RFQ (Request for Quotation):
1. He defines his RFQ by completing a form on the Stoora website and adds the component’s CAD drawing(s). He may then select the countries where he wants it sent to. Thus, he may choose to obtain quotations only from suppliers of his own country.
2. He selects the manufacturing activity that can best answer his RFQ
3. A new screen appears with a grid made up of red and black lines. The red lines are the basic manufacturing results needed. The buyer must tick at least one of the boxes on each line. If the buyer does not know which manufacturing technique to choose, he does not have to tick on any of the black line describing these techniques.
4. He confirms his RFQ which is then sent, without his name, to those suppliers whose profile matches the RFQ
5. He receives an acknowledgement by e-mail
6. He will be later directly contacted by the suppliers who have paid a fixed fee to obtain his name
1. He defines his RFQ by completing a form on the Stoora website and adds the component’s CAD drawing(s). He may then select the countries where he wants it sent to. Thus, he may choose to obtain quotations only from suppliers of his own country.
2. He selects the manufacturing activity that can best answer his RFQ
3. A new screen appears with a grid made up of red and black lines. The red lines are the basic manufacturing results needed. The buyer must tick at least one of the boxes on each line. If the buyer does not know which manufacturing technique to choose, he does not have to tick on any of the black line describing these techniques.
4. He confirms his RFQ which is then sent, without his name, to those suppliers whose profile matches the RFQ
5. He receives an acknowledgement by e-mail
6. He will be later directly contacted by the suppliers who have paid a fixed fee to obtain his name
– How can I add CAD drawings to my RFQs?
Drawings obtained with most CAD software are usually too “heavy“ to be easily sent by mail; you will find on the Stoora website a link to the “e-drawing“ software which will allow you to change your drawing into an easier to mail .PDF file
– How can I send a CAD drawing if I cannot change it into a PDF file?
In that case, you may send the drawings in their original CAD file as long as the maximum size of the files does not exceed 16Mb.
Supplier
– Who are the Suppliers?
Suppliers are companies registered with the STOORA service that can answer RFQs sent by buyers seeking the best possible quality and price conditions for the components and assemblies they want to outsource.
When registering with the STOORA service, a supplier completes a form. Then, he has to choose the grid(s) corresponding to each of his manufacturing activities, and tick in each one the boxe(s) corresponding to his manufacturing techniques.
He also provides his e-mail address as an identifier and chooses a password. Finally, he must read and accept the general conditions of use.
He will then receive an e-mail with a link. He needs to click on this link to finalize his registration.
When registering with the STOORA service, a supplier completes a form. Then, he has to choose the grid(s) corresponding to each of his manufacturing activities, and tick in each one the boxe(s) corresponding to his manufacturing techniques.
He also provides his e-mail address as an identifier and chooses a password. Finally, he must read and accept the general conditions of use.
He will then receive an e-mail with a link. He needs to click on this link to finalize his registration.
– What are, for a supplier, the advantages of Stoora?
A supplier can receive and study free of charge all the – anonymous – RFQs corresponding to the “manufacturing results“ he has registered on the Stoora website. This precise targeting of RFQs obtained with the proprietary Stoora Manufacturing Classification, spares the buyers a flood of non pertinent RFQs.
Moreover, a supplier pays only when he wants to contact a buyer to make a quotation.
Thus, instead of being obliged to pay a subscription without being sure to receive RFQs corresponding exactly to his manufacturing activities, a supplier will pay only when he chooses to do so, and only a fixed fee with no relation to the value of his quotation.
Moreover, a supplier pays only when he wants to contact a buyer to make a quotation.
Thus, instead of being obliged to pay a subscription without being sure to receive RFQs corresponding exactly to his manufacturing activities, a supplier will pay only when he chooses to do so, and only a fixed fee with no relation to the value of his quotation.
– What is a manufacturing profile?
The manufacturing profile contains all the information registered about his know-how when using the Stoora service
This means, first, the manufacturing activities registered according to the SMC and, then, the manufacturing activities deleted when receiving a RFQ or, later, reinstated.
– What is a Supplier grid?
When registering, a supplier must choose the grid(s) corresponding to each of his manufacturing activities, and tick in each one the boxe(s) corresponding to his manufacturing techniques.
Later, when receiving RFQs that so not match his know-how, he may delete the corresponding manufacturing activities, subject to reinstatement whenever he so decides.
© 2008, stoora
| BOILER MAKING | WITHOUT PRESSURE | PRESSURE <4bars | PRESSURE 4-10 bars | PRESSURE 10-50 bars | PRESSURE >50 bars | OTHER | ||
| ROLLING | HOT ROLLING | COLD ROLLING | HOT ROLLING FORGING | ROLLING BENDING SHEETS | ROLLING NETS KNURLING | ROLLING TUBES AND PROFILES | OTHER |
– How shall I know when a RFQ concerns me?
A supplier doesn’t have to log on the stoora website to find out whether there is any RFQ for him: he will receive by e-mail an alert message whenever a buyer RFQ fits his manufacturing profile.
– What is an Alert message?
Whenever a buyer RFQ corresponds to his manufacturing profile, the supplier will receive by e-mail an alert message with a link to his « New RFQs » screen.
For each new RFQ, this screen will only display the manufacturing results demanded by the buyer when ticking the appropriate grid boxes.
Two choices are then available:
Either delete and stop receiving any RFQ displaying the same manufacturing results unless going through the reinstatement procedure at a later date.
Or go to see and study the RFQ, complete with CAD drawing(s) but buyer’s name withheld.
For each new RFQ, this screen will only display the manufacturing results demanded by the buyer when ticking the appropriate grid boxes.
Two choices are then available:
Either delete and stop receiving any RFQ displaying the same manufacturing results unless going through the reinstatement procedure at a later date.
Or go to see and study the RFQ, complete with CAD drawing(s) but buyer’s name withheld.
– What is a Reinstatement?
The supplier manufacturing profile includes the list of the manufacturing results he has deleted.; the supplier can at any time go to manufacturing profile and to that list and reactivate any deleted occurrence
– How can a supplier obtain a buyer’s identity?
When a supplier, having viewed an RFQ – which will always be anonymous – decides to contact the buyer who issued it, he can obtain the buyer’s identity by paying a fee that remains invariable, regardless of the value of the quotation.
There are two available options:
1) Having purchased a credit of 8 “virtual vouchers”(VV) costing 1000 €uros (by bank card or bank transfer or PayPal), the supplier can immediately obtain the buyer’s identity by debiting 1 VV.
2) Alternately, the supplier can pay 185 Euros (by bank card or bank transfer or PayPal) but will receive the information only after the STOORA account has been credited with the amount.
1) Having purchased a credit of 8 “virtual vouchers”(VV) costing 1000 €uros (by bank card or bank transfer or PayPal), the supplier can immediately obtain the buyer’s identity by debiting 1 VV.
2) Alternately, the supplier can pay 185 Euros (by bank card or bank transfer or PayPal) but will receive the information only after the STOORA account has been credited with the amount.
– What is a Fee to obtain a buyer’s identity?
When a supplier, having viewed an RFQ – which will always be anonymous – decides to contact the buyer who issued it, he can obtain the buyer’s identity by paying a fixed fee that remains invariable, regardless of the value of the quotation.
There are two available options:
1) Having purchased a credit of 8 “virtual vouchers”(VV) costing 1000 €uros (by bank card or bank transfer or PayPal), the supplier can immediately obtain the buyer’s identity by debiting 1 VV.
2) Alternately, the supplier can pay 185 Euros (by bank card or bank transfer or PayPal) but will receive the information only after the STOORA account has been credited with the amount.
1) Having purchased a credit of 8 “virtual vouchers”(VV) costing 1000 €uros (by bank card or bank transfer or PayPal), the supplier can immediately obtain the buyer’s identity by debiting 1 VV.
2) Alternately, the supplier can pay 185 Euros (by bank card or bank transfer or PayPal) but will receive the information only after the STOORA account has been credited with the amount.
– What is a fixed fee?
When a supplier, having studied a – still anonymous – RFQ, wants to contact the buyer, he can obtain his coordinates by paying a fixed fee, whatever the quotation value.
This can be done in two ways:
1. Either, having previously acquired (bank card or transfer or Paypal) 8 “Virtual Vouchers” (VV) for 1000 Euros, he can obtain immediately the buyer’s name by debiting 1 VV;
2. Or by paying 185 Euros (bank card or transfer or Paypal) he will receive the buyer’s name as soon as the Stoora account is credited.
This can be done in two ways:
1. Either, having previously acquired (bank card or transfer or Paypal) 8 “Virtual Vouchers” (VV) for 1000 Euros, he can obtain immediately the buyer’s name by debiting 1 VV;
2. Or by paying 185 Euros (bank card or transfer or Paypal) he will receive the buyer’s name as soon as the Stoora account is credited.
– What are Virtual Vouchers?
Virtual Vouchers (VV) give the supplier immediate access to the name and address of a buyer whose RFQ he has studied and wishes to contact. This is the quickest and most economical way to obtain a buyer’s identity.
A supplier who has bought 8 “virtual vouchers” for 1000 €uros (by bank card or bank transfer or PayPal) can then immediately obtain a buyer’s identity by debiting 1 VV. These virtual vouchers are indefinitely valid.
A supplier who has bought 8 “virtual vouchers” for 1000 €uros (by bank card or bank transfer or PayPal) can then immediately obtain a buyer’s identity by debiting 1 VV. These virtual vouchers are indefinitely valid.
– How can I reply to a RFQ that interests me ?
When a supplier, having viewed an RFQ – which will always be anonymous – decides to contact the buyer who issued it, he can obtain the buyer’s identity by paying a fee that remains invariable, regardless of the value of the quotation. There are two available options:
1. Having purchased a credit of 8 “virtual vouchers”(VV) costing 1000 €uros (by bank card or bank transfer or PayPal), the supplier can immediately obtain the buyer’s identity by debiting 1 VV.
2. Alternately, the supplier can pay 185 Euros (by bank card or bank transfer or PayPal) but will receive the information only after the STOORA account has been credited with the amount.
1. Having purchased a credit of 8 “virtual vouchers”(VV) costing 1000 €uros (by bank card or bank transfer or PayPal), the supplier can immediately obtain the buyer’s identity by debiting 1 VV.
2. Alternately, the supplier can pay 185 Euros (by bank card or bank transfer or PayPal) but will receive the information only after the STOORA account has been credited with the amount.