Predictika · Liquid chromatography system quotes

An AI sales agent's LC system quote, checked before it goes out

An AI sales agent drafts a quote for a liquid chromatography (LC) system: the pump, sampler, thermostat, detector, column and data software, the service plan, the destination and the discount. Before the quote goes out, the agent sends it to Predictika, which checks it against a declarative model of the module, column and pressure limits, the compliance and service rules and the discount authority, compares the net total the agent states with the one it computes, and reports every problem it finds in one pass.

Scope: Agilent style 1290 and 1260 Infinity II LC system quotes: modules, columns, pressure and method fit, software, service, region, lead time and discount. See everything this validator covers

This validator models 1290 and 1260 Infinity II style LC system quotes, including LC/MS, regulated-lab software and service. It handles any quote made of these modules, columns and terms, not just the scenarios shown below.

  • Modules — Binary, flexible and quaternary pumps; vial samplers and a multisampler; column thermostats; diode array, variable wavelength, fluorescence and single quadrupole mass detectors; with the pressure, flow, solvent, injection volume and temperature limits of each.
  • Pressure and method fit — Column backpressure estimated from flow, column length, diameter and particle size, compared with the weakest limit of pump, sampler, thermostat and column, with a review band within 10 percent of the limit.
  • Detector rules — Flow cell volume against narrow bore columns, the mass spectrometer flow limit and flow split, and the volatile mobile phase a mass spectrometer needs.
  • Data system and compliance — OpenLab style software editions, electronic records compliance for regulated labs, instrument counts per edition, and qualification services.
  • Service, region and lead time — Standard and premium service plans, regions where premium is offered, lead time by region against the weeks the customer needs, and export review for mass spectrometers to restricted regions.
  • Commercial terms and the stated total — Discount authority by channel (direct or partner) with an approval path, a large-order review above USD 250,000, an illustrative price build-up in US dollars, and a check that the net total the agent states matches the total the validator computes.

Any LC system quote that touches these rules is in scope — not only the scenarios pictured here. Not covered: GC, ICP-MS and other instrument families, consumables other than the quoted column lines, method validation, real list prices and contract pricing, or module generations beyond the catalog.

The AI sales agentBuilds the LC system quote from the conversation and says it is ready.
Predictika validatorChecks every rule at once and returns the verdict, each finding, and the computed figures.

6 scenarios in 3 groups · each group runs from the agent’s first attempt to the outcome · click one to switch

What the agent proposes

The AI sales agent says

Illustrative agent statement. The validator receives the structured request below.

Proposing agent: AI sales agent (scripted)

Before sending, the agent must call Recorded run

Predictika validator


      

        
        
        
      

      
Waiting for the call.

      
    

  

  
  

    
Where rules-based CPQ gets it wrong
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Our assessment of what a typical rules-based CPQ (product rules, price rules and validation rules, as in Salesforce CPQ) does with the same cases. It is a judgment about effort and reliability, not a claim that nothing can be built.

    
What the validator caughtTypical rules-based CPQPredictika
Expected pressure from the method against the weakest module or columnOnly with workarounds
Needs a formula from flow, column geometry and particle size, a minimum across four components and a comparison with a review band; this is calculation, not selection, and CPQ rules handle it awkwardly.		Computed from the choices and compared with every limit on every call.
Detector flow cell against column diameter, and mass spectrometer flow and buffer limitsOnly with care
Compatibility rules across three fields; they work, but each new detector adds rows.		Limits are catalog data; the checks follow from the choices.
Compliance software, instrument count and qualification for a regulated labOnly with care
Dependency rules keyed on a customer flag; reliable only if the flag is always set.		Checked together with everything else.
The total the agent statesOnly with workarounds
Comparing a stated total with a computed one means a separate rule per quote layout, and price rules rarely run on stated figures.		The stated net total is a field in the request and is checked against the computed total.
Every problem returned in one answerOnly with workarounds
Rules tend to fire as the quote is saved, so a rep often fixes one error and meets the next.		All findings come back together, whatever order the choices arrived in.

  

  

    
What this validator catches: findings from its test cases
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Every rule is checked on every call, in any order the choices arrive; one problem never hides another. Blocking findings stop the quote; approval findings need a person to sign off; everything else is computed.

    
1Expected pressure of 1,087 bar is within 10 percent of the 1,200 bar limit; applications support must review the method robustness.
2A mass spectrometer to China needs an export compliance review before the order is accepted.
310 percent discount is above the 5 percent a rep can give; approvable up to 15 percent for a Direct order.
4Net order value of $495,168 is above $250,000 and needs a sales director review.
5Expected system pressure of 677 bar (column 597 plus overhead) exceeds the 600 bar limit of the weakest module or column.
6Flow of 600 (mL/min x 100) exceeds the 500 that 1290 Infinity II High-Speed Pump (binary) can deliver.
7The method uses 4 solvents but 1290 Infinity II High-Speed Pump (binary) supports 2.
8Injection of 50 uL exceeds the 20 uL maximum of 1290 Infinity II Vialsampler.
9Column temperature of 90 C exceeds the 80 C maximum of 1260 Infinity II Multicolumn Thermostat.
10The mass spectrometer accepts at most 1 mL/min; a flow split must be added for this flow.
11A mass spectrometer needs a volatile mobile phase; nonvolatile buffer would contaminate the source.
12The 1260 Infinity II Diode Array Detector (13 uL cell) flow cell volume would broaden peaks on a narrow bore column.
13A regulated lab needs electronic records compliance and OpenLab CDS Workstation Lite does not provide it.
14OpenLab CDS Workstation Lite supports up to 2 instruments and 3 systems are quoted.
15A regulated lab needs installation and operational qualification and it is not included.
16Premium service is not available in India.
17Expected lead time is 11 weeks to Brazil but the customer needs it in 8.
1820 percent discount exceeds the 15 percent limit for a Direct order.
19The quoted net total of $172,632.48 does not match the $187,644 the validator computed.

  

  

    
Scenarios and results
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The recorded result of the validator for each scenario on this page: the request the AI agent sent, the verdict, and every finding, in the order they appear above.

    
1. Regulated lab in India: A correct price on a quote that cannot be sold

    
The agent's request. This is for a regulated quality control lab in India that needs the system within 12 weeks. A 1290 Infinity II system with the High-Speed Pump, Multisampler, Multicolumn Thermostat and Diode Array Detector, the ZORBAX RRHD 2.1 x 100 mm 1.8 um column, OpenLab compliance software and 3 years of premium service, shipped to India. Net total $168,840. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • Qualification. A regulated lab needs installation and operational qualification and it is not included.
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  • Service Region. Premium service is not available in India.
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2. Regulated lab in India: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. This is for a regulated quality control lab in India that needs the system within 12 weeks. A 1290 Infinity II system with the High-Speed Pump, Multisampler, Multicolumn Thermostat and Diode Array Detector, the ZORBAX RRHD 2.1 x 100 mm 1.8 um column, OpenLab compliance software, IQ/OQ qualification and 3 years of standard service, shipped to India. Net total $158,940. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • Price summary. Estimated price: $158,940 net, $158,940 list. Hardware $117,500, columns $1,840, software $7,200, service $28,200, qualification $4,200. Column backpressure 447 bar, system pressure need 527 bar of 1,200 bar available, lead time 10 weeks.
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3. Pressure and flow: The price is right; the method is not

    
The agent's request. This is for a contract lab in the United States setting up a routine method on a 2.1 mm column with fast run times. A 1290 Infinity II system with the High-Speed Pump, Multisampler, Multicolumn Thermostat and Diode Array Detector, a Poroshell 120 2.1 x 100 mm 2.7 um column run at 1.2 mL/min, OpenLab compliance software and 3 years of standard service. Direct order for the United States. Net total $154,460. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • System Pressure. Expected system pressure of 677 bar (column 597 plus overhead) exceeds the 600 bar limit of the weakest module or column.
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4. Pressure and flow: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. This is for a contract lab in the United States setting up a routine method on a 2.1 mm column with fast run times. A 1290 Infinity II system with the High-Speed Pump, Multisampler, Multicolumn Thermostat and Diode Array Detector, a Poroshell 120 2.1 x 100 mm 2.7 um column run at 0.6 mL/min, OpenLab compliance software and 3 years of standard service. Direct order for the United States. Net total $154,460. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • Price summary. Estimated price: $154,460 net, $154,460 list. Hardware $117,500, columns $1,560, software $7,200, service $28,200, qualification $0. Column backpressure 298 bar, system pressure need 378 bar of 600 bar available, lead time 6 weeks.
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5. The total the agent states: The agent's own total is checked too

    
The agent's request. This is for a regulated contract lab in the United States adding two routine HPLC systems. Two 1260 Infinity II systems, each with the Binary Pump, Vialsampler, Multicolumn Thermostat and Diode Array Detector, three Poroshell 120 4.6 x 150 mm columns per system, OpenLab compliance software, IQ/OQ qualification and 3 years of standard service. Direct order for the United States. Net total $172,632.48. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • Quoted Net Total. The quoted net total of $172,632.48 does not match the $187,644 the validator computed.
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6. The total the agent states: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. This is for a regulated contract lab in the United States adding two routine HPLC systems. Two 1260 Infinity II systems, each with the Binary Pump, Vialsampler, Multicolumn Thermostat and Diode Array Detector, three Poroshell 120 4.6 x 150 mm columns per system, OpenLab compliance software, IQ/OQ qualification and 3 years of standard service. Direct order for the United States. Net total $187,644. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • Price summary. Estimated price: $187,644 net, $187,644 list. Hardware $129,600, columns $4,140, software $14,400, service $31,104, qualification $8,400. Column backpressure 155 bar, system pressure need 235 bar of 600 bar available, lead time 4 weeks.
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Narration transcript
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The text of the narrated walkthrough, step by step.

    
    
      
  1. Welcome to a demo of Predictika's Validator. An AI sales agent drafts a quote for a liquid chromatography (LC) system: the pump, sampler, thermostat, and more. Before the quote goes out, the agent sends it to Predictika, which checks it against a declarative model of the module, column and pressure limits, the compliance and service rules and the discount authority, compares the net total the agent states with the one it computes, and reports every problem it finds in one pass.
    2. 
      
  2. I will start with the first request by the agent.
    3. 
      
  3. The agent says. This is for a regulated quality control lab in India that needs the system within 12 weeks. A 1290 Infinity II system with the High-Speed Pump, Multisampler, Multicolumn Thermostat and Diode Array Detector, the ZORBAX RRHD 2.1 x 100 mm 1.8 um column. The rest of the request is on screen. Net total $168,840.
    4. 
      
  4. Before it goes out, the agent calls the validator.
    5. 
      
  5. Blocked, with two findings, all in one answer. A regulated lab needs installation and operational qualification and it is not included. Premium service is not available in India.
    6. 
      
  6. The validator returned two blocking findings in one answer. A check that reads one field at a time would pass most of this; it shows only when the choices in the quote are checked against each other.
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  7. What this shows: for compliance software, instrument count and qualification for a regulated lab, a rules-based CPQ is error-prone for this.
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  8. Now the agent resubmits.
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  9. The corrected request. It changes the service plan to standard, the qualification included to yes and the net total stated on the quote to $158,940.
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  10. It calls the validator again.
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  11. This time the validator clears it.
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  12. The validator also returns the line-item quote. It starts with 1290 Infinity II High-Speed Pump (binary) and 1290 Infinity II Multisampler; the other six lines are on screen.
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  13. Both earlier findings are cleared, and the validator's total, $158,940, matches the quote.
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  14. Two problems caught in one call, fixed in one pass, and a clean $158,940 quote. That is the value of Predictika's validator: catching mistakes before they reach the customer. Now you can try the other scenarios yourself.
    15.