Predictika · Office multifunction device configurations

An AI sales agent's multifunction device configuration, checked before it goes out

An AI sales agent prepares a configuration for an A3 colour multifunction device with paper units, a finisher, hole punch and folding options. Before it goes out, the agent sends it to Predictika, which checks it against a declarative model of the published compatibility rules and returns a verdict, every reason and the figures it computed.

Scope: imageRUNNER ADVANCE DX C5800 series configurations: model, paper units, finishers, hole punchers, folding unit and finishing jobs. See everything this validator covers

This validator models imageRUNNER ADVANCE DX C5800 series configurations (C5870i, C5860i, C5850i and C5840i), not just the scenarios shown below.

  • Finishers and punch units — the Inner Finisher-L1 and the inner hole punchers are not supported on the C5870i; inner punchers need the Inner Finisher-L1; the Staple Finisher-AB2 and the Paper Folding/Booklet Finisher-A1 need the Buffer Pass Unit-P2; the external hole punchers need one of those two finishers; the Paper Folding Unit-L1 needs the buffer pass and an external finisher.
  • Paper units — the Cassette Feeding Unit-AQ1 (2 x 550 sheets, up to A3), the High Capacity Cassette Feeding Unit-C1 (2,450 sheets, A4 only) and the Paper Deck Unit-F1 (2,700 sheets, A4 and B5) add to the standard 1,200 sheets, up to the stated maximum of 6,350 sheets. The capacity the quote states is compared with the units on it.
  • Finishing jobs — stapling limits (corner or double staple up to 50 sheets, eco staple 8, staple on demand 40 on the inner finisher and 50 on the external finishers) and booklets of up to 20 sheets.

Any C5800 series configuration that touches these rules is in scope — not only the scenarios pictured here. Not covered: prices (Canon does not publish list prices or per-page service rates for these devices, so this validator produces no price build-up or line-item quote), service contracts, software, the imagePASS and Fiery options beyond selecting them, the copy trays, and other imageRUNNER ADVANCE series.

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

7 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
Options that are not supported on one modelOnly with care
A product rule per option and model. It works, but every new model or finisher is another set of rules to maintain.		The model and every option are in one request and each exclusion is checked with all the others.
Options that need other options (buffer pass, finisher, hole puncher, folding unit)Only with workarounds
Each dependency links a choice on one line with a choice on another, and some chain (folding unit needs the buffer pass and a finisher), so they need cross-line rules that interact.		Every choice is in one request, so a missing dependency is found whichever order the choices arrive in.
Paper capacity that must match what the quote states and stay within a maximumOnly with care
The total depends on which units are chosen; a rule can compare it with a stated figure and a maximum, but each comparison has to be written and maintained.		The capacity is computed on every call and compared with both the maximum and the figure the quote states.
Job limits that depend on the finisher chosen (staple sheets, booklet size)Only with workarounds
The limit changes with the stapling mode and with which finisher does the job, so it needs a rule per combination.		The mode, finisher and sheet count travel together and the limit is computed on every call.
Every problem returned in one answerOnly with workarounds
Rules tend to fire as the configuration is saved or a step is completed, 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.

    
1The Inner Finisher-L1 is not supported for the iR-ADV DX C5870i.
2The inner hole punchers are not supported for the iR-ADV DX C5870i.
3The inner hole puncher requires the Inner Finisher-L1, which is not on the quote.
4The Staple Finisher-AB2 and the Paper Folding/Booklet Finisher-A1 require the Buffer Pass Unit-P2, which is not on the quote.
5The hole puncher unit requires either the Staple Finisher-AB2 or the Paper Folding/Booklet Finisher-A1, and neither is on the quote.
6The Paper Folding Unit-L1 requires the Buffer Pass Unit-P2 and an external finisher.
7A3 paper is planned for a unit that does not take it; the High Capacity Cassette Feeding Unit-C1 takes A4 only and the Paper Deck Unit-F1 takes A4 and B5.
8The paper units on the quote give 7,450 sheets; the stated maximum with options is 6,350 sheets.
9A3 paper is planned for the Cassette Feeding Unit-AQ1, which is not on the quote.
10The quote states a paper capacity of 6,350 sheets, but the paper units on it give 4,750.
1151 sheets are planned to be stapled; the selected stapling mode takes up to 50.
129 sheets are planned to be stapled; the selected stapling mode takes up to 8.
1345 sheets are planned to be stapled; the selected stapling mode takes up to 40.
14Stapling is planned but the finisher chosen for it is not on the quote.
1521 sheets are planned for a booklet; the Paper Folding/Booklet Finisher-A1 makes booklets of up to 20 sheets.
16Booklet making is planned but the Paper Folding/Booklet Finisher-A1 is not on the quote.

  

  

    
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. Inner finisher on the C5870i: A C5870i configured with an inner finisher and inner hole puncher

    
The agent's request. Please quote an iR-ADV DX C5870i with Cassette Feeding Unit-AQ1, plus the Inner Finisher-L1 and Inner 2/4 Hole Puncher-D1 and the imagePASS-R1 print controller, with an additional 256 GB SSD. It will run A3 paper loaded in the Cassette Feeding Unit-AQ1. The quote states a paper capacity of 2,300 sheets. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • Inner Finisher-L1 not supported on the C5870i. The Inner Finisher-L1 is not supported for the iR-ADV DX C5870i.
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  • Inner hole puncher not supported on the C5870i. The inner hole punchers are not supported for the iR-ADV DX C5870i.
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2. Inner finisher on the C5870i: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote an iR-ADV DX C5870i with Cassette Feeding Unit-AQ1, plus the Staple Finisher-AB2, Buffer Pass Unit-P2 and 2/4 Hole Puncher Unit-A1 and the imagePASS-R1 print controller, with an additional 256 GB SSD. It will run A3 paper loaded in the Cassette Feeding Unit-AQ1. The quote states a paper capacity of 2,300 sheets. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • Configuration summary. Paper capacity 2,300 sheets (standard 1,200 plus the paper units on the quote).
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3. Buffer pass, folding and booklets: A booklet configuration with a folding unit

    
The agent's request. Please quote an iR-ADV DX C5850i with Cassette Feeding Unit-AQ1, plus the Inner Finisher-L1, Paper Folding/Booklet Finisher-A1, Paper Folding Unit-L1 and 2/4 Hole Puncher Unit-A1 and the imagePASS-R1 print controller. It will run booklets of 24 sheets and A3 paper loaded in the Cassette Feeding Unit-AQ1. The quote states a paper capacity of 2,300 sheets. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • Finisher needs the Buffer Pass Unit-P2. The Staple Finisher-AB2 and the Paper Folding/Booklet Finisher-A1 require the Buffer Pass Unit-P2, which is not on the quote.
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  • Paper Folding Unit needs the buffer pass and a finisher. The Paper Folding Unit-L1 requires the Buffer Pass Unit-P2 and an external finisher.
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  • Too many sheets for a booklet. 24 sheets are planned for a booklet; the Paper Folding/Booklet Finisher-A1 makes booklets of up to 20 sheets.
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4. Buffer pass, folding and booklets: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote an iR-ADV DX C5850i with Cassette Feeding Unit-AQ1, plus the Inner Finisher-L1, Paper Folding/Booklet Finisher-A1, Buffer Pass Unit-P2, Paper Folding Unit-L1 and 2/4 Hole Puncher Unit-A1 and the imagePASS-R1 print controller. It will run staple-on-demand jobs of 45 sheets on the Inner Finisher-L1 and booklets of 20 sheets and A3 paper loaded in the Cassette Feeding Unit-AQ1. The quote states a paper capacity of 2,300 sheets. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • Too many sheets to staple. 45 sheets are planned to be stapled; the selected stapling mode takes up to 40.
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5. Buffer pass, folding and booklets: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote an iR-ADV DX C5850i with Cassette Feeding Unit-AQ1, plus the Inner Finisher-L1, Paper Folding/Booklet Finisher-A1, Buffer Pass Unit-P2, Paper Folding Unit-L1 and 2/4 Hole Puncher Unit-A1 and the imagePASS-R1 print controller. It will run staple-on-demand jobs of 40 sheets on the Inner Finisher-L1 and booklets of 20 sheets and A3 paper loaded in the Cassette Feeding Unit-AQ1. The quote states a paper capacity of 2,300 sheets. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • Configuration summary. Paper capacity 2,300 sheets (standard 1,200 plus the paper units on the quote); stapling limit for the selected mode and finisher 40 sheets.
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6. Paper capacity and A3 paper: A configuration with all three paper units and A3 paper in the paper deck

    
The agent's request. Please quote an iR-ADV DX C5860i with Cassette Feeding Unit-AQ1, High Capacity Cassette Feeding Unit-C1 and Paper Deck Unit-F1 and the imagePASS-R1 print controller, with an additional 1 TB SSD. It will run A3 paper loaded in the Paper Deck Unit-F1. The quote states a paper capacity of 6,350 sheets. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • A3 paper cannot be loaded in that unit. A3 paper is planned for a unit that does not take it; the High Capacity Cassette Feeding Unit-C1 takes A4 only and the Paper Deck Unit-F1 takes A4 and B5.
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  • Paper capacity above the stated maximum. The paper units on the quote give 7,450 sheets; the stated maximum with options is 6,350 sheets.
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  • Stated paper capacity differs from the quote. The quote states a paper capacity of 6,350 sheets, but the paper units on it give 7,450.
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7. Paper capacity and A3 paper: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote an iR-ADV DX C5860i with Cassette Feeding Unit-AQ1 and High Capacity Cassette Feeding Unit-C1 and the imagePASS-R1 print controller, with an additional 1 TB SSD. It will run A3 paper loaded in the Cassette Feeding Unit-AQ1. The quote states a paper capacity of 4,750 sheets. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • Configuration summary. Paper capacity 4,750 sheets (standard 1,200 plus the paper units on the quote).
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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 prepares a configuration for an A3 colour multifunction device with paper units, a finisher, hole punch and folding options. Before it goes out, the agent sends it to Predictika, which checks it against a declarative model of the published compatibility rules and returns a verdict, every reason and the figures it computed.
    2. 
      
  2. I will start with the first request by the agent.
    3. 
      
  3. The agent says. Please quote an iR-ADV DX C5850i with Cassette Feeding Unit-AQ1, plus the Inner Finisher-L1, Paper Folding/Booklet Finisher-A1, Paper Folding Unit-L1 and 2/4 Hole Puncher Unit-A1 and the imagePASS-R1 print controller. It will run booklets of 24 sheets and A3 paper loaded in the Cassette Feeding Unit-AQ1. The rest of the request is on screen. The quote states a paper capacity of 2,300 sheets.
    4. 
      
  4. Before it goes out, the agent calls the validator.
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  5. Blocked, with three findings, all in one answer. The Staple Finisher-AB2 and the Paper Folding/Booklet Finisher-A1 require the Buffer Pass Unit-P2, which is not on the quote. The Paper Folding Unit-L1 requires the Buffer Pass Unit-P2 and an external finisher. 24 sheets are planned for a booklet; the Paper Folding/Booklet Finisher-A1 makes booklets of up to 20 sheets.
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  6. The validator returned three 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 options that need other options (buffer pass, finisher, hole puncher, folding unit), a rules-based CPQ can do this only with workarounds.
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  8. Now the agent resubmits.
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  9. The corrected request. It changes the Buffer Pass Unit-P2 to yes and the booklet size to 20 sheets. It sets the stapling to Staple-on-demand, 45 sheets, Inner Finisher-L1.
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  10. It calls the validator again.
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  11. Still blocked, with one finding, all in one answer. 45 sheets are planned to be stapled; the selected stapling mode takes up to 40.
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  12. Three findings cleared, but the change brings a different blocking finding: too many sheets to staple.
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  13. The agent resubmits once more.
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  14. The revised request. It changes the stapling to Staple-on-demand, 40 sheets, Inner Finisher-L1.
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  15. It calls the validator once more.
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  16. This time the validator clears it.
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  17. The earlier finding is cleared, and the validator's figure matches the quote.
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  18. Three problems caught in one call, fixed in two passes, and a clean quote. That is the value of Predictika's validator: catching mistakes before they reach the customer. Now you can try the other scenarios yourself.
    19.