Predictika · Laboratory instrument quotes

An AI sales agent's Mastersizer 3000+ particle sizer quote, checked before it goes out

An AI sales agent prepares a quote for a Malvern Panalytical Mastersizer 3000+ laser diffraction particle sizer for a fictional materials lab: the model (Lab, Pro or Ultra), the size range the lab needs, the Hydro wet and Aero dry dispersion units, the Auto-Lab sampler and other accessories, compliance features, a discount, and the net price it states. Before it goes out, the agent sends it to Predictika, which checks it against a declarative model of the Mastersizer 3000+ range and returns a verdict, every reason, a line-item quote and the figures it computed. Prices on this page are illustrative.

Scope: Mastersizer 3000+ Lab, Pro and Ultra particle sizer quotes: size range, Hydro SV, MV, LV, EV and SM wet units, the Aero S dry unit and Funnel, Auto-Lab, Hydro Insight, QAS and IQ/OQ. See everything this validator covers

This validator models quotes for the Malvern Panalytical Mastersizer 3000+ range (Spectris), not just the scenarios shown below. The model and accessory names, the size ranges, the Auto-Lab pairing with the Hydro MV and LV, the three-accessory limit and the feature differences between the models come from public pages. The remaining compatibility rules, the discount and approval thresholds and every price are modeled from comparable instruments; they are not Malvern Panalytical rules or prices.

  • Models and size range — Lab (0.1 to 1,000 micrometers), Pro (0.1 to 2,500) and Ultra (0.01 to 3,500), with the size range the customer needs checked at both ends.
  • Dispersion units and accessories — Hydro SV, MV, LV, EV and SM wet units, the Aero S dry unit and its Funnel Sample Feeder, the Auto-Lab sampler (with a Hydro MV or LV), Hydro Insight, Quality Audit Standard vials and IQ/OQ validation; the Lab model uses manual dispersion, and at most three accessories connect to the optical bench at once.
  • Compliance features — AI Measurement is on the Ultra only and 21 CFR Part 11 compliance is not on the Lab.
  • Illustrative prices — model, unit and accessory prices with a discount produce a line-item quote and a net price; discounts above 10 percent and large systems go to a person, and the net price the agent states must equal the computed one.

Any Mastersizer 3000+ quote that touches these rules is in scope — not only the scenarios pictured here. Not covered: the Mastersizer 3000E, the Zetasizer and other Malvern Panalytical or Spectris products, the Chocosizer Kit, service contracts, shipping and taxes. Prices are illustrative and are not Malvern Panalytical prices.

The AI sales agentBuilds the instrument 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.

8 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
Click to expand
    
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
Size range that must fit the model, at both endsOnly with care
A range per model compared with two requirement fields. Works, but each new model adds rows to keep in step.		The ranges come from the model and are checked with everything else.
Accessories that depend on the model and on each other (Auto-Lab with Hydro MV or LV, Funnel with Aero S)Only with workarounds
Each accessory has its own dependency on another line, so a dependency rule per pair has to be written and kept consistent.		The whole bill of material is in one request and every dependency is checked together.
A limit of three accessories on the optical benchOnly with care
A count across several option lines, which needs a summary variable.		The count is computed and compared on every call.
Features that only some models have (AI Measurement, 21 CFR Part 11)Easy
A straightforward product rule once the feature is a field.		Same, from the catalog.
Stated net price that must equal the computed priceOnly with care
A validation rule can compare a stated figure with a calculated one only if the stated figure is a field on the quote, which it rarely is.		The stated price travels with the quote and is compared with the computed one on every call.
Every problem returned in one answerOnly with workarounds
Rules tend to fire as the quote is saved or a step is completed, so a person 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
Click to expand
    
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 customer needs to measure down to 99 nm; the model measures down to 100 nm.
2The customer needs to measure down to 9 nm; the model measures down to 10 nm.
3The customer needs to measure up to 2,501 micrometers; the model measures up to 2,500 micrometers.
4The customer needs to measure up to 1,001 micrometers; the model measures up to 1,000 micrometers.
5The customer needs to measure up to 3,501 micrometers; the model measures up to 3,500 micrometers.
6The quote has no wet or dry dispersion unit; a sample cannot be measured without one.
7The same Hydro wet dispersion unit is quoted twice.
8The Mastersizer 3000+ Lab uses manual dispersion; the automated Hydro SV, MV and LV, the Aero S and the Auto-Lab need a Pro or Ultra.
9The Mastersizer Auto-Lab works with the Hydro MV or Hydro LV; the first wet unit on the quote is neither.
10The Aero Funnel Sample Feeder loads samples into an Aero S; the quote has no Aero S.
11Hydro Insight images particles in a wet dispersion; the quote has no Hydro wet unit.
12The quote has 4 accessories on the optical bench; at most three can be connected at once.
13The customer needs 21 CFR Part 11 compliance; the Lab model does not include it.
14The customer needs AI Measurement; it is available on the Ultra only.
15A discount of 11 percent is above the 10 percent a sales agent can give; sales management should approve it.
16A discount of 20 percent is above the 10 percent a sales agent can give; sales management should approve it.
17A discount of 21 percent is above the 20 percent maximum this model allows.
18The list total of $150,500 is large enough for deal desk review.
19The quote states a net price of $115,901.00; the modeled price list gives $115,900.00.
20The quote states a net price of $115,899.00; the modeled price list gives $115,900.00.

  

  

    
Scenarios and results
Click to expand
    
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. Lab model with automation: Lab quote with automated units, Part 11 and a wide size range, with a total that leaves out the Auto-Lab

    
The agent's request. Please quote one Mastersizer 3000+ Lab with a Hydro MV (medium volume) wet dispersion unit, an Aero S dry dispersion unit, a Mastersizer Auto-Lab, IQ/OQ validation and 2 Quality Audit Standard packs. The customer needs to measure from 500 nm to 2,000 micrometers and needs 21 CFR Part 11 compliance. The quote states a net price of $89,900.00. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • Larger particles than the model measures. The customer needs to measure up to 2,000 micrometers; the model measures up to 1,000 micrometers.
    • 
      
  • Automated unit on the Lab model. The Mastersizer 3000+ Lab uses manual dispersion; the automated Hydro SV, MV and LV, the Aero S and the Auto-Lab need a Pro or Ultra.
    • 
      
  • 21 CFR Part 11 not on the Lab model. The customer needs 21 CFR Part 11 compliance; the Lab model does not include it.
    • 
      
  • Stated net price does not match. The quote states a net price of $89,900.00; the modeled price list gives $127,900.00.
    • 
    

    
2. Lab model with automation: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote one Mastersizer 3000+ Pro with a Hydro MV (medium volume) wet dispersion unit, an Aero S dry dispersion unit, a Mastersizer Auto-Lab, IQ/OQ validation and 2 Quality Audit Standard packs. The customer needs to measure from 500 nm to 2,000 micrometers and needs 21 CFR Part 11 compliance. The quote states a net price of $153,900.00. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • Order summary. 2 accessory(ies) on the optical bench; list total of $149,500; estimated net price of $153,900.00 at the illustrative price list.
    • 
    

    
3. AI Measurement and fine particles: Pro quote for AI Measurement and 50 nm particles, with a total that leaves out the Funnel

    
The agent's request. Please quote one Mastersizer 3000+ Pro with a Hydro MV (medium volume) wet dispersion unit, an Aero S dry dispersion unit, an Aero Funnel Sample Feeder, IQ/OQ validation and 4 Quality Audit Standard packs. The customer needs to measure from 50 nm to 2,400 micrometers and needs AI Measurement. The quote states a net price of $116,800.00. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • Smaller particles than the model measures. The customer needs to measure down to 50 nm; the model measures down to 100 nm.
    • 
      
  • AI Measurement only on the Ultra. The customer needs AI Measurement; it is available on the Ultra only.
    • 
      
  • Stated net price does not match. The quote states a net price of $116,800.00; the modeled price list gives $121,300.00.
    • 
    

    
4. AI Measurement and fine particles: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote one Mastersizer 3000+ Ultra with a Hydro MV (medium volume) wet dispersion unit, an Aero S dry dispersion unit, an Aero Funnel Sample Feeder, IQ/OQ validation and 4 Quality Audit Standard packs. The customer needs to measure from 50 nm to 2,400 micrometers and needs AI Measurement. The quote includes a 12 percent discount. The quote states a net price of $130,504.00. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Needs approval.

    
    
      
  • Discount needs sales management. A discount of 12 percent is above the 10 percent a sales agent can give; sales management should approve it.
    • 
      
  • Order summary. 2 accessory(ies) on the optical bench; list total of $143,000; estimated net price of $130,504.00 at the illustrative price list.
    • 
    

    
5. AI Measurement and fine particles: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote one Mastersizer 3000+ Ultra with a Hydro MV (medium volume) wet dispersion unit, an Aero S dry dispersion unit, an Aero Funnel Sample Feeder, IQ/OQ validation and 4 Quality Audit Standard packs. The customer needs to measure from 50 nm to 2,400 micrometers and needs AI Measurement. The quote includes an 8 percent discount. The quote states a net price of $136,436.00. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • Order summary. 2 accessory(ies) on the optical bench; list total of $143,000; estimated net price of $136,436.00 at the illustrative price list.
    • 
    

    
6. Accessories and discount: Ultra quote with four accessories, a 15 percent discount and a total that leaves out IQ/OQ

    
The agent's request. Please quote one Mastersizer 3000+ Ultra with a Hydro MV (medium volume) wet dispersion unit, a Hydro SV (small volume) wet dispersion unit, an Aero S dry dispersion unit, Hydro Insight, IQ/OQ validation and 4 Quality Audit Standard packs. The customer needs to measure from 20 nm to 3,000 micrometers and needs 21 CFR Part 11 compliance and AI Measurement. The quote includes a 15 percent discount. The quote states a net price of $151,130.00. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • More than three accessories. The quote has 4 accessories on the optical bench; at most three can be connected at once.
    • 
      
  • Stated net price does not match. The quote states a net price of $151,130.00; the modeled price list gives $154,105.00.
    • 
      
  • Discount needs sales management. A discount of 15 percent is above the 10 percent a sales agent can give; sales management should approve it.
    • 
    

    
7. Accessories and discount: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote one Mastersizer 3000+ Ultra with a Hydro MV (medium volume) wet dispersion unit, an Aero S dry dispersion unit, Hydro Insight, IQ/OQ validation and 4 Quality Audit Standard packs. The customer needs to measure from 20 nm to 3,000 micrometers and needs 21 CFR Part 11 compliance and AI Measurement. The quote includes a 15 percent discount. The quote states a net price of $146,030.00. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Needs approval.

    
    
      
  • Discount needs sales management. A discount of 15 percent is above the 10 percent a sales agent can give; sales management should approve it.
    • 
      
  • Order summary. 3 accessory(ies) on the optical bench; list total of $138,500; estimated net price of $146,030.00 at the illustrative price list.
    • 
    

    
8. Accessories and discount: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote one Mastersizer 3000+ Ultra with a Hydro MV (medium volume) wet dispersion unit, an Aero S dry dispersion unit, Hydro Insight, IQ/OQ validation and 4 Quality Audit Standard packs. The customer needs to measure from 20 nm to 3,000 micrometers and needs 21 CFR Part 11 compliance and AI Measurement. The quote includes a 10 percent discount. The quote states a net price of $154,620.00. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • Order summary. 3 accessory(ies) on the optical bench; list total of $138,500; estimated net price of $154,620.00 at the illustrative price list.
    • 
    

  

  

    
Narration transcript
Click to expand
    
The text of the narrated walkthrough, step by step.

    
    
      
  1. Welcome to a demo of Predictika's Validator. An AI sales agent prepares a quote for a Malvern Panalytical Mastersizer 3000+ laser diffraction particle sizer for a fictional materials lab: the model (Lab, Pro or Ultra), the size range the lab needs, the Hydro wet and Aero dry dispersion units, and more. Before it goes out, the agent sends it to Predictika, which checks it against a declarative model of the Mastersizer 3000+ range and returns a verdict, every reason, a line-item quote and the figures it computed. Prices on this page are illustrative.
    2. 
      
  2. I will start with the first request by the agent.
    3. 
      
  3. The agent says. Please quote one Mastersizer 3000+ Lab with a Hydro MV (medium volume) wet dispersion unit, an Aero S dry dispersion unit. The customer needs to measure from 500 nm to 2,000 micrometers and needs 21 CFR Part 11 compliance. The rest of the request is on screen. The quote states a net price of $89,900.00.
    4. 
      
  4. Before it goes out, the agent calls the validator.
    5. 
      
  5. Blocked, with four findings, all in one answer. The customer needs to measure up to 2,000 micrometers; the model measures up to 1,000 micrometers. The Mastersizer 3000+ Lab uses manual dispersion; the automated Hydro SV, MV and LV, the Aero S and the Auto-Lab need a Pro or Ultra. The customer needs 21 CFR Part 11 compliance; the Lab model does not include it. The other one is on screen.
    6. 
      
  6. The validator returned four 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.
    7. 
      
  7. What this shows: for features that only some models have (AI Measurement, 21 CFR Part 11), a rules-based CPQ is easy.
    8. 
      
  8. Now the agent resubmits.
    9. 
      
  9. The corrected request. It changes the model to Mastersizer 3000+ Pro and the stated net price to $153,900.00.
    10. 
      
  10. It calls the validator again.
    11. 
      
  11. This time the validator clears it.
    12. 
      
  12. The validator also returns the line-item quote. It starts with Mastersizer 3000+ Pro optical bench and Hydro MV wet dispersion unit (medium volume); the other four lines are on screen.
    13. 
      
  13. All four earlier findings are cleared, and the validator's total, $153,900.00, matches the quote.
    14. 
      
  14. Four problems caught in one call, fixed in one pass, and a clean $153,900.00 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.