# How we work: one team from brief to container > One principal, one plan, one accountable team. See how SourceSquid runs sourcing, quality and compliance as one program, with proactive reporting at every step. Source: https://sourcesquid.co/how-we-work/ How we work # One team, from brief to container. The principal who scopes your brief stays with it through factory selection, samples, production, inspection and loading. You get one plan, one point of contact and updates before you need to ask. Every program includes your evidence file, kept current: certificates and test reports tracked, with expiry reminders. Programs start from USD 990 per month, or 7% of order value. [Get a free teardown in 48 hours](https://sourcesquid.co/start/) [Meet the principals](https://sourcesquid.co/principals/) 1 principal per program 6 stations, brief to container Weekly proactive updates Six stations ## One thread, from brief to container. 1. 01 ### Brief. We listen first. Product, volumes, markets, target cost and deadlines. One principal owns your program from this moment. You receiveMandate brief and NDA 2. 02 ### Factory. We find the right hands. Dozens screened, a handful audited, one or two approved on evidence. You receiveNamed shortlist with audits 3. 03 ### Sample. We approve the golden sample. Signed and sealed by both sides. Bulk production is measured against it. You receiveGolden sample 4. 04 ### Production. We watch it being made. In-line checks at 20 to 30 percent of production, while adjustments are quick and simple. You receiveIn-line report 5. 05 ### Inspection. We prove it before it ships. Pre-shipment inspection to ANSI/ASQ Z1.4, with a report you can verify online. You receivePre-shipment report 6. 06 ### Container. We seal it and file it. Loading supervised, seal number recorded, compliance evidence filed. You receiveLoading report and evidence file Sample-to-shipment tracker ## See your program the way you will see it. Every program has a live client view: eleven milestones from brief to arrival, each with its status, its date and the documents behind it. Tap a milestone to open its file. Example program · illustrative dates and documents Client view · Example program Updated today Program**Die-cast aluminium housing** 5,000 pieces · India to the EU · Example Progress**8 of 11 milestones** __ Next**Departed** ETD 28 Jun 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. Milestone 01 of 11Done ### Brief Date 02 Mar Owner Principal Product, volumes, markets, target cost and deadlines agreed on the first call. Documents * Mandate brief * Target cost sheet Milestone 02 of 11Done ### NDA Date 04 Mar Owner Both parties Signed before any drawing leaves your office. Documents * Mutual NDA, signed Milestone 03 of 11Done ### Shortlist Date 20 Mar Owner Principal Three named factories, each audited on site, compared on landed cost. Documents * Named shortlist * Factory audit reports ×3 * Quote comparison Milestone 04 of 11Done ### Samples Date 14 Apr Owner Quality team Samples measured against your drawing, with photos and comments. Documents * Sample measurement report * Photo set Milestone 05 of 11Done ### Golden sample Date 28 Apr Owner You and the factory Signed and sealed by both sides. Bulk production is measured against it. Documents * Golden sample approval, signed Milestone 06 of 11Done ### Purchase order Date 05 May Owner You PO placed with the quality agreement and AQL levels written in. Documents * Purchase order * Quality agreement Milestone 07 of 11Done ### In-line inspection Date 02 Jun Owner Inspector Checked at 20 to 30 percent of production, while adjustments are quick. Documents * In-line inspection report Milestone 08 of 11Done ### Pre-shipment inspection Date 23 Jun Owner Inspector Sampled to ANSI/ASQ Z1.4 and passed. The report can be verified online. Documents * Pre-shipment report * Verification code Milestone 09 of 11In progress ### Loading Date 26 Jun Owner Inspector Loading supervised now. Seal number is recorded when the doors close. Documents * Loading checklist * Container and seal photos (in progress) Milestone 10 of 11Planned ### Departed Date ETD 28 Jun Owner Forwarder Bill of lading and export documents filed to your evidence folder. Documents * Bill of lading (draft) Milestone 11 of 11Planned ### Arrived Date ETA 02 Aug Owner Forwarder Arrival notice and the full evidence file, ready for your records. Documents * Arrival notice * Evidence file How we work ## Three lines. One network. Every connection made. Sourcing, quality and compliance run as one system. Tap any station to see what happens there and what you receive. __Sourcing line __Quality line __Compliance line Proactive reporting ## You hear from us before you ask. Every client gets a live board like this one: each item, its stage and the next step, updated by us as work moves. Always current, always clear. Put your product on the board BriefMarketSourceStage Investment castings, 11 parts Netherlands India Revised quotes in Aluminium extrusions, powder coated Europe India RFQ with extruders Automotive seat covers United States Multi-country Supplier evaluation Cargo net kits Europe India Quotes in Textured ABS plaques Europe India RFQ with moulders Anti-static filter pouches Europe India Quotes in ISO 9001 and 14001 program Germany Advisory In progress Preview entries from recent briefs. Each one goes live only with the client's approval. Asia's factory year ## Asia's factories keep their own calendar. We plan by it. Drag the hand around the year. Each ring is a country, each arc a holiday, a shutdown or a freight peak that shapes your delivery date. Lunar and Islamic holidays move each year; arcs show typical timing. How we promise to work ## Principles you can hold us to. * **Named factories, always** Every shortlist names the manufacturer, its location and its evidence. * **Evidence over opinion** Audit photos, measurements and test reports behind every recommendation. * **NDA before drawings** Your designs travel only under signed agreements. * **You hear from us first** Updates and next steps arrive before you have to ask. * **One principal, start to finish** The person who scopes your brief stays with it to the container. * **The factory floor’s language** Ten languages across India and China, so nothing is lost in translation. Who are you? ## Pick your role. Get your next three steps. Every buyer starts somewhere different. Choose the one that fits and we will point you to the pages that help first. 1. [ 01 _Atlas_ **See where it is made** Find the Indian clusters for your product, process by process. ](https://sourcesquid.co/india-atlas/) 2. [ 02 _Tool_ **Cost it to your door** Landed cost per unit with duty, freight and fees included. ](https://sourcesquid.co/tools/landed-cost/) 3. [ 03 _Start_ **Get a free teardown** Send one drawing or photo. A principal replies in 48 hours. ](https://sourcesquid.co/start/?from=who-brand) 1. [ 01 _Tool_ **Compare the quotes you hold** Put supplier quotes side by side on total cost. ](https://sourcesquid.co/tools/quote-compare/) 2. [ 02 _Service_ **Add a second source** A qualified alternative in India or China, audited on site. ](https://sourcesquid.co/sourcing/china-plus-one/) 3. [ 03 _Service_ **Borrow a Head of Sourcing** A senior principal on your team, part time. ](https://sourcesquid.co/services/fractional-head-of-sourcing/) 1. [ 01 _Tool_ **Find the order size that pays** Compare price breaks on total annual cost. ](https://sourcesquid.co/tools/moq-vs-price/) 2. [ 02 _Tool_ **Drop-test your packaging** ISTA 1A drop heights for parcel networks. ](https://sourcesquid.co/tools/drop-test-planner/) 3. [ 03 _Service_ **Inspect before you pay** A pre-shipment report before the balance payment. ](https://sourcesquid.co/quality/) 1. [ 01 _Tool_ **Check your PPWR exposure** EU packaging rules, product by product. ](https://sourcesquid.co/tools/ppwr-checker/) 2. [ 02 _Tool_ **Estimate your CBAM cost** Certificates and cost for steel, aluminium and other covered goods. ](https://sourcesquid.co/tools/cbam-estimator/) 3. [ 03 _Service_ **Collect evidence at source** PPWR, CBAM, EUDR and CSRD evidence from your suppliers. ](https://sourcesquid.co/compliance/) Start here ## Put your product on the board. Send one drawing or quote and get a free teardown in 48 hours. [Get a free teardown in 48 hours](https://sourcesquid.co/start/)[Talk to a principal](https://sourcesquid.co/contact/)