How GPN works

Signing in

GPN uses your Google account — there is no separate password to remember. The first time you sign in, the app creates your profile and asks you to complete a short onboarding form.

1. Tap "Sign in with Google" on the sign-in screen.
2. Pick your Google account and approve the sign-in.
3. Fill in the onboarding form the first time you sign in.
4. Choose your account type — Standard user, or Buyer if you buy packaging.

Module access

GPN has three modules: the Flexible Laminate Cost Calculator, the Printed Box Cost Calculator, and the Packaging Directory. The two calculators are granted per user by an administrator, so a new account starts with them locked — the dashboard shows locked modules with an "Awaiting admin approval" note. The Packaging Directory works the same way on a standard account, but on a Buyer account it is open from the start. If you are waiting on access, contact us and we will get you set up.

Roles

Every account has a role. Users price quotes against published cost models. Buyers are packaging buyers rather than sellers: the Packaging Directory is open to them automatically, SCM takes the place of CRM, and with calculator access they price jobs against published cost models. Suppliers can additionally create their own cost models and manage their Packaging Directory listing. Admins create the shared cost models, manage users and module access, and moderate the directory. You choose between a Standard and a Buyer account when you first sign in.

Finding your way around

The dashboard lists the three module cards plus one more: CRM on a standard account, or SCM on a Buyer account. On wide screens the app bar switches between modules; on phones the same links live in the navigation drawer. Your account menu (top right) holds My Profile, the user guide, What's new, Developer info, and Sign out.

What it does

The Flexible Laminate Cost Calculator prices a laminate job from a cost model — a set of six rate tables covering the materials and processes that make up a laminate. You pick a model, describe the job, and the calculator shows a live cost breakdown.

Cost models

Template models are published by GPN admins and are ready to use. Suppliers can also create their own models with their own rates. In the model picker each entry is badged: Template (admin-published), Mine (created by you), or Supplier (published by another supplier).

1. Open Flexible Laminate and choose "Cost models" to browse models.
2. Suppliers: tap "New model" to create one, then fill in each of the six rate tables.
3. Tap an existing model you own to edit its rates.

Pricing a quote

A quote is priced against one cost model. The breakdown updates as you change the job details.

1. Choose "New quote" and pick a cost model from the list.
2. Enter the job details — structure, materials, sizes and quantities.
3. Review the live cost breakdown at the bottom of the form.
4. Tap the save icon to keep the quote, choosing the customer it belongs to.

Saved quotes

Saved quotes are listed under "Quotes". Reopening a quote recalculates it at the current rates in its cost model — if the rates changed since you saved it, a banner points out that the totals have moved from what was originally saved.

Manage inputs

The "Manage inputs" screen lets you maintain your own reusable inputs so you do not have to retype them on every quote.

What it does

The Printed Box Cost Calculator works just like the Flexible Laminate calculator, but for printed boxes: pick a cost model, describe the box job, and read the live cost breakdown.

Cost models

Models carry six rate tables for box materials and processes. Template models come from GPN admins; suppliers can create their own. In the model list, tap any rate row to edit it in place.

Pricing a quote

A quote is priced against one cost model.

1. Choose "New quote" and pick a cost model — entries are badged Template, Mine, or Supplier.
2. Enter the box specification and quantities.
3. Review the live cost breakdown.
4. Tap the save icon to keep the quote against a customer.

Saved quotes

Saved quotes reopen at the current rates of their cost model, with a banner when rate changes have moved the totals since the quote was saved.

Browsing suppliers

The directory lists approved packaging suppliers. Open any listing to see its full profile — capabilities, materials, markets and contact details.

Searching with filters

Search combines filters across categories. Within one category, picking several values widens the search (a supplier matching any of them counts); adding filters from another category narrows it (suppliers must match every category you used).

1. Open "Search" in the directory.
2. Pick values in one or more filter categories.
3. Tap through a result to see the full supplier profile.

Managing your listing (suppliers)

Suppliers maintain their own listing from "My listing" — edits go to an admin for approval before they are shown publicly.

Moderation (admins)

Admins can edit any listing and approve, feature, or verify suppliers from the manage view.

What SCM is

SCM is the Buyer account's home for supplier relationships — it takes the place CRM has on a standard account. It brings together your suppliers, the contacts behind every approved directory listing, your directory inquiries, and — coming soon — the quotations suppliers share with you.

Your suppliers

The Suppliers list shows every approved supplier in the Packaging Directory alongside the suppliers you have invited yourself. An invited supplier is tagged "Waiting to Onboard" until a directory listing with their email address is approved.

1. Open SCM from the dashboard and pick Suppliers.
2. Tap "New Supplier" and fill in at least a contact person plus a mobile number or an email address.
3. Send the pre-written invitation by email or WhatsApp — it carries your name, company, contact details and User Code.
4. Your invitee registers at app.globalpackagingnetwork.com; once their listing is approved they appear as a full supplier.

Contacts

Contacts lists the named contact person from every approved directory listing, with one-tap Call, WhatsApp and Email, and shows the cost models each company has shared with you.

Inquiries

Inquiries in SCM opens the directory Inquiries board — post what you need and matching suppliers respond in the app, without your contact details being shown unless you choose to share them.