Patent ID: 8494898

Claim:
A machine-implemented method comprising: receiving job specifications for a plurality of direct mail printing jobs from at least one user into a computerized machine; automatically, using said computerized machine, grouping said direct mail printing jobs into at least one campaign; automatically, using said computerized machine, creating a plurality of workflows related to direct mail printing jobs within a campaign, each of said workflows comprising a plurality of individual job activities; after creating said workflows, automatically, using said computerized machine, transmitting requests for bids on said job activities within said workflow to entities for allowing said entities to bid on performing said job activities, said requests for bids requiring each of said entities to break their bid down into each individual job activity of said workflow; receiving, into said computerized machine, bids on said job activities from said entities and from rate cards previously established by said entities; receiving, into said computerized machine, user bid selection and selecting winning bids on an individual job activity-by job activity basis from said bids received from said entities and said rate cards; automatically, using said computerized machine, combining said winning bids to provide cost and completion estimates for each of said workflows; automatically, using said computerized machine, combining estimates for said workflows as an overall estimate for said campaign; outputting, from said computerized machine, said overall estimate for said campaign to said user; receiving, into said computerized machine, campaign modification input from said user in response to said overall estimate for said campaign; modifying said campaign according to said campaign modification input through at least one iteration, using said computerized machine; and performing said workflows to output said direct-mail printing jobs within said campaign, using said computerized machine.