WO2001067347A1

WO2001067347A1 - Web-based methods and apparatus for customizing and quoting

Info

Publication number: WO2001067347A1
Application number: PCT/US2001/006757
Authority: WO
Inventors: Poppe Etienne; Eric De Clerck; Halinka Recki
Original assignee: General Electric Company
Priority date: 2000-03-03
Filing date: 2001-03-02
Publication date: 2001-09-13

Abstract

A web-based method for electrical equipment customization and quotation generation includes the steps of accessing an electrical equipment customization engine (12), sending search criteria to the engine (12), downloading a search result from the engine (12), uploading a product selection for customization, uploading product selection customization data, and downloading a quotation for the customized equipment.

Description

WEB-BASED METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR CUSTOMIZING AND QUOTING

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to computer network-based wizards and more particularly to a network-based method for customizing products and generating a quotation for the customized product.

Ordering a customized product from a supplier is sometimes difficult. For example, when a customer wants to order a customized product, information such as which components can be replaced, what options are available from the supplier, how long the customization will take, and how much the customization costs is generally unavailable. Alternatively, when a customer decides to perform the customization themselves, the customization process, without proper instructions, can be an extremely difficult task to undertake.

When attempting to supply customization information to a supplier, faxes, drawings, and oral conversation are sometimes inadequate to convey the customization requirements message to the supplier. Frequently, a customer does not know the specifics of what options exist when attempting customization of a particular product, and often possess limited identifying or descriptive information for the product. Many times, these individual products work with other products as part of an overall system. Making customizations to one product may affect the performance of the entire system. There may also be other consequences associated with safety and reliability.

Some information is publicly available through the collections of computer networks known as the Internet and World Wide Web. For example, searchable technology databases as well as manuals are available and accessible to the customers via the World Wide Web. However, these accessible databases on various technology or product manuals typically do not provide sufficient guidance for those attempting to customize specific products. To get to the customization information, the customer would have to talk to several individuals within a business entity, which may become cumbersome and frustrating. Identifying a person within an organization to resolve a complex issue such as the list of parts to customize the product could be a significant challenge especially if the business entity is multi-national and has numerous product lines worldwide.

It would therefore be desirable to provide a method for rapidly and conveniently accessing customization information on specific products. It is also desirable to provide such a method wherein the customization information includes the costs associated with a customized product.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In an exemplary embodiment, a web-based method for customization of electrical equipment includes accessing an electrical equipment customization engine, which includes entry of search and customization criteria, customization options, and costs linked to customizing specific products. The customization information includes, for example, drawing cut-outs to be made in one or more enclosure panels, part numbers associated with key components, quotation information, and other product specific information.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a system block diagram;

Figure 2 is a flow diagram of a web-based method for customizing a product, including a cost quotation;

Figure 3 is an introductory user interface;

Figure 4 is a search criteria user interface;

Figure 5 is a search result user interface;

Figure 6 is a selected enclosure user interface;

Figure 7 is an customization interface;

Figure 8 is a preview cutouts user interface;

Figure 9 is a quotation user interface; and

Figure 10 is a drawing of a sample customized enclosure panel. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Figure 1 is a block diagram of a system 10 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. System 10 includes a server 12 and a plurality of devices 14 connected to server 12. In one embodiment, devices 14 are computers including a web browser, and server 12 is accessible to devices 14 via the Internet. Devices 14 are interconnected to the Internet through many interfaces including through a network as a client, such as a local area network (LAN) or -a wide area network (WAN), through dial-in-connections, cable modems and special high-speed ISDN lines. Devices 14 could be any device capable of interconnecting to the Internet including a web-based phone or other web-based connectable equipment. A database 16 providing information on a variety of products, as described below in greater detail and in one embodiment an Oracle database, is stored on server 12 and can be accessed by potential customers at one of devices 14 by logging onto server 12 through one of devices 14 capable of displaying HTML and Java files. Server 12 is configured as a web server.

Figure 2 is a flow diagram 30 for a web-based system used for customizing electrical equipment, including a customization cost quotation. In one embodiment, wherein electrical enclosures are customized, a device 14 (shown in Figure 1) accesses 32 a server 12 (shown in Figure 1) which contains an electrical equipment customization engine, device 14 uploads 34 user entered data to server 12 thereby selecting search criteria. The electrical equipment customization engine uses the uploaded search criteria to access a database of existing products, including previously customized electrical equipment, to generate a search result. The search result is downloaded 36 from server 12 to device 14 and displayed within a user interface. The user determines 38 whether or not the search result was acceptable. If not acceptable, new search criteria are uploaded 34 to server 12 based upon user input into device 14. If the search criteria are acceptable, an equipment selection, for example, an enclosure is uploaded 40 from device 14 to server 12. A product selection causes server 12 to download data, for display on device 12, pertinent to the selected enclosure. The user views the downloaded data. After viewing the downloaded enclosure data, the user determines 42 whether or not the viewed enclosure is acceptable. If the selected and viewed enclosure is not acceptable, new search criteria are uploaded 34 from device 14 to server 12. If the selected and viewed enclosure is acceptable, a user can enter customization data such as drawing cut-outs which are uploaded 44 from device 14 to server 12. Uploading customization data causes server 12 to download to device 14 a preview of the customized enclosure with an option that allows the user to print drawings of the enclosure. After customization data is uploaded 44, the server also generates a quotation which is downloaded 46 to device 14 and includes pricing information. If the quotation is deemed acceptable, based on user input uploaded 48 from device 14 to server 12, the quotation is downloaded 50 to device 14 from server 12, in one embodiment via E- mail. Otherwise, a user interface is downloaded to device 14 from server 12 where further customization data can be entered to be uploaded 44.

Figure 3 is an introductory user interface 60 downloaded and displayed on device 14 (shown in Figure 1) by server 12 (shown in Figure 1) that a user accesses when browsing for or receiving a quote on customized electrical equipment. Other user interfaces (not shown) allow a user to register a login name and password along with customer information such as address, telephone, fax, and E-mail. In addition, the user is asked the activity of their company and their function within their company. After the user enters all of the above listed information into device 14, the information is uploaded to server 12, logging in the user.

Once a user has logged in, a search criteria user interface 70, shown in Figure 4, is downloaded and displayed on device 14 by server 12. Search criteria user interface 70 provides fields where information concerning the customer's needs, in this example for an electrical enclosure, should be entered. While an entry is required in at least one field, entries into multiple fields will yield a more specific search result. Fields for entry include a reference number 72, which are standard product numbers, a textual description 74 of the enclosure desired, a pull down menu 76 for choosing existing enclosure product lines, a second pull down menu 78 for entering which, if any, doors of the enclosure are to have windows, a height pull down menu 80, for choosing the height of the proposed enclosure, a width pull down menu 82, for choosing the width of the proposed enclosure, and a dimensions pull down menu 84 where a height, width, and depth can be chosen from a group of existing enclosures. After the information is entered into at least one field by the user, the user chooses a search function 86, which causes the entered information to be uploaded to server 12 which attempts to find enclosures which match the selected search criteria.

Figure 5 is a search result user interface 90 downloaded from server 12 and displayed on device 14 (shown in Figure 1) by server 12 (shown in Figure 1) when the user has selected the search 86 option (shown in Figure 4) and server 12 has found enclosures which match the selected search criteria. User interface 90 includes a table 92 which shows search results based upon the user's selected search criteria. Table 92 allows the user to choose, using device 14, in this example one of the standard enclosures, which most closely fits their needs. By selecting one of the enclosures from the tabulated search results of table 92, more information on the selected enclosure is made available to the user as explained below in more detail. Additionally, the customer has an option to select a new search option 94 which will cause search criteria user interface 70 to be re-downloaded to device 14 and allow the user to enter different search criteria, perhaps entering data in multiple fields as opposed to only one field, resulting in a more precise, narrower search to be uploaded to server 12.

Figure 6 is a selected enclosure user interface 100 downloaded from server 12 (shown in Figure 1) and displayed on device 14, which shows information concerning the enclosure selected by the user from table 92 (shown in Figure 5). Included in user interface 100 are a photo 102 of the selected enclosure, a reference number 104, which is a standard product number, and a local code 106 which is a country specific reference number. Description 108 provides a textual description of the selected enclosure. Other parameters of the selected enclosure are whether or not the enclosure is a standard stocked enclosure 110, whether or not a door to the enclosure has a window 112, dimensions 114, and a type 116 designation. The user, after reviewing the above listed information can choose to either add the enclosure to a quote 118, view a quotation 120, or further customize 122 the enclosure. As described above, the user has an option to select a new search option 124 or a back 126 option which will cause search criteria user interface 70 to be re-downloaded to device 14 and allow the user to enter different search criteria.

If the user chooses to further customize, a customization user interface 130, as shown in Figure 7, is downloaded from server 12 (shown in Figure 1) to device 14 (shown in Figure 1) for display. The user, through pull down menus and data entry fields, is guided to provide particular customization information for uploading to server 12. Again referring to the enclosure example, customization user interface 130 allows selection of an enclosure 132 from the current quotation. Also available as customization parameters are a surface selection menu 134 for customization of the front, back, top, bottom or sides of the enclosure. A cutout selection 136 menu allows a user to add a new cutout or change the parameters of an existing cutout. A cut-out shape menu 138 allows the user to select the shape of a cut- out. Data entry fields include diameter 140 of a cutout, height 142, width 144, radius dimensions, and coordinates 146 to the center of a selected cutout. A comment field for every cut-out allows a user to comment on a shape choice called "other" for which only the coordinates need to be entered when duplicating such a cutout. Drawing 148 provides a grid view with cut-out selections placed on of the surface being customized. The user has an option to preview 150 the cutouts, explained below in further detail, save 152 the cutouts, delete 154 the cutouts, or to view 156 the quotation list. When the user enters incorrect coordinates server 12 generates warnings such as "The cut-out is outside" or "The cut-outs overlap". Also a three dimensional view 160 of the enclosure being customized which changes to display the selected surface is included, showing the X and Y axes according to which the user has to enter the coordinates.

If the user selects the preview 150 the cutouts selection a preview cutouts user interface 170, as shown in Figure 8 is opened in a new window. Cutouts 172 entered earlier are shown on respective surfaces of the enclosure. For every enclosure panel (surface), a summary table with all parameters is displayed. The user can choose to print 174 the preview cutouts user interface or by choosing close window 176, and continue in the customization user interface 130.

Figure 9 is a quotation user interface 180 which is downloaded from server 12 when view quotation 156 (shown in Figure 7) is selected. A text box 182 displays pertinent information relating to the selected enclosures, accessories and components, and includes a quotation for the products plus any customization fees. Data field 184 allows a user to enter a standard discount, while data field 186 allows the user to receive a quotation for multiple quantities of the selected enclosures. A selection field 188 allows the user to modify the enclosure design before saving and a second selection field 190 generates an E-mail to the user who can forward the quotation information to a distributor or supplier as an order for eventual delivery. The user can choose to print 192 the quotation or to print 194 the enclosure drawings. Figure 10 shows a drawing 200 of a sample customized enclosure panel.

Every user interface page provides a button "Manual", when clicked on, it opens a new window which contains a detailed user guide on how to use the tool. The window can be closed again, as the user prefers.

Other electrical equipment capable of customization and quotation generation using an electrical equipment customization engine include, but are not limited to switchboards, switchgear, panelboards, and residential load centers. Examples of criteria that can be entered by a user for uploading into a server running a customization engine include ampere ratings of main and branch circuit breakers and fuses, a top or bottom line side electrical feed, short circuit ratings, and other industry ratings. Using the above listed user entered information, server 12 downloads to device 14, for display or for printing, descriptions of equipment, pricing, and lists of materials.

While the above describes the search, selection and customization process for a particular enclosure, it is to be understood that accessories and components for an enclosure can be searched, selected and customized including those from a third party vendor. Further customization can include enclosures coupling including selecting coupling accessories; adding depth extensions and other accessories; selecting and positioning components on the different enclosure panels. In addition, cut-outs and drawings for outside component suppliers are implemented. Also a user may access previous customizations and quotations to facilitate new quotations and eventual ordering of duplicates of earlier customized products, or for reviving an earlier customization that may have been followed up with a purchase.

While the invention has been described in terms of various specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A method for customizing and preparing a quotation for electrical equipment using a web-based system including a server which includes an electrical equipment customization engine, and at least one device connected to the server via a network, said method comprising the steps of:

accessing the electrical equipment customization engine;

uploading search criteria;

downloading a search result;

uploading an equipment selection choice;

downloading data for the selected equipment;

uploading customization data for the selected equipment; and

downloading a quotation for customized equipment.

2. A method according to Claim 1 wherein said step of accessing the electrical equipment customization engine further comprises the step of registering a login name and a password.

3. A method according to Claim 1 wherein said step of accessing the electrical equipment customization engine further comprises the step of supplying customer information.

4. A method according to Claim 1 wherein said step of uploading search criteria further comprises the step of selecting pull down menu choices for each category of search criteria.

5. A method according to Claim 4 wherein said step of selecting pull down menu choices further comprises the step of selecting at least one of an enclosure product line, window or windowless doors to the enclosure, height, width, and dimensions of a desired enclosure product.

6. A method according to Claim 4 wherein said step of selecting pull down menu choices further comprises the step of selecting at least one of a switchboard, switchgear, panelboard, or residential load center.

7. A method according to Claim 1 wherein said step of uploading search criteria further comprises the step of entering at least one of a reference number or a textual description of desired electrical equipment.

8. A method in accordance with Claim 1 wherein said step of downloading a search result further comprises the step of displaying the search result as a table.

9. A method according to Claim 8 wherein said step of downloading data for the selected equipment further comprises the step of displaying product information.

10. A method according to Claim 1 wherein said step of uploading customization data for the selected equipment further comprises the steps of:

entering customization parameters using pull down menus and data entry fields; and

displaying a view of a part including the customization parameters.

11. A method according to Claim 1 wherein said step of uploading customization data for the selected equipment further includes the step of selecting at least one of ampere ratings, short circuit ratings, and a top or bottom line side electrical feed.

12. A method according to Claim 1 wherein said step of downloading a quotation further comprises the steps of:

uploading a quantity selection of the customized electrical equipment;

displaying quotation data;

calculating a net price; and

printing the quotation and a drawing of the customized electrical equipment on a printer.

13. A method according to Claim 13 further comprising the step of generating an E-mail notification to the user to forward on to a product distributor or supplier.

14. A method according to Claim 1 wherein said step of uploading customization data for the selected equipment further comprises the steps of:

entering a product surface, a cut-out, and a cut-out shape using pull down menus;

entering a diameter, height, width and radius dimensions, coordinates of a cut-out using data entry fields, and comments if needed; and

viewing a display of the customized electrical equipment.

15. A system for facilitating customization of electrical equipment, said system comprising:

a device;

a server connected to said device capable of receiving electrical equipment customization data from a user; and

an electrical equipment customization engine configured to receive search criteria, generate a search result, receive selection data, send selected electrical equipment data, receive customization data for the electrical equipment selection, and generate a quotation.

16. A system according to Claim 15 wherein said electrical equipment customization engine further configured to register a login name and a password.

17. A system according to Claim 15 wherein said electrical equipment customization engine further configured to receive customer information.

18. A system according to Claim 15 wherein said electrical equipment customization engine further configured with pull down menu choices for search criteria categories.

19. A system according to Claim 18 wherein said pull down menu choices further comprise at least one of an enclosure product line, window or windowless doors to the enclosure, height, width, and dimensions of a desired enclosure product.

20. A system according to Claim 18 wherein said pull down menu choices further comprise at least one of a switchboard, switchgear, panelboard, or residential load center.

21. A system according to Claim 15 wherein said electrical equipment customization engine further configured with data entry fields for entry of at least one of a reference number or a textual description of a desired electrical equipment.

22. A system in accordance with Claim 15 wherein said electrical equipment customization engine further configured with tables for displaying search results.

23. A system in accordance with Claim 22 wherein said electrical equipment customization engine further configured to display product information for selected electrical equipment.

24. A system according to Claim 16 wherein said electrical equipment customization engine further configured to:

allow entry of customization parameters via pull down menus and data entry fields; and

display a view of a customized part.

25. A system according to Claim 15 wherein said electrical equipment customization engine further configured to allow selection of at least one of ampere ratings, short circuit ratings, and a top or bottom line side electrical feed.

26. A system according to Claim 15 wherein said electrical equipment customization engine further configured to:

generate quotation data;

calculate a net price;

receive a quantity selection of the customized electrical equipment; and

print the quotation and a drawing of the customized electrical equipment on a printer.

27. A system according to Claim 26 further configured to generate an E-mail notification to the user to forward on to a product distributor or supplier.

28. A system according to Claim 15 wherein said electrical equipment customization engine further configured to:

receive a product surface, a cut-out, and a cut-out shape from pull down menus;

receive a diameter, height, width and radius dimensions, coordinates of a cut-out using data entry fields, and comments if needed; and

generate a view of the customized electrical equipment.

29. A system according to Claim 15 wherein said device is configured to be a server for a network of customer devices.

30. A system according to Claim 15 wherein said server and said device are connected via a network.

31. A system according to Claim 30 wherein said network is one of a wide area network, a local area network, an intranet and the Internet.

32. An electrical equipment customization engine for facilitating customization of electrical equipment, said engine configured to:

configured to receive search criteria;

generate a search result;

receive electrical equipment selection data;

send selected electrical equipment data;

receive customization data for the electrical equipment selection; and

generate a quotation for the customized electrical equipment.

33. An engine according to Claim 32 further configured to register a login name and a password.

34. An engine according to Claim 32 further configured to receive customer information.

35. An engine according to Claim 32 further configured with electrical equipment choices of at least one of an enclosure product line, switchboards, switchgears, panelboards, or residential load centers.

36. An engine according to Claim 35 wherein said enclosure product line further configured with window or windowless doors to the enclosure, height, width, and dimensions of a desired enclosure product.

37. An engine according to Claim 32 further configured with data entry fields for entry of at least one of a reference number or a textual description of desired electrical equipment.

38. An engine according to Claim 32 further configured with tables for displaying search results.

39. An engine according to Claim 32 further configured with product information for selected electrical equipment.

40. An engine according to Claim 32 further configured to:

generate a view of a customized part.

41. An engine according to Claim 35 further configured to allow selection of at least one of ampere ratings, short circuit ratings, and a top or bottom line side electrical feed.

42. An engine according to Claim 32 further configured to:

generate quotation data;

calculate a net price;

receive a quantity selection of the customized electrical equipment; and print the quotation and a drawing of the customized electrical equipment on a printer.

43. An engine according to Claim 32 further configured to:

receive a product surface, a cut-out , and a cut-out shape from pull down menus;

generate a display of the customized electrical equipment.