WO2017024344A1

WO2017024344A1 - System and method for managing product installation and/or service delivery

Info

Publication number: WO2017024344A1
Application number: PCT/AU2016/050715
Authority: WO
Inventors: James Gallagher; Paul Condon; Lee Brown; Andrew Hoadley
Original assignee: Aluminium Industries Investments Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2015-08-12
Filing date: 2016-08-06
Publication date: 2017-02-16

Abstract

A system (100) for managing product installation and/or service delivery by a user (16) based on at least one product and/or service selected by a customer (14), the product to be installed at and/or the service to be delivered to at least one installation/delivery location, wherein the product is manufactured by a product manufacturer (18), the product is supplied by a product supplier (18) and or the service is supplied by a service supplier (18), the system including: a communication module adapted to communicate between any two or more of the system, the customer, the user, and the product manufacturer and/or the product supplier and/or the service supplier; and a scheduling module adapted to estimate installation/delivery location travel time based on the at least one installation/delivery location, wherein the scheduling module is adapted to calculate a notional installation/delivery schedule (105) for the product installation and/or service delivery based on: the estimated installation/delivery location travel time; and any existing other scheduled product installation and/or service delivery in a calendar.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANAGING PRODUCT INSTALLATION AND/OR SERVICE DELIVERY

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001 ] The present invention relates to a system and method for managing product installation and/or service delivery. The system and method are particularly useful for scheduling tasks before, during and after product installation and/or service delivery.

BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART

[0002] Many businesses supply products and/or provide services which must be managed so that those products and/or services can be manufactured, installed, provided, supplied and/or delivered by staff of the business or by others who obtain products and/or service supplies in order to provide the product or service.

[0003] One limitation in efficiency of organising the product installation and/or service delivery are the systems and methods presently used for that scheduling. In many circumstances the systems and methods are heavily reliant on manual entry, do not take into account accurate calculations of travel times between locations and also cannot provide adequate quoting for jobs based on the cost of product and/or service or taking into account the time and distance of travel.

[0004] FIG. 1 shows a flow chart (10) demonstrating a typical, highly-manual example of product installation. This example, as with embodiments of the invention herein described, relates to installation of glass products, such as windows and doors.

[0005] The flow chart (1 0) has an arrow (1 2) showing direction of time. The flow chart also shows various actors in the product installation including customers (14), users (16) (such as glaziers, builders etc.) and a manufacturer/supplier (such as a glass factory, window factory, supply warehouse or the like). The flow chart also shows interactions between the customer, user and manufacturer/supplier using manual sales tools (20). The manual sales tools may include paper forms, printouts and the like.

[0006] Typically, the customer (14) makes contact (22) with a user (16). The user obtains the customer details (24) and schedules a visit for a quote. The customer details are entered (26) by the user (16) onto, for example, a customer details sheet. The customer and user arrange a quote time and date (28), which is written down on the sheet. The user visits the customer (30) to provide information and options for the product, in this example, a window or glass door or the like. The customer can then select products from, for example, a brochure, choosing various options and additions if so desired (32). The customer may also provide hand-drawn/hand-written information (34), for example, diagrams of a shower screen door or the like. The user then calculates likely costs and hand writes the estimated quote (36) for the customer. The customer can then accept the hand written quote (38) whereupon the user can schedule an installation (40). The installation date/time is hand written into a calendar (42) and the user fills out paper order forms (44) to provide to the manufacturer/supplier (18). The manufacturer/supplier (18) enters all the information (48) into an internal order processing system, such as a spreadsheet. The order information may be further entered into, for example, accounting packages (50). The manufacturer/supplier may also need to contact the user to obtain missing information or to correct information (46).

[0007] After the order is entered into the manufacturer/suppliers (18) system, an order sheet (52) may be printed out. Further, order entry/information maybe double-checked by (54) by another staff member of the manufacturer/supplier (18). An order confirmation (56) is sent to the user showing the user's selection, options, sizes and other such information. The order confirmation (56) may be, for example, faxed or sent through the post. A purchase order (58) is sent to an external supplier if needed, and the product is then received (60) from the external supplier.

[0008] In some instances, the product must be assembled (62) by the user (16). The user then visits the customer for installation (64). Alternatively, the order of the product may be shipped to the user from the manufacturer/supplier (18) and the order is received by the user (68). The user can then visit the customer (64) to perform the installation.

[0009] A particular disadvantage of such systems is the inefficiency by incorrect entry of information, or missing information. Another inefficiency is caused by difficulties in accurate scheduling for quote visits and for installation visits. Yet another disadvantage which such manual systems is that the user and/or customer can track progress of a product order only by, for example, telephoning the manufacturer/supplier (18) so as to ascertain such information.

[001 0] It is an object of the present invention to overcome, or at least ameliorate, at least one of the above, mentioned problems in the prior art, and/or to overcome, or at least ameliorate, at least one problem in prior art, which has not been mentioned above, and/or to provide at least a useful alternative to prior art systems and/or methods. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[001 1 ] In one aspect, the present invention provides a system for managing product installation and/or service delivery by a user based on at least one product and/or service selected by a customer, the product to be installed at and/or the service to be delivered to at least one installation/delivery location, wherein the product is manufactured by a product manufacturer, the product is supplied by a product supplier and or the service is supplied by a service supplier, the system including: a communication module adapted to communicate between any two or more of the system, the customer, the user, and the product manufacturer and/or the product supplier and/or the service supplier; and a scheduling module adapted to estimate installation/delivery location travel time based on the at least one installation/delivery location, wherein the scheduling module is adapted to calculate a notional installation/delivery schedule for the product installation and/or service delivery based on: the estimated installation/delivery location travel time; and any existing other scheduled product installation and/or service delivery in a calendar.

[001 2] In another aspect, the present invention provides a method for managing a product installation and/or service delivery using a system for managing product installation and/or service delivery by a user based on at least one product and/or service selected by a customer, the product to be installed at and/or the service to be delivered to at least one installation/delivery location, wherein the product is manufactured by a product manufacturer, the product is supplied by a product supplier and or the service is supplied by a service supplier, the system including: a communication module adapted to communicate between any two or more of the system, the customer, the user, and the product manufacturer and/or the product supplier and/or the service supplier; and a scheduling module adapted to estimate installation/delivery location travel time based on the at least one installation/delivery location, wherein the scheduling module is adapted to calculate a notional installation/delivery schedule for the product installation and/or service delivery based on: the estimated installation/delivery location travel time; and any existing other scheduled product installation and/or service delivery in a calendar.

SUMMARY OF OPTIONAL EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[001 3] In one embodiment, the estimate of installation/delivery location travel time is further based on a location of the product manufacturing and/or product supply and/or service supply. [0014] In another embodiment, the estimate of installation/delivery location travel time is further based on a location of the any existing other scheduled product installation and/or service delivery immediately preceding the installation/delivery notionally scheduled for the product installation and/or service delivery in the calendar.

[001 5] In a further embodiment, the scheduling module estimates the installation/delivery location travel time by reference to a mapping system.

[001 6] In yet another embodiment, the mapping system supplies to the scheduling module estimated travel time between two or more mapped locations.

[001 7] In yet a further embodiment, the scheduling module is further adapted to calculate the notional installation/delivery schedule for the product installation and/or service delivery based on: product manufacturing time and/or product supply time and/or service supply time based on estimates for the selected at least one product and/or service; and product installation and/or service delivery time based on estimates for the selected at least one product and/or service.

[001 8] In an optional embodiment, the communication module is adapted to communicate the calculated notional installation/delivery schedule to the customer; wherein, if the customer accepts the calculated notional installation/delivery schedule, the communication module communicates the acceptance to the scheduling module and the calculated notional installation/delivery schedule is scheduled in the calendar.

[001 9] In a further optional embodiment, if the user is to visit the customer at at least one visit location, the scheduling module is further adapted to: estimate a visit travel time based on the at least one visit location; calculate a notional visit schedule based on: the estimated visit travel time; an estimated duration time of the visit; and any existing other scheduled visit and/or any existing scheduled product installation and/or service delivery in the calendar.

[0020] In another embodiment, the communication module is adapted to communicate the calculated notional visit schedule to the customer; wherein, if the customer accepts the calculated notional visit schedule, the communication module communicates the acceptance to the scheduling module and the calculated notional visit schedule is scheduled in the calendar.

[0021 ] In yet another embodiment, the system and/or method further includes an input, output, and information storage module for inputting, outputting and storing information related to: the at least one product and/or service, including pricing information for the at least one product and/or service; the customer, including: the at least one location for the product installation and/or service delivery; and a selection of the customer from the at least one product and/or service.

[0022] In yet a further embodiment, the system and/or method further includes a pricing module for calculating a price of the product installation and/or service delivery based on: the pricing information for the selected at least one product and/or service; and pricing estimates for the estimated installation/delivery location travel time.

[0023] In an optional embodiment, the calculated price is further based on pricing estimates for the estimated product installation and/or service delivery time.

[0024] In yet a further optional embodiment, the pricing module is further adapted to calculate discounts in the price.

[0025] In another embodiment, the communication module is further adapted to communicate the calculated price to the customer; wherein, if the customer accepts the calculated price, the communication module communicates the acceptance to the scheduling module and the calculated notional installation/delivery schedule is scheduled in the calendar.

[0026] In yet another embodiment the system and/or method further includes a user/customer interaction module including: a visual output for displaying the at least one product and/or service; and a visual input for accepting the customer's selection.

[0027] In a further embodiment, the at least one product and/or service information further includes: at least one product and/or service range; and at least one product and/or service option; wherein the pricing information further includes pricing for the at least one product and/or service range, and the at least one product and/or service option; wherein the customer's selection includes selection from the at least one product and/or service range, and the at least one product and/or service option; wherein estimating the product manufacturing and/or product supply and/or service supply time is further based on estimates for the selected at least one product and/or service range, and estimates for the selected at least one product and/or service option; and wherein estimating the installation/delivery time is further based on estimates for the selected at least one product and/or service range, and estimates for the selected at least one product and/or service option. [0028] In yet another embodiment, the scheduling module includes the calendar.

[0029] In another optional embodiment, the system and/or method is further adapted to further produce one or more of a product manufacture specification for use in manufacturing the selected product; a product specification for use in supplying the selected product; a product instruction for use in installing the selected product; a service specification for use in supplying the selected service including goods and/or equipment for use in delivering the service; a service instruction for use in delivering the selected service; a schedule specification showing one or more scheduled product installations and/or service deliveries including locations, scheduled times and estimated travel times; and a schedule map showing locations for one or more scheduled product installations and/or service deliveries.

[0030] In an optional embodiment, the system and/or method further includes a document production module for producing physical documents for any one or more of: a product manufacture specification for use in manufacturing the selected product; a product specification for use in supplying the selected product; a product instruction for use in installing the selected product; a service specification for use in supplying the selected service including goods and/or equipment for use in delivering the service; a service instruction for use in delivering the selected service; a schedule specification showing one or more scheduled product installations and/or service deliveries including locations, scheduled times and estimated travel times; and a schedule map showing locations for one or more scheduled product installations and/or service deliveries.

[0031 ] In another embodiment, the system and/or method further includes a tracking module for tracking progress with any one or more of: product installation and/or service delivery; and product manufacturing and/or product supply and/or service supply, wherein the tracking module provides tracking reports via the communication module to, or the tracking module allows access to tracking reports by any one or more of: the customer the user; and the product manufacturer and/or the product supplier and/or the service supplier.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] FIG. 1 is a flow chart showing actors and actions for prior art systems and/or methods of managing product installation and/or service delivery;

[0033] FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing an embodiment of the present system and/or method for managing product installation and/or service delivery; [0034] FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing an alternative embodiment of a system and/or method for managing product installation and/or service delivery;

[0035] FIG. 4 shows a computer screen which allows for the user and/or customer to enter details of, for example, a product desired by the customer;

[0036] FIG. 5 is a cut sheet that can be produced by the system and/or method of the present invention; and

[0037] FIG. 6 is a cut sheet that may be produced by the system and/or method of the present invention to be provided to an external blast supplier.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0038] The following detailed description is merely an example embodiment of the invention as applied to manufacturing and/or supply of a product for installation. The example product is a glass object, such as a window, sliding door, shower screen or the like. It should be understood that the system and method of this invention can be applied more widely to different types of products and/or services and is not limited by the embodiments described herein.

[0039] This detailed description refers to computing devices. The described computing devices are examples only and the embodiments should not be considered as limiting. Such computing devices may include personal computers, notebook computers, tablet computers, mobile phones and other such devices. The computing device may be networked via any suitable network means, such as the internet, virtual private networks, local area networks or other types of network. Communications over these networks may occur via any suitable means and including "hard wired" communications, Wi-Fi™ communications, Bluetooth™ communications, near-field communications or any other suitable means of communicating data via networks.

[0040] The detailed description also mentions embodiments of mapping software. It should be understood that the examples are not intended to be limiting, but any sort of suitable mapping software may be used. Such software includes, for example, Google Maps™ and other types of mapping software. It will also be understood that distance and travel time calculations can occur within the mapping software, or in a separate software package.

[0041 ] Referring to FIG. 2 there is shown a flow chart (1 00) indicating various actors that may act and various actions that may be taken in implementing an embodiment of the system and method for managing product installation and/or service delivery. Time direction for the flow chart (100) is shown by arrow (1 02). The actors in this example embodiment are a customer (14) which may be a homeowner, a builder or any other natural or corporate person requiring product and/or services. The customer interacts with a user (16) which may be a glazier, a builder or any other type of natural or corporate person who supplies, installs and/or services glass products such as windows, doors, sliding doors, shower screens and other glass products. The user interacts with a manufacturer/supplier (1 8) which may be a glass factory, window frame factory, warehouse stocking glass product supplies or any other sort of manufacturer and/or supplier. The manufacturer/supplier may also provide tailor made, customised and/or other types of specialised products and services.

[0042] The user (1 6) employs a sales tool (20), which can include computing devices such as tablets and notebooks. The tablets and notebooks may belong to the user and have applications which communicate with systems of the manufacturer/supplier (18). Alternatively, the sales tool (20) may be a device owned by the manufacturer/supplier.

[0043] Typically, the customer (14) makes contact (22) with the user (16) where upon the user schedules (105) a visit to provide quotes to the customer on a given date and time. The user may use the scheduling module to schedule the visit. Although the scheduling module may be considered as primarily for scheduling installation/delivery, it can be used for other scheduling purposes. In this example, to schedule the quote visit, the user (16) enters the customer's name and address details into the sales tool (104). The user may also enter the purpose of the visit being for a quote into the sales tool. The scheduling module estimates travel time to the customer's location by using mapping software such as Google Maps™. The scheduling also takes into account any other scheduled visits the user (or other users) must make in a calendar. In an embodiment, the scheduling module can present a number of optional visit date/times so that the user can negotiate the most convenient of those optional date/times for the customer. When the customer has agreed to a particular date/time, the user can select that date/time from the sales tool (104) and this date/time is entered into the calendar, along with relevant details for identifying the customer, the customer's location and any other information that can be optionally linked to the quote visit.

[0044] It will be understood that the mapping software provides estimates of travel time. These travel time estimates may vary depending on the time of day and the day of the week where there are available suitable time slots for scheduling a visit. The process of scheduling maybe iterative whereby the first "rough" estimate of travel time is calculated, this is then used by the scheduling module to calculate which time slots in the calendar are suitable given that travel time, along with the estimate of time for doing the quote during the visit and an estimate for travel time from the customer's location. When suitable date/time slots are identified, the estimated travel time can be modified for each date/time slot depending on predicted travel conditions, such as traffic at that time and on that day of the week. This modified estimate of travel time for a particular date/time slot will be entered into the calendar if the customer chooses that date/time slot for the quote visit.

[0045] It will be understood that travel time may be calculated between various different customer locations, between customer locations and manufacturer/supplier locations, between a user's home and customer and/or manufacturer/supplier location or between any other desired locations. It will also be understood that the travel time can be calculated based on private transport means, public transport means and any other travel means such as walking, bikes, trains, trams, boats, aeroplanes or any other form of transport.

[0046] The user (16) obtains the customer's details (106) and enters those details (108) into the sales tool (1 04) where upon they schedule a quote visit. The quote visit date/time is sent to the customer (1 1 0), the schedule date/time is calculated using the scheduling module (1 1 1 ). The user visits the customer (30) to provide information/option for the product/service. In this example, the customer desires a glass shower screen.

[0047] The customer is presented with a range of products via the sales tool (104) (refer to FIG. 4). The customer can select products and options (1 1 2) from the sales tool and enter further information for customisation and options if desired. The customer's selections are entered into the sales tool (104). The sales tool incorporates an input, output, and information storage module for imputing, outputting and storing information related to the at least one product and/or service, including pricing information for the at least one product and/or service and for imputing information related to the customer including the at least one location for the product installation and/or service delivery, and the customer's selection from the at least one product and/or service.

[0048] Once the customer's selections (1 14) are input, the user can create a quote (1 16). The quote can be generated by the sales tool (104) or can be generated by the system of the manufacturer/supplier (18) and sent to the user (1 18). The system/method can include optional promotional discounts for the quote (120), which are provided to the customer as an incentive.

[0049] The customer (14) can accept the quote (1 22) by clicking on a link, sending an email or by other such means. The acceptance of the quote can be formalised by an electronic signature or other such authorisation and/or authentication means.

[0050] When the customer accepts the quote, the installation of the product (the shower screen) is scheduled (124) using the scheduling module. As described above, the scheduling module uses the mapping software and travel time information between the customer's location and other locations to work out a suitable date/time slot in the scheduling calendar for the installation visit. The system/method may also present a number of optional date/time slots for the customer to select at his/her convenience. When calculating the total estimated time for the installation and/or service delivery the scheduling module can take into account estimates of installation time based on the order made by the customer, or service delivery time based on the order made by the customer. For example, the customer may order three shower screens to be installed, each shower screen having an estimated installation time of 30 minutes so that the total estimated installation time is 90 minutes. The scheduling module may also incorporate other information such as extra time for fitting optional features to the shower screens, such as handles and the like. In other circumstances, the customer may require installations to be made at various locations requiring significant travel between those locations. In this instance, the scheduling module can incorporate estimates of travel times between those locations. Alternatively, the scheduling module can divide the installations into different date/time slots so as to be able to fit those installations into an already crowded calendar. As part of accepting the quote, the customer can be presented with a number of optional date/time slots for the installation and can select whichever of those is most convenient. The system/method can also allow for the customer to rank the plurality of optional date/time slots in order of convenience.

[0051 ] It will be understood that the system/method also allows for the scheduling module to co-ordinate multiple installers working for multiple customers. In some circumstances, an installation or service may require multiple installers/service providers to be present. In these circumstances, the scheduling module needs to find date/time slots where all required installers are available before installation or service delivery can be scheduled. [0052] The scheduling and product/service information is entered into the sales tool (128) and then can be forwarded to the systems of the manufacturer/supplier.

[0053] The system/method can determine whether the user make an order from the manufacturer/supplier based on the user's inventory and whether a customised product/service is required (130) if the order from the manufacturer/supplier is required (132), then the system/method converts the quote to an order (134) to the manufacturer/supplier, which is placed in the manufacturer/supplier's order system (1 36). The system/method also allows for the manufacturer/supplier staff to enter orders into the order system (138).

[0054] The manufacturer/supplier (18) make, obtains or orders products or service supplies (140) and the order is delivered to the user (142) and installation job sheet (also referred to as a product instruction) is printed (144) and a notification of the installation (146) can be sent to the user and/or customer or any other party if needed or desired.

[0055] Alternatively, the user may not require supply from their manufacturer/supplier (148) in which case a cut sheet (also referred to as a product manufacture specification) may be printed (150) and install job sheet printed (144). In the case of supplying of goods for providing service, a product specification can be provided).

[0056] Orders can also be entered into other systems of the manufacturer/supplier (18), such as accounting packages. The system/method also allows the user, the customer or others to track orders (154) to keep informed as to manufacturer/or supply of products and/or services.

[0057] The system/method also allows for further calendar and customer information to be entered (1 56) for use in the installation notification (146).

[0058] The user then visits the customer at the scheduled installation visit date/time slot to install the product or provide the service (64).

[0059] Referring to FIG. 3 there is shown an alternative embodiment of the system/method depicted in flow chart (200). The time direction in the flow chart is indicated by arrow (202). The embodiment has the same actors as the previous embodiment being the customer (14), the user (1 6) and the manufacturer/supplier (18). However, the sales tool (204) in this embodiment is more-directly controlled by the manufacturer/supplier and used by the user. The system/method also has a back end system (205) for the manufacturer/supplier. [0060] As per the previous embodiment, the customer contacts the user (22) and the user obtains the customer details (105) then enters those details (206) into the sales tool (204). The quote visit time/date is scheduled (208) using scheduling tool and the customer gets notification of the scheduled quote visit (210). The user visits the customer at the scheduled quote visit date/time (30) and shows the customer various products/services available (212) using the sales tool (204). The customer selects desired products and/or services and the order is sent through (214) to the manufacturer/supplier's system (205). The customer (14) also enters preferences for the product and/or service (216) and these are entered into the system. The customer and/or user are prompted for further information or to correct mistakes (218). A quote is then generated (220) by the system (204).

[0061 ] Optionally, the user can be prompted if, or when the quote becomes dated (222). Optional promotional discounts can also be offered (224).

[0062] The quote is sent to the customer (228). This may be by email, SMS or any other suitable communication means. The customer can accept the quote (226) by, for example, pressing a button, filling in an electronic signature or other suitable acceptance means.

[0063] When the customer accepts the quote, the user (1 6) can schedule (230) an installation. The scheduling module schedules the installation date/time based on the customer's location, the particulars of the order as discussed for the previous alternative embodiment.

[0064] The sales tool (204) converts the quote to an order (236) and the order is placed into the manufacturer/supplier's order system (238). The manufacturer/supplier (18) can manufacture the goods or supply the goods for services as per the order (240). The goods or the goods for services are supplied to the user (242) and the user receives the ordered goods and/or service supplies (244). If needed, the order is assembled by the user (246). The user then visits the customer to do the installation or provide the service (64).

[0065] If required, a goods specification (product manufacture specification, or product specification) can be communicated to an external supplier (248) by email, or any other suitable means. The external supplier provides goods or service supplies as needed (250). [0066] Similar to the previously discussed embodiment, the user and/or customer can track the order through the systems of the manufacturer/supplier (252) by using the available sales tool or by connection to a network via a different computer.

[0067] FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of a screen (302) for the sales tool (300), being an input, output and information storage device (also referred to as an input, output and information storage module). In this embodiment, the screen (302) shows a number of screen devices for selecting and optioning a shower screen. The screen includes virtual dials (304) which can be manipulated by finger swipes so as to select products and options for those products. The screen (302) also includes an image of the selected product (306) showing sizing and options. The image (306) can be updated as options and sizing are changed. The screen (302) shows a virtual representation of measurement (308), the virtual representation can be manipulated by finger swiping to increase or decrease measurements for a particular dimension of the product.

[0068] Virtual dials (304) include a range dial (310) having the range dial label (322) and the range dial selection display (334), which shows which product from the range has been selected. The next dial is the left return dial (312) having the left return dial label (324) and the left return dial selection display (336). The next dial is the front dial (314) having the front dial label (326) and the front dial selection display (338). The next dial is the right return dial (316) having the right return dial label (328) and the right return dial selection (340). The next dial is the finish dial (318), having the finish dial label (330) and the finish dial selection display (342). The last dial shown on the screen (302) to the right of the display is the component dial (320) having the component dial label (332) and the component dial selection display (344). All the dials relate to selectable parameters of the product.

[0069] The virtual dials (304) also have an arrow (346) which may be pressed to show further virtual dials in respect of other optional features which can be selected for the product.

[0070] The image of the product (306) includes dimensional measurements and information (348).

[0071 ] The virtual representation of measurement (308) also include an arrow (350) which can be pressed to show other virtual representations of measurement for other product dimensions (348) which can then be altered by a circular finger swipe to increase or decrease the size of that dimension. [0072] The input/output device (300) and the screen (302) are also known as a kit configurator. The device (300) may also include various other screens including screens for scheduling, screens for showing scheduled visits in a calendar and screens for showing customer orders and customer information, such as names and addresses.

[0073] FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of a cut sheet (400). The cut sheet displays a company logo (402), a product colour (404). The cut sheet also has detailed descriptions (406) of the product's dimensions and style for the pricing (408) is also shown, along with entry points for the name(s) of staff performing task(s) (410). The cut sheet (400) can also include other product measurements (412) and a display of measurements (416) of dimensions of the product on an image of the product (412). The cut sheet can also include job number and other details (418) and customer details (420).

[0074] FIG. 6 shows another form of cut sheet, being a glass order sheet (500). This can be provided to an external supplier of glass if required. The glass order sheet (500) includes a company logo (502), the supplier's details (504), the customer's details (506) and images of the various pieces of glass to be cut/supplied (508). The images of the various glass products (508) include dimensional measurements of glass cuts along with cut style details (510).

[0075] It will be understood that the invention is susceptible to variations, modifications and/or additions other than those specifically described and it is to be understood that the invention includes all such variations, modifications and/or additions which fall within the scope of the following claims.

[0076] Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

[0077] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1 . A system for managing product installation and/or service delivery by a user based on at least one product and/or service selected by a customer, the product to be installed at and/or the service to be delivered to at least one installation/delivery location, wherein the product is manufactured by a product manufacturer, the product is supplied by a product supplier and or the service is supplied by a service supplier, the system including: a communication module adapted to communicate between any two or more of the system, the customer, the user, and the product manufacturer and/or the product supplier and/or the service supplier; and a scheduling module adapted to estimate installation/delivery location travel time based on the at least one installation/delivery location, wherein the scheduling module is adapted to calculate a notional installation/delivery schedule for the product installation and/or service delivery based on: the estimated installation/delivery location travel time; and any existing other scheduled product installation and/or service delivery in a calendar.

2. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the estimate of installation/delivery location travel time is further based on a location of the product manufacturing and/or product supply and/or service supply.

3. The system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the estimate of installation/delivery location travel time is further based on a location of the any existing other scheduled product installation and/or service delivery immediately preceding the installation/delivery notionally scheduled for the product installation and/or service delivery in the calendar.

4. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the scheduling module estimates the installation/delivery location travel time by reference to a mapping system.

5. The system according to claim 4, wherein the mapping system supplies to the scheduling module estimated travel time between two or more mapped locations.

6. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the scheduling module is further adapted to calculate the notional installation/delivery schedule for the product installation and/or service delivery based on: product manufacturing time and/or product supply time and/or service supply time based on estimates for the selected at least one product and/or service; and, product installation and/or service delivery time based on estimates for the selected at least one product and/or service.

7. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the communication module is adapted to communicate the calculated notional installation/delivery schedule to the customer; and wherein, if the customer accepts the calculated notional installation/delivery schedule, the communication module communicates the acceptance to the scheduling module and the calculated notional installation/delivery schedule is scheduled in the calendar.

8. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein, if the user is to visit the customer at at least one visit location, the scheduling module is further adapted to: estimate a visit travel time based on the at least one visit location; and calculate a notional visit schedule based on: the estimated visit travel time; an estimated duration time of the visit; and any existing other scheduled visit and/or any existing scheduled product installation and/or service delivery in the calendar.

9. The system according to claim 8, wherein the communication module is adapted to communicate the calculated notional visit schedule to the customer; and wherein, if the customer accepts the calculated notional visit schedule, the communication module communicates the acceptance to the scheduling module and the calculated notional visit schedule is scheduled in the calendar.

10. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further including an input, output, and information storage module for inputting, outputting and storing information related to: the at least one product and/or service, including pricing information for the at least one product and/or service. the customer, including: the at least one location for the product installation and/or service delivery; and a selection of the customer from the at least one product and/or service.

1 1 . The system according to claim 1 0, further including a pricing module for calculating a price of the product installation and/or service delivery based on: the pricing information for the selected at least one product and/or service; and pricing estimates for the estimated installation/delivery location travel time.

12. The system according to claim 1 1 wherein the calculated price is further based on pricing estimates for the estimated product installation and/or service delivery time.

13. The system according to claim 1 1 or 1 2, wherein the pricing module is further adapted to calculate discounts in the price.

14. The system according to any one of claims 1 1 to 13, wherein the communication module is further adapted to communicate the calculated price to the customer; and wherein, if the customer accepts the calculated price, the communication module communicates the acceptance to the scheduling module and the calculated notional installation/delivery schedule is scheduled in the calendar.

15. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 14, further including a user/customer interaction module including: a visual output for displaying the at least one product and/or service; and a visual input for accepting the customer's selection.

16. The system according to claim 1 5, wherein the at least one product and/or service information further includes: at least one product and/or service range; and at least one product and/or service option; wherein the pricing information further includes pricing for the at least one product and/or service range, and the at least one product and/or service option; wherein the customer's selection includes selection from the at least one product and/or service range, and the at least one product and/or service option; wherein estimating the product manufacturing and/or product supply and/or service supply time is further based on estimates for the selected at least one product and/or service range, and estimates for the selected at least one product and/or service option; and wherein estimating the installation/delivery time is further based on estimates for the selected at least one product and/or service range, and estimates for the selected at least one product and/or service option.

17. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the scheduling module includes the calendar.

18. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 17, further adapted to produce any one or more of: a product manufacture specification for use in manufacturing the selected product; a product specification for use in supplying the selected product; a product instruction for use in installing the selected product; a service specification for use in supplying the selected service including goods and/or equipment for use in delivering the service; a service instruction for use in delivering the selected service; a schedule specification showing one or more scheduled product installations and/or service deliveries including locations, scheduled times and estimated travel times; and a schedule map showing locations for one or more scheduled product installations and/or service deliveries.

19. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 18, further including a document production module for producing physical documents for any one or more of: a product manufacture specification for use in manufacturing the selected product; a product specification for use in supplying the selected product; a product instruction for use in installing the selected product; a service specification for use in supplying the selected service including goods and/or equipment for use in delivering the service; a service instruction for use in delivering the selected service; a schedule specification showing one or more scheduled product installations and/or service deliveries including locations, scheduled times and estimated travel times; and a schedule map showing locations for one or more scheduled product installations and/or service deliveries.

20. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 19, further including a tracking module for tracking progress with any one or more of: product installation and/or service delivery; and product manufacturing and/or product supply and/or service supply, wherein the tracking module provides tracking reports via the communication module to, or the tracking module allows access to tracking reports by any one or more of: the customer; the user; and the product manufacturer and/or the product supplier and/or the service supplier.