System And Method For Automating Engineering Processes For Build-To-Order Projects

• US 20090063309A1
• Filed: 08/31/2007
• Published: 03/05/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Tim Stephens
• Original Assignee: Tim Stephens
• Inventors: Stephens, Tim
• Application Number:
  US11/848,906
• Publication Number:
  US 20090063309A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/29
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0875 Itemisation or classification of parts, supplies or services, e.g. bill of materials
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0283 Price estimation or determination

Abstract

A system, method and software product automate engineering processes for build-to-order (BTO) products. A request for quote (RFQ) for a BTO product is received from a BTO user. A DNA product string is generated based on information contained in the RFQ, the DNA product string defining the BTO product. The DNA product string is validated against pre-defined business rules and a model of the BTO product is generated based on the DNA product string. A quote for the BTO product is determined based upon the RFQ, the model and the DNA product string. The quote includes one or more of a price, a delivery schedule and a bill of materials.

Claims

1. A method for automating quotes for build-to-order (BTO) engineering products, comprising:

receiving a request for quote (RFQ) for a BTO product from a BTO user;

generating a DNA product string based on information contained in the RFQ, the DNA product string defining the BTO product;

validating the DNA product string against pre-defined business rules;

generating a model of the BTO product based on the DNA product string; and

determining a quote for the BTO product based upon the RFQ, the model and the DNA product string, the quote including one or more of a price, a delivery schedule and a bill of materials.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the BTO user is a representative of a BTO company.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the BTO user is a representative of the BTO customer.

4. The method of claim 1, the step of determining comprising determining an estimated weight for the BTO product from the model, the weight being used to determine the quote.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of receiving comprises interacting with the BTO user to define the BTO product.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising interactively validating, in real time, information entered by the BTO user.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of receiving comprises uploading data from the BTO user to define the BTO product.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of receiving comprises interacting with the BTO user and uploading data to define the BTO product.

9. The method of claim 6, further comprising launching automated routing based on the captured design to produce automated routing instructions.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising releasing the automated routing instructions to the machine shop to manufacture the BTO product.

11. A computer system for automating quotes for build-to-order (BTO) engineering products, comprising:

a user interface for receiving and validating interactive input from a BTO user to form a request-for-quote (RFQ) for a BTO product;

a DNA coder-decoder (CODEC) for converting manufacturer specific part numbers to and from a generic DNA product string that defines the BTO product;

a modeler for generating a solid model of the BTO product based upon the generic DNA product string;

a plurality of business rules that include cost and production information of a BTO company; and

an estimator for generating a quote for manufacturing the BTO product based upon the generic DNA product string, the solid model and the plurality of business rules.

12. The computer system of claim 11, further comprising:

means for receiving the request for quote (RFQ) for the BTO product from the BTO user;

means for generating the generic DNA product string based on information contained in the RFQ, the generic DNA product string defining the BTO product;

means for validating the DNA product string against pre-defined business rules;

means for generating the solid model of the BTO product based on the DNA product string; and

means for determining the quote for the BTO product based upon the RFQ, the model and the generic DNA product string, the quote including one or more of a price, a delivery schedule and a bill of materials.

13. A software product comprising instructions, stored on computer-readable media, wherein the instructions, when executed by a computer, perform steps for automating quotes for build-to-order (BTO) engineering products, comprising:

instruction for receiving a request for quote (RFQ) from a BTO user for a BTO product;

instruction for generating a DNA product string based on information contained in the RFQ, the DNA product string defining the BTO product;

instruction for validating the DNA product string against pre-defined business rules;

instruction for generating a model of the BTO product based on the DNA product string; and

instruction for determining a quote for the BTO product based upon the RFQ, the model and the DNA product string, the quote including one or more of a price, a delivery schedule and a bill of materials.

14. The software product of claim 13, the instructions for determining comprising instructions for determining an estimated weight for the BTO product from the model, the weight being used to determine the quote.

15. The software product of claim 13, wherein the instructions for receiving comprise instructions for interacting with the BTO user to define the BTO product.

16. The software product of claim 15, further comprising instructions for interactively validating, in real-time, information entered by the BTO user.

17. The software product of claim 13, wherein the instructions for receiving comprise instructions for uploading data from the BTO user to define the BTO product.

18. The software product of claim 13, wherein the instructions for receiving comprise instructions for interacting with the BTO user and uploading data to define the BTO product.

19. The software product of claim 16, further comprising instructions for launching automated routing based on the captured design to produce automated routing instructions.

20. The software product of claim 19, further comprising instructions for releasing the automated routing instructions to the machine shop to manufacture the BTO product.