Automated system for pricing and ordering custom manufactured parts

• US 5,117,354 A
• Filed: 06/05/1990
• Issued: 05/26/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 05/24/1988
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Carnes Company, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Carnes Company, Inc.
• Inventors: Long, Gary R., Callender, Charles W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shaw, Dale M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Huntley, David
• Application Number:
  US07/533,567
• Time in Patent Office: 721 Days
• Field of Search: 364/401, 364/403, 364/408, 379/96
• US Class Current: 705/26.43
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0617 Representative agent
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0625 Directed, with specific intent or strategy

Abstract

A system is disclosed for the automated pricing and ordering of custom manufactured parts, as for the air handling equipment industry. The system includes software for personal computers of the sales representatives which assists the sales representative in creating product identification codes which specify the specifications of the product to be made. A completed order of such items is deposited in an electronic mail system addressed to the manufacturer. A host computer at the manufacturer periodically polls the electronic mail system for communications and then either prices the quote or processes the order.

Claims

1. A method utilizing a computer with memory means and display means to prepare product identification codes for custom manufactured parts for which information and specification, including physical description, for the parts are encoded in the product identification, the method comprising the steps of

(a) displaying a product ID display to a user on the display means, the product ID display including a location for the product identification code and a plurality of display locations for product specifications which are encoded by the product identification code;

(b) receiving from the user a plurality of characters representing the beginning of a product identification code;

(c) displaying on the display means a completed default product identification code including the received characters and also displaying the product specifications, including physical description, for the completed default product identification code;

(d) receiving from the user changes to the product specifications displayed for the completed default product identification code;

(e) the computer changing the completed default product identification to an updated product identification code to incorporate any changes to the product specifications received from the user by incorporation of those changes into the displayed product identification code; and

(f) receiving from the user an indication that the updated product identification code is complete so that a complete product identification code for the desired product specifications is created without the user needing to understand the manner of encoding of the product specifications in the product identification code.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the displaying of step (a) is a video display on a CRT screen of a personal computer.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the receiving of step (b) includes receiving the first three characters of the product identification code.

4. A method as claimed in claim 3 wherein the displaying of step (c) includes displaying at the location on the product ID display a completed default product identification code corresponding to a standard part specified by the first three characters received.

5. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the receiving of step (d) is accomplished by the user replacing default product specifications on the display means with the desired specifications.

6. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the custom manufactured parts are parts for air distribution equipment.

7. A method for pricing custom manufactured parts utilizing a remote personal computer operated by a sales representative, a manufacturer host computer operated by a manufacturer and an electronic mail system in which messages can be left in electronic mailboxes assigned to particular users, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) preparing on the personal computer of the sales representative a quotation including a list of items by product identification code, the product identification code for each item including imbedded information as to the physical specifications of the item to be manufactured, the product identification code for each item being developed through a method comprising the steps of

(1) displaying for the sales representative on the personal computer a product ID display including a location for the product identification code and a plurality of product specifications which may be encoded by the product identification code,

(2) receiving from the sales representative a plurality of characters representing the beginning of a product identification code,

(3) displaying on the personal computer a completed default product identification code including the received characters and also displaying the product specifications for the completed default product identification code,

(4) receiving from the sales representative changes to the product specifications displayed for the default product identification code,

(5) the personal computer changing the product identification code displayed to the sales representative to match the changes received to the product specifications, and

(6) receiving from sales representative an indication that the updated product identification code is complete;

(b) transmitting the quotation including the list of items by product identification codes into the electronic mail system addressed to the mailbox of the manufacturer;

(c) periodically polling the mailbox of the manufacturer by the manufacturer host computer;

(d) downloading the quotation from the mailbox of the manufacturer into the manufacturer host computer;

(e) in the manufacturer host computer, pricing each item in the quotation;

(f) transmitting the quotation with the pricing for each item from the manufacturer host computer into the electronic mail system addressed to the mailbox of the sales representative; and

(g) downloading into the personal computer of the sales representative the quotation with the pricing for each item.