Abstract:
A system and method for producing a quote for an insulated panel structure. The system comprises a user terminal device in communication with one or more computing devices. The user terminal device includes a sketch facility that enables a user to interactively develop a sketch of a design of said insulated panel structure on a display of the user terminal device. An optimizing program and an auto-design program run on the computing devices and provide an optimization of the design and an engineering drawing of the design to the user terminal device for incorporation into the quote.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/696,086, filed on Aug. 31, 2012, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0002]    This disclosure relates to a system and method for developing a design of an insulated panel structure and a price estimate based on descriptive inputs from a user. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0003]    Insulated panel structures are used in various industries including shipping, food service, industrial, scientific, grocery supermarket, convenience store, floral document storage, cold storage and others. For example, in the food service industry, walk-in refrigerated structures are constructed with insulated panels. A known way of quoting, describing and communicating an offer for a structure made from insulated panels is usually an inexact science of approximating prices and costs without really knowing any challenges in engineering the size and shape, and how the panels would be manufactured to create that structure. Options, accessories, computations for BTU loads and refrigeration sizing, materials required are all very technical, and not readily achievable by laypersons or sales persons, really requiring an engineer to do the manual computations. 
         [0004]    Thus, there is a need for an improved system and method for modeling a rendition of a design of an insulated panel structure and for providing a price estimate for the design. 
       SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0005]    In an embodiment of a system according to the present disclosure, the system comprises one or more user terminal devices that interact via a network with one or more computing devices and with a user to execute program instructions to provide a sketch of the insulated panel structure, and to provide, based on the sketch, a construction plan. 
         [0006]    In another embodiment of the system according to the present disclosure, a first one of the terminal devices comprises a user interface with a display and tools for the user to draw the sketch including walls, tops, or floors to form one or more rooms of the insulated panel structure. 
         [0007]    In another embodiment of the system according to the present disclosure, the program instructions comprise sketch instructions that, when executed, (a) enable the user to select and apply features to the sketch and (b) compute joints, angles, snap lines of the sketch. 
         [0008]    In another embodiment of the system according to the present disclosure, the features include one or more of doors, ramps, buyout doors, windows, hatches and openings for the insulated panel structure. 
         [0009]    In another embodiment of the system according to the present disclosure, the program instructions, when executed, develop the construction plan for the sketch in which manufacturing rules are applied to the sketch to determine a panel layout for least cost for all manufactured features. The construction plan and the panel layout are optimized by identifying parts, panels and accessories for creating the insulated panel structure and by determining costs and prices for the parts and panels, shipping and tax charges. 
         [0010]    In another embodiment of the system according to the present disclosure, the sketch comprises walls, tops, floors or features or accessories. The program instructions, when executed, create a data document that comprises a manufacturing plan for the walls, tops, floors or features or accessories. 
         [0011]    In another embodiment of the system according to the present disclosure, the construction plan and panel layout are further optimized by considering the altitude of the site where the insulated panel structure will be located and by selecting the parts and panels based on the altitude. 
         [0012]    In another embodiment of the system according to the present disclosure, there is further provided, based on the construction plan, an engineering drawing, and to provide, based on the engineering drawing, manufacturing orders for the insulated panel structure. 
         [0013]    In another embodiment of the system according to the present disclosure, the program instructions, when executed, create the engineering drawing by importing prototypes for parts listed in the data document, filling in parameters and properties of the prototypes of the parts, creating layout drawings, installation instructions, door sheets and refrigeration sheets. 
         [0014]    In another embodiment of the system according to the present disclosure, the program instructions, when executed, create manufacturing orders with a bill of materials, hardware box plans and submission files for the insulated panel structure. 
         [0015]    In another embodiment of the system according to the present disclosure, the insulated panel structure comprises a refrigerated walk in structure. 
         [0016]    In an embodiment of a method according to the present disclosure, a design for an insulated panel structure is created by: 
         [0017]    executing program instructions to provide a sketch of the insulated panel structure; and 
         [0018]    executing program instructions to provide, based on the sketch, a construction plan for the insulated panel structure. 
         [0019]    In another embodiment of the method according to the present disclosure, the method further comprises: executing the program instructions to interact with a user to draw the sketch including walls, tops, or floors to form one or more rooms of the insulated panel structure. 
         [0020]    In another embodiment of the method according to the present disclosure, the method further comprises: executing the program instructions for (a) enabling the user to select and apply features to the sketch and (b) computing joints, angles, snap lines of the sketch. 
         [0021]    In another embodiment of the method according to the present disclosure, the features include one or more of doors, ramps, buyout doors, windows, hatches and openings for the insulated panel structure. 
         [0022]    In another embodiment of the method according to the present disclosure, the method further comprises: executing the program instructions to provide, based on the sketch, a panel layout for the insulated panel structure and to optimize the construction plan and the panel layout by identifying parts, panels and accessories for creating the insulated panel structure and by determining costs and prices for the parts and panels, shipping and tax charges. 
         [0023]    In another embodiment of the method according to the present disclosure, the construction plan and panel layout are further optimized by considering the altitude of the site where the insulated panel structure will be located and by selecting the parts and panels based on the altitude. 
         [0024]    In another embodiment of the method according to the present disclosure, the method further comprises: executing the program instructions for creating a data document that comprises a manufacturing plan for the walls, tops, floors or features or accessories. 
         [0025]    In another embodiment of the method according to the present disclosure, the method further comprises: executing program instructions to provide, based on the construction plan, an engineering drawing; and executing program instructions to provide, based on the engineering drawing, manufacturing orders for the insulated panel structure. 
         [0026]    In another embodiment of the method according to the present disclosure, the method further comprises: executing the program instructions for creating the engineering drawing by importing a prototype for parts listed in the data document, filling in parameters and properties of the prototype of the parts, creating layout drawings, installation instructions, door sheets and refrigeration sheets. 
         [0027]    In another embodiment of the method according to the present disclosure, the method further comprises: executing the program instructions for creating manufacturing orders with a bill of materials, hardware box plans and submission files. 
         [0028]    In another embodiment of the method according to the present disclosure, the insulated panel structure comprises a refrigerated walk-in structure. 
         [0029]    In an embodiment of the user terminal device according to the present disclosure, the user terminal device comprises a display and an input facility for the user to interactively input data concerning the insulated panel structure via the display and to develop on the display a sketch of an insulated panel structure. A sketch facility, based on the input data, provides on the display an elevational view of the sketch. 
         [0030]    In another embodiment of the user terminal device according to the present disclosure, the sketch facility, based on the input data, automatically changes a height of a wall in the elevational view to match a dimension of available insulated panels. 
         [0031]    In an embodiment of the user terminal device according to the present disclosure, the sketch facility, based on the input data, adds to the elevational view one or more features comprising a door, a ramp, a window, a hatch, an opening, a top, a floor and accessories. 
         [0032]    In an embodiment of the user terminal device according to the present disclosure, the sketch facility, based on the input data, enables the user to identify a location on the sketch for placement of one or more of the features. 
         [0033]    In an embodiment of a method according to the present disclosure for developing a design of an insulated panel structure, the method comprises: 
         [0034]    interactively with a user terminal inputting data concerning the insulated panel structure via a display of the user terminal; 
         [0035]    sketching on the display a sketch of an insulated panel structure; and 
         [0036]    providing on the display an elevational view of the sketch. 
         [0037]    In another embodiment of the method according to the present disclosure, the method further comprises: automatically changing a height of a wall in the elevational view to match a dimension of available insulated panels. 
         [0038]    In another embodiment of the method according to the present disclosure, the method further comprises: adding to the elevational view one or more features comprising a door, a ramp, a window, a hatch, an opening, a top, a floor and accessories. 
         [0039]    In another embodiment of the method according to the present disclosure, the method further comprises: enabling the user to identify a location on the sketch for placement of one or more of the features. 
         [0040]    In an embodiment of a computer readable medium according to the present disclosure, the medium stores one or more programs for a system that develops a design for an insulated panel structure. The memory media comprises: executable with a computer apparatus instructions of the one or more programs to provide a sketch of the insulated panel structure, and to provide, based on the sketch, a construction plan. 
         [0041]    In another embodiment of a computer readable medium according to the present disclosure, further comprising: executable with the computer apparatus instructions of the one or more programs to interact with a user to draw the sketch including walls, tops, or floors to form one or more rooms of the insulated panel structure. 
         [0042]    In another embodiment of a computer readable medium according to the present disclosure, further comprising: executable with the computer apparatus instructions of the one or more programs for (a) enabling the user to select and apply features to the sketch and (b) computing joints, angles, snap lines of the sketch. 
         [0043]    In another embodiment of a computer readable medium according to the present disclosure, the features include one or more of doors, ramps, buyout doors, windows, hatches and openings for the insulated panel structure. 
         [0044]    In another embodiment of a computer readable medium according to the present disclosure, further comprising: executable with the computer apparatus instructions of the one or more programs for applying manufacturing rules to the sketch to determine a panel layout for least cost for all manufactured features while providing the construction plan. 
         [0045]    In another embodiment of a computer readable medium according to the present disclosure, further comprising: executable with the computer apparatus instructions of the one or more programs for creating a data document that comprises a manufacturing plan for the walls, tops, floors or features or accessories. 
         [0046]    In another embodiment of a computer readable medium according to the present disclosure, further comprises: executable with the computer apparatus instructions of the one or more program to provide, based on the construction plan, an engineering drawing and to provide, based on the engineering drawing, manufacturing orders for the insulated panel structure. 
         [0047]    In another embodiment of a computer readable medium according to the present disclosure, further comprising: executable with the computer apparatus instructions of the one or more programs for creating the engineering drawing by importing prototypes for parts listed in the data document, filling in parameters and properties of the prototypes of the parts, creating layout drawings, installation instructions, door sheets and refrigeration sheets. 
         [0048]    In another embodiment of a computer readable medium according to the present disclosure, further comprising: executable with the computer apparatus instructions of the one or more programs for creating the manufacturing orders with a bill of materials, hardware box plans and submission files. 
         [0049]    In an embodiment of a computer readable medium according to the present disclosure, the computer readable medium stores one or more programs for a system that develops a design for an insulated panel structure, the memory media comprising: 
         [0050]    executable with a computer apparatus instructions of the one or more programs for the user to interactively input data concerning the insulated panel structure via a display and to develop on the display a sketch of an insulated panel structure; and 
         [0051]    executable with the computer apparatus instructions of the one or more programs to provide, based on the input data, on the display an elevational view of the sketch. 
         [0052]    In another embodiment of a computer readable medium according to the present disclosure, further comprising: executable with a computer apparatus instructions of the one or more programs for automatically changing a height of a wall in the elevational view to match a dimension of available insulated panels. 
         [0053]    In another embodiment of a computer readable medium according to the present disclosure, further comprising: executable with a computer apparatus instructions of the one or more programs for adding to the elevational view one or more features comprising a door, a ramp, a window, a hatch, an opening, a top, a floor and accessories. 
         [0054]    In another embodiment of a computer readable medium according to the present disclosure, further comprising: executable with a computer apparatus instructions of the one or more programs for enabling the user to identify a location on the sketch for placement of one or more of the features. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0055]    Other and further objects, advantages and features of the present disclosure will be understood by reference to the following specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters denote like elements of structure and: 
           [0056]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a system for providing a quote and design for an insulated panel structure according to the present disclosure; 
           [0057]      FIG. 2  is a quote and design process lifecycle overview chart for the system of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0058]      FIG. 3  is a quote process overview flow chart for the system of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0059]      FIG. 4  is a block diagram of user terminal device of the system of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0060]      FIGS. 5-16  are display screen views presented on the display of the user terminal device of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0061]      FIG. 17  is a flow diagram for the quote/sketch program of the user terminal device of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0062]      FIG. 18  is a flow diagram of the optimizer program of the system of  FIG. 1 ; and 
           [0063]      FIG. 19  is a flow diagram of the auto-design program of the system of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0064]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a system  100  according to the present disclosure comprises a plurality of devices that communicate via a communication network  102  and a local network  104 . One or more user terminal devices  106  are connectable to communication network  102 . Also connectable to communication network  102  are an external service provider  112  and a fire wall  110 . A fire wall  116  is connectable to local network  104 . A quote server  114  is connectable to communication network  102  and local network  104  via firewall  110  and firewall  116 , respectively. A printer/facsimile device  108  is connectable to user terminal device  106 . 
         [0065]    Local network  104  is connectable to a server  118 , one or more user terminal devices  120 , a database server  122 , an engineering publisher server  124  and a special background services server  130 . A printer/facsimile device  128  is connectable to user terminal devices  120 . A printer  126  is connectable to user terminal devices  120 . 
         [0066]    User terminal devices  106  and  120 , for example, may be a desktop or laptop personal computer, mobile telephone terminal, a PDA, or other suitable user interface device. In preferred embodiments, user terminal devices  106  and  120  are capable of executing programs that are assigned for their respective uses. 
         [0067]    Communication network  102  may be any combination or implementation of communication schema to include Ethernet, token rings, copper, fiber, radio frequencies, and manually transported storage devices, and whatever other means that may successfully relay digital information (images, text, and related data) between the terminals and servers for salesperson, customers, agents, affiliates, technical staff and partners to participate in the communications, assembly of data required, and recipients of the resulting quotations, reports, analytical data, engineering and draft drawings. That is, the program code of system  100  may also be considered as a form of transmitted signal, such as a stream of data communicated via the Internet or any other type of communication network, including cellular radio communication networks of any kind, such as GSM/GPRS, UMTS, CDMA 2000 etc. A conventional web program  132  is stored in one or more servers connected to communication network  102 . In a preferred embodiment, web program  132  is stored in quote server  114 . In other embodiments program  132  may be stored in one or more servers connected to local network  104 . Web program  132  when accessed by a user terminal launches or initiates one or more programs associated with the user terminal. Web program  132  may also provide or initiate a feature of a workflow routing mechanism or procedure for automatically tracking requests and status, such as requests from a quote user to an installation service provider for installing a refrigerated walk-in structure or to a drafting provider for drawing adjustments. 
         [0068]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , system  100  is configured to perform a procedure of developing a design and price estimate for an insulated panel structure. The procedure employs a user or quoter  140 , an optimizer program  160 , an auto-design program  170  and a designer person  184 . At box  142 , quoter  140  uses user terminal device  106  access web program  132  to use and initiate a suite of programs to develop a design of the insulated panel structure. User terminal device  106  preferably comprises a web browser (not shown) to access web program  132  to assist in obtaining data from one or more of server  118 , database server  122 , and special background services server  130 . At box  144 , quoter  140  uses a quote/sketch program  212  (shown in  FIG. 4 ) to outline and create a panel structure sketch and add features and accessories. Quoter  140  may also use web program  132  to add unsketched accessories, to collect and store documentation (for example, customer requests regarding the design) and to provide other features. At box  146 , quoter  140  saves the panel structure sketch and engages web program  132  to launch or initiate optimizer program  160  to create a construction plan for pricing and designing the panel structure. 
         [0069]    Optimizer program  160  can be executed by any server or computing device connected to communication network  102  or to local network  104 . By way of example, optimizer program  160  will be considered as running on server  118 . At box  162 , optimizer program  160  responds to the request of the quote sketch program from box  146  to create or develop a construction plan and a panel layout and determines parts and panels to be used to construct the panel structure. At box  163 , costs and prices are calculated for the parts of the panel structure, any special provisions needed to manufacture, shipping and tax charges. At this point, the optimizer program  160  may determine from customer information the location where the insulated panel structure will be installed to obtain the altitude, which can affect the cost of operation and selection of parts. At box  164 , optimizer program  160  outputs the construction plan and data to quoter  140  at box  148  and to database server  122  ( FIG. 2 ). The construction plan and data may be in an XML format. 
         [0070]    At box  148 , quote/sketch program  212  accesses web program  132  to submit the construction plan for the insulated panel structure to auto-design program  170  to get an engineering approval drawing of the insulated panel structure. 
         [0071]    Auto-design program  170  can be executed by any server or computing device connected to communication network  102  or local network  104 . By way of example, auto-design program  170  will be considering as running on one of the user terminal devices  120 . Auto-design program  170  receives and reads the optimizer construction plan at box  172 . At box  174 , instructions of auto-design program  170  are executed to start a model and an engineering drawing. At box  176 , instructions of auto-design program  170  are executed to import prototypes, details, parts into the construction plan for the insulated panel structure received from quoter  140 . At box  178 , instructions of auto-design program  170  are executed to provide models of walls, a top and a floor of the paneled structure, using computer aided design (CAD) software. At box  181 , instructions of auto-design program  170  are executed to create title blocks, notes, screed layouts, top layouts, door sheets, refrigeration sheets and the like for the construction plan for the insulated panel structure provided from box  148  by quoter  140 . At box  182 , the engineering drawing is labeled and a details sheet and installation instructions are developed. At box  183 , the project is saved to database server  122  and quoter  140  is notified of its completion. 
         [0072]    At box  150 , quoter  140  sends the completed quote and engineering drawing to the customer. Quoter  140  may at this point use web program  132  to route requests to service providers to obtain prices for installation, engineering of special or customized parts, review of the design, special enhancements and other services. When an authorized service provider accesses web program  132 , a dashboard is presented for the service provider to access the data and documentation of the refrigerated walk-structure needed to provide the service. At box  152 , quoter  140  receives an order from the customer and requests a shop drawing from design person  184 . 
         [0073]    Designer person  184  uses a manager program to check out the completed design from database server  122  so no one else can change it while it is being worked on at box  185 . At box  186 , designer person  184  reviews and updates the design based on any shortcomings of auto-design program  170  or additional information from the customer. At box  187 , designer person  184  uses programs and tools to develop the shop drawing, including, a bill of materials, hardware box plans, construction and manufacturing information including labels and notes and submission files. By adding construction information at this point, interruption and delay of the manufacturing process to obtain missing data is avoided. At box  188 , designer person  184  uses the programs to submit the bill of materials to accounting and production planning software (for example, ERP/MRP software) to generate manufacturing orders. At box  189 , designer person  184  checks in the design to make the latest version available to authorized persons for review and planning. 
         [0074]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , a system flow diagram  190  depicts an overview of procedure for development of a design and a price estimate for an insulated panel structure. The procedure begins at start box  191  with quoter  140  using terminal device  106  to execute instructions of quote/sketch program  212  ( FIG. 4 ) to create a quote with information, services and value-adds as requested and provided by the customer. At box  192 , instructions are executed to sketch a panel structure outline and to apply features and accessories so as to develop a construction plan. At box  193 , instructions of optimizer program  160  are executed to optimize the panel construction plan. At box  194 , prices for the optimized construction plan are developed. At box  195 , instructions of auto-design program  170  are executed to provide the engineering drawing of the construction plan. At box  196 , designer person  184  develops an order to purchase materials. At box  197 , designer person  184  submits manufacturing orders for all manufactured parts. 
         [0075]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , a block diagram of a user terminal is shown, which can be used for user terminal devices  106  and  120 . Since user terminal devices  106  and  120  are substantially alike, only user terminal device  106  will be described in detail. User terminal device  106  comprises a processor  200 , a display  202 , an input/output interface  204 , a communication unit  206 , and a memory  208  interconnected via a bus  210 . Quote/sketch program  212  is stored in memory  208  or in a server, such as database server  122 . Optimizer program  160  and auto-design program  170  are also shown as disposed in database server  122 . Alternately, quote/sketch program  212 , optimizer program  160  and auto-design program  170  can be disposed in the same or separate user terminals  106  and  120  or in separate servers connected to communication network  102  or local network  104 . 
         [0076]    In operation, processor  200  executes instructions of quote/sketch program  212  to present a series of display screens and/or dialog boxes on display  202  in an interactive session with a user. An input device (not shown), for example, a mouse, keyboard or other device, is used by the user to provide input to the display screens. In some embodiments a touch screen can be used. Input/output interface  204  interfaces to printer/facsimile device  108 , the input devices for display  202  and other peripheral devices (not shown). Communication unit  206  includes devices for communication via communication network  102 , such as a web browser, a modem and the like. 
         [0077]    The instructions of quote/sketch program  212  to the respective devices depicted in the computer network cause the images of the ensuing figures to be rendered, displayed and made functional such that a human operator, such as quoter  140  may make requests of the system and be presented with questionnaires, data entry screens and/or dialog boxes and graphical and textual results, all of which may be comprised and understood as a cyclical iterative operation for establishing the detailed descriptions, price quotations, engineering computations and drafting depictions, such that the intended structure may be related as an assembly. 
         [0078]    Although system  100  may be used to develop designs and cost data for insulated panel structures for a variety of applications, an application for a refrigeration walk in structure will be described herein by way of example and completeness of description. 
         [0079]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , upon receipt of a request, quoter  140  may then activate quote/sketch program  212  by logging in, and exercising some freedom in the order of addressing inputs for editing an existing quotation, or creating a new quotation for describing a structure to be built from insulated panels. A screen  214  is presented on display  202  at this time for log in using any suitable security measures. A banner  215  comprises a set of tabs for sketch options that include a pan and zoom tab  216 , a polyline tab  217 , a rectangle tab  218 , a column wrap tab  219 , a polyline (building wall) tab  220 , a door tab  221 , an opening tab  244 , a room tab  222 , an aligned dimension tab  223 , an angular dimension tab  224  and an align face tab  225 . 
         [0080]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , after logging in, quoter  140  enters a customer identity  228 , for example, ABC Company, in a dialog box  226 , which may be presented on screen  214  or another screen. Dialog box  226  comprises a set of tabs that includes an add walk-in tab  240 , which is selected by the user. Quote/sketch program  212  then presents a dialog box  230  for add walk-in on screen  214 . Dialog box  230  includes selections add wood frame  232 , add soft nose  234  and add HDR (High Density Rail)  236 , which if selected will be added to the insulated panel structure design. An import button  238  is provided. Quoter  140  selects add soft nose  234 . Upon completing the selections, quoter  140  clicks on a close button  242 . 
         [0081]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , a dialog box  250  is presented on screen  214  that contains fields for user entry of design properties. These fields include a description field  252  and a field  266 . An altitude field  254  allows user entry of an altitude of the site where the refrigeration walk in structure will be located. A unit field allows user selection of a unit system  256 , of a default unit  258  and of a unit format  260 . A manufacturing field allows user selection of an industry standard (for example NSF/FM 4820) device  262  or a fire wall protective (for example, F14 4580) device  264 . An electrical information field allows user selection of values for a voltage  270 , a frequency  272  and a phase  274 . A field  268  allows user entry of loaded hardware packages. A field  280  allows user entry of available hardware packages. Upon completion of the entries, quoter  140  clicks on OK. 
         [0082]    Referring to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , quoter  140  selects polyline tab  217  from banner  215  for the illustrated example. Quoter  140  is then enabled to sketch on screen  214  a design sketch  306  using the polyline option polyline tab  217 . Quoter  140  sketches design sketch  306  using a cursor with a select and drag operation. A wall  308  and a wall  310  are drawn as shown in  FIG. 7 . Wall  310  is rotated to the horizontal by a click and drag operation and walls  322  and  324  are similarly drawn to form a rectangular room or compartment for design sketch  306  as shown in  FIG. 9 . Quote sketch program  212  calculates connection points for snap lines and guides for design sketch  306 . Quoter  140  decides at this time to designate the enclosed space of design sketch to be a room or a compartment. Quoter  140  selects room tab  222  on banner  215  and clicks on the enclosed area of design sketch  306 . This results in an identification of the enclosed area being one compartment of a multi-compartment structure. 
         [0083]    Referring to  FIG. 10 , quoter  140  is presented with a dialog box  300  for entry of various data to describe the compartment. Dialog box  300  includes an area  332  and an area  334 . Area  334  has a box tab  312 , a floor tab  314  and a wall tab  316 . Quoter  140  selects wall tab  316 . Area  332  comprises a selected wall box  318 , a space  326 , a space  328  and a space  338 . Space  326  is labeled sectional view at the ceiling. Space  328  is labeled sectional view at the floor. Space  338  is below a ground level  340 . Area  334  comprises a box type area  350 , a description area  352 , a ceiling property area  354 , and a wall properties area  356 . As quoter  140  had previously selected soft nose construction from dialog box  230  in  FIG. 6 , quote/sketch program  212  automatically inserts a construction type of soft nose in construction boxes of box type area  350  and wall properties area  356 . 
         [0084]    Quoter  140  enters a selected wall  308  (01-W01) in selected wall box  318 , an elevational sectional view of wall  308  is then displayed in spaces  326  and  328 . This elevational view of wall  308  is derived from considerations of panel thickness, centerline tagging and wall to floor junction. In space  326 , a first elevation level  342  and a second elevation level  344  are disposed and correspond to available manufacturing elevations or heights for an insulated panel. Choosing either first elevation level  342  or second elevation level  344  provides economic benefits of an available manufacture that can be shared with the customer. Quoter  140  chooses first elevation level  342  and enters a height of 8 feet in an overall height box of box type area  350  and a wall thickness of 4 inches in wall properties area  356 . Quoter  140  selects room tab  220 . Quoter  140  clicks on OK button  348 . 
         [0085]    Referring to  FIG. 11 , quote/sketch program  212  inserts a name “Freezer Compartment 1” in description area  352 , inserts parameters in the boxes of ceiling properties  354  and of wall properties area  356 , changes the overall height from 8 feet to 9 feet in area  350  and inserts a recess depth of 6 inches in area  350 . Quoter  140  clicks on floor tab  314 . A floor  360  and a ceiling  362  are added to the sectional view by quote/sketch program  212 . As shown in  FIG. 11 , floor  360  is below ground level  340  and space  338  is filled with cement  364 . The user may also apply these data entries to the entire box by selection of its respective tab. The user clicks on OK. 
         [0086]    Referring to  FIG. 12 , quoter  140  clicks on door tab  221  of banner  215 . Quote/sketch program  140  presents on display screen  214  design sketch  306  with a door icon  394 . Quoter  140  using a pointer to select door icon  394  and drag it to a door location  396  on wall  322 . The pointer, for example, may be a mouse, a joy stick, a wand, or even a finger. 
         [0087]    Referring to  FIGS. 13 and 14 , when door location  396  has been established, quote/sketch program  140  presents a dialog box  400  on display screen  214  for door section properties. Dialog box  400  comprises a space  404  and a data entry space  406 . An elevational view of wall  308  for a door threshold with visual cues to aid the user in describing the door is disposed in space  404 . The visual cues assist quoter  140  by indicating visually that the door height does fit or not fit on a wall or reaches the floor (desirable) or extends beyond the top (undesirable) and many other concerns that would be hard for quoter  140  to remember or imagine due to complex differences among various structures. As quoter  140  enters descriptive parameters of a door  422  in data entry space  406 , quote/sketch program  140  automatically updates the visual cues. As shown, a tile and grout  424  is added to the elevational view as the user makes an entry in data entry space  406 . 
         [0088]    Referring to  FIG. 15 , quoter  140  selects an opening tab  244  to add an opening  430  in wall  310  of design sketch  306 . A pop up box (not shown) appears for the user to describe one or more reach in doors  432  for opening  430 . Quoter  140  elects to save design sketch  306  as freezer compartment 1 (see description area  352  in  FIG. 11 ), by clicking on file and on a save selection (not shown). 
         [0089]    Referring to  FIG. 16 , a screen  450  shows a quotation record  452  for freezer compartment 1 as added into an existing quote for another freezer for ABC Company. During the save and update operation, quote/sketch program  212  activates a program module that calculates and optimizes the panels, accessories, fixtures and other materials, obtains freight cost, pricing availability of installer services, verification and sizing of associated refrigeration and applies pricing and discounts. 
         [0090]    Referring to  FIG. 17 , quote sketch program  212  comprises instructions that when executed by processor  200  permit quoter  140  at box  500  to use a pointer to draw the perimeter and interior walls of a panel structure on a display screen  214  as shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . At box  502 , joints, angles, snaplines and sketching aids are calculated. At box  504 , a geometric equation is applied to the panel structure. At box  506 , instructions executed by processor  200  present dialog boxes  300  and  308  ( FIGS. 10 and 11 ) on display  202  that show elevational views of walls and nominal constructional guidelines. At box  508 , instructions executed by processor  200  apply rules for manufacturing to the panel structure. At box  510 , instructions executed by processor  200  allow quoter  140  to use the pointer to select and apply features and to fill in data screens using a keyboard or other entry device as shown in  FIGS. 9-11 . At box  512 , instructions executed by processor  200  apply rules for customer preferences and component restraints. At box  514 , instructions executed by processor  200  provide a display in dialog boxes  12 - 14  of features that include doors, ramps, buyout doors, windows, hatches, openings, tops, floors and others. At box  516 , instructions executed by processor  200  provide an evaluation of government compliance rules for the panel structure. At box  518 , the sketch of the panel structure is saved to database server  122 . At box  520  quote/sketch program  520  is exited. 
         [0091]    Referring to  FIG. 18 , optimizer program  160  comprises instructions that when executed by a processor in server  118  provide the activities described in boxes  550 ,  552 ,  554  and  556 . At box  550 , the sketch data of the construction plan is received from quote/sketch program  212  as noted at box  146  of  FIG. 2 . At box  552 , manufacturing rules are used in a calculation of a panel layout for least cost for all manufactured features or parts. At box  554 , a data document is developed comprising a manufacturing plan for every panel, feature, accessory and detail of the construction plan. At box  556 , the construction plan is saved to database server  122  and optimizer program  160  is exited. 
         [0092]    Referring to  FIG. 19 , auto-design program  170  comprises instructions that when executed by processor  200  in user terminal device  120  provide the activities shown in the depicted boxes. At box  560 , the data document depicted in boxes  554  and  556  of optimizer program  160  is accessed. At box  562 , a part of the panel layout described in the data document is presented to box  564 . A prototype for the part is added to the data document. At box  566 , parameters and properties in each instance of the prototype are filled in based on data in the data document. At box  568 , it is determined if all parts of the panel layout have been completed, if not the activities of boxes  562 ,  564  and  566  are repeated for each remaining part of the panel layout. When all of the parts have been completed, at box  570  layout drawings for walls, panels, floors, tops and screeds are developed. At box  572 , the layout drawings for door sheets, refrigeration overview, installation instructions, title blocks, disclaimers and notes are developed. At box  574 , counts of parts and a bill of materials is developed. At box  576  auto-design program  170  is exited. 
         [0093]    The system and method of the present disclosure has several benefits that include (1) a reduction in labor costs in creating the quotation and drawing package, (2) a reduction in costs of materials and manufacturing item by optimizing as the construction plan is developed, (3) a reduction in iterations of correspondence, saving time and labor with accurate descriptions of item to be manufactured and (4) a reduction in errors and costs of warranty and replacement of parts by improved communication among the customer, the quoter, the designer and the manufacturing team. 
         [0094]    The present disclosure having been thus described with particular reference to the preferred forms thereof, it will be obvious that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as defined in the appended claims.