gurumaniac

Alright lately, I have been wanting to create a system/script that will be using php and AI. The main goal of this project is to have a fully automated quote system for giving out quotes to web site design, graphic design, programming. The system should be able to comb through the project details, which it will have to rely on keyword I believe, and if it can come up with a quote,, that it should be able to search one. Now thinking that this will need a database as well to house the quotes, but say a quote is to high or to low, we should be able to change it and the program should learn from it. Now having that said anyone help out or have any ideas on where to actually start, since I know pretty much very little php, vb, html that this isn't gonna be created by me, but mostly by a team of people working together.

Infinite Recursion

In my experience, every project is different therefore most of the prices are different. You are basically relying on the end user to be knowledgeable of what it is they actually want. One person's database is another person's text file. One person's real-time is another person's daily execution.

In my opinion, you stand to lose business with such a system. Think about it, when your new television arrives broken or your appliance is making weird noises, you don't want to talk with some automated system. You wanted a human voice, local to your area and you wanted it yesterday.

If I were to use this AI quoting service, and the initial quote was too high due to some misinterpretation within the AI, I would have searched for and found at least 10 other companies doing the same thing and would have requested a quote from them before you had a chance to adjust your quote and get it back to me.

Again, in my opinion, some things were not meant to be automated and customer service is one of them. As you go through the life cycle of your business, you will encounter numerous different types of end users all with their own idea of what your service should cost. The problem becomes, they do not make the request detailed enough for your AI to key off of, they make it too detailed, or what they're asking for is no where close to what they really want.

Here is a scenario for you to ponder:

Customer A submits:
I want a program to keep track of my expenses.

Customer B submits:
I want a program to keep track of my expenses that has the ability to export/import from MS Excel and MS Money. I also want a web interface that allows me to make modifications from anywhere in the world, securely. On this web interface, I want the transactions stored in a MySql database with a backup/restore feature. I want reports generated on intervals that I define, as well as default weekly, monthly and yearly reports. They need to fit the format that I have attached in this MS Word document. Wait a minute, I can't attach my specs? Can we meet to discuss my request?

A few months into the development of the project...

Hey! I hope all is well, I would like to make some changes. Here is a list of 74 modifications we need. Thanks in advance.


So how do you charge Customer A vs. Customer B? Also, how will you bill for the inevitable request for modications to the original agreement?


You get the idea.

__________________
http://jasonpowers.net

"There are a thousand hacking at the branches of evil to one who is striking at the root."

lectricpharaoh

I agree with everything IR says, especially this:Have you considered the approach many companies take, which is to provide a table of average costs, along with a note to 'contact us for more details'? That way, customers have some idea what to expect, at least if they want a system similar to something you've done before. Have a form that users can fill out, describing the essential features, requested (but not essential) features, time frame, etc, along with their email address. When they submit it, you can review it and get back to them. It seems the most reasonable solution.

__________________
And once again, Probability proves itself willing to sneak into a back alley and service Drama as would a copper-piece harlot.
- Vaarsuvius, Order of the Stick

Booooze

Great post by IR. Reminds me of this a while back:
http://www.projectcartoon.com/cartoon/2/