MCP Quoting System

# 🌐 Web Interface Guide ## Welcome to Your Browser-Based Quoting System! You now have a professional web interface for your MCP Quoting System. No more command-line commands needed! --- ## 🚀 Quick Start ### Step 1: Start the Server ``` 1. Double-click START.bat 2. Press [2] for "Start Dev Server" 3. Wait for "Server running on http://localhost:3789" ``` ### Step 2: Open Web Interface ``` Two options: A. In START.bat menu, press [W] B. Double-click open-web-interface.bat C. Open browser to: http://localhost:3789 ``` ### Step 3: Start Quoting! ``` 1. Fill in the RFP form 2. Click "Generate Quote" 3. Review results instantly 4. See similar historical quotes 5. Get cost estimates and lead times ``` --- ## 📋 Web Interface Features ### 🎯 Tab 1: New Quote **What it does:** Create quotes from RFQs **How to use:** 1. **RFP Description** (Required) - Paste or type the customer's request - Include: material, processes, tolerances, special requirements - Example: "200 pcs 6061-T6 aluminum, CNC, anodize, +/-0.005" 2. **Quantity** (Required) - Enter the number of parts needed - System uses this for pricing and matching 3. **Customer Name** (Optional) - Helps you track quotes - Searchable later 4. **Contact Email** (Optional) - Store customer contact info - For future reference 5. **Due Date** (Optional) - Format: YYYY-MM-DD (e.g., 2025-03-15) - Helps prioritize urgent quotes 6. Click **"Generate Quote"** **What you'll see:** - ✅ **Confidence Level** (High/Medium/Low) - 📊 **Parsed RFP** - What the system understood - 🔍 **Similar Historical Quotes** - Ranked by similarity - 💰 **Cost Estimate** - Detailed breakdown - 📄 **Quote Details** - Quote ID, lead time, terms --- ### 📚 Tab 2: Historical Quotes **What it does:** View your entire quote database **Features:** - Sortable table with all historical quotes - See customer names, materials, processes - View cost per unit and lead times - Compare actual vs. estimated lead times - Check approval status **How to use:** 1. Click "Historical Quotes" tab 2. Click "Refresh Data" to reload 3. Review the table 4. Use for reference when creating new quotes **Table Columns:** - **Quote ID** - Unique identifier - **Customer** - Customer name - **Material** - Material specification - **Processes** - Manufacturing processes - **Qty Range** - Quantity bracket - **Cost/Unit** - Price per unit - **Lead Days** - Estimated and actual - **Status** - Draft or Approved --- ### 📊 Tab 3: Dashboard **What it does:** System overview and statistics **Statistics Cards:** - **Total Historical Quotes** - Size of your database - **Avg Lead Time** - Average across all quotes - **Avg Cost Per Unit** - Average pricing **Quick Actions:** - **Load Sample RFQ** - Try with example data - **Refresh Page** - Reload everything **System Status:** - Shows if server is online/offline - Connection health check --- ## 🎨 Understanding the Interface ### Color-Coded Confidence **High Confidence (Green)** - 85-100% match with historical data - Pricing is reliable - ✅ Safe to send quote to customer **Medium Confidence (Yellow)** - 70-85% match - Similar work, but some differences - ⚠️ Review before sending **Low Confidence (Red)** - Below 70% match - New type of work - 🛑 Engineering review required ### Match Score Badges Each historical quote shows a match percentage: - **92% Match** - Very similar (material, processes, quantity all match) - **75% Match** - Moderately similar (some overlap) - **45% Match** - Low similarity (limited overlap) ### Cost Breakdown The estimate shows: - **Material Cost** - Raw material pricing - **Processing Cost** - Machine time, labor - **Tooling** - Setup and tooling amortized per unit - **Overhead** - Facility costs (15%) - **Price Per Unit** - Final unit price with margin (20%) - **Total Price** - Quantity × Price Per Unit --- ## 💡 Common Workflows ### Workflow 1: Quick Quote for Customer Call **Scenario:** Customer calls asking for ballpark pricing 1. Open web interface 2. Type quick description in RFP field 3. Enter quantity 4. Click "Generate Quote" 5. Get instant estimate 6. Tell customer price and lead time **Time:** 30 seconds! --- ### Workflow 2: Detailed Quote for Email **Scenario:** Customer emails formal RFQ 1. Copy email text 2. Paste into RFP Description field 3. Fill in quantity and customer details 4. Click "Generate Quote" 5. Review similar historical quotes 6. Check confidence level 7. Adjust if needed (high confidence = send as-is) 8. Send quote to customer **Time:** 2-3 minutes! --- ### Workflow 3: Comparing Multiple Scenarios **Scenario:** Customer wants quotes for different quantities 1. Fill in form for 50 units → Generate 2. Note the results 3. Clear form 4. Fill in form for 200 units → Generate 5. Note the results 6. Fill in form for 1000 units → Generate 7. Compare all three options **Time:** 5 minutes for 3 quotes! --- ### Workflow 4: Research Before Quoting **Scenario:** Unfamiliar material/process 1. Go to "Historical Quotes" tab 2. Look for similar materials 3. Check what you've quoted before 4. Note pricing patterns 5. Go back to "New Quote" tab 6. Create quote with informed pricing --- ## 🔧 Tips & Tricks ### Writing Good RFP Descriptions **Bad Example:** ``` "Need some metal parts" ``` **Why:** Too vague, system can't match anything **Good Example:** ``` "200 pcs 6061-T6 aluminum brackets, CNC machined, anodized black, tolerance +/-0.005, holes tapped" ``` **Why:** Specific material, process, finish, tolerances ### Getting Better Matches ✅ **Include material grade** (6061-T6, not just "aluminum") ✅ **List all processes** (CNC, anodize, deburr) ✅ **Specify tolerances** (+/-0.005, standard, precision) ✅ **Mention finish** (anodize, powder coat, polish) ✅ **Note special requirements** (aerospace, marine grade) ### Using the Results **High Confidence Quote:** - Use estimate as-is or with minor adjustment - Safe to quote to customer - Fast turnaround **Medium Confidence Quote:** - Review similar quotes carefully - Adjust for differences - Get engineer input if unsure **Low Confidence Quote:** - Don't quote without engineering review - Treat as preliminary estimate only - Flag for detailed costing --- ## 🎯 Advanced Features ### Keyboard Shortcuts - **Tab** - Move between fields - **Enter** - Submit form (when focused on button) - **Ctrl+R** - Refresh page - **Esc** - Clear current field (in some browsers) ### Browser Tips - **Bookmark** http://localhost:3789 for quick access - **Pin tab** to keep it always available - **Multiple windows** - Open several for comparison - **Print results** - Use browser print (Ctrl+P) ### Mobile Access The interface is responsive and works on: - ✅ Desktop computers - ✅ Laptops - ✅ Tablets - ✅ Large phones **To access from mobile:** 1. Ensure device is on same network 2. Find your computer's IP address 3. Open browser to: http://[YOUR-IP]:3789 --- ## 📱 Taking it Further ### Integration Ideas **Email Integration:** - Set up email rule to forward RFQs - Manually paste into web interface - Future: Auto-process emails **CRM Integration:** - Copy quote results into your CRM - Link quote ID to opportunity - Track win/loss rates **Mobile App:** - Use the web interface as-is on mobile - Future: Native mobile app possible --- ## 🐛 Troubleshooting ### "Cannot connect to server" **Problem:** Browser can't reach the server **Solutions:** 1. Check server is running (START.bat → option 2) 2. Verify URL is http://localhost:3789 3. Try http://127.0.0.1:3789 4. Check no firewall blocking port 3789 --- ### Page loads but forms don't work **Problem:** JavaScript errors or API calls failing **Solutions:** 1. Open browser console (F12) 2. Check for error messages 3. Refresh page (Ctrl+R or F5) 4. Clear browser cache 5. Try different browser --- ### No historical quotes showing **Problem:** Database is empty or not loading **Solutions:** 1. Run reset-database.bat to restore samples 2. Check data/quotes.json exists 3. Restart server 4. Click "Refresh Data" button --- ### Results look wrong **Problem:** Estimates don't match expectations **Solutions:** 1. Check src/config.ts pricing 2. Review historical quote data 3. Verify RFP description is clear 4. Add more historical quotes --- ## 🎓 Best Practices ### Daily Use 1. **Keep server running** during business hours 2. **Bookmark the page** for quick access 3. **Pin browser tab** for convenience 4. **Check dashboard** daily for statistics ### Data Management 1. **Add new quotes** after completing jobs 2. **Update actual lead times** when known 3. **Review pricing** monthly in config.ts 4. **Back up data/quotes.json** regularly ### Accuracy Improvement 1. **Track quote-to-win ratio** by confidence level 2. **Compare estimates to actuals** regularly 3. **Tune pricing** based on patterns 4. **Add more historical data** continuously --- ## 📊 Metrics to Track Monitor these to improve: - **Match rate** - How often you find similar quotes - **Confidence distribution** - % high/medium/low - **Estimate accuracy** - Quoted vs actual costs - **Lead time accuracy** - Estimated vs actual days - **Quote-to-win rate** - By confidence level --- ## 🚀 What's Next? ### Current Capabilities (You Have Now!) - ✅ Web-based quote generation - ✅ Historical quote matching - ✅ Cost estimation - ✅ Dashboard with statistics - ✅ Responsive design ### Future Enhancements (Can Be Built) - 📧 Email integration - 👥 User authentication - 📱 Native mobile app - 📊 Advanced analytics - 🔗 CRM integration - 📄 PDF quote generation - 📈 Win/loss tracking --- ## 🎉 You're Ready! **To start using:** 1. Ensure server is running (START.bat → option 2) 2. Press [W] in menu or open http://localhost:3789 3. Try the sample RFQ (Dashboard → "Load Sample RFQ") 4. Generate your first quote! --- ## 📞 Quick Reference | Action | How To | |--------|--------| | Start server | START.bat → [2] | | Open web interface | START.bat → [W] | | Create quote | Fill form, click Generate | | View history | Click "Historical Quotes" tab | | Check stats | Click "Dashboard" tab | | Load example | Dashboard → "Load Sample RFQ" | | Refresh data | Click "Refresh Data" button | --- **Questions?** Check the other documentation files or press [H] in START.bat menu! **Enjoying it?** Start adding your real historical quotes to improve matching! **Want more features?** Let's build them! 🚀