In custom manufacturing industries where precision is key, traditional estimation methods can be bottlenecks, hindering efficiency and scalability. Take custom pool covers, for example—each one must be precisely tailored to fit unique pool dimensions. The conventional estimation process requires on-site visits, meticulous measurements, and a lot of back-and-forth, which can stretch over weeks and doesn’t always lead to a sale. But what if you could streamline this process—delivering faster, more accurate estimates while maintaining the precision required for custom manufacturing?
The Custom Manufacturing Challenge:
Estimating custom pool covers isn’t just about taking a few measurements. Estimators must physically visit the site, navigate obstacles, and ensure every dimension is accurate. This process can be slowed down by scheduling conflicts, weather, and the sheer time it takes to manually collect and compare data against existing templates.
Ticomix’s Innovative AI Approach to Custom Estimates
At Ticomix, we’re exploring how can make the custom estimation process faster and easier. We’re investigating how AI can be used to optimize the workflow, focusing on a combination of satellite images, smartphone photos, and drone footage. While each of these data sources has its own limitations, AI can pull them together in a way that turns the information into something useful, making the entire process quicker and more efficient.
- Satellite Images: These provide a broad view but can be obstructed by trees or shadows, limiting their effectiveness when used alone.
- Ground-Level Photos: Photos taken from the ground can present challenges due to varying angles and perspectives, making accurate measurement difficult.
- Drone Imagery: By leveraging drones to capture aerial images and videos, we can obtain clear, unobstructed views of pools from multiple angles.
How AI Makes It Possible:
Using advanced computer vision and machine learning algorithms, AI can analyze these images to streamline the estimation process and reduce missed measurements, improve data collection efficiency, and minimize human error. In the case of pool covers, AI can adjust for angles, recognize pool boundaries, and even account for obstructions like trees through intelligent data combination. This creates a more efficient and reliable estimation process, helping businesses save time and improve accuracy.
Read more: Building The Future: How AI Is Revolutionizing Construction
The Potential Benefits to Business Owners:
- Time Efficiency: Reduce the estimation process from weeks to days—or even hours.
- Cost Savings: Decrease the need for repeat on-site visits, saving time and resources.
- Improved Accuracy: Enhance measurement precision, reducing errors and the need for adjustments.
- Better Customer Experience: Provide clients with faster quotes, enhancing their satisfaction and increasing the likelihood of closing deals.
Looking Ahead:
We’re excited about the potential impact this AI solution could have for our client and others in similar industries, such as construction, custom furniture manufacturing, and even landscaping. By addressing a common pain point with innovative technology, we’re helping businesses operate more efficiently and serve their customers better.