Service description - StoPanelizer

1 Scope of services

The service description for the StoPanelizer program from version 2.4.193-rc2 is valid until replaced by a new service description. The following service description contains detailed information on the features available with the StoPanelizer.

1.1. General Information about the product

The cloud solution "StoPanelizer", available at https://stopanelizer.com/, is a digital bidding software for estimators in the prefabrication business. The user receives an account for StoPanelizer after purchasing a license. The account consists of the e-mail address and the password, which is used for login. The customer can access the StoPanelizer with any web browser on a desktop PC or laptop. A mouse and keyboard are required for use.

Minimum requirements of the PC are:

Processor (CPU): Dual-core processor running at 2.0 GHz or faster.

Memory (RAM): 8 GB.

Graphics card: Integrated graphics card that supports WebGL 2.0, such as Intel HD Graphics 4000 or better.

Hard disk space: 500 MB free disk space.

Operating system: Windows 10, macOS 10.13.

Web browser: Current version of Chrome, Firefox, or Edge.

Internet Connection: Broadband connection for online features and updates.

The intuitive design and multiple functions of the StoPanelizer enable faster and more efficient quoting for prefabricated finished exterior wall panel systems from StoPanel.

1.2. Functionalities

The functionalities described below describe the scope of functions of the StoPanelizer cloud application in accordance with the program structure.

1.2.1. Info

Under the "Info" tab, both client and project information, such as project name, project number, project address, architect, project partner, etc., can be entered and saved.

1.2.2. Settings

In the second tab of the StoPanelizer "Settings", settings for the panels such as panel sizes, panel depth, panel gap width between the panels, installation capacities and the general panel type, such as slab to slab panels, can be specified and saved. The user can reset the settings in the "Panel Settings" tab to the default values at any time by clicking the "Reset values" button. In addition, the essential building dimensions such as the default storey floor height, the parapet height and the floor slab thickness can be specified in the “Dimensions” tab. In addition, in the “Panel types” tab the panel types offered by the particular affiliate and used in the specific project (e.g.: StoPanel Classic Ci) are selected. The price calculation is then based on the selected panel types.

The price calculation method appropriate for the specific project is selected in the “Pricing” tab. The selection is made on the basis of 3 pricing methods differing in the level of detail. Level 1 pricing is the roughest pricing method and uses few inputs to perform the calculation based on area average prices for different panel types and finishes. Level 1 pricing is also referred to as ROM - rough order of magnitude. Level 2 pricing is a mid-range pricing method and uses sales prices for different component groups and layers by panel types. Level 3 pricing is the most detailed pricing method yet and uses inputs divided into material costs and labor costs for different component groups and layers by panel types. In the “Scheduling” tab the base scheduling settings can be edited. This includes general settings such as working capacity and the arrangement and creation of phases as well as the specific duration per phase. The duration is given in panels per day or area per day. Finally, in the “CSV Export” tab, all the information that is to appear in the panel list can be selected.

1.2.3. Floorplan

In the "Floorplan" tab, the floor plans of the project to be created are uploaded and redrawn. Specific tools such as "Outlines", "Balconies", "Origin" and "Measurement" are available for this purpose, offering all input options to efficiently recreate a floor plan to form the basis for the 3D model.  The "Copy outline from another floor" function allows users to copy repetitive floor plans in a time-saving manner.

1.2.4 Stacking

In the "Stacking" tab, the floor plans are stacked and all settings that influence the floor plan stacking, such as sequence, specific floor heights or varying parapet heights can be adjusted by the user. The user can also duplicate, delete or add levels as needed. The user sees the changes to the 3D model superimposed in a window and can thus check the changes to the 3D model.

1.2.5. Elevations

By editing the elevations, the user starts the manipulation of the façade division into panels and thus creates the basis for the automated panelization and can influence it according to his preferences. The "Elevations" tab is divided into cropping, projection, areas, openings, moldings, materials and architectural lines. Based on 2D or 3D visualizations, the panel layout on the facade is edited and adjusted.

1.2.6 Cropping

The user is enabled in the “Cropping” tab to upload PDF elevations of the building and edit them afterwards. The user can crop the uploaded elevations so that only the elevation areas that are to be projected onto the 3D model remain.

1.2.7. Projection

In the "Projection" tab, the user can project the cropped elevations onto the stacked floor plans to create a 3D model of the building. The 3D model is later the basis for the takeoffs. The user can switch back and forth between the 2D elevation view and the 3D model to check the projected views on the 3D model. In case of incorrect projections, the selected elevation can be undone by clicking the "Reset projection" button and then repeated to achieve the desired result for the user.

1.2.8. Areas

In the "Areas" tab, the user can use a tool to mark the areas excluded from panelization, thus these sections are field applied and excluded from the calculation. The selection of the areas excluded from panelization is enabled to the user by a tool that allows to draw rectangles. Here, as well, incorrect inputs can be undone by using the "Reset areas" button. In addition, the selected areas can be inverted using the "Invert areas" button.

1.2.9 Openings

In the "Openings" tab, building openings such as windows can be marked by the user in order to place the openings in the panels in the right place. The software supports the user in the selection and placement of windows by automated window detection. For this purpose, the user can use the "Detection" tool to automatically detect a selected window in the elevation. In the second elevation that the user is working on, to save time, he can skip redrawing the windows by using the "find already detected openings" button. This way, already identified openings in previous elevations will be recognized and marked in an automated way.

1.2.10. Mouldings

In the "Mouldings" tab, the user can place mouldings and assign them various prices. The price is set per length in the pricing tab. The longer side of the drawn rectangle, representing the moulding, is then used for the calculation. In this way, moldings located on the panels can also be taken into account in the price calculation. To create different moldings on an elevation, the user can use the "Create molding type" button. With the “Edit Moulding” button the user is able to select a moulding shape under a limited numer of presets of mouldings. Also the depth of the chosen moulding can be edited. Every adapted moulding can then be saved for the use in future projects.

1.2.11. Materials

In the "Materials" tab, material changes on the facade can be taken into account by defining vertical or horizontal lines to divide the facade into areas with different looktype and areas with varying materials. Material-Lines define a change of looktype on the façade. To arrange several materials on one elevation, the user can use the "Create Material" button.

1.2.14 Finishing

Under the "finishing" tab, dedicated finishes (e.g. Plaster fine) can be assigned to the various material areas. In addition, various color options are available to the user. This allows the user to visualize the finishes planned for the building and to discuss and adjust them with the customer.

Under the "Hidden Faces" tab, which is part of the Finishing tab, the user is shown faces in the 3D model that are not part of the elevations, for example because the elevations were incomplete or facade areas are hidden. Thus, the user has the possibility to assign materials to the surfaces that have not been treated so far. These assignments of the material can be undone by using the "Reset hidden faces" button.

1.2.15. Summary

The summary allows the user to get a list of all price components structured by the panel types and to insert or subtract additional price components. Thus, price markups or discounts can be integrated into the calculation by adding custom values. The summary is structured in varying detail according to the selected pricing level. Level 1-3 prices are mainly based on area or length based average prices and custom values.

The user can already see the total price and the panel count by clicking on the "Calculate" button (top right corner). The updated total price of the project and the panel count required for the project are displayed in the upper right corner. Whenever the user has made significant changes to the project, the user can see the impact on the price and the panel count, by clicking on the “Calculate” button.

1.2.16. Scheduling

In the “Scheduling” tab, the user is able to display the schedule as a Gantt chart. To do this, a start or end date (forward or backward calculation) is entered by the user. The Gantt chart is then created by clicking on the “Calculate” button. The user has the option of displaying a weekly and monthly breakdown as well as an overall overview of the project schedule.

1.2.17. Export

The user can export the cost calculation using the export function by clicking on the “Export” button. In the exportsheet, besides the cost information, visualizations of the building are included. The export sheet shows the total price, panel count, days needed on site, connection linear length, elevation area, panel side areas, total elevation area, field applied area, panel face area, panel cutout area and the total finish area. The export sheet is output as HTML page, so that all information can be copied and used in other programs, e.g. for text processing. In addition, the export sheet contains all the information about the project and the customer. For the panel types, the areas and materials used are shown separately. The total price represents the sum of the various material prices. In addition, the export sheet includes the areas and prices for all elevations separately, which allows them to be displayed individually.

Additionally the user can export a panellist (csv-file) of the project with a breakdown of the panels with, height, area etc. The csv file will be downloaded and stored on the local downloads folder.

1.3. Support contact request

In StoPanelizer, the user interface provides a "Help" button. This component establishes the connection between the StoPanelizer cloud application and the Zendesk online support application. The connection allows users to submit support requests to Sto Building Solutions GmbH directly from the StoPanelizer cloud application. Alternatively, users can access the StoPanel Support Center by calling up the website https://stopanel.zendesk.com/hc.

1.4. Services not owed and right to refuse service

Services that are not provided within the scope of user support or only on the basis of a separate agreement by Sto Building Solutions GmbH:

• Individual enhancements and/or improvements to the Software
• Individual setting changes, setting creation
• Clarification of questions that are usually dealt with in the context of training courses
• Employee trainings
• Database or core services to optimize speed
• Data backup or data recovery
• Network analysis
• Migration services (e.g. data conversions)
• Security services
• On-site support
• Hardware support

Support for third-party applications, such as the Microsoft Windows or Microsoft Office product family, as long as these are not questions or problems that specifically arise in connection with the use of the licensed software.

Support services will no longer be provided if the customer himself or a third party has made changes to the software or if the IT requirements for using the software are not met.