Predictika · Industrial control panel quotes

An AI sales agent's panel quote, checked before it goes out

An AI sales agent prepares a control-panel quote for a fictional customer: panels with their power supply, cooling, enclosure, communication module and I/O modules, plus variable-frequency drives. Before it goes out, the agent sends it to Predictika's validator, which checks it against design, hazardous-area and commercial rules, compares the net total the agent states with its own, and returns a verdict with every reason.

Scope: Industrial control-panel quotes for a fictional manufacturer: power and cooling, I/O and enclosure fit, hazardous areas and certificates, concession authority, lead time, and the net total the agent states. See everything this validator covers

This validator models the rules for a control-panel quote from a fictional manufacturer (Meridian Controls, MC-4000 panels), not just the scenarios shown below.

  • Panel power and cooling — a panel above 30 A needs a redundant power supply, a redundant supply needs active cooling, the supply must cover the panel load at 80 percent loading, and the cooling must cover the heat load, which is 25 percent higher above 40 degrees C ambient.
  • Enclosure, I/O and hazardous areas — I/O modules against enclosure slots; a hazardous area needs the right purge system (Type X for Division 1), a hazardous-rated enclosure and a hazardous-area certificate; the certificate must cover the ship-to region.
  • Price and commercial terms — panels, I/O volume tiers, VFD drives, an 8 percent warranty with a minimum, commissioning by panel count, a price concession (approval above 5 percent, a block above 10 percent), the longest lead time against the customer's need-by, and the net total the agent states.

Any panel quote that touches these rules is in scope — not only the scenarios pictured here. Meridian Controls, its catalog, customers and prices are invented for demonstration. Not covered: other Meridian products, custom design work, multi-site projects, freight and tax.

The AI sales agentBuilds the panel quote from the conversation and says it is ready.
Predictika validatorChecks every rule at once and returns the verdict, each finding, and the computed figures.

8 scenarios in 4 groups · each group runs from the agent’s first attempt to the outcome · click one to switch

What the agent proposes

The AI sales agent says

Proposing agent: AI sales agent (scripted)

Before sending, the agent must call Recorded run

Predictika validator


      

        
        
        
      

      
Waiting for the call.

      
    

  

  
  

    
Where rules-based CPQ gets it wrong
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Our assessment of what a typical rules-based CPQ (product rules, price rules and validation rules, as in Salesforce CPQ) does with the same cases. It is a judgment about effort and reliability, not a claim that nothing can be built.

    
What the validator caughtTypical rules-based CPQPredictika
Parts that depend on each otherOnly with care
Redundancy above 30 A, cooling type, supply capacity and heat load are chained conditions, usually a selection rule plus a validation rule per part family, and a fix to one part changes the inputs to the next.		Each part is data in a catalog; the same rules evaluate every combination in one pass, so a supply change and the cooling it now needs are checked together.
Hazardous-area combinationsOnly with care
The purge type, enclosure rating and certificate depend on the area class, and the certificate also depends on the ship-to region, so each is a conditional rule on a different object.		The area class and the ship-to region are evaluated with every other rule, and every problem is named together.
Volume tiers, warranty and commissioningOnly with care
A tier that counts I/O across panels, a percent-of-hardware warranty with a minimum and a block commissioning price are separate price rules that must be kept in step on every change.		Counts, tiers and charges are derived across the quote on every call and reconcile to the net total.
Concession authority and lead timeOnly with care
An approval band, a hard maximum and a lead time against need-by are separate validation rules, each needing its own approval routing.		Concession and lead time are derived on each call and returned as items for a person, next to the blocking findings.
The net total the agent statesOnly with workarounds
Comparing a stated figure with a computed one means a separate rule per layout, and price rules rarely run on stated figures.		The stated net total is a field in the request and is checked against the computed net total.
Every problem returned in one answerOnly with workarounds
Rules tend to fire as the quote is built, so a problem raised late can hide an earlier one.		Every rule is evaluated at the end of input and all findings come back together.

  

  

    
What this validator catches: findings from its test cases
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Every rule is checked on every call, in any order the choices arrive; one problem never hides another. Blocking findings stop the quote; approval findings need a person to sign off; everything else is computed.

    
1The redundant supply MC-PSU-R240 requires active cooling; MC-COOL-PHS is passive.
2The panel load is 66 W; MC-PSU-S60 covers only 48.0 W at the 80 percent continuous-load limit.
3The panel heat load is 63.75 W at 45 C ambient; MC-COOL-PHS is rated for 60 W.
414 I/O modules per panel do not fit the 12 slots of MC-ENC-12S.
5A Div2 hazardous area needs a purge system (Type X for Division 1); the quote has NoPurge.
6Certificate CERT-UL508A-NA does not cover a ship-to region of EU.
7A 12 percent price concession exceeds the 10 percent maximum.
8The net total the agent states ($19,760.00) differs from the net total the validator computes ($19,758.00).
9The longest lead time on this quote is 35 days; the customer needs it in 21 days.
10A 6 percent price concession is above the 5 percent sales authority; approvable up to 10 percent.
11Enclosure MC-ENC-12L is not rated for hazardous areas.
12Certificate CERT-UL508A-NA does not cover hazardous areas.
13A 8 percent price concession is above the 5 percent sales authority; approvable up to 10 percent.
14A panel rated 38 A is above 30 A and needs a redundant power supply; MC-PSU-S240 is a standard supply.
15The net total the agent states ($35,577.66) differs from the net total the validator computes ($51,623.87).
16The longest lead time on this quote is 35 days; the customer needs it in 20 days.

  

  

    
Scenarios and results
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The recorded result of the validator for each scenario on this page: the request the AI agent sent, the verdict, and every finding, in the order they appear above.

    
1. Hazardous EU panel built from a standard template: A Division 1 hazardous-area panel for an EU site, assembled from a standard North America template: 38 A, a 60 W supply, passive cooling at 45 C, a general 12-slot enclosure, a general certificate, a Type Y purge system, a 12 percent concession and a stated total that leaves out warranty and commissioning

    
The agent's request. Please quote one MC-4000 control panel rated 38 A for a Division 1 hazardous area, shipping to the EU: MC-PSU-S60 power supply, MC-COOL-PHS, MC-ENC-12S enclosure, PROFINET communication module, 4 digital input, 4 digital output, 3 analog input, 2 analog output modules, the CERT-UL508A-NA certificate, with a Type Y purge system, for 45 C ambient, and 2 VFD-750 drives, with a 12 percent price concession, needed in 30 days, for a net total of $10,832.80. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • Panel above 30 A needs a redundant supply. A panel rated 38 A is above 30 A and needs a redundant power supply; MC-PSU-S60 is a standard supply.
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  • Power supply too small for the load. The panel load is 61 W; MC-PSU-S60 covers only 48.0 W at the 80 percent continuous-load limit.
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  • Cooling too small for the heat load. The panel heat load is 76.25 W at 45 C ambient; MC-COOL-PHS is rated for 60 W.
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  • Too many I/O modules for the enclosure. 13 I/O modules per panel do not fit the 12 slots of MC-ENC-12S.
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  • Hazardous area needs the right purge system. A Div1 hazardous area needs a purge system (Type X for Division 1); the quote has TypeY.
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  • Certificate does not cover hazardous areas. Certificate CERT-UL508A-NA does not cover hazardous areas.
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  • Enclosure not rated for hazardous areas. Enclosure MC-ENC-12S is not rated for hazardous areas.
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  • Certificate does not cover the ship-to region. Certificate CERT-UL508A-NA does not cover a ship-to region of EU.
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  • Concession above the 10 percent maximum. A 12 percent price concession exceeds the 10 percent maximum.
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  • Stated net total does not match. The net total the agent states ($10,832.80) differs from the net total the validator computes ($16,499.42).
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  • Lead time longer than the customer need. The longest lead time on this quote is 35 days; the customer needs it in 30 days.
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2. Hazardous EU panel built from a standard template: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote one MC-4000 control panel rated 38 A for a Division 1 hazardous area, shipping to the EU: MC-PSU-R480 power supply, MC-COOL-FAN, MC-ENC-16HZ enclosure, EtherNet/IP communication module, 4 digital input, 4 digital output, 3 analog input, 2 analog output modules, the CERT-ATEX-EU certificate, with a Type X purge system, for 45 C ambient, and 2 VFD-750 drives, with a 5 percent price concession, needed in 30 days, for a net total of $25,607.28. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • Price summary. Net total $25,607.28 (USD, estimated). 1 panel(s) at $15,880.00 each (13 I/O modules per panel); drives 2 x $2,200.00; hardware list $20,280.00, net $19,266.00 after 5 percent; warranty $1,541.28; commissioning $4,800.00; panel load 61 W; lead 28 days.
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3. Power supply and cooling: A 38 A panel with a standard supply and passive cooling at 45 C ambient

    
The agent's request. Please quote one MC-4000 control panel rated 38 A for a general (non-hazardous) area, shipping to North America: MC-PSU-S240 power supply, MC-COOL-PHS, MC-ENC-12L enclosure, EtherNet/IP communication module, 4 digital input, 4 digital output, 3 analog input modules, the CERT-UL508A-NA certificate, for 45 C ambient, and 4 VFD-750 drives, for a net total of $20,125.20. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • Panel above 30 A needs a redundant supply. A panel rated 38 A is above 30 A and needs a redundant power supply; MC-PSU-S240 is a standard supply.
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  • Cooling too small for the heat load. The panel heat load is 63.75 W at 45 C ambient; MC-COOL-PHS is rated for 60 W.
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4. Power supply and cooling: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote one MC-4000 control panel rated 38 A for a general (non-hazardous) area, shipping to North America: MC-PSU-R240 power supply, MC-COOL-FAN, MC-ENC-12L enclosure, EtherNet/IP communication module, 4 digital input, 4 digital output, 3 analog input modules, the CERT-UL508A-NA certificate, for 45 C ambient, and 4 VFD-750 drives, for a net total of $21,432.00. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • Price summary. Net total $21,432.00 (USD, estimated). 1 panel(s) at $6,600.00 each (11 I/O modules per panel); drives 4 x $2,200.00; hardware list $15,400.00, net $15,400.00, no discount; warranty $1,232.00; commissioning $4,800.00; panel load 51 W; lead 14 days.
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5. Concession and the stated total: Three panels with a 7 percent concession and a stated total that leaves out warranty and commissioning

    
The agent's request. Please quote 3 MC-4000 control panels rated 25 A for a general (non-hazardous) area, shipping to North America: MC-PSU-S240 power supply, MC-COOL-PHS, MC-ENC-12L enclosure, EtherNet/IP communication module, 4 digital input, 2 digital output, 2 analog input modules, the CERT-UL508A-NA certificate, and 6 VFD-1500 drives, with a 7 percent price concession, for a net total of $34,110.54. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • Stated net total does not match. The net total the agent states ($34,110.54) differs from the net total the validator computes ($50,039.38).
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  • Concession above sales authority. A 7 percent price concession is above the 5 percent sales authority; approvable up to 10 percent.
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6. Concession and the stated total: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote 3 MC-4000 control panels rated 25 A for a general (non-hazardous) area, shipping to North America: MC-PSU-S240 power supply, MC-COOL-PHS, MC-ENC-12L enclosure, EtherNet/IP communication module, 4 digital input, 2 digital output, 2 analog input modules, the CERT-UL508A-NA certificate, and 6 VFD-1500 drives, with a 5 percent price concession, for a net total of $50,831.63. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • Price summary. Net total $50,831.63 (USD, estimated). 3 panel(s) at $4,426.00 each (8 I/O modules per panel, 5 percent I/O volume discount); drives 6 x $3,900.00; hardware list $36,678.00, net $34,844.10 after 5 percent; warranty $2,787.53; commissioning $13,200.00; panel load 38 W; lead 16 days.
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7. Enclosure fit, lead time and concession: Fourteen I/O modules in a 12-slot enclosure, a long-lead module for a 20-day need-by and an 8 percent concession

    
The agent's request. Please quote one MC-4000 control panel rated 22 A for a general (non-hazardous) area, shipping to North America: MC-PSU-S240 power supply, MC-COOL-FAN, MC-ENC-12S enclosure, PROFINET communication module, 5 digital input, 5 digital output, 4 analog input modules, the CERT-UL508A-NA certificate, with a 8 percent price concession, needed in 20 days, for a net total of $11,004.00. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • Too many I/O modules for the enclosure. 14 I/O modules per panel do not fit the 12 slots of MC-ENC-12S.
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  • Concession above sales authority. A 8 percent price concession is above the 5 percent sales authority; approvable up to 10 percent.
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  • Lead time longer than the customer need. The longest lead time on this quote is 35 days; the customer needs it in 20 days.
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8. Enclosure fit, lead time and concession: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote one MC-4000 control panel rated 22 A for a general (non-hazardous) area, shipping to North America: MC-PSU-S240 power supply, MC-COOL-FAN, MC-ENC-12L enclosure, EtherNet/IP communication module, 5 digital input, 5 digital output, 4 analog input modules, the CERT-UL508A-NA certificate, with a 5 percent price concession, needed in 20 days, for a net total of $11,522.50. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • Price summary. Net total $11,522.50 (USD, estimated). 1 panel(s) at $6,550.00 each (14 I/O modules per panel); hardware list $6,550.00, net $6,222.50 after 5 percent; warranty $500.00; commissioning $4,800.00; panel load 64 W; lead 10 days.
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Narration transcript
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The text of the narrated walkthrough, step by step.

    
    
      
  1. Welcome to a demo of Predictika's Validator. An AI sales agent prepares a control-panel quote for a fictional customer: panels with their power supply, cooling, enclosure, and more. Before it goes out, the agent sends it to Predictika's validator, which checks it against design, hazardous-area and commercial rules, compares the net total the agent states with its own, and returns a verdict with every reason.
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  2. Each tab is a different request. We will start with the first one.
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  3. The agent says. Please quote one MC-4000 control panel rated 38 A for a Division 1 hazardous area, shipping to the EU: MC-PSU-S60 power supply. It is ready to send. The rest of the request is on screen.
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  4. Before it goes out, the agent calls the validator.
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  5. Blocked, with ten findings and one approval, all in one answer. A panel rated 38 A is above 30 A and needs a redundant power supply; MC-PSU-S60 is a standard supply. The panel load is 61 W; MC-PSU-S60 covers only 48.0 W at the 80 percent continuous-load limit. The panel heat load is 76.25 W at 45 C ambient; MC-COOL-PHS is rated for 60 W. The other seven are on screen.
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  6. The validator returned ten blocking findings and one approval in one answer. A check that reads one field at a time would pass most of this; it shows only when the choices in the quote are checked against each other and against the stated total.
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  7. What this shows: for concession authority and lead time, a rules-based CPQ is error-prone for this.
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  8. Now the agent resubmits.
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  9. The corrected request. It changes the power supply to MC-PSU-R480, the cooling to MC-COOL-FAN, the enclosure to MC-ENC-16HZ, the communication module to EtherNet/IP and the stated net total to $25,607.28. Three more changes are on screen.
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  10. It calls the validator again.
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  11. This time the validator clears it.
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  12. The validator also returns the line-item quote, on screen.
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  13. All eleven earlier findings are cleared, and the validator's total, $25,607.28, matches the quote.
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  14. Ten problems caught in one call, fixed in one pass, and a clean $25,607.28 quote. That is the value of Predictika's validator: catching mistakes before they reach the customer.
    15.