Quotel.in was founded with a clear mission: to simplify the complex and time-consuming process of obtaining quotations for architectural elements like doors and windows. In the traditional model, customers—be it homeowners, interior designers, or contractors—were required to engage in repetitive site visits, long vendor calls, and manual communication for even the most basic pricing estimates. This inefficiency not only slowed down decision-making but also added to customer frustration and project delays. With the rise of digital interfaces in retail and services, Quotel.in identified a significant gap in the architectural supply market where real-time digital configuration and pricing were non-existent.
Recognizing this opportunity, the founders aimed to build a one-stop solution for price configuration and vendor discovery. They envisioned a web platform where users could input their requirements (dimensions, materials, designs, hardware options, etc.) and instantly receive a price quote. This transformation from manual to digital required a highly robust and intelligent system capable of handling a wide range of inputs and generating accurate outputs that matched regional pricing standards and vendor capabilities.
There were several challenges in developing the platform. First and foremost was the complexity of pricing rules in the fenestration industry. Pricing varied based on frame material (uPVC, aluminum, wood), glass type (single, double, tinted), hardware components (handles, locks, hinges), and even local labor costs. Each vendor had different pricing models, some offering bundled packages, others charging separately for add-ons. Capturing this logic in a digital format required deep domain understanding and flexibility in design.
Secondly, user experience posed a major hurdle. The platform had to cater to non-technical users who might not be familiar with digital interfaces. It had to be visually intuitive, guiding users step-by-step through product customization without overwhelming them. Moreover, the platform had to support vendors with a backend interface for managing pricing rules, catalogs, and inquiries—an additional layer of technical complexity.
The timeline was another critical factor. The client had committed to launch at a major industry expo, giving us just 10 weeks to design, develop, test, and deploy the platform.
To address the complexity and deliver within deadline, our team adopted an agile approach. We began with a two-week discovery sprint, conducting workshops with vendors and the Quotel team to understand key variables in the pricing model. This helped us map out all possible configurations and define the architecture for the pricing engine. We then created modular backend services using Laravel, ensuring scalability and ease of maintenance.
For the frontend, we used React.js to create a dynamic product configurator. Users could select dimensions using visual sliders, choose frame types from a gallery, and instantly see the updated pricing. Behind the scenes, a pricing algorithm calculated real-time costs based on selected parameters and vendor rules. We also built a vendor dashboard with drag-and-drop features for catalog updates and price rule management.
Security and performance were top priorities. The system was hosted on a scalable cloud infrastructure with SSL encryption and role-based access control. Extensive user testing was conducted in Week 7, which revealed UX bottlenecks we quickly resolved through interface redesigns.
The platform was launched successfully at the expo with all core features in place. Over 200 users registered in the first three months, and average quotation time dropped from 3–5 days to under 5 minutes. Vendors reported improved engagement and lead conversions, with 15+ manufacturers signing up from four different states. Quotel.in not only delivered its promise but set a new benchmark for digital innovation in the construction supply chain.