c0de.it/docs/rack-planner/product-concept.md

Product Concept

Problem

There is no widely available, lightweight online tool focused on practical planning of 10" and 19" racks with a visual workflow, reusable components, and a usable bill of materials.

Existing workflows are often split across:

• CAD tools that are too heavy for simple planning
• spreadsheets for the bill of materials
• manual sketches for positioning
• separate notes for cabling

Vision

code.it Rack Planner should be a browser-based planning platform where users can:

• create and save rack layouts online
• visually place and move rack components
• load manufacturer-specific or custom components as plugins
• generate a bill of materials automatically
• estimate cable lengths between ports or devices

Target users

• system integrators
• installers
• IT administrators
• AV and media technicians
• control cabinet / small infrastructure planners
• organizations documenting existing rack installations

Primary use cases

1. Plan a new 19" network rack with switch, patch panel, PDU, UPS, shelves, and servers.
2. Plan a compact 10" wall rack for small office or edge installations.
3. Compare multiple rack variants with different hardware selections.
4. Export a bill of materials for ordering.
5. Estimate patch cable and power cable lengths based on mounting positions.

Functional goals

• visual rack editor
• component catalog
• drag-and-drop placement
• snap-to-unit positioning
• collision and fit validation
• bill of materials generation
• import of additional component packs
• optional cable planning and length estimation

Non-functional goals

• runs in a modern browser
• usable on desktop first, tablet second
• clean project persistence
• suitable for public internet deployment
• secure plugin loading model
• scalable enough for many concurrent users

Scope boundary

The product should not try to replace full mechanical CAD in the first versions. The planning focus is:

• layout
• occupancy
• compatibility
• documentation
• ordering support

Mechanical precision modeling, freeform CAD editing, and simulation should remain outside the initial scope.