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3. THE USER INTERFACE

3.1 Interface

The user interface of ProEst has an intuitive, Microsoft Office look and feel, which makes it

quick and efficient to operate the software.

The main navigation tools include the menu bar, toolbar and the navigation pane. The picturebelow points out the location of these tools as seen on the Home tab in the software.

ProEst Button

The ProEst utton is the main icon on the top of the interface screen. The button has functions to

add, open and delete estimates, as well as access setup options for ProEst.

Quick Access Toolar

The quick access toolbar is displa!ed at the ver! top of the screen. The toolbar contains the

most popular functions for quick access.

!enu BarThe menu bar is displa!ed below the quick access toolbar. The menu has all of the

functions necessar! to operate the software and man! shortcut ke!s that are available for

quick access to s!stem functions. The menu bar remains constant throughout the s!stem.

Na"i#ation PaneThe navigation pane is another wa! to access important s!stem functions. The functions in the navigation

pane will change to accommodate the tools available for a page. "or e#ample, on the Home page displa!ed

above, !ou can add or delete estimates and group the estimates b! various criteria.

3.$ ProEst Button

The ProEst utton is the main icon located on the upper left corner of the screen. $t contains

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functions to create new estimates, open e#isting estimates or change databases.

Ne%This option adds a new estimate to the s!stem.

&'en

This option opens the selected estimate.

Sa"e

This option saves all data including the currentl! opened estimate.

C(an#e )ataase

This option allows !ou to change to a different estimating database.

E*it

This option e#its the software.

3.3 Quick Access Toolar

The %uick &ccess Toolbar contains man! functions available for quick and eas! access.Ho+e

This option puts access back to the Home page.

A,, Ne% Esti+ate

This option adds a new estimate to the s!stem.

Sa"eThis option saves all data including the currentl! opened estimate.

)ataase

This option accesses the master database of items and assemblies.

Hel'

This option allows !ou to access the complete Help s!stem, software registration screen and

&bout screen, which contains the software release dates and registration information.

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3.- !enu Bar

The menu bar contains all of the commands to operate the ProEst Estimating software. To access the menu

options, click on the word with the left mouse button. To use the ke!board instead of the mouse, hold down

the &lt 'e! and press the letter that is displa!ed on the menu !ou would like to access.

Ho+e !enu

The Home menu allows access to all s!stem related functions. (reate new estimates, opene#isting estimates and access the ProEst )ebsite for the latest news.

Ho+e

This option returns focus to the Home page, which lists all of !our estimates.

Ne%

This option adds a new estimate or a record to one of the other s!stem tables.

&'en

This option opens the currentl! selected estimate.

)elete

This option deletes the currentl! selected estimate.Sa"e

This option saves the currentl! opened estimate.

Backu'

This option backs up the selected estimate.

Restore

This option restores the selected estimate from a previous backup.

Enter Searc( Ter+

This option allows !ou to search the estimate list for a particular estimate.

Clear Searc( Result

This option clears the search filter.

ProEst Ne%s

This option provides access to the latest issue of ProEst *ews.

Esti+ate !enu

The Estimate menu allows access to all estimate related functions.

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)ataase

This option opens the master database including $tems and &ssemblies.

Select All

This option selects all line items in the estimate.

)eselect AllThis option de+selects all line items in the estimate.

Co' Selecte,

This option allows !ou to cop! selected items in the estimate to another location.

)elete Selecte,

This option deletes the selected items.

C(an#e Selecte,

This option allows !ou to change or edit all selected items.

Restore Ite+s to )ataase

This option restores item information from the estimate items back to the master database.

U',ate Ite+s fro+ )ataase

This option updates the estimate items with the current item information from the master database.

!er#e Esti+ates

This option allows !ou to merge together e#isting estimates. This will merge all items from the

selected estimate into the current estimate.

A,/ust Takeoff 0alues

This option allows !ou to edit the takeoff dimensions for the selected item or assembl!.

!aterial Sustitution

This option allows !ou to substitute one material t!pe for another throughout the estimate.

Unit Con"ersion

This option converts between $mperial and Metric s!stems.

o To 2ine

This option moves the focus to the input line number.

0ie% Su++ar

This option turns on or off the summar! displa! on the right of the estimate sheet.

Enter Searc( Ter+

This option allows !ou to search the estimate for a particular item.

Clear Searc( Result

This option clears the search filter.

Takeoff !enu

The Takeoff menu allows access to all takeoff related functions, including importingdrawings, performing takeoffs and printing !our results.

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)ataase

This option opens the master database including $tems and &ssemblies.

I+'ort

This option allows !ou to import drawings.

Set Scale

This option sets both the drawing scale and the unit of measure. ou can also select themeasurement s!stem being utili-ed.

Set Custo+ Scale

This option allows !ou to set a scale based on a known dimension on the plans.

Print )ra%in#

This option prints the selected drawing.

Print Setu'

This option accesses the setup for the drawing report.

Select

This option allows !ou to select an obect measured on the takeoff screen.

!easure

The option sets the software into measurement mode. )hen this mode is activated, measuring a series of

points will create an area representing the points on the screen. The area is closed b! selecting the (lose

Measurement option on this menu or the right mouse menu. ou can also double+click !our mouse to close

the measurement. &n area can also be subtracted b! selecting the /ubtract Measurement option.

CloseThis option ends the current measurement. $f an area is being measured, the area will be closed. $f a length

is being measured, the length will end on the last point selected.

Sutract

This option subtracts the measurement from the la!er. This function works with both &rea and 0ength

measurement modes.

Un,o

This option will undo the last measured point and can be selected multiple times.

oo+

This option allows !ou to select a section on the screen with the mouse to obtain a more detailed view of the

drawing.

oo+ In

This option allows !ou to -oom into the drawing b! a set percentage.

oo+ &ut

This option allows !ou to -oom out of the drawing b! a set percentage.

oo+ Pa#e

This option resets the drawing to fit the full page.

oo+ 4

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This option allows !ou to select a section on the screen with the mouse to obtain a more detailed view of the

drawing.

!a#nif

This option allows !ou to magnif! a small section of the drawing.

Pan

This option allows !ou to pan around the drawing.Hi#(li#(ter

This option allows !ou to highlight sections of the drawing in !ellow.

Hot 2ink

This option allows !ou to link one drawing to another to view specs or more detailed sections of

another drawing.

)is'la All

This option displa!s all takeoffs for the selected drawing at the same time.

2aels

This option turns on1off the quantities for the selected takeoff.

Insert Te*t

This option inserts te#t on the selected la!er. The te#t can also be moved b! selecting and dragging to a new

location.

Co'

This option copies the selected la!er.

Clear

This option clears or erases the selected entit!. $f a drawing is selected, it will clear the drawing and all la!ers

within the drawing. $f a la!er is selected, onl! that la!er will be cleared.

)elete

This option deletes the selected entit!. $f a drawing is selected, it will delete the drawing and all la!ers withinthe drawing. $f a la!er is selected, onl! that la!er will be deleted.

Rotate

This option rotates the drawing ninet! degrees.

Sna' to ri,

This option allows !ou to snap !our measurement to a user+definable angle.

&"erla

This option allows !ou to import a revised drawing and overla! over an e#isting drawing. The s!stem will

displa! differences between the original drawing and the overla! drawing.

Plan 0ie%er

This option allows !ou to view another drawing without leaving the displa!ed drawing. $t is also used to add

Hot 0inks to drawings.

)ocu+ents !enu

The 2ocuments menu lists all estimate drawings and has access to import i/q"t proects.

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For+ulas

The formulas are used to calculate takeoff quantities. The! can be used to calculate area, volume,perimeter or an! other value.

Cost Tale

The cost table is a list which maintains the base costs. These costs are linked to individual items in the

master database.

Cre% TaleThe crews can be comprised of both labor and equipment.

Accountin# Co,es

The accounting codes are assigned directl! to each item and are used to separate the estimate for ob costingpurposes.

Pro'osal Setu'

The proposal setup list contains all of the options for the sales proposal reports.

Currenc Tale

The currenc! table gives !ou the abilit! to change the currenc! being used in the estimate.

ContactsThe contact list contains all of the clients for which !ou will be creating estimates.

0en,ors

The vendors list contains all of the material vendors that will be utili-ed in the estimates being created.

Su5Contractors

The sub+contractors list contains all of the sub+contractors that will be utili-ed in the estimates beingcreated.

!anufacturer

The manufacturer list contains all of the material manufacturers that will be utili-ed in the estimates being

created.

!aterial T'es

These are t!pes of material that will be used with the material substitution function.

Unit of !easure

This is a listing of the units of measure in the database.

Bi, Status

The status of the bid, helps organi-e the estimates on the home page.

6o T'e

The t!pe of ob, helps organi-e the estimates on the home page.

6o Status

The status of the ob after it is awarded.

!arku' Setu'

The markups that will be used for all new estimates that are created.Tools !enu

This Tools menu contains the calculator, interfaces, screen la!out option and the setup screen.

Calculator

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This option accesses the s!stem calculator for mathematic calculations.

Accountin#

This option allows !ou to access the accounting interfaces built into the s!stem.

Pricin#

This option allows !ou to access the material pricing services built into the s!stem.

Sc(e,ulin#

This option allows !ou to access the scheduling interfaces built into the s!stem to setup the ob

schedule.

Screen 2aout

This option allows !ou to customi-e the Home Page and Estimate /heet to displa! the desiredcolumns of information.

ProEst Setu'

This option is used to access to all setup and configuration options in the s!stem.

Hel' !enu

This Help menu allows !ou to access the complete Help s!stem, /oftware 3egistration screen and &bout

screen which contains the software release dates and registration information.

Hel'

This option accesses the complete Help s!stem.

Acti"ate

This option allows !ou to properl! register the software.Auto U',ate

This option checks for current updates to the software and notifies !ou if one is available.

)eacti"ate

This option allows !ou to deactivate the software. This function is utili-ed if !ou need to transfer a license

to another machine.

Su+it Case

This option allows !ou to submit a support case to our support department. This will enter !our case into our

support queue and guarantee !ou the quickest possible response time.

Tutorials

This option will launch a page on our )ebsite with links to training tutorials.

Feature Re7uest

This option will launch a page on our )ebsite for submitting product feature requests.

Reco++en,

This option launches a page on our )ebsite with links to recommend ProEst to a colleague.

Aout

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This option displa!s a message bo# with information about the release date and registration status of the

software.

ProEst

This option launches the ProEst corporate )ebsite.

-. QUIC8 START TUT&RIA2S

-.1 A,,in# a Ne% Esti+ate

To add a new estimate, from the Home menu select the *ew icon.

The &dd *ew Estimate screen appears to input !our new information.

Co,e

This field displa!s a unique identifier code assigned to the estimate.

)escri'tion

This field allows !ou to enter a description for !our estimate.

Pro/ect

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This field allows !ou to group related estimates together.

Esti+ate Te+'late

This field allows !ou to select an! previousl! created estimate as a template for the new estimate !ou are

adding. /electing a template will include the estimate items that are in the template.

Cost !o,ifier

This gives !ou the abilit! to adust the estimate costs per user+definable modifier.

RS !eans In,e*

This allows !ou to select from the 3/ Means cit! inde# factors so the estimate is adusted according to the

selected -ip code.

Bi, )ate

This field allows !ou to enter the date that the bid is due.

Start )ate

This field allows !ou to enter the date that the ob will start.

Co+'lete )ate

This field allows !ou to enter the date that the ob will be complete.

Bi, Status

This field allows !ou to select the status for the estimate. The s!stem contains default values that can be

edited based on !our preferences.

6o T'e

This field allows !ou to select the categor! t!pe for the takeoff. The s!stem contains default values that

can be edited based on !our preferences.

6o Status

This field allows !ou to select the construction status for the ob.

6o Si9e

This field allows !ou to store the ob si-e so a running unit cost can be calculated for the estimate.

Filter

This field allows !ou to filter the estimates b! user+definable categories like per office or per

department.

Currenc

This field allows !ou to select the currenc! for the estimate.

!iscellaneous

This field can contain an! estimate related data that needs to be stored.

)hen complete, click on the /ave button to add the new estimate to !our s!stem.

-.$ Selectin# Ite+s for :our Esti+ate

The estimate has been created and is now opened.

The ne#t step is to takeoff or select a few items for the estimate. /elect the 2atabase icon off the

estimate toolbar to access the items.

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$n the 2atabase select a 2ivision and /ub+2ivision to locate an item.

To takeoff the item, double+click on the item or press Enter when the desired item is highlighted. The s!stem

will prompt !ou for a quantit! for the item as demonstrated on the ne#t screen.

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$nput a number and click on the /ave button.

The item selected has been transferred to the estimate.

$n the e#ample below, four items have been selected to begin building the estimate.

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-.3 Selectin# Asse+lies for :our Esti+ate

To takeoff or select assemblies for the estimate, click on the 2atabase icon on the estimate toolbar.

)ith the database screen opened, select the &ssemblies tab.

Open a 2ivision to choose an assembl! for the estimate.

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Press the Enter ke! or double+click !our mouse to takeoff the assembl!. The s!stem will prompt !ou to

enter dimensions for the assembl! on the left while the items are automaticall! calculated on the right.

&fter reviewing the items in the assembl!, click on the /ave button to transfer the items from the

assembl! into the estimate.

-.- A,/ustin# Esti+ate !arku'sTo access the markup screen for the estimate, in the 4iew /creen section of the navigation pane,

select Markups.

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Total Cost

The top section contains a breakdown b! cost t!pe for the estimate. ou can add a percentage

markup per cost t!pe to be applied at a cost t!pe level.

Total Price

The bottom section contains additional markups that make up the total price of the estimate.

!arku' T'es

There are four markup t!pes that can be applied to an estimate in the total price section.

!arku'

The percentage will be applied to the total cost of the estimate.

!ar#in

The percentage is calculated on a margin basis and is applied to the total cost of the estimate.

2u+' Su+

The lump sum markup t!pe allows !ou to input an e#act dollar amount to be added to the estimate.

Bon,The ond calculates the proect5s bond based on a tiered percentage.

-.; Printin# Re'orts

The reports are the final result. (lick on the Print icon on the 3eports tab.

There are two t!pes of reports6

Esti+ate Re'orts

To access the estimate reports, an estimate needs to be opened. These reports range from detailed

reports for estimate review purposes to summar! and proposal reports that would be used for !our

client proposals.

)ataase Re'orts

The database reports allow !ou to report on all data in !our master data tables.