11.

DATABASE
11.1

Database
The system comes with a variety of pre-built industry-specific databases. To open the
database screen, select the Database icon on the Estimate or Takeoff menu.

The database contains both individual items and assemblies, which are groups of related items.
The database screen also has a search tab to quickly locate the necessary information needed to
create an estimate.

11.2

Items

The items are separated into three levels: division, sub-division and items.
Edit Item
To edit an item from the right mouse menu select Edit Item.

Item Code
The item code is a numeric value that is separated by decimals. The first group of numbers represents the
division, the next set the sub-division and the numbers to the right of the decimal represent the item.
Description
The description of the item.
Unit
The unit of measure that the item is taken off in from the plans. Examples are EA for Each, LF for
Linear Feet or SF for Square Feet.
Cost Type
The cost type defaults are material, labor, sub-contract, equipment and other.
Cost
The base cost of an item. This represents the item cost before any taxes or markups are added.
Cost Link
This field links an item to the Cost Table. The Cost Table holds material, labor and equipment costs.
This table is used to update the costs of many items at once by only changing one cost in the Cost
Table.
Conversion
The conversion is a factor used to calculate the order quantities. The following formula explains:
Takeoff Quantity * Conversion = Order Quantity.
Waste %
The waste percentage is used to adjust the final order quantity for an item.
Rounding
The rounding direction is used when calculating the order quantity for an item. The options are N-None, EEach, C-Hundred and M-Thousand.
Order Quantity
The number of items that must be ordered for the input takeoff quantity.
Order Unit
The unit in which you order the item. For example, LF-Linear Feet, SF-Square Feet, EA-Each or HR-for
Hours.
Quoted Item
The quoted item check mark is used to signify if an item's cost needs to be checked when used in an
estimate. It normally is an item whose cost changes frequently.
Accounting

The accounting tab contains the link information for your accounting software. Each item's cost can be
linked to a specific accounting code for job cost purposes.
Notes
The notes field is for notes that you want linked to an item. The field is used to attach information to an
item. The notes can be printed with the item in a report.
Misc
An alphanumeric field that can hold any extra information that you want associated with an item.
UPC
The UPC (Universal Product Code) is a direct link to many pricing services. It gives estimators the
option of using a third party pricing service to update the costs of items.
Weight
The weight of an item, which could be used to determine shipping weights, as well as costs per pound.

Size
The size or dimension of an item. This field is used in assemblies for taking off similar sized items.
Vendor
This field links an item to a specific vendor. This is useful for the ordering of materials.
Crew
Links your item with a crew from the Cost Table. A crew can be made up of labor and equipment.
Formula
Links a formula to an item from the Formula table. It can be used to calculate area, volume, perimeter or
any other value. The formulas are user-definable.
Manufacturer
Links the item to a specific manufacturer. This could be used for material ordering, as well as cost
updates.
Sub-Contractor
Links an item to a specific sub-contractor.
Attached Items
The attached items tab contains items that are attached to the selected item. The attached items are taken
off every time the main item is selected for an estimate. The quantities for the attached items are
automatically calculated based on the quantity input when setting up the attached item.
Substitution
The substitution tab contains items that are used when a material substitution is performed in an
estimate. The substitution process is done by material type, substituting one item for another. To edit or
add new material types, off the View menu select the Material Type option.

11.3

Assemblies

The assemblies are separated into two levels: the division and the assemblies.

Edit Assembly
To edit an assembly from the right mouse menu select Edit Assembly.

Assembly Code
The assembly code is a numeric value that is separated by decimals. The first group of
numbers

represents the division, and to the right of the decimal represents the assembly.
Description
The description of the assembly.
Unit
The unit of measure that the item is taken off in from the plans. Examples are EA
for Each, LF for Linear Feet or SF for Square Feet.
Formula
The formulas are necessary to quickly add and modify existing assemblies.

11.4

Search
The search tab on the database screen is setup to do quick key word
searches.

12 TOOLS
12.1

Calculator
To open the Calculator function, select it off the Tools menu. The calculator
is used to quickly perform mathematic calculations.

You can also send the values back to the quantity field of an item within
the estimate.

12.2

Accounting Interfaces
The system exports information to many popular job cost accounting
systems. The Accounting Interfaces are located on the Tools menu.
To interface with your accounting software, select the product and click on
the Start button.

12.3

Pricing Interfaces
The updating of material prices is a task that can be automated. The
Pricing Interfaces allow you to maintain material pricing in a quick, efficient
manner. The Pricing Interfaces are located on the Tools menu.

12.4

Scheduling Interfaces
To access the Scheduling Interfaces from the Tools menu select the Scheduling icon.
The Scheduling Interfaces provide a link between your estimate and your scheduling software. The
interfaces send over labor hours and cost information, as well as estimate groups like division,
sub-

division and the sort type breakouts.

12.5

Screen Layout
The Screen Layout is used to customize the Home page and estimate sheet to view the information you
want to display. This option is found on the Tools menu under the name Screen Layout.

Home Page
These are the field options for the Home page layout.

Estimate Page
These are the field options for the Estimate page layout.

Selected Columns
This field displays a check mark if the column is currently selected to be displayed.
Description
This field displays the name of the column to display.
Display Total
This field displays a check mark if the column is to be totaled when the sheet is grouped.
View
This option allows you to pick a screen to setup; options are the Home page or Estimate sheet.
Column Order
This option allows you to change the column order. Once the columns are selected
and you click on the Save button, you can resize and reorder the displayed columns on the
view by utilizing the column header. Drag and drop the columns into the desired order and
resize by placing your mouse cursor over the headers divider bars.

12.6

ProEst Setup
All system setup is done on the ProEst Setup screen option found on the Tools menu. The
system setup, from user names to cost modifiers, is all done in this one centralized location.
General
The general tab contains general setup information, such as setting of the number of
decimals to display and the date format.

Takeoff
The takeoff tab has setup options related to the digital takeoff functions of the system.

Languages
The language tab gives you the ability to change the system menus and Help system language.

Labor Conversions
The ability to maintain multiple labor production tables is done through the labor conversions tab. The
percentage column would be utilized if the labor options were just a percentage change off the standard
labor factor.
RS Means
The RS Means tab gives you the ability to utilize RS Means and their city index files. This displays the

factors by zip code for the material, labor and equipment costs.

Cost Types
The cost types tab displays the five cost types - material, labor, sub-contractor, equipment and other.
This tab also gives you the ability to add five user-definable cost types.

Cost Modifiers
The cost modifiers tab allows you to maintain multiple cost modifiers for the database. These modifiers are
user-definable and can be by city, state or any other cost criteria you need to maintain.

User Setup
The setup of the users is done on this tab. Only the user administrator is able to access this tab to make
modifications. The ability to set user-defined securities, like the ability to edit the master database,
estimates and markups, is done on this screen. The user can also be assigned to an estimate filter so
they can view only the estimates that pertain to their area of work.

Estimate Filters
The estimate filters tab gives you the ability to separate estimates into user-definable groups.
This could be by department, office, type of work, etc.