Estimate Types Setup

Estimate Types allow you to have different kinds of set or defined Estimates. This allows you to create fast and accurate Estimates that reduce human error. Estimate Types Setup allow you to determine what kind of Estimates can be created, with certain linked functionality, calculations, and defaults, eg a Digital Printing Estimate Type will only offer press, paper, and calculation options that are specifically linked to the digital printing Estimate Type. This means an almost automated process can be followed, as opposed to the Estimator having to scroll through the entire paper inventory, as well as all the presses available to the whole business, with finger error implications and more at risk.

Parameters

Each Estimate Type contains an ordered list of Parameters. When setup correctly, you can generate an entire Estimate from the custom parameters. Parameters can be used to accept custom user input, perform calculations, add Items, and generate a Quote Description.

Images

Images linked to Materials on an estimate are automatically displayed on the Input tab to the right of the Parameters. These Images can also be displayed on Templates using the Est_Images data pipeline.

Navigation

Main Menu > Setup > Estimate Types

1. Estimate Types - This is where the Estimate Types are shown.

2. Status - Status options include Pending, Active, Closed. Only Active Estimate types can be used in Transactions.

3. Version - The Version No. is automatically incremented when an Estimate Type is copied.

4. Revision - This shows how many times this Estimate Type has been revised.

5. Group - This shows the Estimating Group that the Estimate Type falls into.

6. Name - This shows the Name of the Estimate Type.

7. Add - This shows a list of Parameters Types that can be added.

8. Copy From - This allows you to copy a Parameter Type from another Estimate Type.

9. Parameter Types - These are the Parameter Types that have been created for the specific Estimate Type and instruct the Estimate on how to behave, and what values / constraints apply.

   • Type - This allows you to select what type of Parameter this is.

   • Name - This shows the Name that is used to reference the Parameter in the Expressions (13) of other Parameters. The Name can consist of capital letters and numbers, spaces are not allowed and duplicates are not allowed. When a Parameter is added, a unique name is automatically assigned and if the Name is cleared it will revert back to it's default Name. Suggested naming convention:

     • Calculations: CALC_FIELDNAME

     • Input: INP_FIELDNAME

     • Service: PROC_FIELDNAME

     • Material: MAT_FIELDNAME

   • Group - This field is used to link a Parameter to any other Parameter which serves as a way of grouping Parameters. This is especially useful when setting up the Estimate Type.

   • Component - This field is used to link a Parameter to any other Parameter which serves as a Component.

   • Caption - This is what will appear on the Estimate as the label for the Parameter Type.

   • Qty From - This is used to select a numerical Parameter from which the quantity of a Parameter is derived and is applicable to 'Material' and Service Parameter Types.

   • Qty Type - This determines whether the quantity is Fixed or linked to the Estimate Qty and is applicable to Material and Service Parameter Types. If the Material or Service item is for specification purposes only (eg. when the job is outsourced), set the Qty Type = blank to prevent the Material or Service from being added to the Estimate. Other options include:

     • Fixed Qty - The Qty From value will be used to set the Material/Service Quantity.

     • Estimate Qty - The Material/Service Quantity will match the Estimate Quantity.

     • Fixed x Estimate Qty - The Qty From value will be multiplied with the Estimate Quantity to set the Material/Service Quantity.

   • Visible - This determines whether or not and how the Parameter will be displayed on the Input tab of a General Estimate. Because of the overhead it places on the system, only Input Parameters as well as some meaningful calculation Parameters should be set to Visible. The following options are available on the Visible property of Group Header Parameters:

     • Show: The Header will be displayed on an Estimate without the option to Expand or Collapse

     • Hide: The Header will never be displayed on an Estimate and also won't affect the visible property of Items below the Group Header.

     • Collapse / Expand: The Header will be collapsed or expanded by default.

The following options are available on the Visible property of Parameters other than Group Headers:

• • • Show: The Parameter will be displayed on an Estimate if the Group Header is Expanded or if it does not sort under a Group Header.

    • Hide: The Parameter will never be displayed on an Estimate.

    • Group: This allows you to indicate if the Parameter is shown on its own, or displayed along with the Group Header.

• • Layout - This determines the location of the Parameter's control when it is displayed in an Estimate. Options include: Below (default) and Right. This can be used to show multiple parameters next to each other.

  • Size - This sets the Width of the Parameter's control when it is displayed in an Estimate. 0 = Default Width; -1 = Full width (this matches the widest Parameter's width).

    • Input - Number

    • Input - Select Number

    • Material

    • Service

  • Default - When the value of a Parameter Quantity is null, the Default value will then be assigned to the Quantity. The Default field works with the following Parameter Types:

    • Input - Number

    • Input - Select Number

    • Inbput - Select Text Num Value

    • Lookup

    • Service

    • Material

  • Decimals (0.00) - This determines how many Decimals may be used on numeric Parameter Types and is applicable to the Input - Number and Calculation Parameter Types. Max decimals = 4.

10. Name - This shows the Name that is used to reference the Parameter in the Expressions (13) of other Parameters.

11. Caption - The Caption is displayed on the Estimate next to the Parameter's corresponding control. A maximum of 50 characters may be used. Caption set from - This sets the caption from another parameter such as a Calc - Text parameter. This parameter can be set above the Expression Editor and enables users to generate a Caption based on other Parameter values. If the Parameter is set to visible, but the generated caption is blank, the control will not be displayed. eg. for use on a printing estimate where Ink Colours are selected at the top and then Usage for each selected colour is set for each Section of the printed job. So if you have a possible 8 colours to select, but only two colours are selected, only two usage fields will be displayed at each Part/Section if the usage field captions are derived from the selected colours

12. Expression - The Expression field is used in various ways for different Parameter Types and can be updated using the Expression Editor at the bottom of the screen. The Editor enables users to add Functions, Operators as well as valid Parameters by clicking on the lists provided. The Expression field is used as follows:

Calculation - The 'Expression' contains a formula (similar to a spreadsheet formula) in which the 'Names' of other numerical type Parameters can be embedded as variables using [] brackets - eg. [PARAMNAME]. To prevent circular links, the 'Expression' may only contain links to numerical Parameters that are higher up in the list. When the Estimate calculates, the Parameter Names are substituted with the linked Parameter's value. Fixed parameters include

• • • [ESTIMATE.QTY] can be used to add the Estimate Qty to a calculation.

    • [VATITEMID] can be used to extract information about the Transaction or the Transaction Type

13. Parameter Names -This shows the list of other Parameter Type names available to be referenced in the expression.

14. Variables - This is a list of available mathematical functions used in SQL.

15. Calculators - This is a list of available mathematical operators used in SQL calculations.