WORKING WITH RESOURCES

Resources are the fundamental building block for all your pricing. In this part of the Help we take a look at how to manage them effectively.

Select the Resources option from the Resource Library primary button to load the resource editor. A table will be loaded containing a set of similar resources, held in a Category (Fast Estimate loads the last Category to be accessed).

Let's take a look at how you move around the resource data by using the selectors:

• Click on the Browse Types button to view the list of available Resource Types
• Select the MATERIAL Type (Tip: Double click on it to select)
• The Category list for this Type is displayed automatically. Select any Category
• This loads all the resources held in this Category ready for you to view or edit

Note that you can add new Categories during the Browse process (However you cannot create new Resource Types)

Before we look at the table functions (shown visually as buttons), let's take a closer look at the data table and how data can be added, changed and deleted.

Column 1 - The item position. You can change the position of any item in the table by clicking (in column 1 only) and dragging the resource to another location. The function is active when a black bar is displayed beside the cursor.

Column 2 - The Description. Existing resource descriptions can be edited by double clicking the description text.

Column 3 - Unit. This is the Unit of Supply and can be edited as above.

Column 4 - Supply Qty. The quantity this product is normally supplied in e.g. 1000 for bricks, 100m for some timber.

Column 5 - Supply Cost. The cost as supplied to you (before any discount) for this resource.

Column 6 - Discount%. Enter any discount agreed with your supplier.

Column 7 - Adjust%. A percentage adjustment for reason other than Discount (surcharge?)

Column 8 - Total Cost. Calculated value based on previous columns.

Column 9 - Net Cost. Total Cost divided by Supply Qty.

Column 10 - Default Waste%. Handy if you have a fixed waste for this resource.

Column 11 - Supplier Name (Advanced). The preferred resource supplier. See also Advanced Help.

Local Functions for Resources

Now lets' see what functions are available for use in this table. If you slowly pass your mouse cursor over the secondary buttons you will display a short text hint that should explain what each does.

TIP: A quicker way of accessing all the functions available on the current table is to use the right-click on your mouse anywhere on the table.

Now let's add a new resource to the current table. The quickest way if you want to add it to the end of the table is to simply type it in the Description column of the spare row at the end of the table. TIP: If you want to add a resource within the table, select the row where it is to be inserted and click the New button (or select from right-click menu or press the Insert key on your keyboard).

• Enter a Description (anything you like).
• Enter a Unit, Supply Cost and Supply Qty into the respective cells. Notice some of the other values are calculated for you.
• Add a Discount% and see the effect on the totals.
• Now try editing the Description and other values until you understand how each column works.

CUT

This function is normally used to move a resource from one location to another. When you apply the CUT function to a resource it changes shade slightly as a visual indicator that it has been marked for moving. Fast Estimate places a copy of the resource(s) in memory ready for the Paste function to be applied. When pasted into it's new location, the original (greyed) resource is deleted from it's original location and from the local memory.

• Select a resource
• Apply the Cut function. Note the change in colour when you move off the resource Description
• See Paste below

COPY

Much like cut, copying a resource places a copy into temporary memory, ready for the paste function. Once pasted into the new location, the original resource is left unchanged.

Note:Resources can be copied/pasted between Categories.

• Select a resource
• Apply the Copy function to place a copy of the resource into memory
• See Paste below

PASTE

The paste function is available only when the button is highlighted (not greyed). Paste is the only function that will fulfil both the cut and copy functions. If a copy has been applied to the resource you can paste the copy as many times as you like. When cut has been used, only one paste is available (i.e. Effectively a move).

• Select the position you want to place the resource(s) currently in memory. This is normally at the end of the table but can be inserted anywhere on the table
• Apply the Paste function

Shortcut Keys:

Cut - Ctrl X
Copy - Ctrl C
Paste - Ctrl V

SET RESOURCE SUPPLIER

SEARCH FOR TEXT

There may be times when you know that a resource exists but are unsure where you put it. You may also know the product code supplied by your supplier but are unsure about the product. This is where the search can help.

To search for text, simply enter a word, part of a word or even a complete phrase, then select Start search. You can also search on more than one word by placing a comma between the words.

Let's say we want to find all 50mm treated timber available in our system. First try searching on '50' alone. This finds all resources with 50 in it's name, either alone or as part of a larger number. We need to further refine our search.

To find all the 50mm treated timber, enter '50,treated' (without quotes) into the entry box and press Start search. Now we have the list we need.

Note: Search text is not case sensitive.

To search for a product code, just enter it and press Start Search. You need to enter the full product code.

Once you have located your resource you can load it's Category by using the Go To function.

TRACE

Tracing where a resource has been used (library items and Schedules) can be useful when you want to delete a resource but have been informed that the 'resource is being used'. Using the trace report you can remove it (or replace it) in the item buildups before deleting from the resource library.

PERCENTAGE FUNCTIONS

This is a timesaving function. You can of course apply discount%, waste% etc. directly for the individual resource, but this can be time-consuming if you have a lot to do. The percentage functions allow you to apply the %age values to all the selected resources.

• Click on any of the resource column headers (e.g. Description). This selects all the resources in the current table.
• Once selected, right-click and select the Percentage Functions option.
• Type in 10 for % value and click Apply. All selected resources are recalculated with the new discount value.

TIP: Many functions can be applied to more than one resource, either a selected block or the entire Category.

SORT

You can sort your table in a number of ways using this option. Try them.

Note: The sorted order is saved when you exit the table.

RESOURCE REPLACEMENT

This is a real time saver when you want to change the product you normally supply. The target resource selected automatically replaces the existing one throughout your entire item library.

• Select a resource from the table (highlighted).
• Select the Resource Replacement function to load the form
• The 'Replace' box is shown with the selected resource
• Now select the resource you want to replace it with and click the Resource Replacement button to select (placed in box)
• Click on Apply then Confirm to replace it throughout your library

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