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Registering
your software: You
must register your copy
in order to convert it
into a fully functioning
product assigned to your
company name (Until then
it runs as a limited trial
version). Click on the
web link shown as you exit
the program and enter details
as directed. A key file
will be issued ready for
download from a web site.
Simple key installation
instructions are supplied
on screen.
Ending
your session: Ensure
that you close the program
before shutting down your
PC. If the program is closed
without exiting then files
may become corrupt and
data will have to be restored
from a recent backup.
Editing
descriptions: Descriptions
can be edited by double
clicking on them to enter
editing mode (or press
F2). Windows standard control
C (copy) and control V
(paste) features work within
editing mode in the Bill
schedules. Double click
on the description you
want to copy, highlight
the text required, press
control and C. Then double
click on the box where
you want to copy the text
to and press control and
V.
Deleting
items: Deleting items from Bill schedules does not automatically
delete the associated resources. These should be independently
deleted in the Schedule (Resources) view.
Selecting
rates: After selecting and tagging a rate from a Spon's
Price Library in the Making Selections window, if you close
it by clicking on the cross in the top right hand corner,
rather than clicking on the close icon, the selection still
registers in your schedule/bill.
Adding
rate items: Within Bill schedules you can add single
items (without resources) which are not found in the current
Spon's Price Libraries. Since such items are consolidated
into one total value within Schedule (Resources), you may
find it beneficial to use the Toggle review feature to identify
such items within Bill schedules. (It is not possible for
users to produce their own libraries of items/resources
within the Spon Estimating system.)
Changing
item build-ups: You cannot change any build-ups created
using Spon's Price Libraries, but you can alter build-up
quantities and resource rates. Double-clicking on a blue
bill rate within a Spon's Price Library will take you down
into build-up, and double-clicking on a blue cost rate within
the Item Rate Build-up window will transport you across
to the original base resource.
Duplicating
resources: Schedule resources should not include duplicate
resources, as the program automatically consolidates similar
resources for Requirements (Schedule Resources). However,
similar items from different Spon's Price Libraries, e.g.
from the Major and Minor works sections of the A&B, which
are kept separately, will appear to be duplicates, and cannot
subsequently be consolidated.
Adjustment
percentage function: The adjustment % function only
applies to rates you select from Spon's Price Libraries
when using the Bills function, not for rates which you have
'looked up' using the Spon function. When viewing the rates
in the Spon function, 'Mode: Read only' is displayed in
the bottom left hand corner of the window, indicating that
no adjustments can be made. If you simply look up a rate
using the Spon function, it is always displayed at the original
book level.
If
you use the adjustment % cell to alter a Spon's Price Library
rate selected for a schedule or estimate, and any of the
build-up rates associated with that item have been used
or copied across previously, then the previous adjustment
% will apply to those items previously used. This may, therefore,
affect the transferred rate.
If
you wish to overcome this and transfer rates at the latest
% adjustment level, then you should initially revise those
resources previously copied across by selecting Schedule
(Resources) from the main menu toolbar, and then by amending
the supply cost for the relevant resources to the proposed
newly adjusted rate. Thereafter, similar items should be
copied at the revised % adjustment level.
When
changing the adjustment percentage for Spon's rates, before
selecting and copying them into your Bill schedule, you
must press the return key for the percentage uplift or decrease
in the rates to be accepted, before clicking on the close
(return to Bill schedule) icon (or the cross in the top
right hand corner of the Making Selections window).
Currency:
The estimating rates program assumes £ sterling, but Bill
resources can be amended manually for other currencies.
There is an option on print-outs to declare a currency if
required.
Data
Backups: It is important
that you employ a regular
backup routine in order
to safeguard your data.
A dedicated backup button
is supplied to make this
vital task quick and easy.
We recommend you backup
your data after each work
session.
Adding
Additional Price Books:
You can purchase additional
books online and simply
add using the File Utility
function.
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