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- BID - BIZ
- Version 1.9
-
- This program is for those seeking a powerful estimating program
- with such features as multiple component and phase costs tied to bid
- or primary items. The program also allows for direct burdens as well
- as conventional indirect overhead burdens. It uses multiple record
- windows for viewing, editing and various look up purposes. The
- application should be suitable for many types of estimating purposes.
- While power usually means complexity, the use of many automated
- features will hopefully make this program much easier to use.
-
- Take a little time to become acquainted with the program. I
- think you will find it to be an outstanding program. Make sure to
- copy ALL the files with this application. It contains a sample
- bid with sample records which should help you become familiar with
- it's capabilities...it's not that hard to delete them.
-
- Requirements for the program are at least 512k ram, hard disk
- with proper Config.Sys file, and a printer capable of 132 columns.
- The program will not work properly without a CONFIG.SYS file. See
- CONFIG.SYS below for more information about this file if you have
- any problems running the program. Sorry, this application will not
- work with 360k floppy systems.
-
- This shareware version will send standard condensed codes to
- your printer where necessary. If you do not have a wide printer,
- the condensed codes may still allow you to use it.
-
- To install the program, you should first create a directory on
- your hard disk, then copy the files into it. Program is started by
- entering BIDBIZ at the prompt. Short names such as BDBZ usually
- work best for names of directories. If you prefer, you need only
- copy the BIDBIZ.EXE file and it will generate the necessary files.
- The automation built into this program may be confusing without some
- records in the files however.
-
- The sample estimate is included and used for the following
- instructions. This allows for a much smaller documentation file and
- should be easier and faster to learn the use of the program.
-
- This program has no record limitations, so if you need them,
- create them.
-
- If you like this program and choose to use it, registration is
- 49.95. You will then be sent the full enhanced registered version of
- it. It will provide for wide printers without the condensed codes;
- allow you to send estimates and reports to your screen for viewing or
- to files where they can be used with an editor (if they are not too
- large for your editor); rebuild corrupted index files should the need
- ever arise; view and enter bid items only...printed instructions also
- included.
-
- Your support is appreciated. Feedback is always welcome.
-
- I. J. Smith
- 9795 Rustling Oaks
- Baton Rouge, La. 70818
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- GENERAL USAGE NOTES
-
- When prompted for such items as estimate numbers, if the field is
- blank you can simply press ENTER and a table of the choices will be
- presented for you. Simply use the arrow keys to scroll and highlight
- the item you want to use and press ENTER. You can also use the PgUp
- and PgDn keys to move between full screens. Control PgUp and PgDn will
- also place you at the beginning or end of the file. Most choices will
- automatically display the table, simply highlight your choice and
- press ENTER. A locator field at the top left of the tables will also
- help locate records faster...simply type the numbers and the program
- will automatically step through the table.
-
- When a table is displayed for your choices, you can also add new
- records by simply pressing the INSert key. This is a very important
- feature as it allows you to create a substantial master file of bid
- items on the fly. You can also delete a record if you wish by simply
- highlighting the record and pressing the DELete key...you will also
- have to press ENTER to complete the deletion. Should you accidentally
- press the DELete key, simply press the ESC key to cancel the deletion.
-
- Changes to records must be made through the normal data entry
- options from the menus. Simply highlight the record you want to make
- changes and press the ENTER key. A popup screen will appear and allow
- you to make changes to the record. Until the last entry is complete
- or you press CTRL-ENTER, the ESC key can be used to completely back
- out of record changes. Add or delete records as described above.
-
- Use the ESC key to end data entry or back out of procedures. You
- can also accept data entry screens by pressing CONTROL-ENTER. This can
- save steps in not having to use the ENTER or cursor keys thru each data
- field when data entry is complete.
-
- BURDENS: The program allows for two types of burden factors,
- direct and indirect. The direct burdens are applied directly to the
- unit amounts used in the estimate listings. This can be useful for
- such purposes as sales taxes or storage costs on materials, or other
- increased costs as needed. You may also enter a brief description
- of the direct burdens used. Indirect burdens are used as overhead
- factors and added at the end of the direct cost extensions. They
- are used for the normal taxes and insurance, bond premiums, general
- overhead, etc. These are entered in decimal formats, 0.1000 would
- indicate a ten percent factor.
-
- Many will prefer to use the direct burdens for all of their
- burden costs. Do so by all means. This will give the added capability
- of comparing item costs to the prices used in the main estimates. The
- indirect burdens could then be used for unusual costs such as storage,
- out of town costs, etc. Use the comment field in the estimate name
- file for brief cost notes, that's what it's there for.
-
- The above burdens should be established in company data records.
- Percentages are entered in decimal formats...10% is entered as 0.10
- etc. When creating new estimate name records, you will be prompted
- for the format to use and their data will be displayed as defaults
- for the new estimate. This is only for defaults and you can change
- them as needed in the estimate name record.
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- After you become familiar with the program, you may want to
- establish several different company records with varying percentages
- for different types of estimating.
-
- To create an estimate, you must first create an estimate name
- record from the main menu. Various burden amounts will be displayed
- from the company data record presently being used. They are intended
- as defaults and can be changed as needed. Fill in the needed data
- as desired. Remember, you do not have to step thru all the fields
- if correct...simply press CTRL-ENTER to record the estimate data.
-
- NOTE: You should not change an estimate's number if you have
- corresponding records in the estimate file. Otherwise the records will
- still exist under the old number. You should delete estimates thru the
- estimate names option under the main menu. This will remove all
- associated records with the same estimate number.
-
- Try to establish multiple company records. They can be useful
- for the quote option as well. Burdens are used for costs such as
- workers' comp insurance, out of town expenses, etc. Use as needed.
- If you do not use the quote option, consider using a description in
- place of the company name. This can be useful for lookups, etc.
- When you look at the company name record, notice the way the company
- name and address have been centered in their respective fields. This
- is used to center them as desired in the printing of the quotes.
-
- A good master file of items with your established costs will
- make your estimating much easier. You can however, create estimates
- with only a few master file records. Unlike many other programs,
- once you have added a record to your estimate file, the master file
- is no longer needed to make changes to the record. You can thus
- see the advantage of using a few dummy records for those bid items
- not frequently used or feel they will simply clutter your master file
- with unwanted records. Simply change their descriptions after they
- have been added to the estimate.
-
- Primary or bid items are identified as B type records. Their
- quantities are used in establishing the extended costs of their
- respective cost records. Cost records are identified as <L>abor,
- <E>quipment, <M>aterials, <S>ubcontractors and <O>ther. The Other
- cost records can be very useful for items which are not similar to
- the normal records and you do not want certain burden factors to be
- used in the same way...special materials not having sales taxes for
- example.
-
- Try to establish a good numbering system for your master file.
- A few letters in the beginning of the numbers can help keep related
- cost records grouped together when creating your bid/estimates. No
- duplicate numbers are allowed. Letters and numbers can be used as
- desired.
-
- Once the estimate name record is established, you can then
- proceed to add the various bid items with their various cost records.
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- IMPORTANT CONCEPTS
-
- The estimates are based on a few simple rules. You must first
- establish a bid item or primary item. These item numbers must be
- started with a bid (B type) as the first record. The quantity of
- this first record will be used to establish the final quantities of
- the next group of records associated with it. These records must
- have the same item number, and the order number you want them placed
- within the bid item. No duplicates are allowed. You may consider
- incrementing the order numbers several factors so as to allow the
- inserting of other records later. The item numbers are unique and
- designed so as to better keep them in their order. I suggest using
- three numbers as in the examples. This would allow inserting new
- items with four numbers as items 0021 and 0022 to place them just
- below a main item number such as 002.
-
- Although B type records can be used as cost items, I don't
- recommend using them unless you have some specific purpose for doing
- so. Conversely, the use of cost type records should be avoided for
- the bid or primary items. This will also make your estimates much
- easier to read and understand.
-
- At this point you may want to review the sample estimate that
- is included in the back of this manual. The following descriptions
- are based on this sample estimate printed from the Main Estimate
- option of the Reports Menu.
-
- If your component costs are the same as your bid items, your
- estimates can easily be produced as items 003, 004 and 005 in the
- examples. The program becomes very easy to use for this type of
- cost estimating.
-
- If however, your needs are as in item 001 you will need to
- establish formulated quantities as indicated for the concrete material
- item in this example. A good master file can make this task much
- easier. As you can see, many cost items can be added as needed. The
- program has virtually no record limitations, so don't make it hard on
- yourself by not establishing a good working master file. Obviously,
- formulas require care and testing before using. Once established
- however, they can be very powerful tools. The formula for the concrete
- not only displays the quantity of concrete needed, but also makes it
- easy to update a price change for the item...you will of course have
- to change it in all concrete cost items in the bid.
-
- Items 0021 and 0022 are unique as they are established for cost
- purposes only. In the example, they are intended to be used for
- establishing a bid amount for item 002. Notice the use of B or bid
- items in their structure. Since they have no unit amounts, no bid
- extensions are printed. They will also not print on the bid items
- report or the quotes. While these items could have been placed in
- item 002, their individual total costs would not be seen as they are
- in the examples. This could also help make cost changes easier or
- to spot possible errors.
-
- Items 006 and 007 give examples of time related production
- expectations. For some, it's the only way to estimate costs. The
- hourly or daily production expected is easily changed with the unit
- quantity. Additional cost phases such as testing, cleanup, etc.,
- could also be added to these items.
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- As you can see, the progam offers a lot of flexibility. Once
- you understand the above concepts, I think you will agree...it is
- capable of doing an awful lot of different types of estimating.
-
- Use the program and browse thru the sample estimate records as
- displayed in the records table window. Compare them with the main
- estimate. You can also get a listing by choosing the full estimate
- listing in the reports menu. The listing could make it easier to
- check things out.
-
- You may want to try printing out a few other reports so as to
- familiarize yourself with what's available. They should be self-
- explanatory. The print by master lists could be useful for updating
- your master file after a major bid. Quotes allow you to type in a
- customer name and address just prior to printing them.
-
- Many users will want to establish and maintain frequently used
- standard estimates. The use of scrolling records in the program
- should make this easy to update cost or price changes...great for
- preserving established formulas.
-
- I hope the examples in the sample main estimate were sufficient
- in covering your particular needs. Each company has it's own way of
- doing things. Only you can decide the best way to establish your
- estimating costs. I hope this program is sufficient in giving you
- the necessary tools for that purpose. The most important thing to
- remember is that THE COST's QUANTITY TIMES THE AMOUNT MUST EQUAL THE
- COST OF ONE UNIT OF THE BID ITEM. This can be done by manipulating
- the quantity OR the amount depending on your needs for particular
- cost or bid items.
-
- When entering new items in your bid/estimates, the quantities
- from the master file are displayed as defaults. Normally, you will
- not want to change the quantities for your cost items so as to keep
- your cost formulas intact. Simply press ENTER to accept defaults.
- You will want to enter the quantities of your Bid/Primary items for
- the particular estimate you are creating however. Therefore, master
- records of <B>id/primary records are usually left with a quantity of
- one and simply changed when adding the record in the estimate.
-
- The examples shown are by no means all of the manipulations
- that can be used. Work crews can be identified and used for more
- detailed costs for example. While it may take some time creating
- good cost formulas, the reward will be faster and more complete
- detailed estimate costs.
-
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- FUNCTION KEY USAGE
-
- The following keyboard keys are used in the multiple record
- table windows. A popup window will appear from some keystrokes.
- A description of the action will appear in this window such as
- 'This record will be added' or 'Press ENTER to delete'. You can
- press the ESC key to cancel or in the case of the deletion, press
- ENTER and the record is then removed. You may find it easier to
- add records by being situated where you want to add the record...
- thus the use of the INSert key.
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- KEY FUNCTION
- ------- ---------------------------------------------
- INSert Used for adding new records. Record will
- automatically be inserted in proper position.
-
- DELete Used for deleting highlighted records.
-
- ENTER Used for changing highlighted record or for
- choosing records for lookup purposes.
-
- CTRL-ENTER This combination will process the record
- without having to exit the last record field.
-
- ESC Cancel or exit.
-
- ARROWS These keys are used to scroll thru the records
- one at a time.
-
- PgUp Displays previous window of records.
-
- PgDn Displays next window of records.
-
- CTRL PgUp Displays records from beginning of file.
-
- CTRL PgDn Displays records from end of file.
-
- LOCATOR Locator fields are used to locate records more
- quickly. As you enter the number desired, the
- program will try to highlight the record or the
- nearest one found. These fields are displayed
- in the upper left of the tables. Simply enter
- the number needed to use them.
-
-
- The data entry windows are fairly straight forward. You simply
- change data as needed with the ENTER key or add records with the
- INSert key. Use the DELete key to remove highlighted records. You
- will also be prompted to press ENTER for final deletions.
-
- Lookup fields are also used thru-out the program. If prompted
- for an estimate number for example, you can enter the estimate number
- desired or if blank simply press ENTER. Choices will then be displayed
- in a table. Some field choices such as TYPES are shown with the
- acceptable choices. Use the arrow keys to highlight your choice.
- Most tables will automatically popup for choices needed.
-
- As with most tables, when adding new estimate items you may find
- it handy to enter new master records at that time. When the master
- file table appears you can simply press the INS key and add a new
- record if needed.
-
- With a little experimentation, you should be well on your way.
- The use of the tables should help in making the program much easier
- to use...no papers to shuffle to find numbers, or having to type
- numbers only to find that they do not exist and you have to exit to
- some other part of the program to add them, etc.
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- QUOTES
-
- As many contractors know, there are many "standard" forms to be
- used when submitting quotes. It's beyond the scope of this program to
- provide for everyone's needs. Many have to submit their quotes on
- prepared bid documents as well.
-
- Some users need a customer name and address for each estimate,
- while others need one quote for many customers. If you do not need
- a customer data file, simply enter one record with a blank name and
- address. You will be prompted for the customer just prior to printing
- the quote. Users needing a customer for each estimate may consider
- using the comment field for the customer number also.
-
- NOTE: Only B type records with monetary amounts greater then zero
- are included. This is to eliminate those records used for cost
- purposes only.
-
- SCREEN BLANKER
-
- The program also has a feature which will blank your monitor
- screen should your system be inactive for 10 minutes or longer. This
- feature is added to protect your monitor's screen from burnin. If
- your screen happens to be blank when you come back from a coffee
- break, simply press one of the arrow keys to refresh the display.
-
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- DATA FILES
-
- COMPANY DATA FILE
-
-
- The company data file is only used for Quotes and for cost
- burden defaults when creating a new estimate name record. For
- this reason, many may not have any need for more then one record.
- It's important to note that this file is not used for any of the
- estimating reports. If used for the quotes, make sure you center
- your company name and address as shown in the example. You may
- have to experiment until you are satisfied with what you get.
-
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- ESTIMATE NAMES FILE
-
- This file contains the name and various direct and indirect
- cost burden factors used in their respective estimate costs. As
- shown in the example main estimate, direct burdens become part of
- the direct costs in the estimates. Indirect cost factors are only
- added at the end of the estimates and used on the totals only,
- which contain the costs of direct burdens as well.
-
- The comment field can be used for brief notes, customers, etc.
- The information will only be printed on the estimates for later
- references.
-
- Use the main menu option to access the file. As stated above,
- use the INS, DEL and ENTER keys for file maintenance. You can use
- letters and numbers to create the estimate numbers.
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- MASTER FILE
-
- Use the main menu option to access the file. For most users,
- this will be the largest file used. Besides the normal keyboard
- keys described above, a locator field is also available at the top
- of the record table window. Use it to locate records faster. You
- may also want to be in the area of the records when making new
- additions with the INS key. This can be very useful for not trying
- to enter duplicate records.
-
- Keep in mind that these records can be easily created when
- entering estimate items. This can make it very easy to build a
- comprehensive master file as items are needed. A few dummy records
- for each cost type can be useful when you do not want to add a
- master record to your file for some obscure items.
-
-
- ESTIMATE FILE
-
- If you have been thru the preliminary instructions using the
- example estimate included, you are probably familiar with it's use
- by now. As mentioned earlier, <B>id type records should be used
- as the first entry in each item. It's quantity is then used to
- extend the cost item quantities to reflect the total estimated
- quantities and costs. Please read the important concepts above
- for more information. The understanding and use of this concept
- cannot be overemphasized since it gives you so many capabilities
- in your estimates.
-
- Besides the <B>id type records, five cost types are provided;
- <E>quipment, <L>abor, <M>aterial, <O>ther, and <S>ubcontractors.
- As seen in the example main estimate, they can be used as needed.
- Separate cost estimates are also available for each type with the
- Estimate by types option.
-
-
- File listings can be sent to your printer from the file listings
- menu. The use of ram disks and other accellerated data file handlers
- should be avoided or they will defeat the extra safety features used
- for preventing file losses. When making backup copies of the data
- files (those with extensions of DAT), make sure the files with the
- extensions beginning with the letter K are also saved (K??) at the
- same time.
-
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- CUSTOMER FILE
-
- If you plan on having a large customer name and address file,
- you will need to establish a numbering system. You may use letters
- and numbers for this purpose. No duplicates are allowed however.
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- - - - - - - - -
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- Avoid the use of large menu type programs which take up too
- much memory from your programs. This program requires the memory,
- and you may get an error message of not enough memory with the use
- of memory robbing programs...TSR's, etc.
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- If you have a color system and the program does not come up
- in color, try entering MODE CO80 just prior to executing the
- program. If this problem is consistent with some of your programs,
- you may want to create bat files to run these programs with the
- above line of code just prior to the program name...see your DOS
- manual.
-
-
- CONFIG.SYS file
-
- As stated above, the program will not work without a proper
- CONFIG.SYS file in your root directory. It should contain lines of
- code such as:
- files=24
- buffers=16
-
- You can use your editor to check for these lines of code. The
- numbers are not critical and may be less. What's important is that
- you have this file. You can check for it's existence by simply
- entering TYPE CONFIG.SYS at the prompt of your root directory. If
- DOS returns a file not found message, you can copy the CONFIG.DTA
- file included with this application. After it has been copied into
- your root directory, rename it CONFIG.SYS. You must restart your
- system for this file to take effect. If you get an error message of
- too many files, you can rest assured that it's because this file is
- lacking or the above lines need to be placed in it.
-
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
-
- If by chance you feel this program is too complex or more
- then what you need, give my popular PC-BID program a tryout.
-
- The shareware concept can be great for everyone. You get to
- try out programs before paying for their use and authors generally
- charge much less for them. When in doubt, contact the authors.
- Many shareware distributors can also be helpful in the validity
- of the authors.
-
-
- - - - - - - -
-
-
- Foreign orders: Add 5.00 for extra shipping and handling.
- Checks or money orders must be made out for U.S. currency.
-
-
- ================================================================
- DISCLAIMER
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
- USER ASSUMES ALL LIABILITIES IN THE USE OF THIS APPLICATION. DUE
- TO THE NATURE OF THIS PROGRAM AND THE MANY VARIOUS COMPUTERS AND
- OPERATING SYSTEMS BEING USED, IT IS THE USER'S RESPONSIBILITY TO
- INSURE THE FITNESS OF THE PROGRAM FOR IT'S INTENDED PURPOSE. THE
- APPLICATION HAS BEEN TESTED. HOWEVER, IT IS STILL THE USER'S
- RESPONSIBILITY TO UNDERSTAND AND USE IT PROPERLY. NO WARRANTIES
- ARE EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED. AS WITH ALL COMPUTERS, BACKUPS OF ALL
- IMPORTANT DATA FILES SHOULD BE MADE PERIODICALLY TO AVOID THEIR
- LOSSES.
- ================================================================
-
-
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-
-
-
-
- Other programs in this series by this author you may want to look
- into:
-
- EIMS Equipment Inventory & Maintenance Scheduler
-
- WYS-AR Easy account receivables
-
- EASY QUOTE Fast and easy product quotes
-
- EASY INVENTORY Easily used for in-house purposes
-
-
-
- FOREIGN ORDERS: Checks or money orders must be made out in U.S.
- currency. An additional 9.00 must be added for bank collection
- fees if not drawn on U.S. bank. Please add 5.00 for extra shipping
- costs of single orders.
-
-
-