FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can D-CALC® provide a local application/database to support the estimate development process?
About 80% of D-CALC®'s customers are one-seat laptop/desktop users. As reference, our D-CALC® team handles data maintenance, training, and technical support for 150 companies, as well as customers of a French extrusion company.
Permanent day-to-day updates of technical data and price lists are provided through the Internet and/or regular CD updates.
Does D-CALC® have the ability to support a central system database and reporting requirements?
The usual network applications are from three to twenty-five seats. There are a variety of situations that reflect the data the customer decides to share between users, and which part uses databases (Access, Oracle, etc.).
Are
the data-entry screens and menus user-friendly?
D-CALC® allows the retrieval of standard products and their customization with minimal data-entry due to our intensive use of default values. Customization is done in a user-friendly way by defining elevation drawings with built-in optional parameters and/or values. Optional parameters/values can be prompted to a user by his/her request. In other words, the product (window, door, storefront, curtain wall) is built in D-CALC® the same way, and in the same sequence, as is done in a real production environment. D-CALC® , a Windows™- based software, requires the ability to use a keypad, to point and click a mouse, and the ability to assign and retrieve files. A typical user has some CAD background, and is proficient with Windows™ operations. A user should, of course, be familiar with his/her company's product lines, design practices, and the general guidelines of the fenestration industry.
What is the training requirement and time frame to proficiency?
The usual training for the estimating function, based on an existing library of designs, is two to three days [being able to retrieve existing designs, make changes, build simple designs, use the quote features (options, mark-ups, reports, etc.)]. For complete use of D-CALC® , consisting of the design and drawing functions, and basic set-ups, the standard training is five days. Full set-ups and database administration is a separate training. The time frame varies with the complexity of the company.
Is it time-consuming to enter required information?
Fast entry is linked to the level of set-ups. Pre-defined designs can have default values and data-entry can be limited to dimensions, quantity, and proposed option choices.
What is the estimated calculation time?
Calculation time is linked to the complexity of each item. Quote calculation is interactive, including optimization. Full retrieval of an average complete quote can take from one to five seconds per item on a standard PC (800MHZ, 128MB RAM). For large curtain walls, calculation time is linked to the number of lites. Interactive calculations can be disconnected for a job with higher numbers. In this case, the calculation can be done at the end.
Does D-CALC® eliminate redundant data-entry for standard takeoff items (e.g.: Anchors)?
All data-entry can be default. This is defined during set-up choices.
Does D-CALC® guarantee data integrity throughout the estimating process?
All data is permanently saved on disk during the quotation process, and each item is stored separately. A quote currently in use cannot be accessed by another user. Calculation is processed for each retrieval. This is not 100% protection, but it is good. Change in reference set-ups must be protected through network administration.
Does
D-CALC®
offer both graphical and data-entry
spreadsheet formats?
Graphical data-entry is necessary only when creating a design from scratch, or to make major changes (move/delete transoms, change a sash, etc.). Otherwise users just have to type in dimensions, and select options.
Does D-CALC® offer network database support for all commonly used systems?
Each seat can work with the network common database or a local copy. Occasional updates are a matter of simply copying the new files from one computer to another. The system administrator can choose which data is shared, and which is local (ex: basic set-ups and cost files are common, quotes are local). If current database systems are used, they can be on a network or a local machine.
Is there network database support for standard material, labor rates, and materials cost?
One can decide where specific parts of data should be located (technical basic set-ups and drawings, cost/price lists, fabrication data, quotes, orders, jobs, etc.). Each seat can work with the network common database or a local copy.
Does D-CALC® have the ability to examine productivity rates by area and overall integration factors?
D-CALC® allows defining each individual fabrication/installation operation for workstations. Work Station classification is a user-definable category, based on a company's organization. The reporting system allows analyzing this detailed information for one job, or a batch of jobs.
Does D-CALC® support centralized database maintenance and program distribution?
For database administrating, there are specific D-CALC® functions for updates and search/find. Control of administration has to be done through outside dedicated tools such as "Source Safe". Executable programs cannot be shared (one per user, usually located on a local computer). Administration for technical D-CALC® data does not require specific database computer knowledge.
Does D-CALC® provide an automated re-cap sheet?
As a result of each quote/order, a list of documents (reports) can be generated. Each document is defined by the user, and is based on detailed existing data (materials and labor). The standard list of documents contains the following report templates:
Proposal (Quote)
Bill of Materials
Extrusion List
Glass Cutting List
Hardware List
Fabrication Operations and Labor Summary
Cost Summary
Any other report can be added. Report templates can be modified to customer requirements.
Does D-CALC® support breakdown of recap by systems, phase, glass size, manufacturer, extrusion length, vendor, etc?
D-CALC®'s reporting system allows the selection of up to ten sorting arguments in any report.
Can D-CALC® summarize labor time by activity in recap?
Report based on fab files (fabrication data).
Is there the ability to modify standard systems per estimate (engineering changes)?
D-CALC® allows on-the-fly modification of standard systems (adding of new extrusions and/or change of existing items). However, it might require a user's special knowledge of the set-up process. Switching from one system to another in a quote (for example, from Kawneer to YKK), can be accomplished by pre-defining the original set-ups.
Is there an easy method to add/delete/modify/copy elevations?
Add, copy, delete, change size, color, glass, options (hardware, trim, etc.), are standard functions within a quote. Immediate switch within a quote is permanently available for more structural changes (add, delete, move mullions/transoms, change sash, etc.).
How does D-CALC® manage field labor, fabrication labor, transportation, and equipment calculations, with ability to modify per estimate requirements?
There are several ways to manage labor cost:
Define elementary operations linked to each piece of material,
Define more global costs per basic frame (per sash, mullion, outer frame),
Define global calculation formulas as an option on the quote level.
It is still possible to overwrite manually per item. Add-on user-definable options (freight, structural calculations, shop drawings, etc.) are available per quote or as individual items within a quote.
How does D-CALC® add special material and labor for entrances, etc?
The "Options to the Quote" is a standard function of D-CALC® , allowing the addition of services globally to all items or to one specific item. Quantity and prices can be defined as a formula (price per pound, sq. ft., etc.). These options can be defined as default for all quotes, or added manually. Added global options can be defined as a separate item in the quote.
Can D-CALC® add/change/delete special material resources to/in/from a shop resource database?
Extra material added to a quote must be retrieved from the library (to be included in the Bill of Material). It is possible to create new items in the library within the current quote.
Is D-CALC® able to produce picture take-offs with details for vendor quotes?
A scaled elevation with dimensions and required cross-sections is always available within a quote.
Does D-CALC® automatically reflect line item changes to picture take-off view?
Changes in elevation drawing, dimensions and
cross-section are always available within a quote.
Can D-CALC® produce a summary of take-offs for vendor quotes?
This can be accomplished within the reporting system by selecting information by vendor's name and product type.
Can D-CALC® produce a material and labor optimized fabrication cut sheet?
D-CALC® provides several optimization algorithms. Cut sheets can be generated for an individual job or a batch of jobs.
Can D-CALC® produce a custom Contract Review worksheet?
Output files have the report information needed. The report can be written in D-CALC® or exported to another format.
Is there a limit to elevation height and width?
D-CALC® has no limit on elevation height and width. Drawing scale has to be chosen to fit the drawing page.
Is there a limit on the number of elevations?
D-CALC® has no limit on the number of elevations. The actual limit is memory size and calculation time of the operating system.
Is there a limit on mark numbers?
D-CALC® has no limit on mark numbers.
Does D-CALC® offer comparison of individual system prices within an estimate?
D-CALC® makes this possible by creating option groups of different extrusions at the set-up level.
Can D-CALC® review multiple value engineering savings?
The interactive calculations function of D-CALC® allow a user to see the cost effect of every engineering change. These changes must be done within a copy of a quote for later tracking purposes.
Does D-CALC® support "what if?" capabilities?
D-CALC®'s quote function allows global changes (finish, glass, options, mark-ups, discounts, etc.), as well as any change to a particular item. Changes can be tracked in copies of the original quote.
How does D-CALC® support calculations for custom configurations (e.g., round or angled windows, extrusions, etc.)?
Alternates must be done in copies of the original quote. Reports comparisons are done on selected quotes and alternates.
D-CALC® allows custom design creation including:
Trapezoidal
Angular
Circle shapes
Polygonal
An estimate can include custom designs as well as standard products.
How does D-CALC® support calculations for custom features (e.g.: extrusions, accessories, anchors, coatings, louvers, panels)?
D-CALC® allows adding special features to existing designs (grids, panels), or to define them as an individual item (louvers, shutters, railing) within a quote.
Does D-CALC® include an easy/quick method for add, change, delete within an estimate?
Add, change, copy, delete items are basic D-CALC® functions within the quote.
Does D-CALC® include an easy/quick method to save/copy/delete estimate iterations?
Every step or alternate must be saved as a copy of the original quote.
Is there an automatic exception flag report for:
Overall cost per square foot
Fabrication cost variances per square foot
Material cost variances per square foot
Missed or zero entities?
Flag control calculations can be established on global cost values at the quote level.
Does D-CALC® support individual mark-up calculations for materials, fabrication labor, installation labor, equipment, and subcontract?
Mark-ups
and discounts can be defined at the lowest level for
each material item. Mark-ups/discounts can be
defined for different categories (extrusions, glass,
hardware, labor) on a quote level.
Does D-CALC® support a check of outside vendor quote against reasonable cost range for square footage?
It is possible to a certain extent. For example, for glass price, the glazing area is calculated by D-CALC®, and comparisons between vendor's glass prices and established rates can be performed.
Does D-CALC® support multiple tax calculations by tax jurisdiction?
D-CALC® defines five (5) tax calculations per customer.
Does D-CALC® support owner's insurance cost and performance and payment bond cost?
All overheads, including bonds, are defined as options to a quote.
Is there the ability to link estimate information to external systems?
All D-CALC® output data files are available to external systems in ASCII text format or database tables through ODBC format.
Is there the ability to import CAD engineering specs?
This is a standard D-CALC® DXF import/export function.
Is there the ability to import digitizer generated specs?
Import is only DXF. Use of digitizers is a D-CALC® CAD feature.
Is there the ability to send a request for a quote directly from the estimating program to an MS-Word document?
Drawings from D-CALC® can be imported through "ActiveX" to any Microsoft software. Reports can be sent to Notepad as a text file.
Does D-CALC® automatically tie the estimate to cost codes to expedite project management and accounting?
Each report has three (3) classification attributes which allow generation accounting and management sorting in reports.
Can
D-CALC®
print glass, extrusion, and frame labels?
Labels are defined the same way as reports.
Can D-CALC® generate the estimate data via a hand-off or data export to Engineering and Project Management for fabrication and installation?
D-CALC® generates detailed standard-format text files (including graphics) of all material, labor and operations, which can be read by Access, Excel, etc.
Can D-CALC® process the estimate into work orders?
Estimates can be converted into work orders, or work jobs, or included in work jobs.
Can D-CALC® process the estimate into purchase orders for small contract?
"Purchase order" is a specific report in D-CALC® .
Can D-CALC® export information for resource requirements (material, labor, equipment, and transportation)?
All detailed resource files are available to external applications.
Can D-CALC® export fabrication cut-sheets and labels?
All detailed resource files are available to external applications. Cutting information and fab operations can be sent to CNC equipment.
Describe how data for a new extrusion system and other resources is imported, set-up and distributed within the system.
All custom products (extrusion systems) should be set up. The set-up process consists of several steps:
Product specification
Generic set-ups with respect to the company's production environment (lists of products, finish types, items families, etc.)
Importation of CAD files in DXF format
Assignment of geometrical parameters to each item, and items combination
Definition of option groups
Definition of conditions
Creation of products configurations and standard designs
Input of pricing information
Input of fabrication information
Definition of reports
Testing
Data distribution among non-networked users can be done through emailing and/or CD.
Describe the skill set and training required to generate set-ups.
The staff charged with set-ups must have:
CAD background
General knowledge of the company's product line
Design and fabrication practice
No special computer skills are required, but basic knowledge of the file organization within the Microsoft Windows™ environment is helpful.
What implementation documentation exists?
Specification templates and procedures.
What user training documentation exists?
D-CALC® provides a Reference, a Training Checklist, and a built-in online "Help" function.
What implementation training programs are available?
D-CALC® offers three different levels of training, each lasting five days:
Complete use of the software functions
Generic systems set-ups
Fabrication information set-ups and reporting systems
What is the typical implementation time frame?
The implementation period depends on the complexity of the system, and the customer's specific requirements for checking and tracking the estimating process. An average system set-up can take from one to three weeks, assuming the detailed technical information does exist.
What are the skill sets required to support an implementation?
Knowledge of D-CALC®'s main functions, and knowledge of the user's fenestration systems.
How is customer support delivered? Service levels?
Telephone support during business hours, emails, ICQ, Genesys® Teleconferencing or "pcAnywhere" when required. There are two service levels:
Support of the individual user, which is used when the D-CALC® team is responsible for products set-ups
Support of the system administrators within the customer's company, which is used when the customer staff is responsible for set-ups.
What are reasonable expectations for issue response?
The response time is linked to the complexity of the question. If the question is of a "how-to" type, the response is immediate. If the problem is related to the use of advanced software functionality (complex designs, reports, etc.) or existing functionality (unexpected results), the response time is from one to two days. If the problem is related to the software's new features, requiring reprogramming, the response time will be linked to the development plans and schedule of D-CALC® America. The correction of unavoidable bugs is a first priority in the development plan, however, we can not predict the time required for problem solving.
Where are technical resources located?
The development team (programmers) is located in Orleans, France. The customer technical support team is located in St. Louis, Toronto, Dallas, and Orleans France.
Is on-site support available?
On-site support is available as an exception. On-site support does not include programming and set-ups.
What is the practical limitation on the number of estimate records this solution can support from both a server and standalone configuration?
In theory, there is no limit to the number of records. Practically, the limitations are linked to the performance of file-oriented systems. When huge numbers of records are stored in one folder, the response time can be long. The way to alleviate this problem is to store the records in different folders.