D-CALC

INTRODUCTION

D-CALC^® FACADE 4000 is integrated software for design, quotation, order-entry, and fabrication of windows, doors, storefronts, curtain walls, panel systems, sunrooms, patio enclosures, shower doors and enclosures and other framed products. It is a fast, accurate, and reliable computerized solution that replaces most of the manual elements of design, estimating, and of information generation for manufacturing and management purposes.

The software is developed since 1984 by JPK Logiciel, a company based in France. Since the first day of use, D-CALC^® has evolved from a simple CAD package to a unique parametric design package for the fenestration industry.

Over the years, we have relied upon our customers to play a key role in the ongoing improvement of the product. We value customer input and have used many suggested alterations to improve the efficiency, as well as to better reflect North American industry standards. Now offered in four languages, and having over 1000 users worldwide, D-CALC^® has been proven to improve overall business efficiency, regardless of the size of the company using the software.

D-CALC is a fast & powerful, accurate & reliable, flexible & easy-to-use tool. It is extremely useful for engineers, estimators, sales representatives, and production managers.

The software makes use of the latest in programming technology. It is written in the Microsoft Visual C++™ language. It operates in either a multi-user network environment, or as a stand-alone system on personal computers.

This versatile software is capable of dealing with all varieties of commercial (curtain wall, ...) and residential fenestration applications including aluminum, wood, fiberglass, vinyl, and steel.

The general structure of the software has been designed considering the needs of the industry. These requirements include:

Technical drawings are needed for most jobs. Engineering is closely aligned to estimating.

The customization and complexity of the final product can be of the highest degree (variability in shapes, sizes, colors, components, options, added values, etc.).

Regardless of company size, projects range from small to large.

There is a large variability in user skills, ranging from an administrative assistant filling basic forms to high-level Engineers.

Users' computer equipment will vary (laptops, single desktops, or networked systems).

The basic elements include, but are not limited to, the ability to:

Keep a CAD basis to all designs or estimates in order to design and track the product from the first estimate to delivery. The software can provide, at any stage of the process, a scaled elevation with dimensions and any technical cross sectional detail, even if the estimator is able to bid a project without including any drawing detail.

Have a "KISS"-opened database system, which means a simple primary text files system which can be used on local laptops, stand-alone systems, or networked systems (sharing data either partially or totally), and allowing easy data exchange in any situation. Each item is described as an independent set of files in an object-oriented system (each item, be it extrusion, hardware piece, etc., knows its context). All files are documented and open to outside systems in a very simple way. Appending in Access™, Excel™, Dbase, etc., is immediate. A user can decide which data is networked, and which is not. In addition, D-CALC^® allows the user to choose to share databases with other system applications through ODBC (share Customer file, Cost file, Material requirements, Fabrication data, Quotes, Orders, Jobs, etc.).

Exchange all drawings in/out through DXF or DWG format files. An "ActiveX" is also available to import D-CALC^® drawings to any Microsoft Windows™ application.

Provide a local reporting system that allows the user to fully design his/her own reports and messages including detailed information in columns, sorting, selecting and totaling data, margins, fonts, headers, and more. Data can also be generated in MS ACCESS tables and linked to any database and/or reporting system.

Provide a set-up system reflecting the ability to decide the level of complexity of know-how to be included in the set-ups. This allows the system to be fitted to the skills of the current users. With basic set-ups of extrusions and hardware, a fenestration professional can immediately design and quote. With additional configuration set-ups (company rules and choices), the bidding process is very fast and flexible. Conditional formulas can be simple "IF" statements, or range to full programs through the D-CALC^® "BASIC" language.

Provide and permanently improve a wide scope of designing capabilities from simple windows to 3D curtain walls and enclosures. Two-dimensional frame shapes can be created in rectangular, circular, arched, and up to 15-sided polygons with arching of any side, and allows an unlimited number of transoms/mullions.