Bid4Build Changelog

What's new in Bid4Build 3.5.1

• Estimate Add & View Combined Screens:
• Bid4Build now has the ability to provide two different estimate view screens at the time an estimate is being built. In addition to the Add Items to Estimate screen, there are now additional vertical and horizontal maintenance screens which enable you to view existing items in your estimate by category, area, sort, modify and delete as well as provide subtotals across all cost categories.
• Formula Assemblies:
• As of June 2012, a new module was added called Construction Formula Assemblies. This is a 4th type of Assembly which enables you to select a construction formula, enter your specific parameters to calculate the formula and then automatically have all the items associated with this formula selected for your estimate. Calculations from the estimate will be assigned to the quantity values of the items to be transferred to your estimate.
• iPhone/iPad integration:
• Bid4Build now has the ability to synchronize data with your iPhone and iPad wirelessly. There are a number of FREE Apple applications which enable you to use the WebDav URL to store data in the form of PDF reports to your iPhone or iPad device. This requires that you have your iPhone or iPad connected to a local network which also needs to be connected to your PC running the Bid4Build application. Once transferred, your iPhone or iPad will contain the selected Bid4Build reports.
• Bid4Build Takeoff Live Integration:
• Bid4Build Takeoff Live is a feature-rich, fully integrated on screen takeoff system which works in conjunction with Bid4Build Enterprise Edition Version 3.5.1 estimating system. Our combination of on-screen takeoff and estimating software is unparalled in the marketplace. We guarantee that there is no other fully integrated combination of on-screen takeoff and estimating software available with the same capabilities, features and functions of Bid4Buid for the price! .
• Quick Start Advanced Menu Navigation System:
• Version 3.5 now provides an advanced Quick Start Menu Navigation System which guides new and existing Bid4Build customers through the various steps required to create and manage an estimate. This includes setting up your initial company and costbook information as well as creating, managing, reporting and saving an estimate. In addition, each navigation command has an assigned video which shows you the step by step details of how to perform each function.
• True Network Version:
• Version 3.5 is now able to provide a true network solution for customers using local servers and client computers. Central customer, project, supplier, invoice and other shared information is maintained on the central server while individual estimators or managers can work with separate estimates and multiple different costbooks. All operating in a simultaneous fashion.
• Multi-Area Item Transfer:
• Version 3.5 now has the ability to transfer Costbook Items and Assembly Items to multiple Areas. You simply select the areas to receive the items, and the existing Item and Assembly transfer command buttons will manage all the processing behind the scenes.
• Merge a Saved Estimate with the Current Estimate:
• The Merge a Saved Estimate with the Current Estimate enables you to select an existing estimate (or template estimate) and merge it in with the Existing Estimate. The merge process will automatically analyze and renumber the items and areas as appropriate.
• Advanced To-Do List:
• New in Version 3.5 is the enhanced To-Do List. Version 3.5 will now track tasks by specific due dates and notify the user when specific tasks are due. There are also advanced reporting capabilities which are now part of the To-Do List.
• Estimate Reports:
• Version 3.5 includes numerous enhancements and additions to the reports which were available in version 3.0. New reporting controls have also been created for estimate-based reports.
• Copy Estimate Items from One Area to Another:
• The Copy Estimate Items from One Area to Another enables you to select individual or groups of items from one Area, simply specify the target Area and then have all the Items copied, sorted and ready to display in estimate reports.
• Contract Writer:
• New in Version 3.5 is the Bid4Build Contract Writer. The Contract Writer is a versatile program addition which enables you to build report, contract and letter templates. You can use fields from the Customer, Project, Company and Estimate databases in a mail-merge format directly in the template. There is also a Phrase Library database which can be used to store various sections of information such as Terms, Warranties, Inclusions, Allowances, etc. These Phrases can then be quickly incorporated into the Contract Writer Templates.
• Tax Management System:
• The Tax component of the Bid4Build System has been expanded in Version 3.5 to include a Tax Management & Compliance System. This can be used to manage detailed tax information. This is particularly useful for Canadian users to track the cumulative Federal and Provincial tax requirements in Canada.
• Search Features:
• The Search features for Version 3.5 have been enhanced, and new ones added to perform complex searches across Customer, Project and Item Costbook information. The Search screen for the Item Costbook is an example of the enhancements. Multiple levels of descriptive search values can now be used in combination to quickly located required items.
• Create Manual Estimate:
• The Create Manual Estimate feature enables you to create an estimate without the need of using a costbook, defining categories or items. This is as simple as entering your own items in a spreadsheet, but with the added benefit of being able to batch groups of items you create to the estimate file and then having the ability to instantly create advanced customer and internal based reports.
• Estimate Maintenance:
• The Estimate, Assembly and Item Costbook Maintenance screens have all been significantly rebuilt with new functions and features. The Estimate Maintenance screen now has the ability to control the report output flow of an estimate by defining the order and sequence of Phase, Areas, Category and Item information. It is also synchronized with Area information. Additional Estimate Maintenance screens have been added for 3.5 with color coded cost sections.
• Expression Calculator:
• The Expression Calculator enables you to create your own calculations and calculators for own unique construction requirements.
• Phase/Area Screens & Wizards:
• The Phase and Area sections of Version 3.5 have been completely rebuilt and now use Wizard driven screens to create the Phase and Area Information. In addition, you can now define a Primary Area with up to 10 associated Offsets to insure accurate calculations of SF and LF dimensions. Virtual Common Walls, Interior, and Exterior Offsets can now be defined and used in your estimates.
• Virtual Boss Integration:
• Version 3.5 has a complete automated integration solution with Virtual Boss Scheduling software. Bid4Build and Virtual Boss are the perfect complement for your construction estimating and scheduling requirements.
• Miscellaneous Updates:
• Updates and enhancements to the Multi-User capability, Job Tracking and Scheduling.