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Yep, it's that time again!  Our User Conference will be featuring AutoBid Mechanical 2010 v2 - so it's time to get it out to Beta so that we can start shipping it prior to November.  What will be in AutoBid Mechanical 2010 v2?  Here's an abbreviated list:

• Move and copy for OnScreen View TakeOff
• The ability to edit TakeOff item names
• A new Rapid Reports interface that will allow users to update multiple Rapid Reports
• A submitted cost report that will allow users to modify their costs
• Improved material multipliers
• New and improved mouse menus and Smart Menu inserts

If you want to be a Beta tester, please This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and I will send you all of the necessary paperwork.   

…As long as you know that we have them and how to get to them.  Customers asked, and we added an option for making straight wrappers on the radius offsets 182 & 185 and all radius drop cheek elbows (159, 160, 165, and 166).  Here's how to make straight wrappers.

If you want your wrappers to cut straight and have no break notch, as shown below, check the Straight Wrapper box on the Options tab on the input window.

If you want your wrappers to cut with a break notch, as shown below, uncheck the Straight Wrapper box on the Options tab on the input window.

Remember to check the Options tab on other fittings to find what's available. We're constantly adding new features to make your job easier. 

Shhh....be very very quiet...we're hunting wabbits... I'll let you in on what's going on with the User Conference.

We're finally nailing down the class content for the piping, plumbing, and sheet metal estimating tracks at the Educational User Conference.  I'm really excited about what we've got to offer this time around.  We're putting a bit of a spin on some of our classes - and I'll give you a sneak preview.

We're planning on setting up a Workshop in our space.  This workshop will be set-up with computers that will allow us to do some hands-on training on what's new in our piping estimating product, AutoBid® Mechanical.  We'll actually guide you through On-Screen View TakeOff, run calculations, create profiles (for value engineering), slice and dice with Rapid Reports, and then use SIP to dive deeper into details.  It will be a great way to show you the new features as well as give you some tips and tricks on how to use old favorites.  This is a small workshop environment - attendance will be by registration only and limited to only a handful of people during each session.  We encourage you to register early!

If you don't make the workshops, we've still got a lot of great classes.  Rapid Reports is contagious - and we'll spend time showing how to use them as well as go in depth on how to customize them.  We'll even be offering a class on how to create your own Pivot Tables.

And, this year, we'll be hosting Break Out sessions where you'll be divided into groups and learn from each other on how to apply AutoBid to everyday scenarios such as Design-Build activities or Change Orders.  This is just an expansion of the informal idea sharing that has occurred at the past Educational User's Conference.

You can check here for a list of all of the class names & brief descriptions.  Early Bird Registration expires August 15th and saves you $100 - so register now!

I'm working on a bunch of new posts (finally!), but we've had a lot of internal debate over which is better - step-by-steps with lots of graphics or a You Tube video.  Most of my posts up until now have been step-by-step simply because it is familiar.  I'm learning the video...slowly.  So, let me know which you prefer...

What method do you prefer to receive tips & tricks?

• I don't use no stinkin' tutorials
• Videos
• Step-by-step with lots of graphics

Created on Jul 20, 2010

View Results

poll by twiigs.com

Did you miss me?  Boy - we've been busy around here.  So busy, I've neglected my blogging duties the last month.  We've got some fun stuff to share over the next several weeks.  First up - I'm excited to announce that AutoBid SheetMetal 2010 v1 shipped to our first wave of customers!  All customers who were current on their Customer Care package as of July 1, 2010 will receive this update.  We'll be shipping it out over the next 6 - 8 weeks.  

What's in this release?  I'm glad you asked!  We're continuing the upgrades and improvements for our OnScreen View (OSV) TakeOff module in the estimating products.  In this release, we've introduced Copy and Move functionality in OSV.  Now, you can box-in an area and copy or move - and then reconnect it back to a main. 

Are you involved in any LEED projects?  A typical requirement for LEED certified projects is to control indoor air quality.  One of the ways that this can be done is by requiring all ductwork shipped to a jobsite have the ends covered.  How do you currently account for that in your sheet metal estimate?  AutoBid SheetMetal 2010 v1 will now calculate the amount of polywrap required and allow you to labor it.



This release will also give you the ability to "Undo" something that you've done in TakeOff.  You can undo your last time - or you can undo a group of items.  This will allow users who do Search & Replaces or Box-Ins to undo a change that they may have made erroneously.  (This has been one of our most requested features over the years.)

There are lots of other nuggets in this release as well.  Be sure to check out the release notes and the videos once you receive the AutoBid SheetMetal 2010 v1 disk. 

And don't forget, we love feedback - so please let us know what you think of this release!