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Trimble® ACCUBID™ Training

Trimble® ACCUBID™ Software Training

The following Trimble® ACCUBID™ classic software modules are available online or onsite. All training modules include a training manual with detailed lessons with instructions and screenshots. The Trimble® ACCUBID™ Basic and Advanced lessons are in one 160-page training manual. Every employee in the training will receive a manual, whether online or onsite.

MODULE 101 – TRIMBLE ® ACCUBID CLASSIC

The client will learn the basics and advanced workings of Trimble ® ACCUBID Classic software. My goal in training is to provide the client with an understanding of estimating and the estimating software that gives the estimator full control of his estimate. The training can be in groups and or working with individuals individually. The concepts with be taught by demonstration with Trimble ® ACCUBID software. Trainees will be allowed to asked questions of areas that they need help with using the program. Training is delivered using Webex online. The client can choose any of the lessons offered to meet the company objectives.

Lesson 1 – Intro. to Trimble® ACCUBID Software
Lesson 2 – Program Overview
  1. Program Structure
  2. Database Structure
  3. Database Items
  4. Takeoff Libraries
Lesson 3 – Program Overview
  1. Sorting Projects
  2. Filtering Projects
  3. Job Screen Styles
  4. Working with Multiple Job Directories
  5. Backing Up and Restoring a Job
  6. Setting the Project Status
  7. Exporting the Job Schedule
  8. Deleting a Project
  9. Job Schedule Screen Alarm
Lesson 4 – Starting A New Estimate
  1. Starting a New Estimate
  2. The Job Information Screen
  3. Notes Screen
Lesson 5 – Structuring the Estimate
Lesson 6 – Takeoff Basics
  1. Selecting the Takeoff Breakdown
  2. Labor Factor Breakdown
  3. The Takeoff Libraries and Options
  4. Temporary Items
  5. Temporary Assemblies
  6. Database Find
Lesson 7 – Performing Takeoffs
  1. Items
  2. Common Assemblies
  3. Designations – Fixtures & Distribution & Heating
  4. Branch Conduit and Wire
  5. Feeder Conduit and Wire
Lesson 8 – Performing Takeoffs
  1. Typicals
  2. Adding a Note to a Takeoff
  3. Quick Takeoff Key
  4. Multiple Users and Merging
  5. Importance of Factoring Labor
  6. Labor Adjustments
  7. Rebidding a Project
  8. Creating Unit Prices
  9. Switching Databases
Lesson 9 – The Audit Trail
  1. Filtering the Audit Trail
  2. Modifying the Audit Trail
  3. Copying and Pasting Takeoffs
  4. Reassigning Takeoff Breakdowns
  5. Substituting Items & Assemblies
  6. Deleting & Undeleting Takeoffs
Lesson 10 – Introduction to the Extension Screen
Lesson 11 – Extension Screen Basics
  1. Consolidated Item View
  2. Setting Up Screen Views
  3. Setting Up Extension Views
  4. Setting Unit Price Group Defaults
  5. Adding an Item
Lesson 12 – Material & Labor Review
  1. Modifying Labor & Material Pricing
  2. Supplier Link Column
  3. Locking Values
  4. Re-Extending the Job
  5. Labor Columns
  6. Understanding Blended Labor Rates
  7. Increasing Labor by Percentages in Categories
Lesson 13 – Analyzing the Take-off
  1. Filtering the Extension
  2. Grouping the Extension
  3. Analyze Your Estimate Through Grouping
Lesson 14 – Bid Summaries
  1. Bid Summary Toolbar
  2. Creating Multiple Bid Summaries
  3. Combining Bid Summaries
  4. Modifying Bid Summaries
  5. Renaming Bid Summaries
  6. Changing the Order of Bid Summaries
  7. Switching Between Bid Summaries
Lesson 15 – Closing the Project
  1. Direct Labor
  2. Incidental Labor
  3. Labor Factoring
  4. Labor Escalation
  5. Indirect Labor
  6. Subcontractors
  7. General Expenses
  8. Equipment
  9. Quoted Materials
  10. Final Pricing Screen
  11. Setting Up Bond Table
Lesson 16 – Key Indicators
  1. Key Indicators Columns
  2. Key Indicators Fields
  3. Labor Risk Ratio Percentage
Lesson 17 – Multi-Level Breakdown
Lesson 18 – Program Settings & Defaults
  1. Options
  2. Modifying the Default Job
  3. Database Folders
  4. Job Data Folders
  5. Modifying Make-Up Defaults
  6. Installation Labor Factor Table Defaults
Lesson 19 – Reports & Views
  1. Setting Up Reports
  2. Defining Report Styles
  3. Deleting Report Styles
  4. Setting Up Global Reports and Views

MODULE 301 – DATABASE MANAGEMENT

This training module consists of Ten lessons. These lessons will guide you through the most important concepts of mastering your database. Taking control of your database is the key to having a productive estimating department. Assigning this task to the right person is paramount. Database management is the most vital ingredient to keep your estimating program functioning at the highest level.

Training Learning Objectives
  1. Understanding the Database and its’ Organization
  2. Manage the Item Database
  3. Building Common Assemblies
  4. Modifying the Take-Off Libraries
  5. Keeping the Database healthy
  6. Working with multiple databases
Trimble ACCUBID Database Management Classic Lessons
Lesson 1 – Introduction
  1. Importance of Database Management
  2. Importance of Database Improvement
  3. Working copy of your database
Lesson 2 – Basics
  1. Menu
  2. Screen Views
  3. Take-off Libraries
  4. Database folders
  5. Database navigation
Lesson 3 – Items
  1. Modifying Items
  2. Adding Items
  3. Moving Items
  4. Copying Items from another database
Lesson 4 – Sort Codes
  1. Edit Sort Codes
  2. Predefined Sort Codes
  3. Customizable User Sort Codes
  4. Printing Sort Codes
Lesson 5 – Common Assemblies
  1. Adding
  2. Modifying
  3. Copying
  4. Add, Delete and Substitute to Assemblies
  5. Copying Assemblies from another database
Lesson 6 – Take-off Libraries
  1. Understanding Hot Lists
  2. Understanding Accessory Lists
  3. Modifying Take-off Libraries
Lesson 7 – Queries
  1. Create a Database Query 
  2. Modify Existing Database Query
  3. Delete Query
  4. Apply Query
Lesson 8 – Trade Service Functions
Lesson 9 – Utilities
  1. Check Database
  2. Compress
Lesson 10 – Database Management Procedures
  1. Keeping your database current
  2. Backing up the database

MODULE 401 – CHANGE ORDER PRO

Classic Change Order software allows you to effectively manage contract variations, track change notice status, generate accurate cost data for each change notice, expedite the approval process, and minimize rejections. It also allows you to store unit prices, labor rates, overhead, and markups for each project, view the results immediately when totals change, produce professional-looking change notices, and send electronic copies of change notices to your clients.

The client will learn the basics and advanced workings of Trimble ® ACCUBID Change Order PRO Classic software. The concepts with be taught by demonstration with Trimble ® ACCUBID Change Order PRO software. Trainees will be allowed to asked questions of areas that they need help with using the program. Training is delivered using Webx online. The client can choose any of the lessons offered to meet the company objectives.

Lesson 1 – Introduction to Trimble ACCUBID Change Order PRO
Lesson 2 –Toolbars
  1. Standard Toolbar
  2. Screen Styles Toolbar
  3. Extension Views Toolbar
  4. Format Toolbar
  5. Status Bar
Lesson 3 – Database Layout
  1. Item Database Structure
  2. Database Item Fields
  3. Common Assemblies
  4. Takeoff Libraries
  5. Sort Codes
Lesson 4 – Program Screens
  1. Schedule Screen
  2. Job Info Screen
  3. Notes Screen
  4. Takeoff Screen
  5. Extension Screen
  6. Direct Labor Screen
  7. Indirect Labor Screen
  8. General Expenses Screen
  9. Equipment Screen
  10. Subcontractors Screen
  11. Unit Price Screen
  12. Quoted Materials Screen
  13. Totals Screen
  14. Graph Screen
  15. Quote Pad Screen
Lesson 5 – Program Settings
  1. Options
  2. Database Folders
  3. Job Data Folders
  4. Modifying Make-Up Defaults
  5. Installation Labor Factor Table Defaults
Lesson 6 – Global Defaults
  1. Global Default Job
  2. Set Default Job
  3. Rates
  4. Company Information
  5. Report Setup
  6. Job Status Options
  7. Reference Column Names
Lesson 7 – Project Defaults
  1. Project Directories
  2. Project Default Job
  3. Set Default Job
  4. Rates
  5. Company Information
  6. Report Setup
  7. Job Status Options
  8. Reference Column Names
Lesson 8 – Project Basics
  1. Project Directories
  2. Open Project
  3. Close Project
  4. Project Schedule Export
  5. Rename Project
  6. Delete Projects
  7. Backup Projects
  8. Restore Projects
Lesson 9 – Creating a New Project
  1. Project Info
  2. Subcontract ID & Quoted Material ID
  3. Base Contract Tab
  4. My Company and E-mail Tab
  5. Project Schedule Screen
  6. Job Info Screen
  7. Linking Files and Folders to Your Job
  8. Linking URLs to Your Job
  9. Notes Screen
Lesson 10 – Jobs
  1. Create New Job
  2. Open / Close Jobs
  3. Copy Existing Job
  4. Save Job
  5. Set Default Job
  6. Export Job
  7. Rename Job
  8. Delete Jobs
  9. Track Jobs
  10. Merge Takeoffs
Lesson 11 – Structuring the Takeoff
Lesson 12 – Takeoff Basics
  1. Selecting the Takeoff Breakdown
  2. Labor Factor Breakdown
  3. The Takeoff Libraries
  4. Temporary Items
  5. Temporary Assemblies
  6. Database Find
Lesson 13 – Performing Takeoffs
  1. Items
  2. Common Assemblies
  3. Understanding Hotlists
  4. Branch Conduit and Wire
  5. Feeder Conduit and Wire
  6. Merging Takeoffs
Lesson 14 – Advanced Takeoffs
  1. Designations – Fixtures & Distribution & Heating
  2. Typicals
  3. Adding a Note to a Takeoff
  4. Quick Takeoff Key
  5. Importance of Factoring Labor
  6. Labor Adjustments
  7. Creating Unit Prices
  8. Switching Databases
Lesson 15 – The Audit Trail
  1. The Audit Trail
  2. Filtering the Audit Trail
  3. Modifying Descriptions
  4. Deleting Takeoffs
  5. Adding Components from a Takeoff
  6. Deleting Components from a Takeoff
  7. Copying and Pasting Takeoffs
  8. Reassigning Takeoff Breakdowns – Single Takeoffs
  9. Reassigning Takeoff Breakdowns – Multiple Takeoffs
  10. Substituting Items in Takeoff
  11. Substituting Assemblies in Takeoff
  12. Substituting Designations in Takeoff
Lesson 16 – Extension Screen Basics
  1. The Consolidated View
  2. Extension Views
  3. Re-extend Job
  4. Calculate Unit Price
  5. Job Extension Export
Lesson 17 – Material & Labor Review
  1. Labor Columns
  2. Labor Adjustments
  3. Material Pricing Method
  4. Material Adjustments
  5. Locking Values at Extension
  6. Edit Job Extension
Lesson 18 – Extension Grouping & Filtering
  1. Job Extension Filters
  2. Grouping the Extension
  3. Clear View
Lesson 19 – Extension Settings
  1. Unit Price Defaults
  2. Rounding of Takeoff Items Controls
Lesson 20 – Change Order Completion
  1. Incorporating Labor Costs
  2. Direct Labor
  3. Indirect Labor
  4. General Expenses
  5. Equipment Costs
  6. Subcontractors
  7. Unit Price Screen
  8. Quoted Materials
  9. Totals Screen
Lesson 21 – Reports & Emails
  1. Reports Styles
  2. Client Reports
  3. Office Reports
  4. Email Change Notices

ONLINE TRAINING AVAILABLE

Online training is a viable option for the busy contractor. But there are some limitations to this method of training. Many distractions take place daily in the office of a busy contractor. These distractions sometimes hinder quality training. Software training can be combined with onsite estimator training into a two, three, four, or five-day package.

Training is the key to employees performing at optimum levels, especially in the world of estimating. Every employee must know their function in the company to have a successful team. Every team player must know their role. In a short amount of time, an estimator must fully understand the building design and have a complete understanding of the specifications to arrive at a competitive price for the project. To do so, he must have a full understanding of the science of electrical estimating and the tools that he has been given to work.

If an electrician doesn’t know how to properly use an electric conduit bender, it will cost you money, especially in extra labor. And if an estimator doesn’t know how to use the estimating software to its fullest potential, it will cost you money and a lot of extra labor. Your estimator has a better chance to perform at his maximum potential if has been properly trained by someone with estimating experience and an in-depth understanding of electrical estimating software. Estimators need a solid philosophy of electrical estimating.

If you are interested in having online training, please review the training courses and decide which courses and lessons you want taught. You can pick and choose the lessons within each module to get help where you need it most. Send an email noting courses of interest and approximately how many hours of training that you are interested in booking and how many people you want to train. A determination will be made of an approximate time that it will take to complete the training and you will receive a call to discuss the best solution to fit into your company’s schedule and priorities. Feel free to call if you have any specific questions not addressed.

Online Training Blocks of Time
• 10 Hours
• 15 Hours
• 20 Hours
• 25 Hours
• 30 Hours

TESTIMONIAL FROM A SATISFIED CLIENT

“I am writing today to give you my firm whole-hearted recommendation for Don Kiper and Estimating 101. I am an experienced Trimble® ACCUBID™ user with over 10+ years experience in working with their products. In just a few short hours, I was able to gain many tips and tricks in working with the program.

I was able to custom tailor the training time we purchased from him to work only on the areas I wanted to that helped me gain the most. He has since been a reliable resource for my disposal. Apart from Don’s wealth of knowledge of the Trimble® ACCUBID™ program, I was able to gain estimating approaches and philosophies that you would not in a lesser experienced trainer.

The knowledge I gained in working with Mr. Kiper was put into practice in my estimating almost immediately. Our firm will be doing more work with Don in the future as we grow and take on more staff. The monies we would spend on this type of education and continuing education will come back to us at least 100-fold.”

– Al Costa, VP of Operations, Leeway Electric, Buena, NJ