The input data and calculated information for an estimate is stored in several tables in the Printwiser database, all linked together usually by estimate number, following good relational database design principles. One table holds general estimate values, at least two tables hold input or calculated machine room details, two tables hold input or calculated finishing details, etc. These are all brought together in the summary and detailed estimate working sheet reports, of about two or more pages. These are complex formatted reports, and not being in simple row and column format, do not correctly export to spreadsheet files.

While the estimate working sheet reports are fine for a single estimate/customer situation, to present information for several estimates in a tabular spreadsheet layout for easier management analysis and review, a senior estimator must spend extra time doing manual collation from the working sheet reports. The major aim of this version 9.0 Printwiser upgrade, effective April 11, 2022, is to automate the time-consuming process of estimate collation. It will also make it more convenient to adjust and recalculate estimates.

Once the flexible estimate spreadsheet is generated, it is possible to jump directly to the Estimate Form to make necessary changes and perform recalculation, by double-clicking a given row. Being in strictly spreadsheet format of rows and columns (one row for each different quantity of an estimate), exporting the list to a file for further manipulation by a spreadsheet software like OpenOffice Calc or Microsoft Excel would be possible, with the exported information complete as viewed.

Other features that come with this option include:

• Estimate format list maintenance
• Estimate group list maintenance
• Standalone database access creation
• Estimate copy to/from standalone database

1. Flexible estimate spreadsheet generation

Menu selection: File > Build Report > Flexible Estimate Spreadsheet  There is also a new toolbar icon for this for easy access. When selected, you get a form similar to the following.

If Show Last Flex List button is enabled, like above, it means a former processing was done and you can quickly work with that instead of generating a new list.

Otherwise, specify either estimate number or date range, then click Get Estimates. If customer is specified only estimates for that customer will be selected. The matching estimates will be processed and you will be informed how many were found. The processing may take some time depending on the number of estimates found. Then the display will change to show the column selections list. The list will include all items from the standard summary and detail estimate report content for the matching estimates.

The items with blue background have already been selected. The numbers by the right are their sequential positions in the spreadsheet that will be generated. The items are arranged in groups, with ESTIMATE SPECIFICATION being the visible group shown here. Other groups are PREPARATION, MACHINE ROOM, EXTRA/OUTWORK, BINDERY and various paper section groups. For these other groups items usually come in pairs or threes, quantity, rate and amount. If a paper section has different types, like two types of text paper, a total group will be included with their sums.

The MACHINE ROOM group that has totals for the entire estimate also includes the name, rate and amount for each type of paper.

To select or deselect items to show in the spreadsheet, just click either on the group name, or the individual item. Use the Deselect All button to clear all existing selections before starting afresh with new selections. The order in which you select is exactly how they will be positioned in the spreadsheet. When you are done click Generate Spreadsheet button. A sample spreadsheet screen is shown above.

Another spreadsheet for the same estimates shown above, but with different columns selected, is shown below.

2. Estimate format and estimate group

From the File > Open submenu both Estimate Format and Estimate Group now appear for selection, for defining the lists. (Before now, both were optional, and there was no editing of the estimate groups.) On the Estimate Form, both estimate format and group are assigned to the estimate. For estimate format, the page size (depth and width) was introduced in this version. The page size and number of pages defined are automatically assigned to new estimates, along with the job type. The estimate group, that appears towards the end of the Estimate Form, is used to sort the flexible estimate spreadsheet if selected.

3. Standalone database access creation, with estimate copy to/from standalone database

The Tool menu of the System module, the first Printwiser screen, now has Create Access to Backup item accessible usually to Supervisor users or those that can backup the database.

Once you specify the standalone database (backup) file and click OK, the shortcut to start Printwiser with it will be created on the Desktop.

Once the shortcut has been created, the Read Estimate and Write Estimate options on the Tool menu of the Estimating module, will give you the option of copying estimates to and from the standalone database. (Previously—or if no standalone database has been selected—they worked by reading and copying via a file containing the estimate data.) If the estimate you are copying exists in the other database, you will be given the option to overwrite that one or cancel the copying.

This means in a network environment if the server is not available you will be able to work locally using the standalone database shortcut, and later copy your estimate changes to the server database.