Benchmark Estimating - Version 6.07

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Powerful Estimating - Version 6.07

more speed, more profits, more simplicity

Benchmark Estimating Software is pleased to announce Version 6.07, which gives you - the user - more speed, more profits and more simplicity.

The new and improved Calculator feature in Version 6.07 provides you with instant, automatic updating of your entire estimate, the ability to capture more business knowledge and the capacity to perform quantity calculations in much less time.

Some of the many other enhancements in Version 6.07 include getting fast access to your favourite reports, a key new report to help maximise profitability on every project and an overall superior ease of use.

I trust you will derive great benefit from Benchmark Estimating Software's newest release, Version 6.07.

Yours, in the interest of better estimating,

Rob MacDonald
Director

Main Features

New and Improved Calculator

New Variables Function

New Routines Interface

More Quick Find Menus

New My Reports Features

New Customisable Estimate Report

Enhanced Find Windows

And More...

Download the V6.07 Brochure (883Kb)

► New and Improved Quantity Calculator for faster calculations and to capture your knowledge

The new Calculator in Version 6.07 will improve your accuracy and your bottom line. 12 new functions are available, including one for adding standard variables (such as density, wastage, etc) into your calculations from a central Variable Library (see next point for more on Variables).

Another new feature is the Production Rate function, which imports your standard productivity into your calculations to ensure very accurate Labour and Plant calculations. Variables and the Production Rate function give you faster access to your business knowledge, help you minimise errors and ensure automatic, instant updating of estimates.

All calculations are retained with your estimate and are displayed in several Benchmark reports. These reports are ideal for estimate review and to handover to your project managers.

Benchmark's powerful new calculator

► New Variables Function for automatic, instant updating of your estimates

In Version 6.07, Benchmark provides you with a new feature called Variables. The accuracy and incredible speed of Variables allow you to maximise your profits and give your business a competitive edge.

With Variables, allow you can change a key parameter in an project (like wastage or density), and this change will flow throughout your entire estimate instantaneously. The screen shot below demonstrates the use of two such Variables. When the Variable Value for 'Density of Road Base' or 'Wastage %' are updated, any calculation that uses these Variables will update, right throughout your entire project.

Variables at the Project level

Variables are also highly flexible; you can use them at various levels of Benchmark to fine tune your estimate. As the screen shot below demonstrates, you can use Variables that will only apply to one Item. Now, when 'Depth of Road Base' is updated, any calculation using that variable within this Item only will update.

Variables at the Item level

>	The new Variable Library (below) captures your standard Variables so that all of your Benchmark users have fast, easy access to your business knowledge when creating estimates. This is a great way of controlling knowledge so it is passed from more experienced to less experienced Benchmark users.

Benchmark's Variable Library

► New Routines Interface for ease of use and new functionality to simplify Routine creation

Routines are a powerful, unique feature in Benchmark that can slash the time taken to estimate your repetitive tasks by up to 80%. Your day-to-day estimates or Items, that have many parameters, can be priced by Routines in seconds.

Routines have been given an overhaul in Version 6.07.

The new, simple format makes it much easier for the end user to operate. The Routine Input screen has been simplified to make it easier to operate and can include information to guide the end user in determining the quantities required.

Additionally, over 20 new, more flexible commands and a new Routine Test feature make creating Routines easier than ever before. In Version 6.07, Routines can be created in 50% of the time, meaning your business can get a competitive edge from using Routines very quickly.

Benchmark's enhanced Routine Input screen

Back to Top ▲

► More Quick Find Menus to simplify adding and modifying estimate information

Benchmark's Quick Find menus slash the time it takes you to find the data you need. To continue to speed up your estimating, Version 6.07 includes more new Quick Find features in various locations.

You can now use Quick Find when adding items and when adding resources to your project from the libraries; find your items and resources in 25% of the time it would normally take.

Quick Find for adding resources to your estimate

>	Additionally, you can now use Quick Find when updating resource prices across your entire project in the powerful Resource Rate Change Screen, as shown below.

Quick Find for updating resource prices in your project

► New My Reports Feature for fast, consistent access to your favourite reports

A key feature of Benchmark Estimating Software has always been the vast reporting options available to your business. Now, to make finding your favourite reports even easier, Version 6.07 includes a 'My Reports' menu. In this menu you can store your most frequently used reports, giving you fast access to the key estimate data you need.

Benchmark's new My Reports window with some sample reports established

► New Customisable Estimate Report to generate the information you need and help maximise profits

Version 6.07 introduces a report that could be the most powerful report you run in your business. The report is customisable to your business needs, meaning you now have incredible flexibility when creating reports directly from your estimate.

A brilliant way to use this report is to print the Job Budget to hand over to your Project Managers or Supervisors, giving the project a great chance of running to budget for maximum profits.

The Report with Options

>	The 'Find' windows allow you to quickly and easily search through your Benchmark libraries. In Version 6.07, the 'Find' windows have been given an enhanced, consistent appearance to help cut the time it takes you to perform your searches.
The enhanced appearance of Benchmark's Find Resource window

► And More... Some of the other enhancements found in Version 6.07

>	More consistent, user-friendly screen layout for easier, faster estimating Version 6.07 is even more user-friendly than its predecessor; many areas have been enhanced for consistency and ease of use. These areas include the standard Section, Item and Resource screens, and the Routine and Resource Rate Change features as outlined above.
>	Subcontractor Manager Subcontractor Manager allows you to automatically import a subcontractors price into your Benchmark estimate. It is now more flexible than ever, giving you additional options to ultimately save you time.
>	Progress Claims Progress Claims help to keep the cash flowing into your business as you complete a project. New functionality allows you to keep track of the actual payments you have received.

Download the V6.07 Brochure (883Kb)

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