Timberline Forum

You have arrived at the Wonderful World of Timberline according to Ledgerwood Associates, Inc. (LAI). I am the Director of Marketing, Myrna Membrila, and I will be filling this blank space with many intellectual morsels for your reading pleasure!

Please feel free to ask me, Myrna,  any and all things Timberline. If I don’t know the answer then I am sure someone with LAI will. We have 12 consultants and our owners have, between them, nearly 20-decades of experience. When it comes to Timberline Accounting Software, Project Management, Service Management and our valued third-party vendors we like to think we know it all! Now we’re not bragging, we’re just doing our job! So challenge us! We double-dog dare you!

World of Concrete 2010

World of Concrete 2010

Ed and  Daren spent the week in Las Vegas working hard (uh huh) at this year’s World of Concrete Showcase. Held Feb. 1-5, the tradeshow is the only annual international construction show for those businesses devoted to the industries of concrete and masonry.

They spent their days taking to attendees about the many construction solutions Sage Timberline has to offer. Although we offer a full suite of accounting solutions, it appears most people are interested in Estimating. Which makes sense because the bidding wars are now on, triggered of course, by the current economic downturn.

Ed tells me a steady stream of people stopped by, many of them wanting to hear more about Timberline Estimating. “It’s always fun to be able to meet and chat with our clients face-to-face.” Ed believes “there is no substitute for getting out there and just talking to people.”

Daren feels the same way. He says most of the people he spoke with were interested in Timberline Estimating, “all of them eager to find that one thing that is going to give them the edge when it comes to bidding on projects. They want immediate tangible results in the form of winning more jobs.”

I’ve attached a couple of pictures taken by Daren – although he and Ed are camera-shy which explains why they’re not in any of the pictures!

A Little more info…

World of Concrete showcased more than 1,500 exhibitors in more than a million square feet of exhibit space. It also offered more than 100 educational sessions, product demonstrations and much more! To find out more about World of Concrete (did you know they’ll be in Mexico this June?) click here!

Sage Timberline Estimating Update 5 provides solutions to the following issues:

~ The inconsistent spreadsheet display when using Edit > Options > Open estimate in last used sequence with a custom sort tab has been fixed.  The program will now display the data on the spreadsheet correctly.
~ A Material price of “0″ will now transfer correctly from Estimating to Buyout workfiles.
~ Estimates that had trailing spaces for any of the unit fields for items will now extend the amounts out properly.

Note:
~ Estimating updates are cumulative. Update 5 includes the fixes listed above plus all enhancements and fixes from previous updates.
~ You must have installed Estimating 9.6 in order to install 9.6.0 Update 5.
~ If you install new or additional Estimating applications after installing an update, you must reapply the update.

DOWNLOAD INSTRUCTIONS

~ At the computer where Estimating is installed, click here to download the self-extracting file that contains the update.
~ In the File Download – Security Warning window, click [Save]. If you see the Save As window, select a temporary location on the computer to save the file and click [Save].

Note:
This location must be available to all workstations where Estimating is installed. For example, create a folder named “Update” if it does not yet exist, under X:\Timberline Office\Estimating, and then save the file to that location.   If you installed to a different location, select the appropriate path.

~ In the Download Complete window, click [Close]

To Update each workstation where you installed Estimating:
~ Close the Estimating application and all Microsoft Office applications on the workstation.
~ Browse to the location where you saved the file in step 2 of the “Download the update” section above.
~ Double-click the update file.
~ If a security warning appears, click [Run] or [Allow].
~ On the Ready to install 9.6.0 Est Update5 window, click [OK].
~ When the message This update has been installed successfully appears, click [OK].

 Repeat steps 1 through 6 at each workstation where you installed Sage Timberline Office Estimating Products.

 Update 4 Note:
Update 4 was not available for general release, but is included in Update  5. 
9.6 Estimating Update 4 addresses compatibility issues with 9.6 Accounting Update 7 (2009 Year-End Update) and Estimating Update 3.

~ If you have applied 9.6 Accounting Update 7 to a workstation or server and subsequently apply or reapply Estimating 9.6 Update 3, you will receive an error stating that “A newer version of Sage Timberline Office exists on this machine. You cannot apply this update.”
~ Apply Estimating Update 4 to workstations or servers under the following conditions:
~ Accounting Update 7 is installed. AND You need to apply an Estimating update.

 Update 3 Fixes:

~ Printing Totals
~ When selecting various report options and then a summary level other than Detail on Estimating reports, printing  or previewing may have resulted in an incorrect total. This issue has been fixed.

Barry Cassell

I’ve been asked by one of my industry software provider friends to write a piece on the current state of Building Information Modeling (BIM), as it relates to estimating in the here and now.

The topic has become increasingly relevant as the software driving the standard is  evolving quickly. (Or is it the demand that’s drving the software, fueling the growth? No matter.) BIM is fully useful now.

In fact, the oil and gas industry has been modeling its projects for thirty years,
not starting construction until the model is complete, and all potential design conflicts resolved. In the building sector, BIM is largely confined to the design-build arena. Why Design- Build? Because you need to own the drawings to have sufficient access to the CAD objects, or be on a truly team-oriented project that shares its resources openly among all project players. Not found on the conventional (read archaic) low-bid project!

To the uninitiated, the BIM standard (also known as Virtual Design & Construction or VDC)
requires “intelligent” design objects, rather than mere lines on the digital plan page. These
objects contain rich data including material dimensions, quantities, and types, to name just a
few attributes that sets modeled objects apart from conventional 2-D CAD lines. The 3-D
model can be rotated and viewed from any angle, including virtual walk-through capability.

Additionally, built-in clash-detection attributes prohibit drawing ducts through windows, or
electrical lines through ducts. It has evolved to the point of “5-D” technology: following the
more familiar 3-D design standards, “4-D” designates Time (project scheduling) data within the
model, and “5-D” the material takeoff quantity information, all built in to the drawings!

So why doesn’t everybody do it? Several reasons: High initial Cost is followed by a steep
Learning Curve, and topped off with multiple competing and Incompatible Software Standards.
Real world project experiences include glowing tales of months and millions shaved off
projects.

But likewise we hear some horror stories of high investment with puny returns. Unless
the entire project team is on board utilizing the same tools, those without are at a considerable
disadvantage. All major subs need to have fully compatible software, which doesn’t happen on
many projects under $50mm. And even with the resources and willingness to do all of the
above, the top three competing software tools are incompatible with each other. AutoDesk
doesn’t talk to Bentley, and neither works with Vico. The Army Corps of Engineers mandated a
year ago that Bentley and Autodesk must adhere to a common comapatible standard, but
nobody I know has seen it yet.

So how does this relate to estimating? Tools which interface between the model and estimate
applications are becoming increasingly available, in both proprietary and software-neutral
platforms. US Cost, Win Estimator, Bentley, and Vico have authored their own dedicated tools to
map and import the quantity takeoff information into their estimating applcations. Sage
Timberline requires a third-party interface, such as Innovaya’s Visual Estimating to import the
data. The speed of this software is truly amazing. I’ve watched Innovaya read complex models,
and execute literally days of quantity takeoff in minutes into a Timberline estimate. It’s truly
amazing.

And if the model changes, simply run the takeoff again for virtually instant update of
only the changed components. Which brings to light the obvious question, are we estimators
dinosaurs? The answer is no, for two reasons.

First, the model doesn’t contain “invisible” apects of the project such as mobilization, supervision,
temporary facilities, or necessary omponents such as formwork and scaffolding.

Second, and perhaps even more reassuring is hat it still takes a human mind to evaluate productivity,
and account for  weather conditions, as wll as the unique project constraints and advantages that
differentiate one project from aother. Where we’re saving estimating hours, (and ultimately potentially
reducing estimate staff requirements), is on what I call the “donkey work” of quantity takeoff. For that,
I for one say good riddance!

Have questions?  Want to know more?  Then ask Barry!  He’d love to hear from you.  Contact Gary
by going here.

The current economic climate t is actually a very good thing for the Arizona Department of Transportation. Originally, ADOT received $350 million dollars as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The state allocated the stimulus money for a set amount of jobs, then put them out to bid.

Then an interesting thing happened. The economy brought in such highly competitive buds, there is actually a surplus of $114 million dollars.That means you can expect to see dozens more ADOT jobs to be put to bid in the next few months. At this time 59 stimulus jobs are underway across the state.

Want a complete breakdown of the work being done? Go to http://www.azdot.gov/recovery/.

All this month you can save on Sage Timberline Office and Sage Master Builder when buying additional uses or modules.

Buy one additional module or use and get 10% off!
Buy two additional modules or uses and get 15% off!
Buy three or more additional modules or uses and get 20% off!

Estimators – we didn’t forget about you on this deal! John Fredley’s Advanced Databases are ALSO included.

Don’t forget to use the promo code C-0325 for Sage Timberline Office and C-0326 for Sage Master Builder.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact either me, Myrna, or Daren at anytime!!

The Arizona Department of Transportation finds itself with an extra $60 million dollars for more projects. That means ADOT will soon be bidding out more projects.

Originally ADOT budgeted for and signed off on 41 jobs but those projects came in WAY under the estimated bid. So much so, there is now more money for more projects.

ADOT is putting those projects together and have not yet but them out to bid. To check on its progress go here.

Barry Cassell

I’ve been asked by one of my industry software provider friends to write a piece on the current state of Building Information Modeling (BIM), as it relates to estimating in the here and now.

The topic has become increasingly relevant as the software driving the standard is  evolving quickly. (Or is it the demand that’s drving the software, fueling the growth? No matter.) BIM is fully useful now.

In fact, the oil and gas industry has been modeling its projects for thirty years,
not starting construction until the model is complete, and all potential design conflicts resolved. In the building sector, BIM is largely confined to the design-build arena. Why Design- Build? Because you need to own the drawings to have sufficient access to the CAD objects, or be on a truly team-oriented project that shares its resources openly among all project players. Not found on the conventional (read archaic) low-bid project!

To the uninitiated, the BIM standard (also known as Virtual Design & Construction or VDC)
requires “intelligent” design objects, rather than mere lines on the digital plan page. These
objects contain rich data including material dimensions, quantities, and types, to name just a
few attributes that sets modeled objects apart from conventional 2-D CAD lines. The 3-D
model can be rotated and viewed from any angle, including virtual walk-through capability.

Additionally, built-in clash-detection attributes prohibit drawing ducts through windows, or
electrical lines through ducts. It has evolved to the point of “5-D” technology: following the
more familiar 3-D design standards, “4-D” designates Time (project scheduling) data within the
model, and “5-D” the material takeoff quantity information, all built in to the drawings!

So why doesn’t everybody do it? Several reasons: High initial Cost is followed by a steep
Learning Curve, and topped off with multiple competing and Incompatible Software Standards.
Real world project experiences include glowing tales of months and millions shaved off
projects.

But likewise we hear some horror stories of high investment with puny returns. Unless
the entire project team is on board utilizing the same tools, those without are at a considerable
disadvantage. All major subs need to have fully compatible software, which doesn’t happen on
many projects under $50mm. And even with the resources and willingness to do all of the
above, the top three competing software tools are incompatible with each other. AutoDesk
doesn’t talk to Bentley, and neither works with Vico. The Army Corps of Engineers mandated a
year ago that Bentley and Autodesk must adhere to a common comapatible standard, but
nobody I know has seen it yet.

So how does this relate to estimating? Tools which interface between the model and estimate
applications are becoming increasingly available, in both proprietary and software-neutral
platforms. US Cost, Win Estimator, Bentley, and Vico have authored their own dedicated tools to
map and import the quantity takeoff information into their estimating applcations. Sage
Timberline requires a third-party interface, such as Innovaya’s Visual Estimating to import the
data. The speed of this software is truly amazing. I’ve watched Innovaya read complex models,
and execute literally days of quantity takeoff in minutes into a Timberline estimate. It’s truly
amazing.

And if the model changes, simply run the takeoff again for virtually instant update of
only the changed components. Which brings to light the obvious question, are we estimators
dinosaurs? The answer is no, for two reasons.

First, the model doesn’t contain “invisible” apects of the project such as mobilization, supervision,
temporary facilities, or necessary omponents such as formwork and scaffolding.

Second, and perhaps even more reassuring is hat it still takes a human mind to evaluate productivity,
and account for  weather conditions, as wll as the unique project constraints and advantages that
differentiate one project from aother. Where we’re saving estimating hours, (and ultimately potentially
reducing estimate staff requirements), is on what I call the “donkey work” of quantity takeoff. For that,
I for one say good riddance!

Have questions?  Want to know more?  Then ask Barry!  He’d love to hear from you.  Contact Gary
by going here.

The construction industry continues to hold the unhappy distinction of having THE highest unemployment rate. Last month that rate rose even higher to 18.2%, for the month of July that’s decidedly up from 17.4% in June.

According to the latest release from the Bureau of Labor Statistics the construction industry lost another 76,000 jobs in July compared to an average of 73,000 over the previous three months. So far 1.3 million construction jobs have been lost since the recession began.

The current construction unemployment rate is now double that of the country’s overall unemployment rate which stands at 9.4%.

To review all of the BLS statistic, go here.

When it comes to Estimating, you can never have enough tricks and inside tips. With the current economic situation, Estimators are worth their weight in gold. We thought we would offer a few tips you might want to use with your Timberline Estimating Software.

These are some tips given to us by top-notch Timberline Estimating Consultant Barry Cassell. If you need more than a few tips – feel free to get in touch with Barry. He’s been known to build huge databases in a single day, help estimators do more with less and bring in double the business with the same amount of people. He’s also a really nice guy and pretty easy to talk to. You can find him here. You might even want to ask him about Timberline’s new Estimating Databases!

Barry Cassell/Ledgerwood Associates, Inc. Estimating Tips…
On the estimate spreadsheet: to review & modify pricing, labor & equipment productivity & hours, as well as unit costs, wbs assignments, item notes, crew & rate table assignments. It provides excellent “one-stop shopping” for any changes to an item, (except its Takeoff quantity & Takeoff unit)

Use the Detail Window…

Risk Management…
Labor is the biggest risk in any estimate. Design a Spreadsheet Layout that inccludes :

• “Labor Productivity”, “Labor Productivity Unit/Unit” , “Labor Quantity”, “Labor Quantity Unit”, in 4 successive columns, side by side.
• With this Layout, changing Productivity changes Labor Quantity, and vice versa. It’s an extremely intuitive “what-if” exercise to fine-tune Labor in the estimate.

If you’re looking for BIG savings on that extra license or module you’ve been needing check out the deals we have available RIGHT NOW!

Offers end July 31, 2009! For all the details go here…