Software's Presentation

The Expert Estimator is an estimation software for contractors, in the electricity and plombling market, that offers databases that including all products of Nedco, Westburne and Wolseley on choices.

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Use - Technical Support

Our technical support team has identified and categorized the questions, errors, and problems most frequently submitted by our customers. These questions are addressed in this section.

Choose your question:

The how and why of maintaining files

File maintenance without the cleaning box selected

There are several instances when it is useful to clean a file:

  • There are no products in the glossary sections
  • Searches don't contain products that are normally found
  • Not all of your personal products are present during the search
  • The filter that you are trying to apply does not give the expected results
  • You can't locate a quote or an invoice in your list

By indexing the files, you rebuild the counters and align the indexation files. We can compare this operation to a plumber or electrician who tidies his work area and arranges everything in its place.

To perform file maintenance

  1. Double click the "file maintenance" icon on your desktop, or Start/ Programs/Expert Estimator/File Maintenance.
  2. Click OK.

File maintenance with the cleaning box selected

The difference when performing this operation is that in addition to performing the preceding operation, Expert Estimator will erase all unnecessary data or items that you previously removed when using Expert Estimator (i.e.: a quote or invoice).

This operation allows you to:

  • Make Expert Estimator run faster (recommended daily for network users)
  • Correct recurring errors
  • Reset functionality for utilities that may have stopped responding

In addition to comparing this operation to a plumber or electrician who tidies their work area and arranges everything in its place, we can compare this operation to the sorting and throwing out of unnecessary items before emptying the trash.

To perform file maintenance with the cleaning box selected:

  1. Follow the same steps as for file maintenance, but select the cleaning box before clicking the OK button.

Installation of Expert Estimator Version 3.0

Inside your box is a CD-ROM containing the installation files, the start-up kit, a databank of Expert Estimator 3.0 products, and a user guide.

There are 3 steps to complete the installation of Expert Estimator

  1. Installation of Expert Estimator 3.0
  2. Installation of your product databank
  3. Installation of the start-up kit

1. To start the installation of Expert Estimator Version 3.0 you will need to:

  1. Insert the CD into your computer's CD-ROM drive
    A window will appear on the screen asking you to select your preferred language
  2. Click on the English button
    A window with several options will appear on the screen
  3. Click the "Install Expert Estimator" option
  4. Follow the instructions on the screen
  5. Careful: When asked "Do you want to use an existing database or create a new database?"

New Client: Create a new database in the specified directory

Existing Client: If you already have an existing database, click on browse and select it. Make sure to select the "Use existing database" option so as not to replace the database that already exists in the directory.

2. Installation of your product databank

  1. Insert the CD into your computer's CD-ROM drive
    A window will appear on the screen asking you to select your preferred language
  2. Click on the English button
    A window with several options will appear on the screen
  3. Click the "Install your product databank" option
  4. Follow the instructions on the screen
    Possible error: "00000" is not a valid customer number"

3. Installation of the start-up kit

  1. Insert the CD into your computer's CD-ROM drive
    A window will appear on the screen asking you to select your preferred language
  2. Click on the English button
    A window with several options will appear on the screen
  3. Click "Initialize start-up kit"
  4. Select the options that interest you (we recommend that you select all)
  5. Click "next" to launch the start-up kit installation
  6. Follow the instructions on the screen

What are the minimum system requirements needed to run Expert Estimator?

In order to use Expert Estimator properly, you need a computer with the following technical specifications:

  • Processor: Pentium 400 or equivalent AMD
  • Memory: 64 MB RAM (128 MB or more recommended)
  • Disk space: Hard drive with a minimum of 150 MB available
  • Screen resolution: 800 X 600 or higher
  • CD player: 24X
  • Operating system: Microsoft Windows 98/2000/NT/XP/Vista
  • Mouse, keyboard, speakers (help videos)

How to update your price list in Expert Estimator

First of all, be sure you have the latest "build" version available. You can verify which version is currently installed in your computer by going to the Help Menu and then to "About Expert Estimator." You will see "Version 3.0.0 build XX"; the two X’s correspond to your version of "build."

You absolutely must have at least version 45 or the most recent version available. If your version is older than 45, take note of the number and move on to this step: My build is older than 45.

My build is older than 45

In this case, you absolutely must proceed to upgrading the "build" of your Expert Estimator software before moving on to update your price list.

  1. Click on the Patch EE tab in the left-hand menu on the Expert Estimator website (www.eewin.com).
  2. At the bottom of the page, you will see a series of numbers. Click on the corresponding number of your current version of Expert Estimator (the number that you were just asked to note down in a previous step).
  3. The registration "BUILD XX Download" will appear further down. Click on Download and then Run Program. At this point in time, it is essential that your Expert Estimator software is closed.
  4. The patch program will look for files to update. The "Apply patch" button in the lower right-hand corner of the screen will now become available. Click on it and you will have the latest version of "build." You can also continue to the step Upgrade to a new version of build past 45.

Update price list from a build newer than 45

  1. Open Expert Estimator.
  2. Click on the last button in the 2nd row labelled "Price Update."
  3. In the new window, select a division to update.
  4. You must enter the EEWIN client number. To obtain this number, call a service agent from our technical support team or go to the website of your provider (Nedco, Westburne ou Wolseley).
  5. When downloading, make sure you are connected to the Internet and that no firewalls are blocking Expert Estimator. Click on OK.
  6. At this point, it is possible that the software will give you the impression that it is frozen, but that is not the case. If you do not receive an error message, then everything is working properly.
  7. Wait for the window "Update successfully completed" to appear.
    ATTENTION: If you do not see this window, then the update is not yet complete. Let the process continue until it is done.

Entering your user name and password in Expert Estimator

Once you receive your user name and password, you can register it with Expert Estimator to proceed directly from Expert Estimator to the Westburne, Nedco or Wolseley website to place an order through their transactional site.

To do this:

  1. Go to the maintenance menu, click on Options
  2. Click the last tab on the right called Web
  3. Click "Enter your user name and password"
  4. Enter your user name and password in the specified fields and click OK
  5. Exit the Options menu.

Cleaning your discontinued products

Each month, Westburne and Nedco discontinue certain products are no longer sold or are replaced by new ones. In order not to burden the database and to make your product searches more efficient, this utility automatically removes all the discontinued products from your database as of the last update, but retains the discontinued products that will be used in quotes or base sets.

To do so, you will need to use the "clean discontinued products" application (the discontinued products are identified with a red "X" on the product icon):

  1. Double click the "clean discontinued products" icon, or click on Start/Programs/Expert Estimator/Clean discontinued products
  2. Click on "clean"

Recovery from a backup copy

To retrieve a backup copy made in the past and overwrite the present data with the backup copy (i.e.: if your system has been infected by a virus or you want to transfer a database to another computer), follow these steps:

  1. Make sure Expert Estimator is closed
  2. Go to the Start menu
  3. Go to the program list
  4. Select the Expert Estimator tab
  5. Click on "Archiving of the database"
  6. Select the "Recovery" tab
  7. You will notice that the window contains two main fields: "source" and "destination"
Source: This field allows you to use the backup of your choice. By clicking on browse, you can search your computer and select the desired backup

Note: By default, this file is located in your EEWinData database, inside a folder called Backup

Destination: this field cannot be modified and points to the software's database

8.    Click on "recovery"

Using blocks and divisions

The use of blocks can be very useful; they help in organizing work and the fact that they can be copied can save a lot of time. They are easy to use and you'll discover how they can be used in many situations.

Adding a block or division

  1. The blocks and divisions option is accessible via the report edit located on the Materials tab of a quote or invoice at the top right corner.
  2. By clicking on blocks/divisions, you gain access to a window allowing you to add blocks or divisions, delete blocks or divisions, or empty their content. These options are available by clicking on blocks or divisions-depending on usage-and by clicking on the desired option.
  3. Once a block is added, simply double click the space beneath its name for access. Once inside, you can manage the addition of products as you normally do. You will notice that "general" is a block itself; it is the same thing under a different name.

Is it possible to transfer an order form onto my distributor's website to order my material online?

Yes. It is possible to use a purchase order created in Expert Estimator, transfer it to the website, and order online.

To do this, you must first enter your user name and password into the software (see inherent FAQs). In a few clicks, you can order online without having to pick up your phone or send a fax, 24/7.

Transfer a purchase order to the Web

  1. Create an order as you normally would
  2. Make sure that you're connected to the Internet
  3. Once the order form is completed, go to the "General" tab and click the "Add to the Web" icon
  4. Your order will be exported to the shopping cart on the Nedco, Westburne or Wolseley transactional website.
  5. Check your information and make any final changes in order to complete the order online

You can also check your prices and order the items individually by double clicking on a product and using the "See it on the Web" and "Add to the Web" buttons.

How to make a backup copy

Many customers have concerns about what happens to their data if their computer freezes, if a fatal error occurs, or if a virus infects their computer. Is the entire database lost?

If you did not make a backup copy, the answer is YES! It is therefore very important to regularly make backup copies of your database. The ZIP file created by the database's archiving tool can then be transferred on a compressed file reader "zip drive", 3 1/2 inch diskette or CD-ROM if you have a CD burner. These copies of your database are very practical, especially if you want to transfer your database onto another computer or if you want to make safety copies.

  1. Make sure Expert Estimator is closed
  2. Go to the Start menu
  3. Go to the program list
  4. Select the Expert Estimator tab
  5. Click on "Archiving of the database"
  6. Select the "Save" tab
  7. You will notice that the window contains two main fields: "source" and "destination"
Source: this field cannot be modified and points to the software's database

Destination: This field allows you to save the backup copy to a preferred location. By clicking on browse, you can save this file to a specific location on your computer, a network, a diskette or "memory chip"

Note: By default, this file is located in your EEWinData database, inside a folder called Backup

8.   Click on save

How to copy/paste a block or division

This option is not known by many users but it can save a lot of time. It consists of copying a block or division and pasting it into the same or new quote or invoice. You can then use your blocks and divisions without having to redo them each time.

  1. Once you've added products into your block or divisions, click on blocks and divisions and right-click your mouse on the block that you want to copy
    Left-click your mouse on copy to make the copy
  2. To paste the block's contents into another block, simply select blocks and divisions in another quote/invoice (or in the same one if you prefer) and right-click the mouse on the block where you'd like to paste the content of our room 1.
    Left-click your mouse on paste to paste the content.