Training has begun with high marks!

"Well worth the time", "Very helpful", and  "Got a lot out of it" are just some of the phrases used to describe the two day On Screen beginner training in Texas.  The training room and refreshments get high marks too!

Frank, Pedro, and Mike came back from this training ready to get started taking off projects with OST.  Being able to see the different things possible with the software opened up ideas for more uses of the software as well as ideas for improvement.  In just 2 days, we have 3 people ready and comfortable using a new program that they have not used before.  This is a great step forward for the Estimating team as we strive to gain consistency of process and product from both the La Verne and Fremont teams.  Without sacrificing accuracy, OST will assist us as we strive to utilize new technology to make our jobs easier and save some time too.  It's not very often that a training course gets high marks and is truly successful in getting the students excited to use what was taught.  The On Screen training team has done a great job in this and deserves credit for this.  Their fine training has laid the ground work for us as beginners and has really boosted the confidence and excitement of the team to be supportive of this introduction of a new way of doing a job.

With our initial trial projects, we have developed some standard base conditions, layers, and database set ups that we think will meet our needs and help get off on a good start when working on a new project.  Having these base items set up will save time for each user so they do not have to start from scratch.  This too will help with consistency.  As we know, there is always room for improvement and ideas for different ways to approach a task.  We look forward to an interchange of ideas as more of the team starts using OST and discovering new tips or tools within the software.

The next group that will be attending this training will hopefully be before the end of this year. After their attendance, the goal is to have the entire estimating team using the software and getting familiar with it.  Hopefully we can determine as a team if this software will meet our needs to help get budgets and estimates quantified accurately and in a timely manner to meet the needs of our customers.  As we continue to use On Screen Takeoff more and more, we will be able to make an educated decision on how the team sees the future of sales and if this is the software of choice.

New Video | Use Keyboard Shortcuts

In this video I demonstrate a lean tip to eliminate wasted motion.  Using the keyboard shortcuts can save a lot of time.  And the more you use them, the more familiar you will get with them, and naturally will become more efficient.  Using the keyboard is typically faster than scrolling down with your mouse and your eyes to find an option.  You can keep your mouse where you are, and simply type one letter to get the option you want instantly.  Try it out.  Look for the shortcuts in each menu that pops up.  Any letter that is underlined, is the shortcut.  I hope you try this out.

New Video | Use Layers to Simplify Group Selection

Being able to select multiple objects at once to copy, delete, move, etc. can be a pain when all the layers are on.  Fortunately when we set up our Style Set, we set up the conditions on different layers.  Not only does this help when trying to visually only see particular conditions, but it also helps as you are working on the takeoff.  Check out the latest video below!

New OST tip!

I discovered this tip by accident, but it is quite a time saver.
You can extend multiple lineal takeoff lines at once with just one click!  Check out this video tutorial to see the example and how to do it.  The video shows this for extending horizontal takeoffs, but this will also work with extending vertical takeoffs too.

Save time - Reassign

Here is another 'tip' for you.  If you made a mistake and took off something as the wrong condition type - fight your instinct to erase it and redo the takeoff.  OST has a reassign feature that allows you to simply reassign the takeoff to the condition you choose.  This will save you time when changes arise or if you made a mistake.  Plus, it will keep the takeoff consistent, as you 'move' square footage or lineal feet from one condition to another.
I hope you find this tutorial helpful - it is a time saver.

Here's a Lean tip

I discovered this by accident, but it is a time saver. 
Once your takeoff is complete in On Screen Takeoff - this data needs to be transferred to the excel sales template.  Rather than retyping it all, you can simply cut and paste the quantities from the takeoff tab, right into your quantity column in excel.  Since the excel template has the widths and heights broken up, these will have to be typed in manually and in the same order they appear in the takeoff tab.  But at least the quantities don't have to be retyped.
Maybe in the future, more data can be cut and pasted from OST into the template, but for now this is what I found helpful.

Below is the video tutorial for this tip.  It has been added to the OST playlist on the W&W You Tube channel.

New Video Tutorial - Zones

A new video has been posted on how to create zones.  What is a zone?  It is simply a way to organize your takeoff into areas that your project may need to be broken into.  For example, by building, by floor, by elevation, you get the idea.
After you complete your takeoff you may need to separate it or see how much quantities you have in just one zone or break up your estimate.  This is a handy tool so that you can do a full takeoff, and break it up as needed afterwards.

Click here to see the video:  CREATE ZONES

This has been added to the Walters and Wolf You Tube channel, and the OST playlist.