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XLProject © 
My job as project manager and estimator here at Dyer's means that
I have a need for a good system of keeping track of what I do. Way back
during the days of Windows 3.11, I looked for ways to do estimating and project
management on my computer. What I found was software that cost too much
and didn't do what I wanted it to, so I figured I would just write my own
friggin' software. I already had Microsoft Office, so I started twiddling
around with Excel.
Anyway, what started out as a simple
little spreadsheet has now evolved into a fairly complex Excel
Application. This application, which I call XLProject, consists of
an estimating template, a project management template, a parts database (which
you build automatically as you estimate), several miscellaneous templates
for things like change orders, and an Excel add-in which ties it all
together. I use this system every day. Every estimate I do and every
project I manage is done with this system. A year or so ago, I had thought
about giving it away, and I still might, but here lately I've considered trying
to market it.
The problem with marketing it though is
that I'd wind up getting email from some bonehead wanting me to teach him how to
[insert lame, clueless, newbie question here]. Not only that, but then
he'd want his money back the first time he had a problem. I don't have the
patience for that.
Here then, are a few of screenshots of
the XLProject system at work.
Basically, you click a button to create a
new estimate. Name the takeoff sheets what you want, do the takeoff, click
a button to price everything, type in the text of the contract and fax it
off. Any item in your takeoff not found in your parts database gets added
to it for pricing later.
To price items in the database, you enter the labor and subcontract costs, then
click a button to have it incorporated into the system. Once a month or
so, click a button to create individual files for each supplier. Email
each file (which is only the part name and supplier's previous price) to the
corrosponding supplier. They price the items, email it back to you, then
you click a button to have the new prices incorporated into the database.
Once you're awarded a contract, open the estimate and click a button to convert
it to a job. Then you enter daily labor, parts, and subcontractor costs as
the job goes on. Basically, the system compares "what you bid to what
you did". You can easily see at any time how you stand as far as your
costs. This system even keeps track of retainage, generates AIA billing
forms (filled out, not blank), and suggests how much to bill based on your
costs. I use the same system to keep track of and bill large time
and material jobs. As it is right now, the
system isn't ready for me to release to the public, because it's got some things
like our logo and contract forms built in. Eventually though, I will have
it so I can send it to anyone and all they'll have to do is install it and
configure their preferences. If anybody out there is interested in this
thing, please drop me a
line. I'd love to hear your thoughts. I
now have a home site for XLProject up and running. Please click
here or on the XLProject logo above to visit.
Multiplication
My kids are at that age
where they're trying to learn their multiplication tables. This seemed
like an ideal task for Excel, so I created this little program to help them
learn. Here's a screenshot: 
This
thing will prompt you for your name each time you open it or click "Start
Over". From that moment on, it keeps track of how long it takes you
to complete the table, then gives you the option of generating a report that
shows your name and how long it took you. Click
here to download this little utility for yourself. Plop your kids down
in front of it and see if they like it. For more of a challenge, download John
Walkenbach's version, which scrambles the order of the multipliers (better
for older kids who know their tables, just need to work on doing them
faster). Send me
an email and tell me what you think!
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