Spon's Price Books 2008 software contains an introductory help section, and also a help option which can be used throughout the estimating software. The software is structured in an easy-to-understand way and any queries should be answered in the help sections. A section at the back of each price book details minimum requirements to run the software, and provides installation instructions.

Here are some helpful hints for using the software:

Installation

• Instructions are provided in the second to last page of the book. You will need to use the unique access code supplied in the wallet inside the back cover of the book to make your single download.

Using the software

• More than one Spon's Price Library (e.g. the A&B and the Civils) can be viewed and used via the Estimating system, once they have been installed onto your computer.

Ending session

• Ensure that you close all windows relating to the software.

Loading new Spon's Price Libraries

• If you install an additional or new library, without re-installing the estimating software, this library may not be recognised immediately by the system. If this is the case, select File/File Utilities/Register Spon Price Libraries from the main menu toolbar.

Printing

• If you have difficulty printing some data fields when using Epson Stylus printers, you can download the latest printer driver from http://www.epson.co.uk to overcome this.
• If you have difficulty printing some data fields when using HP DeskJet printers, HP will shortly be updating their drivers to overcome this problem. You will be able to download these latest drivers from http://www.hewlett-packard.com. In the meantime please also try the following:
• Install the DeskJet 500/500C driver in addition to your existing driver.
• DO NOT SET THIS AS YOUR DEFAULT PRINTER, but select this driver when printing from the Spon Price Book Estimating System.

Editing descriptions

• Descriptions can be edited by double clicking on them to enter editing mode.
• Windows standard control C (copy) and control V (paste) features work within editing mode in the Bill schedules. Double click on the description you want to copy, highlight the text required, press control and C. Then double click on the box where you want to copy the text to and press control and V.

Deleting items

• Deleting items from Bill schedules does not automatically delete associated resources. These should be independently deleted in the Schedule (Resources) view.

Selecting rates

• After selecting and tagging a rate from a Spon's Price Library in the Making Selections window, if you close it by clicking on the cross in the top right hand corner, rather than clicking on the close icon, the selection still registers in your schedule/bill.

Adding rate items

• Within Bill schedules you can add single level items (without resources) which are not found in the current Spon's Price Libraries. Since such items are consolidated into one total value within Schedule (Resources), you may find it beneficial to use the Toggle review feature to identify such items within Bill schedules. (At present it is not possible for users to produce their own libraries of standard items/resources within the Estimating system.)

Changing item build-ups

• You cannot change any build-ups created using Spon's Price Libraries, but you can alter build-up quantities and resource rates. Double-clicking on a blue bill rate within a Spon's Price Library will take you down into build-up, and double-clicking on a blue cost rate within the Item Rate Build-up window will transport you across to the original base resource.

Duplicating resources

• Schedule resources should not include duplicate resources, as the program automatically consolidates similar resources for Requirements (Schedule Resources). However, similar items from different Spon's Price Libraries, e.g. from the Major and Minor works sections of the A&B, which are kept separately, will appear to be duplicates, and cannot subsequently be consolidated.

Adjustment percentage function

• The adjustment % function only applies to rates you select from Spon's Price Libraries when using the Bills function, not for rates which you have 'looked up' using the Spon function. When viewing the rates in the Spon function, 'Mode: Read only' is displayed in the bottom left hand corner of the window, indicating that no adjustments can be made. If you simply look up a rate using the Spon function, it is always displayed at the original book level.
• If you use the adjustment % cell to alter a Spon's Price Library rate selected for a schedule or estimate, and any of the build-up rates associated with that item have been used or copied across previously, then the previous adjustment % will apply to those items previously used. This may, therefore, affect the transferred rate.
• If you wish to overcome this and transfer rates at the latest % adjustment level, then you should initially revise those resources previously copied across by selecting Schedule (Resources) from the main menu toolbar, and then by amending the supply cost for the relevant resources to the proposed newly adjusted rate. Thereafter, similar items should be copied at the revised % adjustment level.
• When changing the adjustment percentage for Spon's rates, before selecting and copying them into your Bill schedule, you must press the return key for the percentage uplift or decrease in the rates to be accepted, before clicking on the close (return to Bill schedule) icon (or the cross in the top right hand corner of the Making Selections window).

Currency

• The estimating rates program assumes £ sterling, but Bill resources can be amended manually for other currencies. There is an option on print-outs to declare a currency if required.