Work With a Local Data File
If you have already created your data file, you can click the Open Most Recent Data File button.
If you want to open a different data file than you used last time, then click the Open Other Data File button. You can then browse for the data file you want to open. If you are connected to a local network, you can even open a data file that is located on another computer. This is very useful if you want to use Plant Estimator on more than one computer but still use the same data file. This is not the best way to share the data file among multiple users. You should use the server option for that.
To create a new data file, click the Create New Data File button. You will be asked to name the file and choose where to save it. Once the file has been created, it will be opened and you can begin adding information. The first thing you must do is enter your company information.
You can choose to open the data file exclusively by checking the Open File Exclusively check box. Opening a data file exclusively is required to perform maintenance tasks such as compacting. The file must not be in use by anyone else and while open exclusively, cannot be opened by anyone else.
Work With a Network or Web Based Data File
If you have purchased the server option and have it setup, you can open a file that is available on the server. You provide the following information to connect to a network or web based data file.
Server