Star*Key Software Releases Version
5.5 of Estimating Software, Presstimator
Star*Key Software Releases Version
5.5 of Print Estimating Software, Presstimator
Brea, California - February 5, 2011
- Star*Key Software, creator of the estimating software program for web offset
printers, the Presstimator, has expanded the capabilities of its standalone
estimating application.
Version 5.5 of the Presstimator includes
multiple printing plant support within a single database for printing job estimating.
This was designed for those users with multiple plants or multiple printing
locations within a single plant (i.e. coldset and heatset or sheetfed departments),
and it allows users to have multiple 'Defaults' within Shop Settings that will
apply to jobs produced in different plants or on different presses.
Version 5.5 also offers:
Web Form Importing. An
optional "Request a Quote" web form is available that allows potential
customers to enter job specs using an Internet browser. This customizable
web form has been expanded in the new version. You can create different versions
of this web form for different customers or job types, and the web form can
also be used internally by the sales staff. The web form includes the various
entry fields and drop-down choices you want to have for your customers/sales
staff. Once the form is filled out in the browser, the request is emailed
to your estimator. After receiving the email, the estimator can import the
request directly into the Presstimator which enters the customer's job specs
into the appropriate fields in a New Quote. Clicking on the "Load All
Defaults" button after importing the contents of the web form completes
a quote within seconds. Click here to view a sample web form on our website. http://www.starkeysoftware.com/sample_request.html
Inserts Inventory. Within
the Inserting Tab in Shop Settings, users can specify an insert name and the
current quantity on-hand in inventory. Within a Quote, simply select the name
of the insert from Shop Settings. When indicating a job has been accepted
by marking the Job Accepted checkbox on the Main Customer Tab in a Quote,
the Presstimator will prompt you to deduct the number of required inserts
from the number on-hand in Shop Settings. The Auditor will also check if the
number of inserts in inventory is enough to cover the required amount for
the job and report accordingly.
Database Backups. When
exiting the Presstimator, the user will be prompted to back up the database.
Creating regular backups of your data is critical (the file containing all
of your Presstimator data is named data.pdb). When a database is corrupted
or lost (can happen with a power outage, a Windows crash, a hard-drive failure,
or if it is inadvertently deleted), nothing can be done to restore the data
except revert to a recent backup. When exiting the Presstimator and choosing
to back up the database, the user will be presented with a File window to
select the folder into which the back-up will be copied. The current date
will also be appended to the end of the filename to clarify the date the back-up
was created. It is recommended that this file is then copied to a flash drive,
emailed as an attachment, etc., so it can be safely stored in a different
location. For users that have the Presstimator database on a network/shared
drive with automated back-ups, this back-up prompt can be turned off by going
to the Setup menu and selecting Options.
In this new version, the Presstimator's functionality has been expanded to include
many features requested by both newspapers and commercial web offset printers.
For more information, please visit http://www.presstimator.com. In addition
to containing FAQ's, product features, sample reports, comparisons to spreadsheet
estimating, and ROI discussions, the website offers a downloadable Presstimator
Tour. Visitors to the website can also request a free demo disk of the Presstimator.
About the Presstimator
The Presstimator is a web offset
printing estimating software application for newspapers and commercial web printers.
This print estimating software prompts the user for detailed job specs in a
user-friendly interface. Completely customizable costs and settings can be adjusted
in Shop Settings to create sophisticated and reliable estimates. The optional
Presstimator Budgeted Hourly Rates module calculates rates to be entered in
the Presstimator to ensure overhead expenses are being covered in generated
estimates. The Auditor feature helps the estimator avoid mistakes by checking
for any missing information, which can help eliminate costly oversights. The
Presstimator also incorporates a wide variety of reports that can be generated
directly from the estimate, such as Customer Reports, Job Tickets, Estimates
vs. Actuals, Profit Analysis and Materials reports. These reports can not only
save time, but they can also help the user track costs and initiate standardized
cost studies. Quotes are stored in a searchable database for fast retrieval
and easy modification. A customizable web form interface is available for potential
customers or sales staff to input job specs and have Quotes generated in seconds.
Contact:
Mike Starkey, President
Star*Key Software
714.255.1685
mike@presstimator.com