The Item/WBS Databases area is where you can access your various item and WBS databases.

Item Databases

Each item database can contain any number of item templates. These are reusable costing structures to which you can add any number of resource components. An item template can be as simple or as complex as you need — it may store nothing more than a plugged unit cost, or it may contain labor, equipment, crew templates, trucking, materials, and even task templates.

The Item/WBS Databases area is shared by all estimators on your network. This allows you to standardize your estimating process by using a core set of default templates for the work you perform. It also takes the repetition out of costing your bid items, as these reusable templates link to structures that are created once in Resources and can be used repeatedly in multiple estimates.

Each item database is broken up into a listing tab and a detail tab. The listing tab displays the entire list of database templates or a filtered subset of that list. On the detail tab, you can edit information specific to an individual item template and build or link to detailed cost structures.

In addition to WBS databases, there are three types of item databases:

• Custom Item Databases — Store pay items that you can add to any estimate. These form the foundation of the work on which you will be paid.
• DOT Item Database — Provided by B2W Software and installed by an Administrator using the Add-ins Manager.
• Indirect Item Database — Store items used for detailing indirect or incidental costs.

WBS Databases

WBS databases store the Work Breakdown Structure levels for use in either a “Pay Item and WBS” estimate or a “WBS Only” estimate. Creating them in a WBS Database ensures that a standard breakdown of work is available.

You can add cost elements like Crews, Tasks and Materials to the lowest branches (or “terminal”) levels of your WBS structure.