Working with Quick Task Templates

Working with Quick Task Templates

To navigate to this section, go to the Resources area and select Task Templates in the Costing Resources side menu.

Quick task templates allow you to choose from a list of built-in B2W Estimate cost categories and enter a unit cost for each. Plugging costs by cost category enables you to quickly but accurately enter task costing, and precisely track and apply markup to those cost categories in an estimate.

When you first create a Quick task template, it is "stamped" with the default cost categories that are configured on the Items & Tasks page in the Options dialog. The Cost breakdown area on the Task Template Detail tab displays those cost categories, as well as a unit cost field for each. You can add additional categories to the list, or remove unneeded ones. You can enter unit costs for each category manually, or use the Set Selected Value dialog to link them to an embedded Excel workbook.

Information on the detail tab for quick task templates

To enter or modify information on the Task Template Detail tab, select into any field which has a white background and type a new value. Each field that appears on the detail tab is listed below:

FieldDescription
Task nameA description for your task template.
Work typeSelect a work type from the combo box, or type in a new work type.
Work subtypeIf you have selected a work type for your task template, you can also select a work subtype from the dropdown, or type in a new work subtype.
CategoryA filtering mechanism which allows you to classify and organize your task templates.
Sample qtyThe sample quantity is used to generate total costs in the Summary based on sample quantity area.
UMSelect a unit of measure for your task template.
Cost MethodReflects the level of detail of the task template: Quick.
Use this qty in estimatesA checkmark here will tell B2W Estimate to use your sample quantity as the actual quantity for this template when it is added to an estimate. This gives you the option of using the Sample quantity field as a "scratch pad," or as an meaningful and permanent quantity.
Job Cost IDAn accounting number used during exports to supported accounting packages.
NotesAn open text field which allows you to keep track of miscellaneous information pertaining to this task template.
CreatedThis field stores the initials of the estimator who first entered the task template into B2W Estimate, as well as the date of that entry. This field has a gray background, to indicate that this information is stored "behind the scenes." You cannot modify the information in fields with a gray background.
ModifiedThis field displays the date of the last modification to the task template, and the initials of the estimator who made the change. Just like the Created field, the Modified field is read only.

On any detail tab, you can use the navigation buttons on the toolbar to move between records without having to return to the listing tab. This process is described in the Navigation Buttons help topic.

Add cost category

  1. Select Add in the Cost Breakdown section.
  2. Place a checkmark next to the desired cost categories.
  3. Select OK.

Remove cost category

  1. Select the record selector to the left of the cost category you want to remove. You can also highlight multiple rows with a control-select or a shift-select.
  2. Select Remove.
  3. Select OK to verify the removal.

The following steps assume that you have already embedded and configured an Excel workbook in B2W Estimate. This process is explained in the Excel Workbooks help topic.

  1. Select into, then right-select on the Unit Cost field for any cost category inside a Quick task template, then select Set Value. The Set Selected Value dialog will appear.
  2. Verify that the Set value for field reads "{Category} Unit Cost"
  3. Choose Get value from workbook.
  4. Select the workbook, worksheet, and cell that you want to link to. To make changes to the workbook you've selected, select Edit Workbook.
  5. Select Apply to save your changes, then select Close to close the dialog.