CFS Version 19
Scratch Builder Programs
One of the first things you will notice with this year's version is the new look of the screens. We have increased the size of most menus by 150%. This increase will make it easier to see and use on computers with large screen displays.
There are several new options you will find throughout the scratch builder programs.
The most signficant of these changes is the new keyword search of the Master File. This change makes it easier than ever to find items in the file. Type in a word, a partial word, or phrase and the program will search the entire Master File, including the Source and Part Numbers, Description, Size, and Item to find every occurence of your key words. We have also made it easier to get to the search screen by including a magnifying glass icon that you can click on to take you into the search area in addition to pressing your F2 key.
To help make identification of your jobs easier, we now include the saved name of the job at the top of the screen after the job has been saved. This makes it easy to identify what job you are in the middle of when you get called away from your computer.
In the Packing Lists, there is a new option grouped in the Pull Lists that includes a column for returned items.
In the Contract Notes, there is now an option to turn on Quantities when you click the Material button on the Contract Notes screen.
We have added a layer to your output pricing to round your automatically calculated numbers to more sales friendly numbers.
Chainlink Scratch Builder
We have been busy in the Chainlink Scratch Builder program this year, putting in some much needed features.
On the bracing menu, a new option for Horizontal Brace / Diagonal Brace / Truss Rod is now an option available.
When you choose a corner barb wire arm for an estimate, you will now get an additional menu which will make you determine if all of your posts will get corner barb wire arms or if only the corners will get them.
When you omit the top rail on an estimate, you will now have an option on the defaults menu to toggle between a loop cap and a dome cap.
Backfill Examples in Shop Drawing
Update Master File
We have added a Concrete Setting tool to make it easier to modify which Concrete Record the PVC, Ornamental, Wood, and Wire Panel Scratch Builders are using. This is a great place to go to quickly change your concrete records for all of your setups. This is especially handy when you bring in an updated merge module. This eliminates the need to look up your concrete record number because you will be able to see exactly what your other setups are using for concrete and set it accordingly.
ADDITIONAL PRODUCTS
CFS Enterprise Edition
Customers have been asking us to make CFS more open and accessible and for the ability to transfer data between CFS and other programs. In response we have developed the
CFS Enterprise Edition. The Enterprise Edition consists of two primary applications that import data into and out of CFS.
The first, which we call InterOp, is a program to export items from the Master File into Excel or any other spreadsheet program and back into the CFS Master File.
The second application, called XML Export, creates an open format XML file of Scratch Builder estimates and Cash Register invoices that contain every bit of information that CFS knows about the estimate or invoice. This data can be readily accessed by any programmer and directed to any other application.
In addition to these benefits, Enterprise Edition customers also receive free upgrades to the current version of CFS. The cost is $750 per year, only $255 more than the standard upgrade. Call us for more information about the
CFS Enterprise Edition.
CFS to Quickbooks Interface
Jobs created in CFS transfer directly into an estimate in QuickBooks Premier or Enterprise editions where they can be converted into a Sales Order, Purchase Order, or Invoice. Double entry is eliminated. The QB inventory database can be populated with items from CFS. Costs and Selling Prices can be synchronized between QB and CFS and inventory breakdowns from CFS can be updated in QB. This interface will help you to get the most out of each program.
A more detailed explanation of features and a video demonstration of the interface can be found on our
CFS to QB webpage.
FenceTech 2019 Indianapolis
TradeShow Information
FenceTech 2019 is scheduled for March 13th - 16th, 2019 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Our annual CFS Customer Workshop is scheduled on Thursday, March 14th from 9 am until 12 pm at the Indiana Convention Center. We will notify you of the room number via Facebook and the CFS newsfeed when it is assigned.
Bring your questions, your employees and your laptops or tablets - for an intensive and personalized CFS Workshop - our CFS Tech experts will be there to answer all your questions. You will also get to meet the nice people you talk to on the phone.
You can also see us on the tradeshow floor in Indy. You will find us in Booth # 2065.
