FastPIPE Bulletin OCT/NOV/DEC 2007

From FastEST, Inc.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

By the time you get this, Christmas will probably have come and gone. We wish you the best of luck in the upcoming New Year.

The On-Screen Digitizer is now released and being used by many of our single station FastPIPE and FastDUCT users, and the feedback has been very positive. If you are not yet familiar with it, call us for an on-line demonstration.

Part of the development of the On-Screen Digitizer involved re-working the takeoff screen and creating a new feature to allow for taking off assemblies On-Screen. To accomplish this, we have reworked the takeoff screen to show more information and enhanced the Job Item feature to allow for assemblies to be built. These new features are a part of the latest program update for all users.

Thank you,

Mark Oxler President

FastEST, Inc. announces On-Screen Digitizer for FastPIPE and FastDUCT

With the new On-Screen digitizer from FastEST, Inc. users can import plans of many different digital formats directly into FastPIPE and FastDUCT. By having the digital plan interface with functions on the takeoff screen, estimators and project managers can select and count items directly on the screen. All items are marked and saved in the Takeoff List, so there is no confusion about what work has been completed.

FastPIPE’s takeoff screen with On-Screen Digitizer allows you to identify, mark, and count items directly on-screen.

Once a plan is downloaded from an online plan service or from a compact disc, it can easily be imported into a project in either FastPIPE or FastDUCT. Unique titles can be assigned each plan and other parameters can be set. A scale can be assigned to the entire plan or to any defined sub-region, should the plan have details with different scales. Once in a project, the plan can be accessed for takeoff of any piping or duct system.

The takeoff screens for both FastPIPE and FastDUCT have been modified to make room for viewing plans on-screen. Users can click and drag the plan or zoom in and out using the scroller on a standard mouse, similar to using map programs on the internet. Standard items from a piping or duct spec, as well as any item from our Master Catalog, or even a user-defined Job Item or assembly can be marked on the screen as they are taken off. Users can assign different colors to different piping or duct systems, as well as setting other parameters like line thickness or even “screen ink” transparency. The user can easily toggle back and forth between plan pages.

Contractors can save money and time with the On-Screen Digitizer. Many of the costs associated with picking up plans and making large-size copies can be eliminated. Many architects and general contractors will charge for “hard” copies of plans, or require a deposit, while the digital plans may be free. Many of the online plan services allow for the downloading of plans in several formats. Since the digital plans stay with the job in FastPIPE or FastDUCT, there will be no more hunting through piles of blueprints to locate plans. If you want to work from home or while traveling, all you need is your notebook computer.

FastPIPE and FastDUCT Program Update incorporates New Features

Besides having the capability for adding the On-Screen Digitizer, some new features have been added to the latest version of FastPIPE and FastDUCT Estimating Software.

The Job Item feature can now be utilized to create assemblies of multiple items. The upgrade will include additional assembly Job Items, which can be used in conjunction with or to replace our existing assemblies. These assemblies have their own unique Spec, which allows them to be taken off in any takeoff section. For example, a trap primer assembly, consisting of a trap primer, copper tube, and copper fittings, can be taken off while taking off PVC or cast iron waste piping.

FastDUCT will now include duplicated of the Job Items for A/C equipment that are currently present in FastPIPE. No assembly Job Items will be included at this time, but the capability is there to add them.

The Takeoff screen has been re-arranged to allow for the import of digital drawings. Because of better screen resolutions and larger monitors, the size of each takeoff button can be slightly reduced and re-arranged to allow for drawing import without losing any takeoff screen features. Section Header information can now be edited from the takeoff screen and over 21 new fitting icons can be displayed.

Upcoming Product Show

FastEST, Inc. will be attending the AHR Expo 2008 product show at the Javits Convention Center in New York from January 22-24 in Booth #7036

New Customers

Pippin Brothers, Inc. Lawton, OK

RoyalAire Mechanical Services, Inc. Oldsmar, FL

Adept Mechanical Services, Inc Kent, WA

Advanced Plumbing & Heating St. Joseph, MO

Modern-Air Conditioning Co. Harbor City, CA

Wagaman's HVAC Services, Inc. Martinez, GA

Gastonia Sheet Metal Gastonia, NC

CK Mechanical, Inc. Casper, WY

AC General, Inc. Jacksonville, FL

Five Star Mechanical, Inc. Wichita, KS

Tap of the Lowcountry, Inc. Varnville, SC

CAC Mechanical Systems, Inc. Salem, NH

DuMont Company Peoria, IL

Remco Allentown, PA

Uni-Tech Mechanical Contractors Queen Creek, AZ

ECI Mechanical Mokena, IL

Air Moving Equipment Co. Las Cruces, NM

Cal-Sag Plumbing Frankfort, IL

Artisan Pipe Systems Colorado Springs, CO

Coast To Coast Piping, Inc. Orlando, FL

Shine & Company, Inc. High Springs, FL

A1 United Heating & Air Omaha, NE

After Five Plumbing, Inc. Poquoson, VA

Redd Mechanical Blanding, UT

Dodson Plbg, Htg, & A/C, Inc. Pontiac, IL

Pipers Mechanical, Inc. Middleton, WI

Pioneer Plumbing Service Bakersfield, CA