Import an XML File from WinEst

You can use an XML file to import your Trimble® WinEst® estimate into Sage Estimating (cloud), formerly Sage BidMatrix.

  • Make sure the items in the WinEst estimate are assigned to both a bid package and a bid package phase that's associated with the bid package. Typically, you use WinEst Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) codes to represent bid packages and bid package phases.

    If your WinEst estimate includes alternates, only alternates that are enabled (On) in WinEst are imported. Before importing, ensure that all items in each alternate are assigned to the appropriate bid package and bid package phase.

  • In WinEst go to Tools > Export > Export to XML to export the estimate that you want to import into Sage Estimating (cloud) as an XML file.

  • Create a new project in Sage Estimating (cloud) and select the work breakdown structures (WBS) for the project bid packages and bid package phases.

  1. Go to Projects.

  2. On the Projects page, open the project by selecting Enter on the project tile or the enter icon (Enter project icon.) next to the project row.

  3. Select Import Estimate from the toolbar.

  4. In the dialog, do the following:

    1. Select Trimble WinEst, and then select Next.

    2. Drag and drop the XML file exported from WinEst into the designated area, or select Browse to find and upload the file from your local drive.

      After the file is uploaded, Sage Estimating (cloud) displays a list of all WBS descriptions found in the XML file.

    3. From the Bid Package dropdown, select the WBS description that corresponds to bid packages in the WinEst estimate.

    4. From the Phase dropdown, select the WBS description that corresponds to phases in the WinEst estimate.

    5. Select Upload to begin the import.

    6. If this is the first time you import an estimate or new cost category names appear in the imported file, do the following:

      1. For each category in the file, select the relevant Sage Estimating (cloud) cost category from the dropdown.

      2. If no relevant cost category exists in Sage Estimating (cloud), Admins and Librarians can create a new one by selecting Add New Category from the dropdown.

        This allows them to define a cost category and link it to the corresponding name in the imported file. Each cost category can only be mapped to one name in the file.

      3. Select Finish.

Next steps: When the import is complete, the Summary Sheet is populated with the bid packages, phases, and estimate items from the WinEst estimate. Expand a bid package to view its phases and associated budgets. By default, each phase budget is calculated from the total value of the items assigned to that phase in WinEst.

Estimate items, including quantities, category costs, WBS assignments, and scope information, are imported and associated with the appropriate bid package phases. Expand a phase in the Summary Sheet to view its imported scope information. You can use this information to verify that subcontractor bids cover the full scope of the phase.