Importing an XML File from WinEst

You use an XML file to import your WinEst estimate into BidMatrix.

You cannot import an estimate into a project where an estimate was previously uploaded. However, you can add items and modify existing items in the Estimate Sheet. Any changes you make on the estimate sheet are automatically updated the Summary Sheet.

Before you import an XML file

  1. Make sure the items in the estimate are assigned to both a bid package and a bid package phase that is associated with the bid package. This is typically done by using WinEst WBS codes to represent bid package and bid package phase.

    If you use alternates, only the alternates selected as "on" in the WinEst estimate are included in the import. Be sure that each item in an alternate is also assigned to the appropriate bid package and bid package phase.

  2. In WinEst, export the estimate you want to import into BidMatrix as an XML file:

    1. Go to Tools and select Export.

    2. Select Export to XML.

  3. In Sage BidMatrix, enter the project's bid room and select the work breakdown structures (WBS) for the project bid packages and bid package phases.

To import an XML file from Trimble® WinEst® into BidMatrix:

  1. Go to the project Summary Sheet.

  2. Select Import Estimate.

  3. Select Trimble®/WinEst® from the list.

  4. Drag and drop the WinEst XML file to the designated area or select Browse to find and upload it from your local drive.

    BidMatrix displays a list of all the WBS descriptions it finds in the XML file.

  5. Select the WBS description that represents the bid package descriptions.

  6. Select the WBS description in the WinEst estimate that represents the bid package phases. If these mappings would be the same for future estimates that you would be uploading to BidMatrix, you may want to select the box to remember these mappings.

  7. Select Upload to begin the import.

  8. If this is the first time you import an estimate or new cost category names appear in the imported file, for name in the file select the relevant BidMatrix cost category from the dropdown.

  9. If no relevant cost category exists in BidMatrix, 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.

  10. Select Finish.

When the import is complete, the Summary Sheet displays a bid package for each bid package that was included in the WinEst estimate. You can expand a bid package in the Summary Sheet to see the phases for that bid package. Each phase also displays the budget for that phase. By default, the budget is the cumulative total of the items that were assigned to the phase in WinEst.

After the WinEst import, the Estimate Sheet is populated with every item from the WinEst estimate, including all item quantities, item category costs, and item WBS assignments.

The WinEst import includes the item scope for each bid package phase. This is helpful as a reference, and can also help you when you are entering a subcontractor bids in a bid package and want to make sure a bid includes coverage for the entire scope of the phase.

To view the item scope for each bid package phase, right-click the bid package phase code or the bid package phase description and then select Scope.