Import Cost Items from MC2

MC2 offers an extensive construction industry database, along with powerful parametric take-off capabilities. MC2 estimates can be imported into the Cost Breakdown Structure (CBS) Register to facilitate a seamless process from take-off through estimating, bid closing, and project delivery.

MC2 can be used to import and update cost items, quantities and resource requirements for a project. After importing the data from MC2, Estimate is used to apply costs and rates to the imported estimate, close out the bid, and proceed into project execution and tracking.

This approach leverages the strengths of both systems, creating an integrated solution that is unique in the marketplace.

Select the Estimate to Import

Use the following step-by-step to select the Estimate to import.

Step by Step — Select the Estimate to Import

  1. From the Master CBS register, select the More Actions tab.

  2. Under the Data Source section, select the Import / Update CBS drop-down.

  3. Select the MC2 option.

  4. On the MC2 Estimate Import dialog box, browse to the estimate file that you want to import.

  5. Select the preferred estimate (.est) file.

    It shows in the MC2 estimate to import field.

Define the Import Settings

Use the following step-by-step to define the import settings.

Step by Step — Define the Import Settings

  1. On the MC2 Estimate Import dialog box, click the Settings button. The MC2 ICE Import Settings dialog box shows.

  2. Settings - Use this drop-down list to save the current settings for future use, or to select previously saved settings.

  3. Map Estimate CBS to MC2 ICE Sort Code - Map up to five CBS levels to MC2 ICE Sort Codes by selecting a field from the drop-down list next to each CBS level. If no fields are selected, all line items from the MC2 estimate will be imported as Level 1 cost items in the Estimate CBS.

  4. Translate MC2 ICE Items to Estimate Resources - Transform MC2 estimate items at the lowest mapped level into Installed Material resources employed on a single cost item in Estimate by selecting the At lowest level mapped... check box and selecting the Field and Value to match. If an employed Installed Material resource does not already exist in Estimate, it will be created.

  5. For the Transformed Installed Material Resources - Map Estimate Quote Groups and Organizational Categories to MC2 ICE fields by selecting the appropriate check box(es) and selecting the preferred values from the corresponding drop-down lists.

  6. Cost Item Tags - Map Estimate Tags and User Defined Fields to MC2 fields by selecting an Estimate field and a matching MC2 field from the drop down lists.

  7. Assembly Preferences - When an MC2 ICE rate code matches an Estimate Assembly code, map the MC2 code to the matching Estimate Assembly by selecting this check box.

  8. MC2 ICE Non-Resource Costs - Select this check box to import non-resource costs as ad-hoc resource employments in Estimate.

  9. Estimate Account Code Assignments - Select an option for creating Estimate Account Codes:

    • Create at the terminal level from - To create Estimate Account Codes only at the terminal level from the values in an MC2 field, select this option and choose the MC2 Sort field from the drop-down list.

    • Create at the lowest superior level from - To create Estimate Account Codes only for items that are the superiors of terminal items from the values in an MC2 field, select this option and choose the MC2 Sort field from the drop down list.

    • Don't create from MC2 ICE - Select this option if you do not want to create Estimate Account Codes from MC2.

  10. Estimate Pay Items - To create Estimate Pay Items from the values in an MC2 field, select this option and choose the MC2 Sort field from the drop down list.

  11. If items previously imported into Estimate no longer exist in MC2 ICE - Select one of the following options to handle previously imported items that no longer exist in MC2 ICE:

    • Delete the missing MC2 ICE items from the Estimate CBS

    • Suspend the missing MC2 ICE items in the Estimate CBS

    • Leave the missing MC2 ICE items in the Estimate CBS

  12. Item Filter - Use this register to filter the data that will be imported into Estimate from MC2.

  13. Click OK to save your settings.

Import the Estimate

Use the following step-by-step to import the Estimate.

Step by Step — Import the Estimate

  1. On the MC2 Estimate Import dialog box, click the Import button to import the selected MC2 estimate using the currently defined settings.

  2. The Import Results dialog box shows any validated data (e.g., resources and units of measure) that were not found in Estimate, and therefore were not imported. This list can be printed, if preferred. Click Continue.

  3. The import continues, and the Import Results dialog box shows a summary of the import, including information such as new cost items imported, existing cost items updated, deleted or suspended, new pay items created, and skipped data that could not be validated in Estimate.

    • Click Print to print the contents of the Import Results dialog box.

    • Click Save Changes to finalize the import.

    • Click Discard Changes to cancel the import and reload the Estimate job.