Swap Resources

Any resource assembly on the Cost Breakdown Structure (CBS) Register or the Master Cost Breakdown Structure (CBS) Register can be swapped for any other resource. In practice, this feature is useful for making universal adjustments to the cost details. For example, you can swap a Laborer Class 1 for an Operator Class 1 or Corrugated Metal Pipe for Reinforced Concrete Pipe.

You have a great deal of control over the instances (cost items) in which you want to swap one resource for another. You can:

  • Swap all instances of one resource for another on all cost items where that resource is employed, whether or not the resource employment is designated as unique.

  • Swap one resource for another on all cost items where that resource is not designated as a unique resource employment.

  • Swap instances of one resource for another on a select set of cost items where that resource is employed, whether or not the resource employment is designated as unique.

  • Swap one resource for another on a select set of cost items where that resource is not designated as a unique resource employment.

In the original estimate, you had employed Dozer D8 for all of the Excavation work. A month after first draft of the estimate, you want to replace all of your employed Dozer D8 resources with the less expensive Dozer D6. To make this resource swap in InEight Estimate, you need to use the Resource Swap tool.

Making changes in the Cost Breakdown Structure (CBS) Register can cause unexpected results. It is good practice to perform an Archive of the Job or confirming the changes being committed prior to swapping resources.

Step by Step — Swapping Resources

  1. From the Ribbon, select the Actions tab.

  2. Under the View section, select the Filter drop down. Then select the Filter by Resource option.

  3. When the Filter by Resource window opens, select the Dozer D8 Resource Code.

  4. Once you have this filter applied, you can see all cost items that have the Dozer D8 employed. From the CBS Register, select the More Actions tab.

  5. From the Batch Operations section, select the Swap drop down. Then select Swap Resource.

  6. From the Swap Resource window, select the icon in the Currently employed resource section. Then choose the Dozer D8 resource code.

  7. Next Choose the Dozer D6 resource code for the New resource to replace currently employed entry.

  8. The radio buttons in the Swap Resource window determines if you want to replace unique resources or not. For this example, select Replace only resources that are NOT unique.

    9. Unique is referring to resources that have defaults overridden from what was originally designated in the Resource Rate Register. If you choose Replace only resources that are NOT unique, then the unique Dozers D8 resource in the cost structure will not be replaced. If you choose Replace ALL resources (including unique resources), then all of the Dozers D8 resources are replaced.

  9. In the next step, choose which cost items to perform the swap of Dozer D8 for Dozer D6.

  10. For this example, choose all three cost items which have the Dozer D8 employed.

  11. Click OK to continue.

    12. Because it can be difficult to revert any changes in the CBS Register you are prompted one more time as a review of the Cost Items which will be affected by the swap.

  12. Select OK to continue. The CBS Register can appear blank. Remember that you have the filter applied to only show Cost Items that have the Dozer D8 employed. Remove the filter.

  13. The Dozer D6 now shows in place of the D8 Dozer.

Employment Details in Swapped Resources

When swapping resources, you have the option to select the Use Default Employment Resources check box. When selected, this check box updates the employment setup values with the defaults from the new resource. This feature lets you use the default employment set up while swapping the resources.

CBS Hierarchy View for Resource/Resource Assembly Swap

Toggle Hierarchy is added to the Swap Resource and Swap Resource Assembly selection registers. When selected, it allows you to view the superior cost items of your selections in the context of the CBS Register Hierarchy. This enhancement makes it easier for you to determine when the cost items you intended to select are the correct cost items.