Todd Bergland

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WebCES Interface

• Todd Bergland
• Trnsport Systems Manager
• WebCES TRT Chair
• Randy Lawton
• Senior Analyst
• WebCES Development

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• Overview of WebCES
• WebCES System Setup
• WebCES in Minnesota
• WebCES templates
• Challenges of the Web
• WebCES Advantages

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What is Parametric Estimation?

• Parametric Estimation is the technique of
  determining the approximate cost of a planned
  construction job using only the most general
  information currently known about the job.

Trnsport currently provides functionality for
parametric estimation via the CES module
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What is WebCES?

• CES Web Interface for Parametric Estimation
• Built with the Microsoft .NET framework
• Uses Microsoft IIS 5.0 for Web Server
• Web-based - no client software required for end
  users
• Several sample jobs supplied as templates
  including resurfacing new roadway construction
• Easy to modify and create additional templates
• Shared template area being developed for
  Cloverleaf
• Not necessary to use CES for item estimation to
  take advantage of the parametric capability

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System Setup

• What does an agency need to implement WebCES?
• Install CES (DB, Application, and Web Server)
• Install a client (to maintain the templates)
• Load sample templates and customize to fit
• Optional take advantage of CES features
• Validate/create new formulas
• Generate agency-specific bid histories
• Create new templates for your agency

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WebCES for Minnesota

• First Step Quick Start
• Consider Pavement Determination
• Second Step Use as solution for Key Business
  Need
• Consider WebCES as candidate to replace MN/DOT
  LWD
• Third Step Leverage throughout agency
• Start with pilot project in Districts

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Pavement Determination at MN

• Pavement determinations are performed to decide
  which would be cheapest, concrete or bituminous.
• Pavement Determinations are done about 5-6 times
  a year within the central office. The districts
  also perform their own pavement determinations.  
• CES is used now to compute the bituminous items
  and spreadsheets are used to compute the concrete
  items.  

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Pavement Determination at MN

• Candidate for the WebCES interface?
• Review of Asphalt pricing
• Utilize detailed cost sheets with labor,
  equipment, and material
• Would not fit well as a CES parametric job
• Review of Concrete pricing
• Based on spreadsheets with basic formulas and
  table lookups
• Possible candidate for WebCES interface

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Steps to create a template

• Determine what is used currently
• with respect to inputs (parameters), look-ups,
  calculations (formulas), constants, and etc.
• Also consider what is not really needed or used
• Transpose the spreadsheet to a single list
• Create a sample job in CES for review
• Validate layout, groupings, parameters, etc.
• Add help and determine what different versions of
  templates may be needed

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Review Spreadsheet
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Breakdown into Elements
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Transpose into vertical list
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Enter into CES using Client
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Review from Web Interface
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Result of evaluation

• Were excited about sample job because
• Decided to proceed and create a set of templates
• Enthusiasm about new feature
• Candidate for the WebCES interface

YES!
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Notes on functionality

• Worked around some limitations
• Formulas restricted to 254 characters
• Consider enhancement to widen columns
• IF is statement functional but wordy for
  lookups
• Consider adding specific function for Case and/or
  LookUp functionality.

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Replacement for MN/DOT LWD ?
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Current LWD Screen
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Current LWD Screen
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Current LWD Screen
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Pilot project in Districts

• Selected two districts to pilot Web CES for
  replacement of LWD
• Fully implement Web CES statewide

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DEMO - SEARCH
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DEMO - TEMPLATE
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Challenges for Trnsport with the Web

• Inconsistencies between browsers
• Support of the Browsers Back button
• Trade-offs for browser vs. dedicated interfaces
• Lose the complete control of the interfaces
  display and functionality for each action
• Compare the capability for a near-instantaneous
  responsiveness of a local C/S client vs the ease
  of deployment, increased accessibility, and lower
  costs of the web.

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What will WebCES do for you?

• Take advantage of the Web
• Provide an easy-to-use interface for CES
• Produce reliable and consistent conceptual
  estimates
• Support multiple levels of security
• Provide several types of calculations
• Simple look up, formulas, and historical bid
  pricing
• Support creation of a permanent record of the
  projects progress for Upper Management
• Snapshots can be taken at any time during the
  life of the project

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Questions