Conference 2000
Held at the SunBurst Resort in Scottsdale, this was the year to roll up our sleeves and dig into the program. Over 120 owners and estimators, all who use McCormick estimating products, along with McCormick staff worked and played together over the four day period. In addition, McCormick provided two estimating classes for the WIN products as well as it’s traditional McCormick Masters Golf Tournament.
Although not an official part of Conference, McCormick WIN classes started Monday morning continuing through Tuesday. At Noon on Tuesday, all classes were brought together and we went to competitive bidding. Estimators were broken down into teams and all were given simple (really simple) takeoffs to do. Quantities were taken off, extended, and taken to a sell price through Bid Summary. The sell prices were then put up on the screen to see what "team" was closes to the real number. Then, as in real life, all had the chance to take a second look. With over five bidding sessions and some of the wheeling and dealing, it got a little ugly towards the end of the day. We are proud to say that all did graduate (even those that skipped out early for golf) and were awarded certificates of completion. (It is really hard to flunk out of a McCormick estimating class)
The following day was the big one.... The McCormick Masters Golf Tournament. Held this year at where else but McCormick Ranch, tee times were in effect as we used both courses at the same time. What this really means that we had two "longest drives", two "closes to the pin" as well as lowest score, highest score, etc. After the game, as lies and truths flew back and forth among the foursomes, all lunched on (what else than) McCormick Hamburgers with all the trimmings.
Wednesday was also the kickoff for Conference ‘2000. Around 7:00pm, most gathered on the lawn in the 80 degree weather for our opening reception. Music, Mexican food, drinks, and conversation was the order of the day. This was the time for the over two hundred people gathered to see old friends as well as to make new ones.
Thursday was a "back to work" day. Conference ‘2000 opened at 8:00 with registration followed by the opening session by Jack McCormick. Included was an introduction as to where McCormick was headed with its software as well as a quick overview of its CAD interface.
The rest of the day was devoted to an in-depth look at the WIN product. Starting with Jobs and continuing clear through Bid Summary, all aspects were presented by McCormick Staff. Across the lobby, a computer lab with fourteen machines was set up for persons to use. It was amazing to see a person in the general session suddenly see something new (something he did not know about) jump up and go to the lab to "try what he saw".
Friday found most back in the general session to see a presentation by Courtney Stearns on both E-mail and use of the Internet. Those that were not there were either in the lab or, having a late breakfast.
The general session continued with the emphasis on keyboard mapping and security in the McCormick Product. In the afternoon, the session addressed hardware and networking. Then, it was time for closing when all had a chance to "take a shot at Jack". This is the time that almost anything goes as attendees provide suggestions, both good and not so good, on enhancements and changes they would like to see. Considered the highlight of the Conference, it really gets ugly (in a fun way).
Concluding the closing and all the blood and sweat got cleaned up, all boarded buses for the short tip to Rawhide, the West’s most Western Town. McCormick rented the Mission Bar and Patio located right in the center of town. Again, music, drinks, laughter, and fun was the order of the evening as all unwound. Dinner was "cowboy" with no one going hungry. (ribs, chicken, and more) The last bus departed Rawhide around 11:00 however, we know of several that did not make it....
Saturday found those that woke up back in the lab for one last look or question as Conference wound down to a close. Conference ‘2000.... What a hoot.

Question
If traffic signals are set for 35 mph, does that mean that they are also set for 70 and 105 mph?

Keyboard Mapping
One major feature of the WIN estimating product that very few people know or understand is the ability to map the keyboard. As most that work with our product know, we have the ability to have the keyboard of the computer do different things based on your need.
In the DOS product, as takeoff was fixed at three windows, (or view into the database) the keyboard was hard coded, i.e. "Q" was left up, "A" was left down, "Z" was left count, etc. Now, because of the ability to have as many windows (views) open as you want, you also have to have the ability to tell the keyboard what you want it to do. For those that use three windows for takeoff, the program is set up with the "Q", "W", and "E" for up, the "A", "S", and "D" for down etc. However, for those that want to open 4, 5, 6, or more windows, you need to set up your keyboard to handle these windows. If you want three more sets of controls, (6-window takeoff) most configure the three additional windows with a "Ctrl Q", "Ctrl W", "Ctrl E", etc. You are not limited to this as Ctrl, Shift, Alt, etc can be used in combination to other keys. It is not necessary to use control keys as you could use "R", "T", and "Y" to move up, etc. Again, you can tell almost any key on your keyboard what to do. Mapping is fairly simple. To change, add, etc, just go to the mapping area off the main menu and take a look. Concerned and need a walkthrough. Call the Support people at McCormick and they will help you out.

The Building
Well, the Site, Architecture, and Structural drawings are complete and are ready to go to the city. The Mechanical and Electrical people are working on their part as you read this.... Don’t know when they will be done. This has been an interesting exercise. When you work with management of electrical contractors in the estimating side of the construction industry, it is easy to forget about what it takes to make it all happen. Things that we take for granted just don’t happen. People do them.
Several of the major challenges have been that as we are working with an existing building, no an old, old building, none of the standard "cuts and sections" work. Try to find a standard cut that shows new ceiling trusses built to look old tied into an adobe block wall. There are no "canned" tools that the design people are using. The good thing about it is that all are smiling as it comes together. This type of building pushes people to the limit of their knowledge.
When we were in New Orleans for the NECA show, we found almost all the doors that we will need. These doors were removed from two different sources, some from a railroad station in Kansas City and the others from a multi-story bank building in downtown New Orleans. They are heavy wood with brass hinges and heavy door locking hardware. We are in the process of finishing them and then they will go to a shop to have the surrounds built.
Oh yea, we have heard through the grapevine that the city will move fairly fast on its plan review as we are located downtown adjacent to the city core and the building, as it is now since we demo’ed it, is pretty ugly and they would like to see it finished as soon as possible. We have moved the move-in date back six months and hope to be on target.