Upon opening RapidBOM, the Main Switchboard screen opens allowing the user to select the Bill of Mat

1
Main Switchboard
Upon opening RapidBOM, the Main Switchboard
screen opens allowing the user to select the Bill
of Materials, Customers, Administration or Help
icon.
Select Bill of Materials to start a takeoff and
to enter all the information needed to create a
complete Bill of Materials.
2
Bill of Materials
The type field allows the user to select the
main cable support system for the building.
Left-click the down arrow in combo box and select
the preferred cable management system.
This section allows the user to identify the
length of the service/termination loop in the
Work Area Outlet. It also contains a default
value but can be changed by simply highlighting
and typing over the the defaults.
This is a user definable field that identifies
the project or Bill of Materials. This field can
contain any description up to 50 characters.
After a Bill of Material (BOM) is created the
user can save the BOM to the Bid Recap summary
page, and the date of the last BOM saved is
displayed.
This field allows the user to assign a customer
to the current BOM. Left-click the down arrow to
select a customer that currently exists in the
customer database.
This section allows the user to select the
materials needed to penetrate firewalls within
the building.
After the main cable support system has been
selected in the Type field, left-click the down
arrow in the System field and select from the
pre-built Cable Support systems.
This section allows the user to select
accessories for the main cable path support
systems such as brackets, 45s, and 90s.
This section allows the user to identify the
length of the service/termination loop in the MC,
IC, and HC. This field contains a default value
but can be changed by simply highlighting and
typing over the defaults.
To select a penetrating kit, left-click the down
arrow in the combo box and use the Find Product
window to select the product. After the kit has
been selected, type the quantity next to the
selected item.
3
Bill of Materials
This field allows the user to select the patch
cable that will be used for any UTP connection
that terminates in this closet. To select the
patch cable, left-click the down arrow in the
combo box and use the Find Product window to
select the product.
If the user is building an OP (Outside Plant
infrastructure), this section changes to
Pulling/Management Accessories Information. To
select a Pulling/Management Accessory, left-click
the down arrow in the combo box and use the Find
Product window to select the product. After
this selection is input, type the quantity next
to the selected item.
This section also contains a backbone column
allowing the user to specify which product
pertain to Backbone termination. Finally the
user specifies which products pertain to voice,
data or video by choosing from the drop down box
labeled Type.
This field allows the user to select the
Cross-Connect that this XC will be associated
with. To select, left-click the down arrow.
This field allows the user to designate the type
of Cross-Connect to be designed (i.e., MC, IC, HC
or OP). To select, left-click the down arrow.
After the product has been selected, type the
quantity next to the selected item or RapidBOM
will determine the number needed when it performs
the auto port and pair analysis.
This field allows the user to name the XC.
Simply type the desired name in the box. This
field is user definable and can be up to 50
characters.
Here the user to is prompted to enter all the
relevant information necessary to build this
closet.
Select the type of termination here by
left-clicking the down arrow to select Voice,
Data, Video or Other.
The length of the Perimeter Cable Tray needed is
determined by taking the perimeter measurement of
the closet. Input that quantity here.
This section also allows the user to select
multiple backbone cables running from the XC to
the Parent. To select additional backbone
cables, select the Add button.
To select the Perimeter Cable Tray, left-click
the down arrow in the combo box and use the Find
Product window to select the product.
This field allows the user select the fiber
jumper that patches the terminated fiber cable
in the closet to the hub or switch in the same
closet. To select the Fiber Jumper, left-click
the down arrow in the combo box and use the Find
Product window to select the product.
The Perimeter Cable Tray, sometimes, called the
Ladder Rack, provides a cable support system for
all cable entering into the closet. The user
left-clicks the check box if the Perimeter Cable
Tray is needed.
This field allows the user to select a Patch
Cable or Fiber Jumper to patch the
backbone-terminated cable. The label of this
field changes to Patch Cable when UTP cable is
selected and Jumper when Fiber is selected.
RapidBOM will add one patch cable for every
terminated UTP connection automatically. However,
if the project specifications require a certain
percentage to be supplied, type the desired
percentage in the space labeled Provided.
RapidBOM will add one Fiber Jumper for every
terminated fiber connection automatically.
However, if the project specifications require a
certain percentage to be supplied, type the
desired percentage in the space labeled
Provided.
When building an MC, IC or HC, this section
allows the user to select preferred Racks,
Cabinets, Equipment, and Accessories for the
closet. To select a Rack, Cabinet, or Rack
Accessory, left-click the down arrow in the combo
box and use the Find product window to select
the product.
This field allows the user to select the cable
support system for the XC to Parent Backbone.
This Cable Support System can represent anything
from J-Hangers in a single building to an
underground conduit system running between
buildings.
After the Rack, Cabinet, or Rack Accessory has
been selected, type the quantity next to the
selected item.
Enter the distance in feet of the backbone cable
from the origination XC to this closet.
After the main cable support system has been
selected, left-click the down arrow in the combo
box of the System field and select from the
pre-built Cable Support Systems.
This field allow the user to select the connector
needed to terminate the fiber backbone cable in
the closets. This field applies only to fiber
and coax.
This section allows the user to select UTP and
Fiber Patch Panels, Fiber Adapter Strips, and
Wiring Blocks needed for the cross-connect or
Outside Plant configuration. To select, use the
Find Product window to select the product.
This field allows the user to select the type of
backbone cable that will be used to connect the
XC to the Parent.
This field allow the user to specify whether the
selected cable pertains to voice, data, video or
other.
To select the preferred cable, left-click the
down arrow in the combo box and use the Find
Product window to select the product.
This field allows the user to specify the closet
where the backbone cable originates.
This field allows the user to specify how many
cable runs are needed for the selected cable.
If the desired Cable Support System is not
listed, left-click the view button and create a
new system using the Build Cable Support
Systems window.
To select the preferred connector, left-click the
down arrow in the combo box and use the Find
Product window.
Left-click the down arrow in the combo box and
select the preferred cable management system.
4
Bill of Materials
After the main cable support system has been
selected in the Type field, in the System
field, left-click the down arrow in the combo box
and select from the pre-built Cable Support
Systems.
If the desired Cable Support System is not in the
combo box, left-click the view button next to the
System field and create it using the Build
Cable Support Systems window.
This section allows the user to select from a
pre-built list of Work Area Outlets created using
the Build Workstation Outlets window.
Select the down arrow in the combo box and select
the Parent XC.
This field allows the user to select the XC that
the Work Area Outlet will be associated with.
Type the number of outlets need for the Work Area.
This field allows the user to name the Room
and/or Outlet. Simply type the desired name in
the box. This field is user definable and can be
up to 50 characters.
This field allow the user to enter the distance
from this Work Area Outlet to the Parent Closet
in feet. This identifies the length of the
cabling from the Work Area Outlet to the Parent
Closet.
This field allows the user to select the cable
support system for the Work Area Outlet. This
cable support system represents the support
structure needed over the Room or Space
transitioning from the Main Cable Path Support.
This field allows the user to select a Station
Cable to be used for connecting the device to the
Work Station Outlet. To select the station cable,
left-click the down arrow in the combo box and
use the Find Product window to select the
product.
This icon also allows the user to view and edit
the selected Work Station Outlet from within the
Work Area Outlet window. Select the magnifying
glass and the Build Workstation Outlets window
will appear.
To select a pre-configured Work Station Outlet,
select the down arrow on the combo box and
highlight the preferred outlet.
5
Bill of Materials
After the Tool has been selected, type the
quantity next to the selected item.
After the Accessory has been selected, type the
quantity next to the selected item.
To select an Accessory, left-click the down arrow
in the combo box and use the Find Product
window.
To select a Tool, left-click the down arrow in
the combo box and use the Find Product window.
6
Bill of Materials
A full or partial Bill of Materials can be
displayed by selecting the Details tab for a full
BOM or by selecting each Closet or Work Area
Outlet for a partial BOM.
When all parameters have been input to compete
the design, return to the Details tab by
selecting the project here.
Then select Bill of Materials to create the
materials list.
7
Bill of Materials
The Bid Recap Sheet is a summary page that allows
the user to add Sales Tax, Non-Taxable Items,
Subcontractors cost, Travel Costs GA, Profit,
Markups and Overhead to the current BOM.
To create a Bid Recap Sheet, from the Details
tab, left-click the Bid Recap icon.
8
Administration
The Administration Utilities Switchboard screen
allows the user to manage or build the
Workstation Outlets, Product Catalog, and Cable
Support System.
Select Administration to enter the
Administration Utilities Switchboard.
9
Administration
This section allows the user to create, edit and
manage Workstation Outlets to be selected in the
Work Area Outlets tab used when creating a bill
of materials.
Left-click here to enter the Build Workstation
Outlets window.
10
Administration
This assembly consists of the type of cable in
the drop, the conduit with couplers and
connectors, wall box, faceplate, and jacks. This
will allow the user to quickly walk through a
building and click on the number and type of
drops for each Work Area Outlet.
This field allows the user to name a Workstation
Outlet assembly. This assembly may be comprised
of several cable specifications.
After the main cable support system has been
selected in the Type field, left-click the down
arrow in the combo box in the System field to
select from the pre-built Cable Support systems.
This field allows the user to enter the average
ceiling height for the job.
This section allows the user to select the
preferred outlet box for this Workstation Outlet.
To select, left-click the down arrow and use the
Find Product window.
This section allows the user to select the
preferred faceplate for this Workstation Outlet.
To select, left-click the down arrow in the combo
box and use the Find Product window.
This field allows the user to select the number
of data outlets required for the selected cable.
When fiber is selected, this field represents the
number of pairs of strands to be terminated. If
UTP cable is selected, this field represents the
number of modular jacks applied to a single
cable.
This field allows the user to enter the distance
from the location of the Work Station Outlet to
the main cable path.
This field allows the user to select the Conduit
or Raceway system needed for the Work Area
Outlet. This Cable Support System represents the
conduit or Raceway needed from the outlet box to
the ceiling. Left-click in the combo box to
select the preferred cable management system.
If the desired Cable Support System is not
listed, click the view button and create the
desired system using the Build Cable Support
Systems window
This key allows the user to add a new cable to
the Workstation Outlet being constructed.
This section allows the user to select the
preferred cable for this workstation outlet. To
select, left-click the down arrow in the combo
box and use the Find Product window.
This field allows the user to specify whether
this cable will be associated with data, voice,
video or other.
This key allows the user to duplicate the entered
cable specifications. It duplicates the cable,
data type, number of data outlets, modular jack
and terminating connector.
This key allows the user to delete the current
cable specification.
This field allows the user to select a
terminating connector to the selected Fiber or
Coax cable only. To select, left-click the down
arrow and use the Find Product window.
To select a modular jack, left-click the down
arrow in the combo box and use the Find Product
window.
11
Administration
This section allows the user to create, edit and
manage the Cable Support Systems to be selected
in the Work Area Outlets tab used when creating
a bill of materials.
Select Cable Support Systems to access the
Build Cable Support Systems window.
12
Administration
This field allows the user to select the type of
Cable Support System desired. The user has the
option of choosing J-Hangers, Cable Tray,
Raceway, Conduit and InnerDuct.
This field allows the user to name the selected
Cable Support System. To select, left-click the
sown arrow in the combo box and use the Find
Product window.
This field allows the user to show how many runs
of the selected InnerDuct are desired for the
Cable Support System being created. This field
only applies to InnerDuct.
If Conduit is selected in the Type field, then
this field will appear giving the user the
opportunity to select the desired coupler for the
selected conduit. To select, left-click the down
arrow and use the Find Product window.
This field allows the user to select Innerduct to
add to any Cable Support System. To select,
left-click the down arrow arrow and use the Find
Product window.
If Conduit is selected in the Type field, then
this field will appear, giving the user the
opportunity to select the desired connector for
the selected conduit. To select, left-click the
down arrow in the combo box and use the Find
Product window.
13
Administration
This section allows the user to create, edit and
manage products in the Product Catalog. Although
RapidBOM comes preloaded with 40,000 products,
the user can add any products that may not be
included.
Select Product Catalog to access this utility.
14
Administration
The Product Catalog window allows the user to
view the Product Catalog on an item by item
basis.
This section allows the user to select the
preferred product in the catalog by filtering on
the fields below or typing in the desired part
number.
This field will allow the user to select the
preferred Manufacturer from the Product Catalog.
The user can also view the Product Catalog in a
spreadsheet format by checking the Datasheet view
box.
The user can only edit catalog entries that have
been added by the user.
This field will allow the user to select the
preferred Category from the Product Catalog.
This field will allow the user to select the
preferred Category Type from the Product Catalog.
This field changes based on the selection in the
Cable Type field.
This field will allow the user to select the
preferred Cable Type from the Product Catalog.
If the product pertains to cable, select UTP,
Fiber, or Coax. If it does not, select NA.
This field will allow the user to select the
preferred type of any product in the Product
Catalog. This field is generic and its contents
will change based on previous selections.
This check box allows the user to discontinue the
item in the catalog. This field should be used
when a manufacturer or distributor discontinues
an item that is still available for sale.
This field will allow the user to select the
preferred Unit of Measure associated with the
item. The user can choose from each, feet or
meters.
The information in the User Specification
section can be modified for all catalog entries
including products in the Master Catalog.
This key allows the user to view the
specification sheet of any product selected in
the catalog window. (This selection requires the
user to have Adobe Acrobat Reader.) To print,
select the preferred product, select View
Specs, and then select the Print option on the
tool bar menu.
This field allows the user to enter the Labor
Rate that would be charged to perform the
installation or use of the product selected.
This field allows the user to identify the
category in which the item belongs.
This field allows the user to identify the Cable
Type in which the item to be added, edited or
deleted belongs. If the product pertains to
cable, select UTP, Fiber or Coax. If it does
not, select NA. Check the box next to Voice if
applicable.
This field allows the user to identify the
Manufacturer in which the item to be added,
edited, or deleted belongs.
This field allows the user to identify the
Category Type in which the item to be added,
edited or deleted belongs. This field changes
based on on the selection in the Cable Type
field.
This field allows the user to enter in the
correct part number of the item.
This field allows the user to enter the
description of the item to be added, edited, or
deleted. This field is user definable up to 50
characters.
This field allows the user to enter in the
maximum value of the specific product. The name
of the field changes depending on the Category
Type selected. For example, the field for UTP
cable will be named Max Pair, Fiber, Max
Strand, and for UTP patch panels, Max Ports.
This field allows the user to enter the spec file
part number related to the item.
This field allows the user to enter the desired
cost of the product selected.
This field allows the user to enter the Labor
Unit that best reflects the time that it takes to
install or use the product selected.
15
Administration
Left-click here to return to the main menu.
16
Select Customers to manage the customer
database.
17
Administration
All important information about each customer can
be input here.
The user can navigate between records using the
Next and Previous keys.
This button allows the user to search from an
existing customer in the database using the Find
Customer dialog window.
The user may also delete any unwanted customers
from the database using this Delete button.
Left-click Close to leave the customer database
and return to the main switchboard.
18
Help
Select Help to view the complete Help File
system.
19
Help
Select the items in green to receive help in each
of the four area of RapidBOM.
20
Main Switchboard
At anytime while using RapidBOM, the user can go
to the Tools menu and and update their
application with the latest version of RapidBOM
or the latest Master Catalog.
21
Finally, to leave RapidBOM, left-click Exit
Application.
22
Thank you for your interest in RapidBOM,
Catalyst Datas exciting new network estimating
and design software package.
Good-Bye!