Prime Bid Implementation
Prime Bid is a straightforward Windows standard program. If you have a high level of confidence with Windows applications and construction bidding, then you could learn Prime Bid on your own. There is a sample exercise that ships with the software that is worked through in a 4 to 6 hour time frame. If you want to attend training in person, you have three options outlined below; On-site training, Classroom training or Internet training. All of these options are for a maximum of two days. Many Prime Bid users have purchased the software and used it within a week to complete a competitive bid. Others have bid a negotiated job (soft closing) as a way of becoming familiar with Prime Bid. Another strategy is to reproduce a recently completed bid. Still another is to run Prime Bid in parallel with your existing method to become familiar with how Prime Bid works on bid day. Any one of these strategies or a combination will get you up and running quickly.
Prime Software Technical Support & Maintenance
Technical Support and maintenance includes all the new software updates, new features, fixes, future product enhancement and expansion. Prime Bid is a client driven software. Since version 6.0 there has been nearly 80 features added or improved upon. Version 7.1, launched in early 2009, has several new features but eliminates some difficulties or limitations some were running into.
Prime Bid 8.0 is due out the first part of 2010.
We want your program to continue to operate properly and your company using the full potential of it. Make sure that your technical and maintenance fees are up to date.
Software Requirements
The following is a list of Prime Bid's minimum system requirements:
- Operating System - Windows Vista or XP
- CPU Speed - 1.6 GHz (2.0GHz up Recommended)
- RAM - 2 GB minimum
- Disk Space - 40 MB
- Network for Multi User Setup - 100 Mbps
- Screen Resolution - 1024 x 768
- 1024 x 768 up Recommended
*For Broadcast Fax option Microsoft Outlook and Microsoft Word are required.
Multi-User Requirements
Prime Bid is a CPU intensive application. As more and more sections, divisions, vendors and matrices are added, more memory and processor speed is needed to analyze for the lowest bids.
We recommend a newer system with more memory and higher CPU speed. On bid day when minutes and seconds count, you don't want to be waiting on the computer.
Prime Bid Networking Requirements
- Prime Bid must always be able to maintain a connection to the bid file on the network.
- The Prime Bid .bid file must be located in a shared folder on a mapped network drive.
- The network must have a minimum connection speed of 50 mbs.
- Each user that will access the bid file must have full read/write privileges to the shared folder on the network where the bid file is located.
- Each user that will access the bid file must have full read/write privileges to the shared folder where the master vendor database and/or the bid vendor database is located on the network
- The Prime Bid bid vendor database for the bid file must be located in a shared folder on a mapped drive on the network.
Prime Bid Networking Recommendations
- Prime Bid files should be stored on a server that has UPS or battery backup.
- On the Windows Server setup an Active Directory Security Group called "Prime Bid".
- Add the users to the new security group that need access to Prime Bid files.
- Create a shared folder on the server where the Prime Bid files will be stored.
- Configure security for the new folder. Add the group Prime Bid to list and allow full control of folder.
- Inside the Prime Bid Shared Folder create a folder called Databases. Move a copy of your Prime Bid Database file here. Also move a copy of your Master Vendor Database here.
- On all PCs where Prime Bid is installed ensure that the Prime Bid Database Path and the Vendor Database Path point to the appropriate location. (ex. P:\Prime Bid\Databases\name.db or .vdb)
- Inside the Prime Bid Shared Folder create another folder called Bid Jobs. This is where all your Prime Bid job files should be stored for multi-user access.
On-Site Class Room Training
Prime Software offers one, two and one half day class room training courses for Prime Bid. The first day is the Introduction to Prime Bid, the second day is Advanced Prime Bid Functions, and a half day for Invitation to Bid / Vendor / Prime Fax training. Lectures are followed by practical exercises in the software. Classes can be taken consecutively or separately as is convenient to the participant.
Classroom Training Schedules:
Introduction to Prime Bid: Call for availability
Advanced Prime Bid Functions: Call for availability
Invitation to Bid/Vendor: On Demand
One Day (7 hours) Classroom Training
On-Site one-day or two-day hands on Prime Bid training
*costs for travel and per diem are additional which is charged based on the training location.
Call and Reserve a Time Today: 888-866-4580
On-Line Training
There are two classes offered through internet training; Introduction to Prime Bid and Advanced Prime Bid Functions. Lectures are followed by practical exercises in the software. These classes can be taken together or separately as is convenient to the participant.
Internet Training - 7 on-line 30 minute sessions
On-Line Training Schedule is On-Demand:
Introduction to Prime Bid: 8am - 5pm PST
Advanced Prime Bid Functions: 8am - 5pm PST
Call To Reserve a Spot: 888-866-4580
On-Line Multi-media
- Invitation to Bid Process
- Prime Bid Slide Show
- Prime Bid Topics
- Vendor Management
Sample Exercise
There's no reason why bid day can't be your best day with Prime Bid. Our competitive bid analysis software has been helping builders reach their winning bid number quickly and easily for years. Prime Bid is truly an all-in-one software solution for the entire bid process.
