Tools

Several unique tools are provided on the Tools tab. Information about the available Settings can be found in this dedicated article. Sections of tools specific to an individual manufacturer are labeled with their name. Please consult the manufacturer for information on their dedicated tools.

Analysis

The Analysis tool in Spec can be used to compare two or more lists of product from PMX or SIF files for reconfiguration projects. Once loaded into the tool, a comparison list will be provided along with individual PMX files for lists of Leftover, Reused, and New Required parts.

To begin, click the Analysis icon on the Tools tab to open the tool window.

Project Tab

Enter a Project Name.
Click the magnifying glass to select an Output Location for the comparison file.
Click the magnifying glass to select the "Proposed" SIF or PMX file.
Use the checkboxes in the Compare section to select the criteria to consider in the comparison. By default, Part Number will be checked.
If multiple Existing files will be used, use the checkboxes in the Preferences section to choose if the Leftover and Reused files will be combined.

While the next steps will carry through the remaining tabs of the window, click the Project tab at any time to come back and modify these selections.

Existing Tab

Once the Proposed file is loaded on the Project tab, click the Existing tab.
Click the magnifying glass to select the "Existing" SIF or PMX file.
Click the + tab to add additional lists of existing parts.
When multiple lists are loaded, click on each tab to view that list or use the arrows to toggle between them. Use the X to remove a selected list tab.

Compare Tab

Once the Proposed and Existing files have been loaded, click the Compare tab.

Click Analysis to process the results.

The results are displayed in multiple ways.

Item counts
List prices
Pie Chart
List of items

Within the list of items, the Total Required quantity fields can be edited to make manual adjustments. Click into the field and type use the arrows to increase or decrease the quantities.

Comments can also be used to make notes on individual lines.

If errors are found in the lists that were loaded, they can be reloaded on the Project or Existing tabs, and the Analysis can be run again.

If no revisions are needed to the data, click Finish to view the Print/Export options.

Print - Sent the report to a printer.

Preview - View the report on screen before sending to a printer.

Export - Select a location to export the report as an Excel (.xlsx) file.

The individual lists for Leftover, Reused, New Required, and My Project_New, which is the complete list of reused and new parts for the proposed project, can be viewed by clicking on their respective tabs. Each tab will display the item list price, number of items, and the file location.

Calculators

Standard - Opens the standard calculator tool for your device.

Margin - Opens a website for a Margin Calculator. Enter Cost and Sell to compute Gross Margin, Mark Up, and Gross Profit.

Markup - Opens a website for a Mark Up Calculator. Enter Your Cost and Margin to calculate Customer Price, Gross Profit, and Mark Up.

Profit - Opens a website for a Profit Calculator. Enter the Sell Price and Dealer Service Fee % to calculate Unit Margin and Purchase Price.

Multi-Tier Discount - Enter your multiple discounts on each tier to see the total discount.

List Price - Opens a website for a List Price Calculator. Enter the Dealer Cost and Discount to calculate the Unit List Price.

Edit Type Path

The Edit Type Path tool is used to update the file location of Merged .sif files prior to expanding. Before a Merged file is expanded, its file location is displayed in the Type Path column. If the file has been moved from that original location, that path needs to be updated for the file to properly Expand with the record information.

To update a Type Path:

Click the Edit Type Path icon.
Select the Type Paths to update from the list shown. If no file path is showing, no locations have changed.
Click Browse and select the new file location.
Click Ok to apply the new file location. Click Cancel to close the dialog without making any changes.