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4.57. How do I download vendor catalogs without internet access?

I have EstiMate on my office computer that does not have internet access, and want to download my vendor catalogs from Vendormate on another computer that has internet access, but does not have EstiMate installed. How do I get my vendor catalogs into my office machine?

Vendormate Procedure

The answer to this question is in two parts: a procedure summary and detailed instructions.

Procedure Summary:

1. Backup data on the office machine.
2. Install EstiMate on the internet machine.
3. Restore data on the internet machine.
4. Close EstiMate.
5. Open Vendormate, download catalogs, select and import items.
6. Close Vendormate.
7. Re-Open EstiMate on the internet machine and backup the new composite data that contains the items imported from Vendormate.
8. Restore the data on the office machine.

Detailed Instructions:

1. On the office machine (the one that does NOT have internet access). Open EstiMate and backup your data. To backup your data, do the following procedure:

1. Click Management > backup-restore data files.
2. Click the backup button.
3. Choose a location to save the file.
4. Name the file and click save.
The choice of media to save it on is up to you, Floppy, CD, Removable Media or other. IMPORTANT: After backing up, do NOT do any more quotes, until you have completed the restore process listed below.

2. Take the backup media and your EstiMate Program CD to the computer that has internet access. In order for EstiMate and Vendormate to work together they MUST be on the same machine. So to continue EstiMate MUST be installed on a temporary basis in order to receive the catalog selections from Vendormate.
3. Install EstiMate on the internet machine.
4. Open the software and click the ?Explore All Features Button?, the Welcome Wizard appears. Click the right-hand red arrow to go to the shop information screen. Enter the first letter of your shop name.
5. Click the red arrow through all the remaining screens. There is no need to fill anything out. Click the green check mark at the end of the wizard. EstiMate?s main screen appears. If you see the tip of the day, close it and remain on the main screen.
6. Restore the data you backed up from the office machine (the one without internet access). To restore your data do the following procedure: 1.On EstiMate's main screen click management>backup/restore.
2.Click the restore tab on the Backup/Restore Data files screen and then click the restore button on the upper right. An open screen will come up.
3. Find the backup file. (if backed up on floppy point the 'look in' dropdown box to the '3 1/2 Floppy A:' selection)
4. Click the open button to restore your data from the backup.
7. Close EstiMate.
8. Connect to the internet, open Vendormate and click the Next button to go to the catalog download screen. Click the ?Click Here To Download Catalogs? link. Select the desired vendor catalogs and press OK. If you receive prompts to request catalogs via mail, click NO to move past the prompt. Click the Yes button on the prompt that says ?Ready to Download Vendor Catalogs?? EstiMate will download the catalogs.
9. Highlight the selected vendor and click the import items button. If you wish to import all ingredients in the selected category i.e. Digital Print Media, then put a check mark in the box, otherwise click the plus sign to open the category and check the specific ingredients you want from that category. When done selecting ingredients click the Next button.
10. Read the license agreement, click the checkbox indicating you have read it, and click the Next button. You may skip the reading of the agreement if you have read it at a previous time.
11. Specify the import options you want if desired, or go with the program defaults. Click the Next button.
12. Click the ?Yes? button on the ?Ready to import? prompt.
13. If you get a Match Vendor screen, click the OK button.
14. Press OK on the Import Report Screen. Congratulations! You have successfully imported your items into EstiMate! Repeat steps 8-13 if you have more than one vendor catalog to import.
15. Close Vendormate. Disconnect from the internet.
16. Open EstiMate. Click ?Explore All Features? at the security monitor screen. If the ?tip of the day? appears click the close button.
17. Backup your data. (Instructions listed above).
18. Close EstiMate and remove your backup media from its drive.
19. Take your data backup to the office machine, insert the media in the drive, open EstiMate and restore the data. (Procedure listed above.) Congratulations! You have successfully imported ingredients from your favorite vendors catalogs? into EstiMate!

Questions and Answers:

Q: I can?t import my ingredients what gives?

A: You must subscribe to Vendormate and receive your key in order for this step to be completed. To subscribe and get your Vendormate key contact the EstiMate sales department at 888-304-3300 M-F 9:00AM ? 5:00PM EST.

Q: When I open EstiMate on the internet machine the ?explore all features button? is not active, and it says ?exploration period complete? what do I do?

A: You may have had a demo copy of EstiMate on the machine at one time. Call EstiMate Technical support for a new temporary key to open EstiMate.
Questions and Answers Continued. . .

Q: I don?t see the ?Explore all features? button at the bottom of my Security Monitor screen what do I do?

A: You may have installed an older version of EstiMate. Download the new version from www.pricingmadeeasy.com or contact technical support for assistance at 828-304-3300 10:00AM ? 6:00PM EST.

Q: The temporary version of EstiMate on the internet machine expires so what do I do about future imports?

A: Contact EstiMate technical support for a new temp key and follow the instructions above.

Q: This process seems really involved. Is there a shorter way to go about it?

A: Yes. Consider getting internet access for your office machine and install Vendormate on it. The process goes much more quickly if Vendormate and EstiMate are both installed on a computer that has access to the internet.