Home → EstiMate Version 1 → General FAQ → What are the entries in my EstiMate data file for?

1.34. What are the entries in my EstiMate data file for?

In my EstiMate data folder I see a number of database items. What are these for and why do I need them?

The data file entries are important as these are where EstiMate stores information such as your vinyls, substrates, customer list, and the associated parameters for each. If you do not have these items the program will not function properly.

Here is a list of database entries along with a brief explanation of their use. Throughout, keep in mind that there are several files for each database table, all with the same name and different extensions. We will refer only to the name, with a .* extension, but remember to consider all the files as one. For example, if we say:

archives.*

We are referring to:

archives.db and
archives.mb and
archives.px and
archives.x04 and
archives.x0c and
archives.y04 and
archives.y0c as a group.

Now we?ll discuss each of the data files and their specific purpose.

archives.*

The archives database entries store your archived estimates and jobs, but not the individual line items.

architem.*

The architem database entries store the actual line items for your archived estimates and jobs. So if you ever want to copy just your archived estimates and jobs from one folder to another, you would move all the files named archives.* and all the files named architem.* together to the new folder.

backup.*

The backup database entries are scratch tables generated by the database engine. They are unimportant to the working of EstiMate and can safely be deleted.

customer.*

The customer database entries store the information in your customer list including names, addresses, phone numbers, and web addresses of your customers.

discount.*

The discount database settings store your settings for your job discounts. These are the discounts you see on the discounts dropdown on the estimate screen or by clicking Edit Data Files > Discounts from EstiMate?s main screen.

estimate.*

The estimate databases store all your estimate information except the actual line item detail.

items-estimates.*

The items-estimates databases store the line item detail for your estimates. So if you ever want to copy just your estimates from one folder to another, you would move all the files named estimate.* and all the files named items-estimates.* together to the new folder.

jobs.*

The jobs databases store all your job information except the actual line item detail.

items-jobs.*

The items-jobs databases store the line item detail for your jobs. So if you ever want to copy just your jobs from one folder to another, you would move all the files named jobs.* and all the files named items-jobs.* together to the new folder.

foils.*

The foils databases store information in the foils/ribbons/inks database (edit data files > ingredients > foils/ribbons/inks) including size, cost, description, and markup parameters.

invterms.*

The invterms database stores the list of terms available for use on printed invoices.

linesquare.*

The linesquare database stores information input into the linear square items database including descriptions, sizes, and unit cost/markup criteria.

material.*

The material databases store all your sign substrate information.

recur.*

The recur databases store all information related to retail items including description, cost, and markup criteria.

rptlabor.*

The rptlabor databases store information about repeat labor items, including description, time, and labor rate criteria.

salespeople.*

The salespeople database stores the names of salespeople you enter in Edit Data Files > People > Salespeople within EstiMate.

scrninks.*

The scrninks database stores screening inks like Coroglos or Sericol that are selected in the silk screening inks dropdown on the screenprinted signs and screenprinted garments plugins.

shop.*

The shop databases store your shop information including shop name, address, phone number and contact info, as well as your pertinent settings such as your hourly rates.

supplier.*

The supplier database stores information on your suppliers including name, address, and telephone number criteria.

terms.*

The terms database stores your list of terms that are selected for use on an estimate.

textiles.*

The textiles database stores parameters for the garments entered in the garments datafiles that are accessed in conjunction with the Screen Printed Garments plugin.

thermsub.*

The thermsub databases store parameters of the digital print media used on the digital printing plugin.

threads.*

The threads database stores parameters for threads selected from the embroidery plugin.

tips.*

The tips database stores the tips displayed on the tip of the day window that pops up when EstiMate is started.

vinyl.*

The vinyl databases store information about vinyls that are selected from the vinyl/painted signs, Window Graphics, an RTA plugins. Criteria stored include size dimensions, description, cost and markup.

Other files in the Data Folder:

exportaccounts.ini

The exportaccounts.ini file is a configuration file that contains the QuickBooks account and item names specified in the export account assignment screen within EstiMate.

pdoxusrs.*

These files control user access to your database. They can be deleted as long as EstiMate is not running.

emailsubjects.*

The emailsubjects file stores a list of subjects you can choose for retrieval when sending an estimate via email.

Questions and Answers:

Q: Should I be accessing my data folder on a regular basis?
A: No. The databases should be accessed from within the EstiMate application only.

Q: Are there times when I will need to access any of the entries in my data folder?
A: Only as directed by an EstiMate technical support representative.

Q: Can I export my data files to other programs?
A: There is no particular support at this time for exporting your files to other software programs, however the datafiles are in paradox format, hence if the software you want to export to supports this format then it may be possible for the software to read the files.

Q: Should I backup my data folder?
A: Backing up is always reccommended, however the best way to backup your data is from within EstiMate itself. This is accomplished by clicking Management > Backup/Restore data files. The backup utility will compress the data folder into a small file that can be stored on a wide variety of media for later retrieval.

Q: I want to move my data folder. Is this possible? If so, what is the best way to go about it?
A: It is possible to move the data folder to a new location. The best procedure is to:
1. Close EstiMate.
2. Copy the data folder at its current location.
3. Paste the data folder to its new location.
4. Open EstiMate and select the data folder at its new location by clicking File > Network Setup > Select.

Q: EstiMate is not working right and it seems that files are missing from the data folder. Did EstiMate corrupt or remove some of my data files?
A: No. EstiMate does not have the capability to delete entries in the data folder. There are two possiblities: 1. A hostile program like a virus has been randomly deleting files on your computer. It is strongly suggested that you run an updated virus checker to look for and remove any viruses on the computer. 2. The files were removed by the user or an employee.