Variables

Variables are the values for the calculations, which can be at different positions of the calculation. Eg.: Cycle time can be a cycle time for a machine, but also for a manual operation to calculate the labour cost. You do not need to define separate cycle time variable, you can use it in the calculation as a variable name for both cost element calculation.

The variables definition form is this.

Variable types

There are two types of variables:

• Manual Entry - These variables need to be entered in the price/cost calculation manually.
  
• Rate Table - These variables are pulled from the rate table, base on the price/cost calculation date.

Creating New Variable

To create a new variable, type the name and description to the fields at the top of the form then select the type of the variable. Once these are set, click on the Add As New button. If the name of the new variable already exists the new variable cannot be saved.

Editing existing variable

To edit an existing variable, select it from the list of variables and double click on it. The variable will appear in the name, description and the variable type fields at the top of the form.
You can edit the name and variable type, when the variable is not used in a calculation yet. The description can be edited at any time.
If you try to edit a variable name or variable type, which already used in a calculation model, the application will not allow the change.

Deleting a variable

To delete a variable, select it from the list of cost elements and click on the Delete Selected button. If the variable is not used in any model, it will be deleted.