Important! - What you need to know before upgrading (Please Review Before Contacting Technical Support)
This article contains important information on upgrading to PlanSwift 9.0. Please read it in its entirety and go over all of the steps before attempting to do the upgrade!
PlanSwift 9.0 is a brand new platform with a new interface. It is much more powerful but may take some time for you adjust to the changes. We have webinars set up everyday to show you how to upgrade as well as how to convert your templates to the new version. We strongly recommend that you attend at least one webinar before upgrading. There is also a new webinar on Fridays called 'Ask the Expert' that is an open Q & A style forum.
Click here for our webinar listings
Take your time! When you do your upgrade to 9.0 you will need to run a conversion on all of the templates that you plan to use in 9.0.(See videos below in step 7) PlanSwift 9.0 will install separately from 8.7 and into a different directory. This means you will be able to have PlanSwift 9.0 and 8.7 on your computer at the same time. You can use either version by switching your license key back and forth between the applications. You cannot have both unlocked at the same time. Because of this, you will be able to make the transition to 9.0 at a speed that is comfortable for you and you will not lose production time in the process. This will also ensure that you have time to test all of your parts and assemblies to make sure they are functioning properly in 9.0.
General Information
- System Requirements
- The system requirements have changed somewhat from 8.x. See the complete list here
- In order to use the Excel functions, you must have Microsoft® Excel® 2003 , 2007, 2010 (32 bit editions only)
- Microsoft® Outlook® 2003, 2007, 2010 (32 bit editions only)
- For additional information regarding Office 2010 64bit click here
- Compatibility
- PlanSwift 9 jobs will not load in previous versions of the software, so be sure all users accessing the job data are running PlanSwift 9
- PlanSwift 8.7 jobs and templates can be imported into PlanSwift 9.0 (may require some tweaks to your parts & assemblies)
- It is not recommended that you import 8.x job unless absolutely necessary (Depending on the amount of jobs and their complexity this can take a very long time. You will also have to review each project to make sure it is intact and correct.
- You will still be able to access both versions of the software. This allows you to easily review and modify your projects created in 8.7 without having to import it into 9.0. You will just need to transfer the license as if you are changing computers.
- Plugins
- Plugins from version 8.7 will not work in 9.0. If you are using additional plugins or integrations, please check to make sure the plugin is available for 9.0 before upgrading.
- Networking
- You cannot connect to a previously created PlanSwift 8.x job location. New Data storages must me setup in version 9.0.
- These new Data Storages must be left intact and not modified in any way. This includes adding additional files to any of the directories from outside of PlanSwift.
- Multiple users
- In environments that have multiple users that share the projects and templates you must make the decision to upgrade together. This goes back to compatibility, you can't have half of the office on 8.7 and the other half on 9.0
- It is NOT recommended that multiple users access the same job under any circumstance.
- Licensing
- You will need to remove your license from version 8.7 before you can unlock version 9.0. You can then transfer the license back and forth between the two versions as needed.
- Known Issues
How to get the upgrade
- Remove your PlanSwift 8.7 License
- Open PlanSwift 8.7 and click on the help tab.
- Select the Software License Options button
- Click on Remove License.
- Close PlanSwift 8.7 and ALL MS Office applications
- Download PlanSwift Professional 9.0 and save the file to your desktop
- Double click on the downloaded file to start the installation
- Follow the on screen instructions to complete the installation
- Go to the Help tab and select Activate PlanSwift and enter your Customer Number and PIN
- Once the installation is complete you can watch these videos on migrating from 8.7 to 9.0
- Migrating from 8.7 to 9.0 'Whats Next?'
- Importing Projects and Templates
- Additional videos can be found in the program anywhere you see the 'Show Me How' buttons.
Why You Should Upgrade
Check out the new features below, or Click Here to Watch the Video
General:
- Undo! - now you can undo most changes.
- When emailing plans to other users, the ability to select individual pages from the list.
- Add columns to the "Open Job" dialog...example "Estimator" or "Due Date"
Interface:
- All new ribbon bar - more efficient use of the toolbar space
- Quick Search - search all commands in the ribbon bar, plus searching your current estimates, and templates at the same time
- New "Notes" sidebar...see all notes on the job in 1 place
- New docking system - (windows don't get lost)
- Multi-select capability - hold SHIFT or CTRL to select multiple items
- Color themes...Black, Blue, Silver
Navigation:
- Hyperlinks. Click hyperlinks on the page to either navigate to a URL or function as a bookmark to another page
- Search the pages window
- Folder structure for images: Now the user can group images in folders, such as "Architectural", "Structural", "Civil", etc.
- "Tabbed" browsing. Open multiple images at the same time...overall the software feels more like a "browser" for blueprint images, with powerful capabilities. Dock or undock tabs and move to additional monitors
- Hover navigation: Hover over arrows (up, down, left, right) to pan around the page (perfect for touch screens too)
- Takeoff / Image
- Templates
Lists:
- Database integration: Ability to create custom lists (example: Items, Customers, Divisions, etc.) that can be linked to database
Estimating:
- Database Integration: Link PlanSwift to any existing ADO compatible database (including Excel, SQL Server, MS Access) for Price Lists, Customer Lists, etc.
- Object oriented estimating (with Object Inheritance): We are introducing a new concept here. Each estimating assembly or formula can be "inherited" to other similar items allowing powerful plugins to be created with "Smart" functionality while digitizing.
- Modify item properties directly from the estimating screen
- Automatic units conversions - Enter values in IN, FT, M, CM, or any measurement type and it gets automatically gets converted
Reporting:
Language / International:
- Better metric compatibility
- Language Packs - Ability for the software to operate in multiple languages
Properties:
- New Property/Field Types: CheckBox, Color, Memo, Image, Path, Slider Bar, and more (store these properties on any item)
- Friendly "Input" screen when editing properties
- Form Designer: Ability to give templates friendly form inputs by using the form designer
Development Platform:
- New Concept of "Storages": Allows the user to control where their job data and templates are stored (folder on HD, in a database, in XML file, etc.)
- Much more open architecture - Every object (page, bookmark, area, linear, count, template....anything....has it's own XML based set of properties for storing/tagging additional information to. Perfect for plugins to piggypack on PlanSwift architecture)
- Ability to embed/integrate 3rd party apps into the software as a seamless solution (appearing as 1 software)
- Ability for Events/Methods to launch Executable Plugins
- New Script Editor window with built-in help files
Help / Support
- More integrated experience
Misc:
- Parts show what type of takeoff item they need dropped onto
- Export to Excel "Report": Ability to define a "Report" from an Excel template (such as Invoice/Estimate), and have it populated with Data from PlanSwift (this is different functionality than the existing Live Excel integration)
- SwiftMarket integration: The most powerful tool for buying and selling construction materials and services, now linked into the #1 takeoff software.
