Special Tables
Add-Ins
Add-Ins is where PlanChest provides access to user-editable information subsiduary to the core functions of Contact Management, Document Management, and Schedules + Workflow. Add-Ins are available from the Home Page only. This information falls into three broad categories:
Bespoke views and reports of core data: PlanChest Consultancy Services can provide bespoke views and reports tailored to the specific needs of an individual or organisation. Examples already developed include a consolidated list view of all Project Companies and a consolidated list view of all Project Reviews.
Bespoke data: If you have special requirements, PlanChest Consultancy Services can provide additional data tables fully integrated with our core product. Examples already developed include special versions of the Company Form showing financial and management information about specialist contractors, and special views of the Drawings List used to manage the QA audit process as drawings are revised.
Core functions under 'beta-test': To help with the final testing, we sometimes provide clients with 'beta-test' versions of new functions to be included in our next upgrade. Past examples have included hyperlinks to CAD files, and drawing information in XML format for use with project hosting systems.
Look-Up Tables
Look-Up Tables allow users to make selections from lists which are controlled centrally. The Look-Up Tables may be accessed for editing from the Home Page (only) and PlanChest recommends that edit permissions are restricted. A typical PlanChest installation may have these Look-Up Tables:
Information required elsewhere in PlanChest:
Company Project Role: The role which a particular company has on a particular project. This will generally be the same as the Company Role, but not always. For example, a company may be given a Company Role of 'Engineer', then assigned Project Roles of 'Structural Engineer', 'Services Engineer', 'Electrical Engineer', as appropriate to their specific role on a particular project. Most particularly, this is the correct place to assign a company with the role of 'Client'.
Company Role: The principle business of a company, e.g. Architect, Structural Engineer, Management Contractor, etc.
Issue Purpose: The purpose of a particular drawing issue - remember that this may differ from the current status of the individual drawings issued, although similar terminology is used. PlanChest offers fourteen default status entries which you may accept, edit, or add to, as you require.
Project Stage: PlanChest offers six default entries, based on the RIBA Project Stages, which you may accept, edit, or add to, as you require.
Revision Status: The current status of a particular drawing - remember that this may differ from the purpose of a particular drawing issue, although similar terminology is used. PlanChest offers fourteen default status entries which you may accept, edit, or add to, as you require.
Information about your staff: This can be integrated with your existing staff database if the formats are compatible.
Staff: The basic details of all your staff, e.g. First Name, Surname, Job Title.
Staff Project Role: The roles which your Staff have on your Projects, e.g. Project Director, Project Architect, Services Co-ordinator. Note that this may, and probably will, differ from their Job Title.
Configuration Tables
Configuration Tables are where PlanChest stores information, unique to your company, which determine how your particular installation works. The Configuration Tables may be accessed for editing from the Home Page (after ticking the 'Show Admin Information' box) but PlanChest strongly recommends that edit permissions are restricted to the System Administrator(s) only.