The Project Explorer is where you create new projects in SI. There are many ways to create projects.
#1 Use the New Project Wizard
The only two required fields to save a project created using the New Project wizard are the Client and Project Name.
However, you will likely want to add more information than that. All other fields for the project can be added or edited later via the Project Information interface or the Settings dropdown within a project.
You can determine what fields are required for users to create a new project via the New Project Required Fields settings in the Control Panel.
1/ Open Project Explorer.
2/ Click Create > New.
This will open the New Project wizard.
Step 1
The following is the Step 1 form in the wizard.
The following are the fields in the form.
Field | Description |
Client | Here, you can select an existing client from the list, or click the Create Client button to create a new client from scratch, import one from Outlook, or import one from QuickBooks.
If you type in a new client name, you will be prompted to create a client.
This is a required field. |
Project Name | The project name will be printed on most SI reports.
This is a required field. |
Client Number | This field can be filled in if you want to add a client number, e.g., an identifier for the client from your accounting software. |
Client PO Number | Here, you can enter the PO Number you received from your client when they signed off on the project.
This field will be transferred to a QuickBooks estimate, or if entered in the Create QuickBooks estimate dialog, it will auto-populate this field.
This is an optional field. |
Project Number | This will auto-populate once the project has been saved based on your Project Number Format settings in the Control Panel.
You can also manually type any number you wish in this field. |
Status | Set a Status for the project.
This will be updated throughout the project life cycle. |
Assigned To | The user you are logged in as will be automatically populated in this field.
You can also assign the project to other SI users. |
Sales Rep | Here, you can assign a sales rep from your list of resources. |
Project Manager | Here, you can assign a project manager from your list of resources. |
Designer | Here, you can assign a designer from your list of resources. |
Estimated/Actual Close Date | Here, you can enter an estimated close date for an opportunity (if the project has not yet been won) and an actual close date, if desired. |
Start/End Date | Enter the start date if you know it. |
Product Price Type | This defaults to "Price Type A" or whatever you renamed under Product Price Types.
Change if desired. |
Budget | Enter a budget for the project if desired.
This field will automatically populate when a project is created from a Mobile Quote. |
Quantity-Based | This option will be selected or deselected by default based on your Project Rules setting.
This determines whether the project will be Quantity-Based or Unit-Based. |
Currency | Here, you can choose a currency for the project if you have enabled multiple currencies. |
Create Project From Template | This is to create the project from an existing SI template. |
Step 2
If a primary contact is associated with the client, their information will be pre-filled here. Enter any additional contacts to the project, e.g., spouse, contractor, builder, architect, etc.
Click the New button to add a new or existing contact or import one from Outlook.
This list can be printed via the Project Contact Information report.
Step 3
Enter or edit the site address and billing address if needed. The site address is used for reporting.
Step 4
Choose your taxes for the project.
See Tax Settings.
You also have the option to look up your taxes through Avalara, based on either the site address or the billing address for the project.
When you click this link, a dialog will open, allowing you to choose the address you want to search for and an option to validate the address through Avalara.
Avalara lookup only works for addresses in the US.
If you click the Validate button, you will have the option to use the validated address or the original address.
Once you choose an address, taxes will be displayed.
Here you have the option to add the tax to the project for products, labor, or both. You will also have the option of adding taxes as a Tax Group or as a single tax. You can rename the Tax Group or tax before clicking Finish.
Step 5
Assign any resources to the project.
See Users/Resources.
Your user or resource information will be automatically populated. You can then click the Assign button to add additional resources.
Resources are not required and can be added later.
Step 6
Enter a scope of work for the project if needed. You can manually type in this field, paste text into this field, or use Snippets you created.
See Snippets.
All text entered into this field will be unformatted, as this is a database field. If you want a Rich Text Format (RTF) formatted scope of work, you will need to do so from within the project after it has been saved.
See Scope of Work.
This can be printed via the Scope of Work Document report.
Step 7
Enter any Locations for the project. You can add locations using the Add button if you want to choose from the list of locations in your Control Panel, or you can click the New button to type the names manually.
Step 8
Enter any Systems for the project. You can add systems using the Add button if you want to choose from the list of systems in your Control Panel, or you can click the New button to type in the names manually.
Step 9
Here you can modify the contract percentages.
See Payment Terms.
Step 10
If needed, enter any other information in the custom fields that you have defined.
See Custom Fields.
When finished entering your project information, click the Save button.
The project file will automatically open in the Project Editor interface.
#2 Create New Project from Template
You can create a project from the Project Template you previously created and saved in SI.
1/ In the Project Explorer, click Create > From Template.
2/ Select the template you want to use and click the Select button.
The New Project from Template wizard will open.
3/ Assign a client and project name, and edit any other necessary information. Then, click Save.
#3 Import Project
Import functionality for projects can be used to import legacy projects and SI projects that you have either exported or received from another person using SI.
1/ In the Project Explorer, click Create > Import Project.
The Import Project wizard will open.
2/ Click Next.
3. Browse to the project you want to import. Click Next.
4/ Verify the files you want to import. These will include any Visio or AutoCAD files, revisions, scope of work RTF files, etc.
5/ Click Next.
6/ Choose your options for importing this project and click the Import button.
The following options are available in the Import Project form.
Option | Description |
Status | The project status will default to the first one in your list with a state of Open. |
Import accounting estimate numbers | This option will import any existing accounting estimate numbers. |
Import mobile quote details | This option imports any existing Mobile Quote details into the project.
This only applies to projects that are linked to a Mobile Quote. |
Import order details | This option will import any populated order fields within the project. |
Import installation details | This option imports any installation fields that are populated within the project. |
Import legacy schedule | This option will import any legacy scheduling tasks from a SIX project. |
Add new products to catalog | This option will automatically import products that don't exist into your SI catalog. |
Add new labor to catalog | This option will automatically import labor items that don't exist into your SI catalog. |
Add new packages to catalog | This option will automatically import packages that don't exist into your SI catalog. |
If you are importing an approved project, there will be additional options to choose from.
Once imported, the form remains open, allowing you to import another project if needed.
#4 Clone Existing Project
You might want to clone or copy a project to present different options to your client.
You can clone an existing project and then make any changes needed to present two or more different proposals to your client. You could also clone a project and assign it to a new client to save time by reusing a previously created project.
The project must be checked out so you can clone it.
1/ Select the project you want to clone in Project Explorer.
2/ Click the Clone button.
The Clone Project Options form will open.
3/ Make your selections, then click OK.
The Clone Project wizard will open, which is the same as the New Project wizard.
Make any modifications desired and click Save.