About the "shell" databases that come with Estimating

Sage Estimating comes with three "shell" databases that include standard CSI phase codes, but no items:

• Shell Commercial General contracting. This database includes only phases commonly used by commercial general contractors.
• Shell CSI 1995. This database uses the 16 divisions from the old MasterFormat 1995 Specification.
• Shell CSI 2011. This database uses the 50 divisions from the MasterFormat 2011 Specification.

When creating your own database, you can start with one of these databases, and then add your own items to the standard phases or transfer existing items from Excel.

To use a shell database as the basis of a new database:

1. In the Estimating Management Console, click Install Databases.
2. Under Available Databases, select Shell Databases from the dropdown menu.
3. Select the name of the shell database you want to use, and then click the right-arrow button to move it to the Databases to Install pane.
4. Click [Install].