IMPORTANT TIP: When Data Entry Fields are ready for entry, they are highlighted in yellow. When you are finished entering data in a field, Press the ENTER Key to go on to the next field. If you need to go back, use the Mouse or Press the UP-Arrow Key.

1) At the Main Menu, Press the "W" Key

W= Write a New estimate

2) Enter the Vehicle Owner's Name

When entering a person's name, you must include their First and Last Name. If the vehicle is owned by a business, you only have to enter the Company Name. If you like, you may include the first and last name of the contact person of that business.

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3) Enter the Owner's Address & Phone Number

Once you are finished with the name, you can enter the address and email OR you can bypass the address and enter the phone number directly by clicking the Phone #1 field with the mouse.

Tip: You will note the "Insured" Field opens up for entry. If the vehicle owner is making an insurance claim, it is important to put the name of the insured in this field. It may be the vehicle owner's name or the responsible party's name.

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4) Now Continue To Vehicle Data.

Once you are finished with the vehicle owner's information, you are ready to input the vehicle data. Press the ENTER key to continue OR the ESCAPE(Esc) Key To Delete this estimate and return to the Main Menu.

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5) Select The Vehicle Profile.

Enter the Letter shown to the left that corresponds with the vehicle type that you are estimating.

Tip: If you make a mistake, you can correct it after you are finished with the Estimate Administrative details. Go to the Owner/Vehicle screen, press the "V" Key (Vehicle) and Press the "S" Key To Select the Vehicle Type Profile.

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6) Decode The Vehicle Vin Number.

(For Manual Entry-Skip to Step #7a)

Press the "D" Key to Decode the VIN. A small window will appear in the center of the screen where you enter the vin. A correct vin will automatically populate the year, make, model, body style and engine. You will need to enter the vehicle color, mileage and license plate number.

There is no error correction function in the Vin Decoding. The Vin has to be 100% accurate, otherwise it will not decode. About 99.9% of Vin Errors are caused by an inaccurate vin entry.

Tip:" If you don't have the vin or if the vehicle is too old, then Press the "E" Key to Enter all of the Vehicle Data fields-including vin number. Go to Step 7 Below:

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6b) Decode Vin - Continued.

After the Vin has been decoded, vehicle data fields are highlighted in yellow for entry. Press the ENTER Key to navigate to the Production Date, Odometer, License Plate Number and License State.

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7a) No VIN? Then Manually Enter Vehicle Data.

Press the "E" Key to manually enter the vehicle. You can manually enter the Vin or leave it blank. Enter the model year. After your enter the year, you will be prompted to enter the vehicle make.

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7b) Manual Entry: Select the Vehicle Manufacturer.

A pop-up List of vehicle manufacturers will appear. Use your mouse or Up/Down Arrow Keys to navigate to the make you want. Select your choice by Double Clicking it with the mouse OR just press the ENTER Key.

Tip:" If the Vehicle Manufacturer is not listed, Select the "Other" Key and you can type it

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7c) Manual Entry: Now enter the Model, Body Style, etc.

Now enter the model, bodystyle, license and other vehicle data fields.

The field Fleet No. is for company owned vehicles where you must reference the vehicle number.

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8) Now Select 2 Stage, 3 Stage or 2 Tone Option.

By Default, the paint option is set to 2 Stage (BaseCoat/Clear Coat). To change it, press one of the following keys:

Number zero key = Single-Stage

Number 3 key = Three Stage

Number 2 key = two Stage

Two Tone Paint: By Default, the 2 Tone option is switched off. When the 2 Tone field is highlighted in Yellow, Press the "Y" Key (Yes) to activate the 2 Tone paint option or leave it blank for off.

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9) Select the Estimate Writer's Name.

Select the Writer's name using or Up or Down Keys or the mouse to Navigate to your Selection.

Add a Writer's Name: If you don't see your name listed, select any name for now. You can add a name by going to the Main Menu:

1) From the Main Menu Press the "S" Key (Settings)

2) Then Press the "U" Key for Users.

3) Press the "A" Key To Add a New Writer's Name and follow the prompts.

4) Now return to the Estimate and Press the "W" Key to Change the Writer's Name.

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10) Select Your Shop Rates Profile.

This Default Record should have been updated by you when installed the ABF program.
Press the "R" Key (Rates) and use your mouse to select the rate you want. The default Rate is your "street or normal rates". This will automatically install all labor rates, material rates and sales tax rates into your estimate. So you do not have to enter your rates every time you write a new estimate.

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Add New Rate Profiles: You can add more Rate Profiles for special customers(insurance companies, dealer wholesale, etc.) Here's how:

(1)You can add these rate profiles by going to the Main Menu.

(2) Press the "S" Key (Settings)

(3) Press the "S" Key (Shop Rates-Client Profile) again.

(4) Press the "A" Key. Enter the Profile name, rates and sales tax rates.

11) Now Let's Add Repair Line Items.