News And Events

Customize your function keys

Karen found a way to tweak your function keys for maximum efficiency! You can add your initials to the end of the Function key with the date and time.

For instance: ttoc(datetime())+”  KAC”.

Anything you put in quotes will show along with the date/time. Use a couple of spaces after the opening quotes so your initials don’t get jumbled with the date.

Also, if you want the date/time/initial note to include more information, you can add it within the quotes. Let’s say that you want F3 to say: 01/21/2014 09:40 AM  KAC  Called out. Then the function key would be: ttoc(datetime())+”  KAC  Called out”.

Be certain to check the Execute box to the right of the F key off, then on, and leave it on. Voila! Customized function keys!

Project your margins

   
Both COATS Standard and COATSsql have a built-in calculator for projecting margin. By adjusting your Workers Compensation, Overhead and Tax rates, you can manipulate your Pay rate, Bill rate, Hours, Markup percentage and even Gross Margin/Gross Profit % while quoting an order to ensure the best possible price.

From the Clients screen, go to your desired client, then click Mark %. Make sure the Governing Class Code is selected, then click GM/GP Worksheet.

The Pay Rate and Markup % will default from the initial Client window, and they’ll be used to calculate the bill rate. Then profit is determined by taking the difference between the bill and pay rates and subtracting overhead, taxes and worker’s compensation.

You can adjust the Overhead and Tax rates in the GM/GP Worksheet window. You can then fine-tune Workers Compensation by clicking the blank bar below Skill Code Text and selecting the appropriate skill code description.

Now you can see exactly how much a job is worth!