Which integration process is right for my database?
Transfer Data
Select Transfer data if you are ready to start using the MasterFormat 2016 coding structure exclusively in your Estimating Standard database. You can choose to transfer Means data to a new Estimating Standard database or to an existing database in which you are already working.

Note: You cannot set job cost interface specifications for a new database using this option. You must first create a new database and set up the job cost specifications (such as phase suffix and company) then transfer RSMeans data to the new database using the Existing Database option.

Update Data
Select Update data if your Estimating Standard database already has Means items that need to be updated with current prices.

What are the outcomes of various options?
The following information describes the outcomes of various options presented in the Means Integrator Prepare Database step.

Transfer Data—New Database
A new Sage Estimating database is created and populated with all of the Means 2016 items in the MF2016 format.

Note: You cannot set job cost interface specifications for a new database using this option. You must first create a new database and set up the job cost specifications (such as phase suffix and company), and then transfer RSMeans data to the new database using the Existing Database option.

Transfer Data—Existing Means MF2016 Database
If you select to transfer to an existing MF2016 database, the integrator will transfer any new Means items to your database.

Transfer Data—Non Means Database
If you select to integrate with a non-Means database, the integrator will transfer the Means items to your existing database. The resulting database will contain both your existing phases and items and the Means phases and items. Addition of Means phases and items could cause your phase sort to look differently in Estimating.

Update Data—Existing Means MF2016 Database
If you select to update an existing MF2016 database, the integrator will update the items you specify with current information.

Note: If you have already converted your data to MF2004, the Means Integrator wizard does not upgrade to the MF2016 format automatically. This is because the differences between the MF2004 and MF2016 formats are minor. You do not need to convert your data to the MF2016 format.

Update Data—Non Means Database
If you select to update a non-Means database, the integrator will ask you to make another selection. Updating a non-Means database will result in no change.

Getting Started: Means Integrator (SQL)