Purpose
TRUE Fence is our estimating lite tool, designed to seamlessly integrate with the Quote and Bids modules in TRUE. Create a Site Layout, assign products from your configured product Catalog, generate a Material List, and create a digital proposal with eSign and ePay capabilities with a couple clicks of a button. Learn how to manage these estimates using TRUE and TRUE Fence.
Videos
Key features of the TRUE Fence app.
Click to view the TRUE Fence Workflow
TRUE Fence Dashboard
The TRUE Fence Dashboard is an optional hub that can serve as your central hub for managing projects and schedules. It's divided into two main sections:
Schedules Module
This section displays your current, future, and past schedules. It also allows you to create optimized routes for your appointments.
Search & Filter
| All | Shows all scheduled records assigned to you |
| Upcoming | Displays your upcoming scheduled appointments |
| Routes | Opens the Route feature for creating optimal travel paths |
Route Feature
The Route feature helps you plan the most efficient path for your daily appointments:
- Click the "Route" button
- Enter a specific date or choose “Today”
- Input your starting and finishing addresses
- Click the route "Globe" icon to generate your optimized route
Projects Module
This section contains all your existing Quotes and Jobs. Click a record to view more information.
Button Actions
| Unscheduled | Shows assigned Quotes without a linked Schedule |
| Quotes | Displays all assigned Quote records |
| Today | Shows Quotes with a related Schedule for today's date |
| Week | Displays Quotes scheduled for the upcoming week |
| Sent | Shows Quotes marked as "Sent" |
| Follow Up | Displays Quotes due for follow-up |
| Jobs | Shows all assigned Job records |
How do I Create a New Project?
Currently, we only support the ability to create a new Quote record in TRUE Fence. To do so:
- Navigate to the TRUE Fence Dashboard
- Select the "Projects" module
- Click the "+" icon
- Add client information.
Estimating features
While the TRUE Fence app has an optional built in dashboard, these estimating functions are found in the core modules of TRUE Fence.
TRUE Draw
TRUE Draw is a drawing tool for creating detailed site layouts. Users can access a drawing by opening TRUE Fence from a new Quote within TRUE or via the “Selections” module. It comes in two versions:
V2 (Scaled version)
This version automatically calculates measurements based on your drawing. Adjustable scale and on a grid layout.
Key features:
- Completely to scale, automatically calculated measurements
- Grid layout for cleaner drawings
- Various drawing tools for fences, gates, and other objects
- More detail
V3 (Unscaled version)
This lightweight version allows you to manually enter measurements, similar to hand-drawn layouts.
Key features:
- Google satellite image integration
- Simplified drawing tools
- Manual measurement entry
- Less detail
Using TRUE Draw
New Drawing
Existing Drawing
- Navigate to TRUE Fence.
- Open the Selections module.
- Click the proposal button and choose the correct quote from the selections drop down.
- Select the “Drawing” button to open the existing drawing.
Information Module
The Information module displays all relevant customer and project details. Use the “Details” feature within this section to review or update:
- Client information.
- Point of contact.
- Job site address and map.
- Project-specific details and descriptions or attributes.
This module syncs with your main TRUE system, ensuring data consistency across your entire workflow.
Selections Module
The Selections module allows you to assign products to your drawing segments and generate a material list. This module allows you to generate accurate estimate pricing.
Column Headers
| ITEMS | Displays selection line items (products). |
| LF | Displays Linear Footage for the selected item. |
| LF PRICE | Displays the price per Linear Foot, if enabled. |
| QTY | Displays the total quantity of the selected line item. Click to modify. |
| +/- ICON | Displays the “Adjustment”. Allows users to apply a percentage percentage pricing adjustment to all or select line items. TRUE will automatically update the markup or margin accordingly. |
| PRICE | Displays the calculated sell price per unit. Uses cost and quantity. |
| TOTAL | Displays the calculated total for the selected line item. Uses the quantity, cost and any adjustment to calculate a value. |
Additional Features
“+” icon
| Manual | Add a manual selection line item to your current proposal. |
| Catalog | Add a specific Catalog line item to your current proposal. |
| “refresh” icon | Refresh the current list. If using the unscaled drawing, use this for selection items to appear. |
Gear icon
| Reset | Reset the current proposal to remove any existing combinations or product selections. |
| Combine Items | Use to combine line items, or matching product components. |
| Batch Material/Labor | Use to automatically batch select any “Material” or “Labor” line items in your quote. |
| Remove Labor | Automatically remove any labor line items for the current proposal. |
| Duplicate | Create a new proposal using the current selected proposal. Copies line items and drawing. |
| Delete | Permanently delete the selected proposal. This action is irreversible. |
Selected Item
Gear icon
| Combine Similar Components | Consolidate matching components for a single “Assembly” product. |
"Hamburger” icon
| Add Component | Add a Catalog product as a component to the selected selection item. |
| Manual / Auto Pricing | Toggle pricing to “Manual” or “Automatic”, automatically generated saved pricing vs manually entering in pricing. |
| Select Catalog | Use to replace the selected item with another Catalog item. This does not replace components. |
| Delete | Permanently delete the selected selection item. |
| Swap Options | Available if the product has “Options” configured. Allows the user to choose and replace the current selected product with stored optional product options. |
| Combine similar items | Use this to clean up the material list. Combines any line items that appear more than once. |
| Add manual line items | + icon. Use this to add additional line items to your Quote/Bid. Select from existing Catalog items, or manually input text. |
| Apply group pricing adjustment: | Use the “batch” select checkboxes to the left of a line item and the “Adjustment” feature. This will add a percentage discount or markup to the item. |
| Quote duplicate: | Found in the “"⚙️"” icon, use to create another copy of the current selection. |
| Reset: Found in the “"⚙️"” icon. | Use to clear all assigned products and get quote back to the initial save state. |
Files Module
The Files mode serves as a repository for all project-related files, including:
- Drawings
- Photos
- Documents
Any drawings created in TRUE Draw are automatically saved here.
Preferences Module (Settings)
Allows users to modify default settings for the TRUE Fence app, located in the “"⚙️"” icon on the top right.
TRUE Draw
Settings related to the TRUE Draw application.
| Use Unscaled Drawing | Opens the Unscaled Drawing by default in TRUE Draw when "New Drawing" is picked. |
| Map Type | Set the default type of map that the Google Satellite image pulls. |
| Map Zoom Level | Set the zoom level for the Google Satellite image. |
| Map Heigh | Set the height dimensions for the Google Satellite image. |
| Map Width | Set the width dimensions for the Google Satellite image. |
Text Display Options
Settings related to the text that displays when items are generated.
| Use Description as Display | Uses the product's “Description” instead of display name when showing items in TRUE. This overrides the "Use User Friendly Display" option. |
| Use User Friendly Display | Shows a simpler product name in TRUE. Example: "6' x 6' White Privacy Vinyl Fencing" instead of "Vinyl | Privacy | White | Fencing | L:6 | H:6". |
Selections
Settings related to the Selections mode and workflow.
| Show LF Pricing | Shows price per linear foot for fences in Selections mode. Calculates using item's sell price and measurement unit. |
| Use Gate LF Pricin | hows price per linear foot for gates in Selections mode. |
| Auto Combine Items | Automatically groups matching items together in your quote. |
| Follow-Up | Show or hide the “Follow-Up” button in the Selections module. |
| eSign | Show or hide the “eSign” button in the Selections module. |
| Default eForm (Quotes) | Select the default eForm generated for Quote records. |
| Default eForm (Bids): | Select the default eForm generated for Bid records. |
Catalog
Settings related to the Catalog
| Additional Material Types | Enter text in this field to add additional “Material Types” that do not currently exist. Separate these items with a line break (Enter (Windows) or return key (Mac)). |
| Classic Catalog Default View | Makes the Catalog open in "Classic" view instead of "Table" view. Better for changing parts. |
eForms
Settings related to eForms. These mirror settings found within Company Preferences.
Product Catalog
The Product Catalog is the backbone of TRUE Fence's estimating power. It's crucial for generating accurate estimates, streamlining your workflow, and maintaining consistency across your entire fencing operation. This process involves importing product data (or using demo data) and configuring assemblies.
Importance of Proper Catalog Setup
A properly configured catalog offers numerous benefits:
| Accurate Material Breakdowns | Automatically generate detailed material lists for each project. |
| Precise Pricing | Ensure consistent and accurate pricing across all estimates. |
| Inventory Integration | Link catalog items to your inventory for real-time stock tracking. |
| Purchasing Efficiency | Use catalog data to generate back into TRUE to create purchase orders and manage suppliers. |
| Work Ticket Integration | Easily create detailed work tickets for your installation teams. |
| TRUE System Synchronization | Maintain data consistency across your entire TRUE ecosystem. |
Catalog List View
The catalog is divided into several key sections, it starts with a product list of selectable products. Those sections are as follows:
Details Mode
Contains basic product information.
|
Description/Notes
|
Description of the selected product record. Can include details such as the style, material type or dimensions. Users manually enter description data. |
| Style | Enter the style of fence, specific to this product. |
Category
Hardcoded field that TRUE uses to categorize products. These are defined as the following:
Cap |
Used to represent Post caps. |
| Fencing | Used to represent fencing panels. Primary product when configuring fencing assemblies. |
| Hardware | Products that are associate hardware components used when building or installing fencing. |
| Post | Used to represent a post product in the system. |
| Gate | Used to represent a single swing gate in the system. |
| Double Gate | Used to represent a double gate in the system. |
| Specialty Gate | Used to represent a most specialized gate, outside of the typical offering. |
| Tear-Out | Used to represent a “Tear-Out” service, typically for pricing of the labor. |
| Service | Used to represent another type of service you offer, non-material based product record. |
| Other | Used to capture anything outside of the scope of the other options. Fence materials, associated with the build of a fence (IE: Pickets, rails), typically fall under “Other”. |
| Material Type | Define the material type of the product record. Users can add additional options via the “Preferences” found within the "⚙️" icon of TRUE Fence. |
| Color |
Pricing Information
| Pricing Mode | Cost and selling price data. |
| Components Mode | Related products that build assemblies. Required for accurate material lists. |
| Sales Mode | Additional product details and images |
| Options Mode | Variations of the main product. Allows you to enter “Swap Options” to replace or upgrade line items in the Selections mode. |
Additional Features (Catalog)
| “+” icon | Create a new product record. |
"⚙️" icon:
| Advanced Filter | Create complex searches to find specific products |
| Dynamic View | Customize your catalog display with sortable columns |
| Classic View | Alternative view for easier component management |
| Batch Select | Modify multiple products simultaneously |
| Sync Catalog to TRUE | Push catalog data to the main TRUE system |
| Sync TRUE to Catalog | Pull product data from TRUE into your fence catalog |
| Manager List: | Enter users that need access to the product Catalog. |
“≡” icon
| Build Components | Select to modify the components for the selected product. |
| Duplicate | Use to create an exact copy of the product and the related components. |
| Advanced Duplicate | Use to create a duplicate of a completed assembly. Useful for when you need to create new assemblies with components that are entirely new products. |
| Delete | Use to permanently delete the selected product. |
Catalog Tips
Setup Methods
There are several ways to set up and manage your Product Catalog ranging from manual product creation to utilizing our support team. Please refer to our related article HERE.
Limiting Catalog Access
Within the “"⚙️"” icon of the Catalog, enter usernames into the “Manager List”. As long as this is an exact text match, only those users will gain access to view the Catalog.
Best Practices for Catalog Management
- Standardize Naming Conventions: Use consistent naming for easy searching and sorting
- Regular Updates: Keep your catalog current with the latest products and pricing. Use the batch select > Markup/Margin features or our product exports to easily perform these adjustments.
- Use Categories and Material Types: Properly categorize products for efficient filtering of data, as well as easy product selection.
- Set Up Component Relationships: Define how products work together for accurate material lists. Build product assemblies to automatically create material lists based on those specific configurations.
Advanced Catalog Tips
- Use the "Component Pull" feature to control how sub-components are included in estimates. This can be found within the “Component” mode of a selected product.
- Leverage the "Post Type" field for accurate post calculations in fence assemblies. The system will always calculate a line, corner, and end post. Assigning posts of a different types to a product assembly will ensure that the system has a reference point to assign those calculated quantities to.
- Utilize the "Included" feature for components to fine-tune pricing on assemblies. This can be done by selecting the product, selecting the "Components" mode, and clicking the price field to mark an item as “Included”.
By investing time in properly setting up and maintaining your Product Catalog, you'll create a powerful tool that enhances the accuracy of your estimates, streamlines your operations, and ultimately saves time on every project. Remember, the catalog is not just a list of products – it's the engine that drives the precision and efficiency of your entire fencing operation within the TRUE system.
Common Workflow Questions
- How do I open TRUE Fence?
- How do I choose products for my estimate?
- How do I send a proposal from TRUE Fence?
- Can I set a follow up date?
- How do I convert a Quote to Job in TRUE Fence?