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DeccaPro Software Description

welcome1.wmf (4648 bytes) DeccaPro - Build cost estimating models for any product using your process knowledge

DeccanPro is a integrated Windows program for product costing, design, and materials selection. If your work involves any type of costing, quotes, bids, contract proposals, cost reduction projects, process design, product sizing, basic structural design, materials selection, plastics, or composites this program will save you time and money.


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What is DeccaPro?

DeccaPro is an integrated (see schematic) cost estimating software that you can use to analyze costs of complex  batch (many parts), continuous (extrusion), and  job (one time) processes. These can consist of multiple tasks each containing multiple cost elements that specify usage of resources defined as materials, labor, expenditure, tooling, machinery & equipment, and investments.

Use DeccaPro to build cost models for injection molding, composites, casting, machining, construction, service business, and projects.

The model structure and data required are intuitive. The software uses the common terminology of  standard process flow and resource usage - If you know your process and how much your equipment costs you can build a model. 

You can define cost factors using variables and equations. These values can be used at the element level to model complex interactions between tasks and cost elements


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Schematic Diagram (copyright)

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Cost Analysis Method

Our approach was to enable convenient activity based costing (ABC) at any level of detail desired by the user. The fundamental principle behind the model is that products are made through activities (or tasks) in which resources are consumed or used for specified time periods to add value. The cost of consumption or time usage is used to determine product cost. The equations given below show how costing is typically done:

Basic:
    Cost =
    Direct Material + Direct Labor +  
    (Burden* Cost Driver)

Conventional:
    Cost =
    Direct Material + Direct Labor +
    Sum[Overheads * Drivers] 

Activity Based (used in DeccaPro):
    Cost =
    Sum [Activity (Materials + Labor +
    Tooling + Machinery + Investments)]

True activity based costing uses meaningful production information and avoids the uncertainty of burden rates, overhead rates, overhead drivers, and lack of accounting data which, if necessary, can also be included in the model.


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Features - Costing

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Batch (many products), continuous (extrusion), and job (one time) costing models

Multiple tasks (activities) each with multiple cost elements that define resources (material, labor, expenditure, tooling, machinery, investment) usage

Create standard tasks (with cost elements) and use as building blocks for fast model development.

Cost elements (resource usage) are defined by intuitive cost drivers such as unit price, quantity, cycle time, duration, scrap, tool life, depreciation/useable life, price discounts, rental rates, rework rates, take off factors, savings mode, etc. as applicable.

Specify product cost factors such as volume, manufacturing duration, hours per day, cost of capital, etc. Also, indirect overheads, markups, and tax rates for each resource type.

Specify target price or profit margin rate (as % of sales price)

Tasks can be repetitive (batch and continuous) or one time (for setups and projects)

Model task sequences, cumulative scrap rate effects, accumulate product weights, etc.

Attach a design model (variables and equations) to a product to define all key cost drivers using complex relationships. Easier than using a spreadsheet.

Quick entry screen allows convenient entry of user selected variables (from design and task models) with question prompts and notes. [ease of use feature]

Detailed lists and reports show cost breakdowns, resource quantities, bill of materials, and line rates

Pie charts show cost breakdown by tasks and resource type

Graph cost/price/profit versus volume or any design parameter. Use for sensitivity, break even, and parametric analysis.

Export graphs and their data to spreadsheets and word processors.

User definable databases for cost models, designs, standard tasks, labor, tooling, and machinery. Import and clone complex cost models (plus version).

 Trial download - In appreciation for your interest you are invited to download the trial version of Deccapro

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Features - Design

Define design model with named variables related to each other by explicit equations. Easier than using a spreadsheet with row/column references.

Standard math plus functions for learning curve, machining times, area/volume calculations, root solving, and series summation. Use for cost equations and basic design.

Look up materials data and drop into equations

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Features - Materials

User defined databases (ISO standard) for all types of materials including property graphs, trouble shooting data, and powerful material selection tools.

View properties in US and SI units at the press of a button.

Easily define, calculate, and store material formulation data - Ideal for resin formulations and compounds.

Quickly compare and select materials for applications using graphs and parametric structural comparison of materials for thickness, weight, and cost.

User defined corrosion data for a material can include unlimited environments with use temperature and test data

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Features - General

Password protection plus ability to lock data

Network Cost Plus with additional license.

Use third party databases (materials and resource costs)

Stand-alone Windows software