e-Specs or BSD speclink?

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Author Message Chris Sawyer, CCS LEED AP Senior Member Username: csawyer Post Number: 11 Registered: 02-2009 Posted on Tuesday, January 18, 2011 - 12:24 pm:    We use both Bentley and Revit at my firm. I need to evaluate a spec intergation solution as it is becoming a client request and a QA/QC issue. Does anyone have comments on these two systems? I'm starting from scratch and haven't used software of this kind. Thanks Chris Sawyer CCS LEED AP Chris Grimm, CSI, CCS, SCIP Affiliate, LEED-AP, MAI, RLA Senior Member Username: tsugaguy Post Number: 252 Registered: 06-2005 Posted on Thursday, January 20, 2011 - 10:17 am:    Since you are using Revit already, you would probably want to consider e-SPECS for Revit. Which master guide specifications does your firm use? Anne Whitacre, FCSI CCS Senior Member Username: awhitacre Post Number: 1101 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Thursday, January 20, 2011 - 02:53 pm:    Chris (Sawyer) I would call both systems and ask them for their "sales pitch" for you, and specifically discuss your project types, size and complexity, and also the capabilities you have in house. It is my understanding that each of the systems that you mention needs some customization for an individual office, and I have met proponents of each of the systems. Since you are setting up a long term working relationship with someone, you will want to pay attention to how that relationship seems to you, as well. In addition, the content between the two systems is different. E-specs is based on Masterspec language; speclink is based on the BSD masters. Those two products themselves are very different in terms of content, and while it doesn't quite reach the PC/Apple debate, those discussions can be pretty heated. Doug Frank FCSI, CCS Senior Member Username: doug_frank_ccs Post Number: 277 Registered: 06-2002 Posted on Thursday, January 20, 2011 - 03:33 pm:    You might also want to look at ARCOM’S newest product; Altarix”. Just announced to be available this coming May. Not sure how it applies except as an add-on to MasterSpec but I’d guess it would have some effect on e-specs. I’ll bet both ARCOM and BSD will have a presence at AIA Convention in May and CSI Construct in September. If you can wait that long, you can get a good hands-on demonstration of both and get questions answered on the spot. Doug Frank FCSI, CCS, SCIP Affiliate FKP Architects, Inc. Houston, TX Chris Sawyer, CCS LEED AP Senior Member Username: csawyer Post Number: 12 Registered: 02-2009 Posted on Friday, January 21, 2011 - 11:21 am:    Thanks for the comments. I use AIA Masterspec by default but we have clients that require SpecText, SpecsIntact, and other govermental masters (CalTran, NYNJ Port Auth, NYC Schools, some state agencies have masters, etc). It seems that nobody has a product that works with Bentley BIM - however e-specs has something that works with NavisWorks and Bentley in some static way. My concern is how these systems would allow me to "switch-out" one system of masters for another, if at all. It seems possible but cumbersome. It looks like a lot of front-end customization and coordination. I got a sales webinar from BSD yesterday. The product looks powerful but complicated. E-specs just sent me some canned presentation to look at so I'll investigate; however, i don't think I can really evaluate without trying them each out on a small project. Chris Sawyer CCS LEED AP Lisa Goodwin Robbins, RA, CCS, LEED ap Senior Member Username: lgoodrob Post Number: 118 Registered: 08-2004 Posted on Friday, January 21, 2011 - 11:50 am:    We also use a variety of masters, some maintained by various public agencies and some of our own. This was one of the reasons we decided the e-spec/speclink products were not for us. If your firm has one type of project, for one client, using one type of master, then all that up-front customization might be well worth the time and effort. But then again, if your firm were so specialized, you might be out of business. - Alan Mays, AIA Senior Member Username: amays Post Number: 60 Registered: 02-2003 Posted on Friday, January 28, 2011 - 10:27 am:    Cannon Design has posted a study of e-Spec on their blog. Maybe it will help you. Camil Malouf New member Username: c_malouf Post Number: 1 Registered: 07-2017 Posted on Tuesday, July 25, 2017 - 10:57 pm:    Has anyone been regularly using e-specs for revit or BSD Linkman-e to generate specs from the revit model database? I'd be interested in knowing how well that's been working out, thanks smcgrady (Unregistered Guest) Unregistered guest Posted on Thursday, July 27, 2017 - 03:29 pm:    Not sure if you saw the post on another Discussion thread, but check the Specification Discussions > New Spec Software thread to see what users are saying about VisiSpecs which offers BIM Integrated Spec solutions. I am with VisiSpecs so won't go into a sales pitch, but you can contact us and learn more at www.chalklineinc.com.