Does anyone here use more than 1 program to help write specifications? BTW, I am not talking about different master specs for different clients.
How do you coordinate or update information between the 2 or more programs?
I use both WordPerfect & MS Word
Mainly because our in-house masters were created in WP, but I do have to coordinate with COnsultants that use Word.
We started a process to convert our Office Masters to Word 2 years ago, but due to moving our offices and the economic downturn it’s been put on the backburner.
We use SpecLink and Excel in house for architectural and structural sections and usually get Word files from other consultants. Every section gets printed to pdf with the section number starting the filename. They all look the same to the printer.
Contact Dave Stutzman at Conspectus, he uses MS Word and WP for their in-house master and they produce the Spectext master system in Word and WP. I’m not sure of direct email but he can be contacted at admin@conspectusinc.com
We use Word and e-SPECS with good success.
I’m with BSD SpecLink-E and Word…
We use BSD Speclink & Word for many projects. We also use SpecsIntact for Navy projects but that software does not being mixed with the other programs (other than Submittal Register but SI generates that for you to Excel).
On Speclink/Word projects I prefer to use only Speclink but there are occasions that we are required by the client to use “their” Sections and it is more efficient using only Word.
Sometimes consultants will use a different program but it is up to them to coordinate to our Div.01… often they will use Word but I will typically send them my RTF files early in the project so they have a standard format to start with (unless they can provide me an acceptable match to my “Master” using their software – I’ve experienced success with this strategy when the Architect-consultant had MasterSpec).
How many of you have experience with SpecLink-E?
My firm is considering taking another look at with regards to its ability to work with Revit.
So far, thay haven’t been impressed with the initial reviews. It appeared to be very convoluted and had too many “pull down” menus
Hi Richard,
I am using it full time now, since the June release. I like it quite a bit. Once you get your masters is and integrated I think it works quite well.
I am not using the BIM integration program LinkMan-E because my clients aren’t going there yet. I think that given the very similar product types you guys do over there, it could be an advantage. It will take a lot of set up work though, as it would for any BIM-Revit interface.
You have my number, if you can’t find it (since I’m not in LA any more), just post and I’ll give you a call.
I am transitioning from SL+ to SL-E. Can’t comment on the BIM aspect but I really like SL-E, too. A few little things they are addressing for the next release which I think will be soon. I consider bugs in new software to be expected though.
I don’t think you’ll find it as “convoluted” now.
BTW, there is a BSD SpecLink Group on LinkedIn now.