BSD SpecLink(R)-E Software Announced

ATLANTA — Building Systems Design, Inc. (BSD) today announced the final beta release of its new BSD SpecLink-E (SLE) software and master database for preparing construction specifications. SpecLink-E is the successor to BSD’s award-winning BSD SpecLink+ software currently being used by thousands of design professionals nationwide. SLE is client-server software that uses Microsoft’s SQL Server database management system to support multi-user collaboration over a local area network or a wide area network between multiple offices. The SLE software is also easily installed on a single computer for standalone operation by a single user.

SpecLink-E will participate in the building information modeling (BIM) process through integration with CAD environments such as Revit Architecture 2009 via an integration manager called BSD LinkMan-E(TM) (LME), also in development at BSD with a patent pending. With LinkMan-E and SpecLink-E in place on the same computer or the same network, relevant project data can be transferred in both directions between the CAD environment and the specifications environment. Users will also be able to set SLE so that data from the drawings will inform the specifier about product choices, or the software can be set to automatically select appropriate sections and “pre-edit” the specifications, based on decisions made in the CAD environment. In addition to showing its current products, BSD will demonstrate linking between BSD SpecLink-E and Autodesk’s Revit at the AIA National Convention and Expo in San Francisco, April 30 - May 2, 2009.

SpecLink-E has been designed to allow real-time updating of its master database over the Internet at any convenient time. The master database updating can be scheduled in off hours with little or no disruption to the specification preparation process. Updates to the individual user’s client software take advantage of Microsoft technology called ClickOnce installation. This allows the client software on each user’s computer to update itself automatically from a central location on the network once the site manager decides to make the update available to users at that site. As with the previous generation SpecLink+ software, data updates to SLE will not overwrite user modifications in any existing projects, including so-called “office master” projects, because of the product’s unique database structure. Project-specific information entered by a user is stored in separate project overlay tables that are automatically merged with the master database content when a project is viewed or printed.

The version of SLE that will be demonstrated at the AIA convention in San Francisco will be distributed to current BSD SpecLink subscribers this summer, together with updates to BSD SpecLink+ and BSD CostLink/AE.

About BSD: Building Systems Design, Inc. develops, maintains, and provides training and technical support for innovative cost estimating and specification writing software tools for the architecture, engineering, and construction markets of North America. The company was founded in 1983 and is headquartered in Atlanta. Learn more at http://www.bsdsoftlink.com.