Linking between Building Information Models and
Project Specifications is an aspiration of many design organizations. It is the
missing link between Design BIM and FM&O BIM.
Designers use BIM for design, validation,
visualization, analysis, and quality assurance. Many take a cautious approach
to Information, supplying only the minimum.
However, owners are increasingly
demanding that data for facility management shall be derived from BIM and be
useful for Operations and Maintenance. Even a ‘Smart Home’ gets smarter if the
information needed to manage all its IoT devices is managed in a virtual model.
As with many aspects of the design professions, specification
writing has become a role in itself. While larger firms can afford dedicated
staff, smaller firms may outsource the work to a consultant. Those
professionals should be keenly interested in a cloud-based solution that
provides remote access to models in a web browser.
~
A SCRUG member since 2010, Seamus McGrady served as VP
of Sales and Marketing at InterSpec, (developers of e-SPECS) for almost 10
years. In 2014 he and a partner launched ChalkLine, Inc., developers of
VisiSpecs.
VisiSpecs is
comprised of three applications:
- VisiWord integrates Microsoft Word with enhanced document management features.
- VisiRevit is the Add-in which enables automation, integration, coordination, collaboration, and editing for those users in Revit.
- VisiView provides non-Revit users the same functionality to view the model, elements, and data.
Pilot Program:
For upcoming meetings in Orange County and Los Angeles, Seamus has asked me to recruit two members who will receive a free license to pilot VisiSpecs on a real model and document project. These users will share their first-hand experience at the meetings, tentatively occurring in April.
Members interested may contact me via email or through LinkedIn.
~AJH