BSD Customer Case Study: 
SpecLink^® helps Saratoga Associates increase efficiency

In Boston, New York City, and Saratoga Springs (NY), Saratoga Associates provides Planning, Landscape Architecture, Civil Engineering, and Architectural services to clients.

Whether creating compelling destinations, enriching communities, or safeguarding special places treasured for their historic, cultural, or natural importance, the commitment of the people at Saratoga Associates to their clients’ success remains the same. They help them shape, visualize, and realize what is needed in a way that uses their resources wisely and efficiently.

The Need: In 2004, they were using a word processing based spec writing software package. Their specifications took too long to develop; the outcome was anything but efficient. They knew there was a better way to do things: SpecLink^®.

The Solution: "We now have an easier, faster way to produce and print specifications," says Nina Oldenquist, Specification Writer with Saratoga Associates. "The ease of reporting makes construction administration easier — and that alone has made a huge difference in how long it takes us to produce specifications."

The efficiencies gained by switching to SpecLink manifest in many ways. Oldenquist recalls one of the main features that helped her decide to switch to SpecLink. "I like the fact that the entire project manual is a single document, instead of 50 or 60 different word files. In addition, we can print reports that list sections where a specific topic is discussed."

The Outcome: Saratoga Associates works on many environmentally responsible designs. Oldenquist says, "One of our best projects to date was a recently completed LEED-certified cultural center. Being able to take advantage of the LEED front-end sections available in SpecLink is what made this such a great project to work on."

Oldenquist continues with the list of SpecLink features she likes, "We can add our own links — that greatly increases automation. And the ability to change the project name, headers, footers, and the page format just once for the entire document is great — especially for those in our office who are not accustomed to doing a lot of word processing. Because SpecLink is a specification writing program and not a general purpose word processing program, they can be more efficient using the software."