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LinkLine: Winter 2010

Product Q&A

SpecLink-E

Q. I have heard that SpecLink-E includes expanded features not available in SpecLink+. What are these features?
A.Some of the new or enhanced features in SpecLink-E include the following:

  • You can import images into your documents.
  • You can export files to one of these editable formats – Microsoft Word, Rich Text Format (RTF), PDF format, text file, or an HTML file.
  • SpecLink-E uses the new 2007 Microsoft Office style ribbon bar menus.
  • Accessing your projects database over a VPN is much faster than it was in SL+.
  • Outline and Short Form Modes allow you to begin with Outline specs and then build on them to create Short Form specs and continue to create the full specification.
  • Ability to link specification projects with Revit (using the LinkMan-E program).
  • Ability to use specific templates for selected sections, as well as using custom headers and footers for selected sections, that differ from the overall project template or project header/footer.
  • Ability to share custom Project Templates between all projects.
Q. If I upgrade to SpecLink-E, my SpecLink+ subscription will become inactive. But, your instructions for copying SpecLink+ projects into SpecLink-E suggest we update a project in SpecLink+ before copying into SpecLink-E. How can I do this without a subscription to SpecLink+?
A. You do not need an active subscription to open and update projects in SpecLink+. You only need the most current version installed. In addition, you can open and print projects in SpecLink+ without a subscription.

LinkMan-E

Q. We usually start our drawings first, and then the specification is prepared at the end of the project. Will using LinkMan-E require us to change our approach to completing projects?
A. There are several scenarios that allow for quite a range in completing project data – from “minimal integration,” where the spec is prepared last, independently of the drawings, to “advanced integration,” in which the spec and the drawings are prepared at the same time. Using LinkMan-E will not require a change in your approach, but affords you the opportunity to find a comfort level within this range to take full advantage of the capability to identify, control, and coordinate relevant discrepancies between the projects in the Revit and SpecLink-E software applications.

Q. How can I get a user manual for LinkMan-E?
A. Electronic copies of the LinkMan-E User Manual are available on the Download Center page of our website. The manual is available in PDF, and can be viewed online, saved to your computer, or printed as you choose. Visit the Download Center for more information.

Q. I see you can backup the database in SpecLink-E.  How can I backup my LinkMan-E projects?
A. When you backup or restore the databases in SpecLink-E, this process also includes the LinkMan-E Master and LME Groups databases.

CostLink A/E

Q. How often is the data in CostLink updated?
A. CostLinkAE is updated once a year, in March, the Spring quarter. RS Means provides the cost data and our software engineers do the programming to interface their data with the software.

Q. What training resources are available for learning CostLink?
A. There are step-by-step instructions in the Help Contents tab that contain directions for using each feature in CostLink/AE, which will help you in creating estimates. In addition, there is a tutorial in the BSD CostLink/AE User Manual. This tutorial will walk you through creating a sample estimate. The tutorial can be printed from the current BSD SoftLink CD or downloaded from our website. We also have a one-day training course we offer by request.

Q. I would like to add my company logo to a CostLink report.  Can I do that?
A. You can add logos to your CostLinkAE reports. When you do not have a logo, the time that you print the report prints in the upper right. To insert a logo, save a copy of the logo in your CostLink AE\System\Reports folder with the name logo.bmp, logo.gif, or logo.jpg. Then print your reports as you normally would.


SpecLink+

Q. I have heard that I need to upgrade my SpecLink+ to the new SpecLink-E by the end of the year, as I will lose support for SpecLink+ and will no longer be able to use it.  Is this true?
A. You will not lose access to using SpecLink+ at this time.  However, please keep the following in mind:
  • The initial target period for discontinuing SpecLink+ was Winter 2010. This is subject to change, so be sure to check our website (bsdsoftlink.com) and e-mails for updated information.
  • Current subscribers will be able to work in SpecLink+ during their subscription period.  You may upgrade to SpecLink-E any time during this period. You will be notified well in advance before SpecLink+ is no longer available.
  • Quarterly Updates:  At some point, quarterly updating of the data in SpecLink+ will be discontinued, and only SpecLink-E data will be updated. Again, subscribers will be notified of this in advance.
  • Even when data is no longer updated in SpecLink+, it does not necessarily mean that access to the program will also be discontinued at that time. Again, check our website and e-mails for updated information on the transition from SpecLink+ to SpecLink-E.
  • Whether you use SpecLink+ or SpecLink-E, you will still have access to free technical support for help with using either version of the software – technical support for SpecLink+ will not be discontinued without notice.


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