Press Releases
ARCOM Announces Masterworks 7.0 - For MasterSpec and SpecText
Salt Lake City, Utah (September 13, 2011) - ARCOM is pleased to announce the upcoming release of Masterworks 7.0, the latest in its SpecWare® suite of specification productivity software.
This release of the industry's most extensive productivity software for use with word processors will, for the first time, allow licensed users of both SpecText and MasterSpec to seamlessly use the same tools to produce construction specifications quickly and easily. Masterworks tools include: Project Wizard, New Specification Wizard, Format Wizard, global editing, extensive reports, and much more. Masterworks will continue to be provided complimentary to all current MasterSpec and, now, SpecText, clients.
A much-awaited new feature is the automatic and seamless update of Masterworks without the user needing to reinstall the software; Masterworks will contact the ARCOM server for software upgrades and will automatically download and install the upgrade once given permission by the user. In addition, a new "Push Notification" capability will allow a firm's IT staff to install and update Masterworks on their users' computers without the users doing anything -- the IT staff "pushes" the installation to the client boxes.
"These enhancements to Masterworks will be a major time-saver for the IT staffs of MasterSpec and SpecText licensed users," Christopher Bushnell, President and CEO of ARCOM. "This release of Masterworks brings long-needed productivity tools to SpecText users, and provides a seamless environment for those firms who use both master guide specification systems."
About ARCOM
ARCOM is the developer of SpecWare® and SpecAgent®. SpecWare is a suite of specification productivity software tools that dramatically simplifies specification creation and use. SpecAgent is a web-based resource designed to work with MasterSpec that streamlines the process of building product research and manufacturer selection.
ARCOM publishes MasterSpec for The American Institute of Architects (AIA) for use by architects, engineers, landscape architects, and design professionals. MasterSpec can be used to create construction specifications for all project sizes, complexity, and delivery.
ARCOM is a Salt Lake City-based firm with an additional office in Alexandria, Virginia. The company employs more than 40 full-time specification development professionals: researchers, specification writers and editors, software developers, technical support staff, and customer service professionals.
CONTACT:
Angie Matinkhah
ARCOM
amatinkhah@arcomnet.com
801.521.9162 x 224
ARCOM Blog: www.spectalk.com
MasterSpec Small Project - 2011 Edition Now Available!
Salt Lake City, UT (June 8, 2011) - ARCOM is pleased to announce that the MasterSpec Small Project 2011 Edition is now available.
This upgrade has more to offer than any previous upgrade, including 26 new sections; optional requirements for LEED-NC, LEED-CI, LEED for Homes, and ICC-700; specification coordination checklists; 16 Division 00 documents; and access to SpecAgent–the most complete manufacturer and product resource in the industry.
MasterSpec Small Project is an abridged specification resource for projects limited in size, scope, and duration. It contains over 230 abridged MasterSpec building specification sections from both the architectural and engineering libraries, including mechanical and electrical sections.
About ARCOM
ARCOM is the developer of SpecWare® and SpecAgent®. SpecWare is a suite of specification productivity software tools that dramatically simplifies specification creation and use. SpecAgent is a web-based resource designed to work with MasterSpec that streamlines the process of building product research and manufacturer selection.
ARCOM publishes MasterSpec for The American Institute of Architects (AIA) for use by architects, engineers, landscape architects, and design professionals. MasterSpec can be used to create construction specifications for all project sizes, complexity, and delivery.
ARCOM is a Salt Lake City-based firm with an additional office in Alexandria, Virginia. The company employs more than 40 full-time specification development professionals: researchers, specification writers and editors, software developers, technical support staff, and customer service professionals.
CONTACT:
Angie Matinkhah
ARCOM
amatinkhah@arcomnet.com
801.521.9162 x 224
ARCOM Blog: www.spectalk.com
Specifying LEED Requirements, Third Edition - Platinum ADEX Award Winner
Salt Lake City, Utah (May 18, 2011)—ARCOM announced today that the third edition of Specifying LEED Requirements: The Best of Green from MasterSpec won the platinum ADEX (Awards for Design Excellence) sponsored by Design Journal.
Specifying LEED Requirements is a comprehensive LEED specification reference tool that includes an overview of LEED requirements, a checklist of relevant specification sections, several full-length Division One MasterSpec sections, and relevant specification text and instructions extracted from hundreds of MasterSpec sections.
The book is available from ARCOM in various print and electronic forms.
About ARCOM
ARCOM is the developer of SpecWare® and SpecAgent®. SpecWare is a suite of specification productivity software tools that dramatically simplifies specification creation and use. SpecAgent is a web-based resource designed to work with MasterSpec that streamlines the process of building product research and manufacturer selection.
ARCOM publishes MasterSpec for The American Institute of Architects (AIA) for use by architects, engineers, landscape architects, and design professionals. MasterSpec can be used to create construction specifications for all project sizes, complexity, and delivery.
ARCOM is a Salt Lake City-based firm with an additional office in Alexandria, Virginia. The company employs more than 40 full-time specification development professionals: researchers, specification writers and editors, software developers, technical support staff, and customer service professionals.
CONTACT:
Angie Matinkhah
ARCOM
amatinkhah@arcomnet.com
801.521.9162 x 224
ARCOM Blog: www.spectalk.com
Altarix - ARCOM's New Specification Productivity Tool - More Tools for the Specifier
Salt Lake City, Utah (March 25, 2011) - ARCOM recently announced its revolutionary Altarix™ product, a new productivity tool in its SpecWare® suite of specification software.
Built into the sleek Altarix interface are two unique panels that appear with the specification section editor: SpecAgent and SpecTools.
Altarix’s SpecAgent Panel provides a wide variety of resources needed by specifiers with the specification sections they are working on, including:
- Manufacturer’s contact information and links to websites
- Product information, photos, catalogs, and data sheets
- List of referenced standards and links to standards organizations
- Lists of relevant references
- Product comparison tables
Altarix’s SpecTools Panel provides features to help improve specification writing, review, and editing efficiency:
Question and Answer (Q&A) Tools - Altarix incorporates ARCOM’s popular question and answer editing capabilities from the Linx Automated Editor, with several enhancements:
- Altarix guides the user through a series of questions and answers, and automatically edits the specification text, deleting text and related text that do not apply, throughout the specification section.
- Altarix allows the user to mark the text for deletion (rather than deleting the text) by showing deleted text as grayed out and in strikeout so the specifier can review edits and reverse deletions.
- Altarix remembers where the user stopped in the last Q&A session.
- Altarix automatically tracks how many questions were answered and how many still need to be answered, and displays this information at the end of each Q&A session
- Altarix allows the user to print the questions and answers at any time during the Q&A session - either as a record of decisions, or for filling out by another project team member. The Q&A list can be exported to Word.
Navigation Tool - Navigating around specification sections can sometimes be difficult. Altarix includes a built-in tool that allows users to quickly jump to any article and first level paragraph, thereby improving editing efficiency. As specifiers add custom articles, Altarix also automatically adds them to the navigation list - in the correct location.
Notes Tool - ARCOM recognizes that spec writers typically need to make notes while writing and editing specification sections. These notes are often reminders to check on items that need clarification, or notes to other project team members. Altarix makes creating and managing project notes easy by allowing users to:
- Add multiple project notes to any article or paragraph
- Find project notes in the specification text through a notes icon
- View project notes in the Notes Panel Bar
- Graphically indicate whether project notes are resolved or not
- Navigate to the location in the text where a note applies by clicking on the note in the Notes Panel Bar
Status Panel Bar - Altarix is the first software that helps specifiers to keep track of the completion progress of specification writing efforts. Initially, specifiers will be able to track the percentage completion of each section, as well as the last date a section was updated and by whom. This information is aggregated to the project level so one can see overall project completion. Specifiers can also view all sections in the Completion Progress report and export it to Word.
“Altarix’s SpecTools are the latest evolution in providing the tools that design professionals need to easily and quickly create project manuals,” stated Christopher Bushnell, ARCOM’s President and CEO. “Along with the built-in SpecAgent resources and the MasterSpec Supporting Documents, Altarix provides unparalleled productivity enhancements right at your fingertips.”
About ARCOM
ARCOM is the developer of SpecWare® and SpecAgent®. SpecWare is a suite of specification productivity software tools that dramatically simplifies specification creation and use. SpecAgent is a web-based resource designed to work with MasterSpec that streamlines the process of building product research and manufacturer selection.
ARCOM publishes MasterSpec for The American Institute of Architects (AIA) for use by architects, engineers, landscape architects, and design professionals. MasterSpec can be used to create construction specifications for all project sizes, complexity, and delivery.
ARCOM is a Salt Lake City-based firm with an additional office in Alexandria, Virginia. The company employs more than 40 full-time specification development professionals: researchers, specification writers and editors, software developers, technical support staff, and customer service professionals.
CONTACT:
Angie Matinkhah
ARCOM
amatinkhah@arcomnet.com
801.521.9162 x 224
ARCOM Blog: www.spectalk.com
ARCOM Acquires SPECTEXT Master Specification System
Salt Lake City, Utah (March 1, 2011) - ARCOM announced today that it has acquired SPECTEXT® from The Construction Sciences Research Foundation, Inc. (CSRF).
SPECTEXT is a master guide specification writing system designed to provide a method of preparing accurate construction specifications for projects. Its content is designed for medium- sized construction projects, particularly environmental and utility engineering, with additional provisions for multiple contract and construction management work. SPECTEXT II, an abridged version of SPECTEXT, is designed for less complex facilities, such as light commercial, multi- family residential, and low-rise buildings.
"SPECTEXT has achieved a significant market share, particularly among certain engineering disciplines," stated Christopher Bushnell, President and CEO of ARCOM. "The SPECTEXT product line will complement the MasterSpec master guide specification system, which ARCOM will continue to support. We will apply our specification expertise to maintaining and expanding the SPECTEXT content, particularly in the engineering disciplines, as well as bring our leading-edge specification automation software to SPECTEXT users," he continued.
ARCOM will assume the operation of SPECTEXT immediately. The existing SPECTEXT Support Center will continue to respond to and serve both existing and new clients. "We are confident that under ARCOM the SPECTEXT Support Center will continue to provide users the best in customer service," stated Garry Zettersten, Executive Director of CSRF. "Additionally, ARCOM's investment in SPECTEXT will result in content improvements while retaining the technical composition and 'single voice' language that SPECTEXT users rely on," he added.
ARCOM and CSRF also jointly announced the establishment of a strategic alliance, and the endorsement of SPECTEXT by CSRF. "The SPECTEXT product line has the full endorsement of CSRF," Mr. Zettersten said. "CSRF thanks all of its loyal subscribers and supporters and assures users that they can continue to rely on SPECTEXT products for their needs," he continued. "CSRF will continue to focus on projects that enhance communication within the industry. We are joining with ARCOM in a strategic alliance to facilitate achieving this goal," Mr. Zettersten stated. As part of the strategic alliance, ARCOM will be the exclusive marketing, sales, and distribution partner for all new products and services that CSRF develops.
About ARCOM
ARCOM is the leader in specifications and specification productivity software, and the developer of SpecWare® and SpecAgent®. SpecWare is a suite of specification productivity software tools that dramatically simplifies specification creation and use. SpecAgent is a web-based resource designed to work with master specifications that streamlines the process of building product research and comparison and manufacturer selection.
ARCOM is the exclusive publisher of MasterSpec for the AIA, which is used by architects, specification professionals, building engineers, landscape architects, and other design professionals. MasterSpec is used to create construction specifications for buildings of all sizes, complexity, and delivery.
ARCOM is a Salt Lake City-based firm with an additional office in Alexandria, Virginia. The company employs more than 40 full-time specification development professionals: researchers, specification writers and editors, software developers, technical support staff, and customer service professionals.
CONTACT:
Angie Matinkhah. M.Arch, Assoc AIA, CSI Vice President, Marketing and Sales
amatinkhah@arcomnet.com 801.521.9162 x 224
About CSRF
The Construction Sciences Research Foundation, Inc. (CSRF) is an independent, not-for-profit construction industry research organization dedicated to unifying and integrating communication between programs and design/communications processes used in facilities design and construction.
CONTACT: Garry C. Zettersten, P.E. Executive Director Garry.Zettersten@hotmail.com 210.857.4535 www.csrf.org
Altarix - ARCOM's New Specification Productivity Tool - What Makes it Different?
Salt Lake City, Utah (February 11, 2011) - ARCOM recently announced its revolutionary Altarix™ product, a new productivity tool in its SpecWare® suite of specification software. What makes Altarix different?
Altarix is easy and intuitive to use, with a sleek interface that is more than just a document processor. Altarix provides standard functions like the ability to:
- Add, delete, and edit specification text
- Select options and automatically add punctuation
- Globally format all sections in a project
- Globally set headers and footers for a project
But Altarix goes beyond these basic capabilities and provides tools specially designed for specifiers, allowing them to:
- Add project notes and automatically track their status and resolution
- Insert specification sections into a project from another project
- Easily jump from one location in a specification section to another location
- Track completion progress for each specification section
Specifiers have complete control over their documents and can change the specifications as fast as clients change their mind. Specifiers can produce complete project manuals with Altarix's unique capability to:
- Track important design and code criteria in an easy to use, centrally located project summary
- Generate an on-demand table of contents that keeps track of specification sections in the project as they are added and edited
- Generate on-demand reports, including a complete submittals log
Integrated into the Altarix platform is ARCOM's SpecAgent companion resource. Released last year in the Microsoft Word version of Masterworks, SpecAgent provides a wide variety of resources needed by specifiers side-by-side with the specification sections they are working on:
- Manufacturer's contact information and links to websites
- Product information, photos, catalogs, and data sheets
- List of referenced standards and links to providing organizations
- Lists of relevant references
- Product comparison tables
And, of course, the specifications are MasterSpec - the most widely used and comprehensive specifications available in the industry.
"Altarix is designed for specifiers/by specifiers for easily and quickly creating project manuals," said Christopher Bushnell, ARCOM's President and CEO. "Its built-in editing capabilities and specification resources are just the tools that specifiers need, provided as they need them during the specification process. We also decided that Altarix should be just as easy to use as a mobile app, since specifiers spend countless hours in front of a computer screen."
ARCOM plans to release Altarix by the AIA Convention in May 2011. See attached image for an illustration of the Altarix on-screen editor interface and the companion SpecAgent resource.
About ARCOM
ARCOM is the developer of SpecWare® and SpecAgent®. SpecWare is a suite of specification productivity software tools that dramatically simplifies specification creation and use. SpecAgent is a web-based resource designed to work with MasterSpec that streamlines the process of building product research and manufacturer selection.
ARCOM publishes MasterSpec for The American Institute of Architects (AIA) for use by architects, engineers, landscape architects, and design professionals. MasterSpec can be used to create construction specifications for all project sizes, complexity, and delivery.
ARCOM is a Salt Lake City-based firm with an additional office in Alexandria, Virginia. The company employs more than 40 full-time specification development professionals: researchers, specification writers and editors, software developers, technical support staff, and customer service professionals.
CONTACT:
Angie Matinkhah
ARCOM
amatinkhah@arcomnet.com
801.521.9162 x 224
New MasterSpec Communications Library from ARCOM
Salt Lake City, Utah (January 16, 2011) -- ARCOM is pleased to announce the release of the new MasterSpec Communications library at the BICSI Convention in Orlando, Florida, January 16-19, 2011.
The development of the Communications library by ARCOM came as a result of the expansion of the Construction Specifications Institute’s MasterFormat®, the master list of numbers and titles for construction specifications. BICSI and NSCA were instrumental in that expansion and provided the standards and guidelines for the development of the MasterSpec Communications library.
The initial release of the Communications library includes 24 sections in Divisions 27 and 28 (Communications and Electronic Safety & Security), as well as 31 documents in Division 00 (Procurement and Contracting Requirements) and 30 sections in Division 01 (General Requirements). The development of the library involved consulting with communication industry specialists and researching BICSI and EIA/TIA standards and guidelines, among many other resources.
“This new library focuses on specifications uniquely relating to information transportation systems such as structured cabling, communications systems, and security access, surveillance, and alarm systems," said Michael J. King, FCSI, CCS, ARCOM's Vice President of Engineering Specifications. "By including Divisions 00 and 01, we have also enabled the communications specialist to create the overall contract documents for a variety of contract types, including design-build, design-bid-build, single general contractor, multiple contracts, construction management, and commissioning.”
The MasterSpec Communications library will continue to expand as clients provide their feedback and as ARCOM finds additional specialists to assist in such subjects as audio/video communications.
About ARCOM
ARCOM offers the MasterSpec master guide specifications to engineers, architects, and design professionals for use in creating and maintaining office master specifications and for creating specifications for various project sizes, complexity, and delivery. Recognized as the industry standard, MasterSpec is the most widely used specification system in the U.S., with extensive background research information.
ARCOM also develops SpecWare® and SpecAgent®. SpecWare is a family of specification enhancement software tools that dramatically simplifies specification editing, production, and report generation. SpecAgent is a web-based tool designed to work with MasterSpec, streamlining the process of building product research and comparison and manufacturer selection.
ARCOM, which publishes MasterSpec for The American Institute of Architects (AIA), is a Salt Lake City-based firm with an additional office in Alexandria, Virginia. The company employs more than 40 full-time specification development professionals: researchers, specification writers and editors, software developers, technical support staff, and customer service professionals.
CONTACT:
Angie Matinkhah
ARCOM
amatinkhah@arcomnet.com
801.521.9162 x 224
Also available in PDF format
ARCOM Announces Revolutionary New Specification Software - Altarix
Salt Lake City, Utah (January 11, 2011)—ARCOM is pleased to announce the introduction of Altarix™, a revolutionary new product in its SpecWare® suite of specification productivity software.
MasterSpec clients have always received the most comprehensive specification information from ARCOM, but they have not had a fully automated way of updating their office masters…until now.
Altarix combines the comprehensive, regularly updated content of the MasterSpec specification system with the ability to create and automatically update office masters.
Altarix will automatically receive MasterSpec updates, and compare the newest edition of the specifications to the user’s office master - and then intelligently incorporate the office master custom text and preferences, thereby allowing users to easily document and leverage a firm’s memory. Altarix will automatically update the master specification library without changing the specifications in existing projects.
Altarix users will be able to produce complete project manuals with the software’s built-in tools such as global headers/footers, table of contents and report creation, project summary and tracking. Altarix will include an advanced version of its smart Q&A editor, as well as a sleek new on-screen editor that will allow users to add, edit, and delete specification text, select intelligent options, and add comments and project notes. Users will be able to copy sections from other Altarix projects as well as import text into a specification template. Specifiers will have complete control over their documents, and will be able to change their mind at any time.
ARCOM’s new SpecAgent companion window will be easily accessible within the Altarix platform, which will provide the latest product and manufacturer information, standards, references, and product comparison tables. Altarix will also export to Microsoft Word for use with ARCOM’s other specification productivity tools.
“We are extremely excited by the introduction of ARCOM’s new Altarix software,” exclaimed Christopher Bushnell, President and CEO of ARCOM. “Altarix transforms specifications into intelligent data that is stored within an open-source database as opposed to dumb words in word processing documents. The potential for ARCOM to develop future connections to – and exchange with – other types of construction information and data sources is enormous. We are confident that Altarix will provide a new way for creating and using construction specifications.”
ARCOM is currently finalizing the Altarix software and delivery platform, and plans to release it by the AIA Convention in May 2011 at a price of less than $500.
About ARCOM
ARCOM is the developer of SpecWare® and SpecAgent®. SpecWare is a suite of specification productivity software tools that dramatically simplifies specification creation and use. SpecAgent is a web-based resource designed to work with MasterSpec that streamlines the process of building product research and comparison, and manufacturer selection.
ARCOM publishes MasterSpec for The American Institute of Architects (AIA) for use by architects, engineers, landscape architects, and design professionals. MasterSpec can be used to create construction specifications for all project sizes, complexity, and delivery.
ARCOM, which is a Salt Lake City-based firm with an additional office in Alexandria, Virginia. The company employs more than 40 full-time specification development professionals: researchers, specification writers and editors, software developers, technical support staff, and customer service professionals.
CONTACT:
Angie Matinkhah
ARCOM
amatinkhah@arcomnet.com
801.521.9162 x 224
Also available in PDF format
Faster Access to Referenced Standards, References, and Comparison Tables through SpecAgent
Salt Lake City, UT – (May 14, 2010) ARCOM has begun the process of rolling out a series of MasterSpec enhancements by making Referenced Standards, References, and Comparison tables available through the SpecAgent companion browser. These changes are part of a broader initiative to provide section-specific decision-making resources to aid MasterSpec users during the editing process. "Referenced Standards" provides writers with an easy-to-navigate list of standards used within MasterSpec, and a Web link to the appropriate content on the Web. "References" provides similar functionality for Web sites, books, and related material referenced in the source document.
MasterSpec Evaluations also provide "Comparison Tables" listing the salient characteristics of a specific product type within a section to allow for easy comparisons of similar products. These tables are now provided with flip-page technology, with users alerted to their availability through a clickable icon in SpecAgent.
ARCOM's goal is to provide a single access point for MasterSpec users to find decision-making tools and resources relative to the specific section being edited.
About ARCOM
ARCOM offers the MasterSpec master guide specifications to engineers, architects, and design professionals for use in creating and maintaining office master specifications and for creating specifications for various project sizes, complexity, and delivery. Recognized as the industry standard, MasterSpec is the most widely used specification system in the U.S., with extensive background research information.
ARCOM also develops SpecWare® and SpecAgent®. SpecWare is a family of specification enhancement software tools that dramatically simplifies specification editing, production, and report generation. SpecAgent is a web-based tool designed to work with MasterSpec, streamlining the process of building product research and comparison and manufacturer selection.
ARCOM, which publishes MasterSpec for The American Institute of Architects (AIA), is a Salt Lake City-based firm with an additional office in Alexandria, Virginia. The company employs more than 40 full-time specification development professionals: researchers, specification writers and editors, software developers, technical support staff, and customer service professionals.
CONTACT:
Angelica Matinkhah |
Architectural Computer Services, Inc. 332 East, 500 South Salt Lake City, UT 84111 |
Also available in PDF format
Third Quarter Masterworks 6.3 Includes Two Important SpecAgent Enhancements
Salt Lake City, UT – (December 14, 2010) The latest version of Masterworks 6.3 contains important updates to the SpecAgent beta released in the first quarter. These updates include the ability to more effectively minimize and re-position SpecAgent when not in use and to "paste" manufacturer selections and products from the evaluation shelf directly into the Section Text.
Positioning and Minimizing SpecAgent
Both the word processor and the SpecAgent companion window can be repositioned. On closing, they now re-open again in the last location.
The SpecAgent companion window can now be minimized when not in use. Click the "minimize" button to send SpecAgent to the taskbar. If all MasterSpec documents are closed, the companion window also closes. When the next MasterSpec section is opened, the companion window re-opens in minimized from in the taskbar.
If opening and closing a large number of MasterSpec documents and SpecAgent is not needed, we recommend you minimize, but not close, the companion window.
Clicking the "dock" button restores the MasterSpec document and SpecAgent to the original starting position.
If you cannot see the dock button, you have an older version of Masterworks and need to upgrade to version 6.3 to take advantage of these changes.
Using the Paste Button to Update Manufacturers and Products in the Section Text
ARCOM has made a substantial effort to improve the accuracy of the manufacturers listed in each section. The starting list provided within the green, yellow, and red sorting bins of the evaluation shelf represents our most up-to-date information and is serviced by a newly released, self-managed portal where building product manufacturers can manage and keep their own information up to date.
This "paste" feature can be used to update a list of manufacturers even if you are working within an older version of MasterSpec or an office master.
MasterSpec users can sort manufacturers into the respective bins by dragging them via the "handle" on the left of each bar.
The paste button becomes active when a minimum of one manufacturer is in the green bin.
Clicking the "paste" button should update the appropriate manufacturer list within the respective MasterSpec Section Text.
Some instances occur where SpecAgent may not be able to find the necessary placeholders within your document to automatically paste your selections into the Section Text (such as older versions of MasterSpec or an office master). In this case, an alert window appears prompting you to highlight the text within the document to be replaced.
About ARCOM
ARCOM offers the MasterSpec master guide specifications to engineers, architects, and design professionals for use in creating and maintaining office master specifications and for creating specifications for various project sizes, complexity, and delivery. Recognized as the industry standard, MasterSpec is the most widely used specification system in the U.S., with extensive background research information.
ARCOM also develops SpecWare® and SpecAgent®. SpecWare is a family of specification enhancement software tools that dramatically simplifies specification editing, production, and report generation. SpecAgent is a web-based tool designed to work with MasterSpec, streamlining the process of building product research and comparison and manufacturer selection.
ARCOM, which publishes MasterSpec for The American Institute of Architects (AIA), is a Salt Lake City-based firm with an additional office in Alexandria, Virginia. The company employs more than 40 full-time specification development professionals: researchers, specification writers and editors, software developers, technical support staff, and customer service professionals.
CONTACT:
Angelica Matinkhah |
Architectural Computer Services, Inc. 332 East, 500 South Salt Lake City, UT 84111 |
Also available in PDF format
New MasterFormat™ Converter only in Masterworks™
ARCOM is pleased to announce the release of a new feature in Masterworks (Microsoft Word version) that converts MasterSpec specification sections from MasterFormat 2011 (and later versions) to MasterFormat 1995. This feature performs the following conversion functions from both Single File and Multi-File tools:
- Changes Section number and title in the specification text
- Changes cross-references in the specification text
- Saves the converted section to a new file with new Section number file name
- Creates a report that lists all of the converted items for each Section
Since 2005, ARCOM has delivered MasterSpec in both MasterFormat 2011 and MasterFormat 1995 formats. This approach was intended to help specifiers make the transition to the new format when it was most convenient for them. After five years, many specifiers have already converted to MasterFormat 2011; some, however, are still using MasterFormat 1995. Although some specifiers have delayed implementation because of their client's requirements, many others have let momentum prevent them from making the change.
The new Masterworks converter makes it easy for specifiers to use the latest MasterFormat version of MasterSpec, regardless of the format that needs to be delivered to the client. As the industry moves forward with building information modeling and interoperability, it is increasingly important for specifiers to use the latest industry format for organizing specifications. CSI has issued the MasterFormat 2010 update, making the 1995 version even further out of date.
About ARCOM
ARCOM offers master guide specifications to engineers, architects and design professionals, in full-length, short form, small project and outline formats. Recognized as the industry standard, MasterSpec is the most widely used specification system in the U.S., with extensive background research.
ARCOM develops SpecWare® and SpecAgent®. SpecWare is a family of specification enhancement software tools that dramatically simplifies specification editing, production, and report generation functions. SpecAgent is a web based tool designed to work with MasterSpec streamlining the process of building product research, and allows the specifier to drag and drop approved manufacturers to be included in the final specification.
ARCOM, which publishes MasterSpec for The American Institute of Architects (AIA), is a Salt Lake City-based firm with an additional office in Alexandria, Virginia. The company employs more than 40 full-time specification development professionals: researchers, specification writers and editors, software developers, technical support staff, and customer service professionals.
CONTACT: ARCOM | Angelica Matinkhah | amatinkhah@arcomnet.com | 801.521.9162
Also available in PDF format
ARCOM - SpecGuy Announce Alliance
Salt Lake City (June 10, 2010) – ARCOM and SpecGuy announced the formation of an alliance to the attendees of the AIA 2010 National Convention and Design Exposition in Miami, Florida, that will provide a unified construction industry source for specification writing education, training, resources, and support for design professionals, specifiers, and building product manufacturers.
"SpecGuy brings extensive expertise in the education of specifications and construction documents through their One Day at a Time! and One Week at a Time! series of education programs. This will be a valuable resource to MasterSpec Licensed Users that will be convenient and easy to use," said Christopher Bushnell, President and CEO of ARCOM. "Together we will also be able to provide a full range of educational, technical information, and consultative services to our building product manufacturer clients as part of our new and expanding SpecAgent program."
"This opportunity to reach MasterSpec Licensed Users and SpecAgent-affiliated building product manufacturers with SpecGuy's education programs and consulting services emphasizes the growing importance of the relationship between the design professional and the manufacturer," said Nancy Kabza, President of SpecGuy. "SpecGuy's alliance with ARCOM will strengthen our mutual focus on improving the designer-manufacturer relationship, raising the technical quality of design practice, and helping the industry deliver superior projects."
About ARCOM
ARCOM offers master guide specifications to engineers, architects and design professionals, in full-length, short form, small project and outline formats. Recognized as the industry standard, MasterSpec is the most widely used specification system in the U.S., with extensive background research.
ARCOM also offers SpecWare specification automation software that facilitates specification production and assists design professionals with project management and communication; and SpecAgent specification resources that provide information on relevant manufacturers, products, industry standards, and other reference information.
ARCOM, which publishes MasterSpec for The American Institute of Architects (AIA), is a Salt Lake City-based firm with an additional office in Alexandria, Virginia. The company employs more than 40 full-time specification development professionals: researchers, specification writers and editors, software developers, technical support staff, and customer service professionals.
About SpecGuy
SpecGuy is an industry consulting firm offering specifications and technical consulting, continuing education program development, and training for building product manufacturers, A/E firms, and facility owners. They serve as a consultant to ARCOM in the development of components of AIA MasterSpec.
SpecGuy's recent projects include creation of master specifications libraries for several leading building product manufacturers and facility owners, as well as consulting on an AIA COTE 2010 Top Ten award-winning school. SpecGuy has been recognized by the Construction Specifications Institute for their nationally distributed construction document education programs.
Nancy Kabza, CSI, Assoc. AIA, SCIP is President of SpecGuy. Nancy's work incorporates human resources management, marketing, and publishing. Nancy is editor and publisher of SpecGuy's award-winning One Week at a Time! and One Day at a Time! study programs. Nancy has served as a member of the CSI Jury of Fellows and the AIA/CES Quality Task Team.
Phil Kabza, FCSI, CCS, AIA, Vice-President and Technical Services Director of SpecGuy, has over 30 years of industry experience as an architect, specifier, teacher, and builder. He is a member and past Chair of the AIA MasterSpec Architectural Review Committee and served as founding Chair of the Building Enclosure Council - Charlotte. He is a Fellow of the Construction Specifications Institute.
CONTACT:
Nancy Kabza
SpecGuy
nancy@specguy.com
704.367.1991
www.SpecGuy.com
Contact Us
Angelica Matinkhah |
Architectural Computer Services, Inc. 332 East, 500 South Salt Lake City, UT 84111 |
Also available in PDF format
ARCOM Launches Beta Testing of SpecAgent - New Product and Manufacturer Resource
Salt Lake City, UT – (May 14, 2010) During the process of design and documentation of a construction project, design professionals need information about manufacturers and the products they provide. This is particularly true during the specification writing process because of the need to include specific salient characteristics as requirements in the specifications. Finding this information, although easier now with the Internet, can still be one of the more difficult and time-consuming steps of the specification process.
MasterSpec has traditionally included information in the Evaluations on the manufacturers listed in each section. Beginning with the 1st Quarter 2010 Update, MasterSpec now includes a hyperlink from the Section Text to the beta version of a new specification resource - SpecAgent.
This new tool sits beside your word-processor screen and connects to ARCOM through the Internet (see Figure 1).
SpecAgent - More Than Just Manufacturer Links
SpecAgent initially includes contact information on more than 9500 building product manufacturers! At launch, SpecAgent already includes more than 50 companies with additional information valuable to MasterSpec licensees, including:
- Detailed product information
- Photographs
- Product catalogs
- Built-in chat
The chat feature will allow specifiers to directly ask manufacturers questions over the Web, without requiring the specifier to submit identifying information. Part of the product selection process is the time-consuming task of comparing the characteristics of different products. SpecAgent will help users perform this task by providing an industry-first “Evaluation Shelf” in which to quickly sort and compare manufacturers (See Figure 2). The Evaluation Shelf will allow for:
- Drag-and-drop, color-coded sorting of manufacturers into categories of "accepted," "rejected," and those still “under consideration."
- Automatic insertion of the selected list back into their MasterSpec section, once specifiers decide which manufacturers to accept.
- Saving of manufacturers in their respective bins to accelerate this step for future projects.
Keeping the industry’s most accurate and comprehensive list of building product manufacturers will be aided by providing the ability for each manufacturer to directly update their information through the SpecAgent Web site (See Figure 3). Licensed MasterSpec Users will also be able to suggest additional manufacturers, as well as easily alert ARCOM to potential changes to manufacturers’ information.
The addition of SpecAgent will make finding and acting on manufacturer’s information faster and more efficient for MasterSpec users. Additional features already in the development stage will be added shortly.
About ARCOM
ARCOM offers the MasterSpec master guide specifications to engineers, architects, and design professionals for use in creating and maintaining office master specifications and for creating specifications for various project sizes, complexity, and delivery. Recognized as the industry standard, MasterSpec is the most widely used specification system in the U.S., with extensive background research information.
ARCOM also develops SpecWare® and SpecAgent®. SpecWare is a family of specification enhancement software tools that dramatically simplifies specification editing, production, and report generation. SpecAgent is a web-based tool designed to work with MasterSpec, streamlining the process of building product research and comparison and manufacturer selection.
ARCOM, which publishes MasterSpec for The American Institute of Architects (AIA), is a Salt Lake City-based firm with an additional office in Alexandria, Virginia. The company employs more than 40 full-time specification development professionals: researchers, specification writers and editors, software developers, technical support staff, and customer service professionals.
CONTACT:
Angelica Matinkhah |
Architectural Computer Services, Inc. 332 East, 500 South Salt Lake City, UT 84111 |
Archived Press Releases
- 10 June 2010 - AIA MasterSpec's New Research Tool, SpecAgent, to Demonstrate New Functionality at the AIA Convention in Miami
- 20 January 2010 - New Edition of Valuable Sustainable Design Resource Released
- May 15, 2008 - ARCOM's newest software: Masterworks 6.0 Now Available!
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