smartspec blog

Duplicate Project In addition to the new Project Templates...

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 12:58:05 +1300

Duplicate Project

In addition to the new Project Templates we’re delighted to release the new Duplicate Project feature, which as the name suggests, enables you to duplicate an existing project..!

Using this feature will copy everything from a previous project, including clause selections, notes, appendix files, related parties, etc.

To duplicate a project:

Open a project
In Project Actions select Duplicate Project
Enter a name for the new project

You can then edit the project address, scope, related parties, etc. to suit the new project.

Enjoy!

- Team Smartspec

Project Templates You can now create reusable Project Templates...

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 12:25:39 +1300

Project Templates

You can now create reusable Project Templates from existing projects!

This great feature means you don’t have to build a project from scratch each time, instead you can opt to use one of your Project Templates which will pre-populate your project with specifications.

To create a Project Template:

Open an existing project
In Project Actions, select Create Project Template
Enter a name for this new Project Template

To set up a new project using a template:

Go to Projects > New Project > Add Project from Template
Select the relevant Project Template
Enter the project details

When you set up a new project based on an template you’ll get the latest versions of every specification though the actual selections within specifications are not included.

If you wish to copy a project in it’s entirety (including selections) then use the Duplicate Project feature.

- Team Smartspec

You can now export your project with or without the Appendix. If...

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 11:16:00 +1300

You can now export your project with or without the Appendix.

If you export the spec with the Appendix you’ll see ‘Appendix’ in the main Table of Contents plus a special ‘Appendix Table of Contents’ just in front of the appendix section.

Note, appendix documents must be in PDF format when uploading them to Smartspec - remember, you can easily ‘save as PDF’ within Word® or Excel® if required.

The Appendix feature means you can easily manage all the spec-related documents within Smartspec, saving you time.

When you export your project with the appendix you’ll see that Smartspec automatically merges your spec with the appendix PDF’s, creating one single PDF that you can easily email to other project stakeholders.

Enjoy..!

- Team Smartspec

The new Smartspec website is now live! We’ve rebuilt...

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 10:25:22 +1300

The new Smartspec website is now live! We’ve rebuilt Smartspec from the ground up with a stack of new features requested by Smartspec subscribers.

To find out more about Smartspec or to login to work on your projects you can go to smartspec.co.nz

Enjoy

- Team Smartspec

Note (Feb 2013) - this blog entry relates to the previous...

Tue, 05 Jun 2012 11:39:00 +1200

Note (Feb 2013) - this blog entry relates to the previous version of Smartspec.

New Appendix feature - easily upload external documents to your spec then export as one single PDF.

This great new feature enables you to upload ‘related documents’ e.g., Fire Report, Risk Matrix, H1 Calcs, Appraisals, etc. to your Project Specification.

Just click on Appendix > Append Document to select the PDF to upload.

Once you have uploaded the PDF(s) the Table of Contents (ToC) is dynamically updated and a special Appendix ToC is also created.

When you’re ready you can export the Specification. The appended documents are automatically merged with your project specification to form one single PDF. Simple!

Note, the Appendix feature is only available on the SOLO + Standards or any of the PRO plans.

To upgrade, just login to Smartspec then click Settings > Account > Upgrade Account.

Find out more about Smartspec here.

New PDF formatting...

Tue, 03 Apr 2012 08:15:00 +1200

Note (Feb 2013) - this blog entry relates to the previous version of Smartspec.

You asked for it, we built it..!

When you export a PDF from Smartspec you’ll now see more project-related info in the header and footer.

The header now shows your company name, the project name, and date that the PDF was created. The footer shows the Section Name (e.g., Plumber, Carpenter, etc.), and the Page Number.

The dynamically-created Table of Contents (ToC) also now only shows the Section Name, not the spec names within the Section.

FYI - you can click on any items in the ToC and it will link to that section in the PDF.

Finally, the Project Overview (Scope, Address, and Related Parties) will show up as item 1 in the ToC.

Remember, if there are any other features that you’d like to see in Smartspec just click on Feedback & Support > Give Feedback.

You can also vote on other user-submitted ideas and features.

Cheers,

Team Smartspec

Note (Feb 2013) - this blog entry relates to the previous...

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 12:02:00 +1300

Note (Feb 2013) - this blog entry relates to the previous version of Smartspec.

Need additional Sections for your project..? Just click the ‘Manage Sections’ button under the Sections list to select additional sections to include in your project.

We’ve added a few Sections that have been requested so if there are additional Sections that you require just let us know and we’ll add them.

The concept is to keep the Sections as simple as possible, hence the default list which appears when you set up a project. There may be occasion where you need a specialist Section (e.g., Coolroom) - this is when you would add an additional Section.

Want to quickly review a spec or section that you’re...

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 11:48:24 +1300

Want to quickly review a spec or section that you’re working on..? Just click the ‘Preview’ button and you can now easily review your work without having to export the entire Project Specification.

You’ll see this Preview button when you’re editing a spec and when you’re in a Section.

Note (Feb 2013) - this blog entry relates to the previous...

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 11:15:00 +1300

Note (Feb 2013) - this blog entry relates to the previous version of Smartspec.

You can now upload any specs to Smartspec..! This means you are not limited to the generic or branded specs that are currently in Smartspec and enables you to upload content from any number of MS Word (.doc) or PDF specifications that you have in your office.

Uploading specs is easy - you can add them to multiple projects and when you export your Project Specification all the page and clause numbering / formatting is handled automatically.

Click on the new ‘Spec Library’ button in the Smartspec menu to upload/edit your specs.

When you upload a spec you will see that you are asked to select a Section, spec name etc.

You can then easily copy/paste the spec content clause by clause.

We have a suggested clause sequence (Scope, Preparation, Workmanship, etc.) though this is a guideline only. Feel free to follow the sequence of the spec that you are uploading.

Once you have copy/pasted the first clause, click Save. You can then select ‘Add a Clause’ to add the next clause.

Uploading a spec will take just a minute or two.

Once you have uploaded a spec you’ll be able to use it repeatedly on any projects.

Go to the Section to which you have associated the uploaded spec, click the ‘Add Specification’ button, then select ‘Spec Library’.

You’ll see your spec in the lower drop-down menu - select this spec and edit it as per usual.

Easy..!

Tonight, Smartspec Wellington launch..! Architects &...

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 08:48:01 +1300

Tonight, Smartspec Wellington launch..!

Architects & Designers come along and learn how to create faster and better project specifications, meet our team, have a drink, and find out more about the upcoming Smartspec developments.

Note (Feb 2013) - this blog entry relates to the previous...

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 09:38:00 +1300

Note (Feb 2013) - this blog entry relates to the previous version of Smartspec.

You can now easily change the order of specs within a Smartspec Trade Section. Just roll over the Spec Name then drag the ‘move’ icon up or down. The order of the Specs within a Section will update automatically (i.e., no ‘Save’ required).

When you export the project specification PDF you’ll see the order of the specs within a Trade Section will now be the same as how you have ordered them online.

This neat little feature gives you even more control over the content within the project specification.

Join us for the industry launch of Smartspec, the super-simple...

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 16:16:00 +1200

Join us for the industry launch of Smartspec, the super-simple online specification writing system from the Productspec Team.

Architects and Designers can use Smartspec to easily create high-quality project specs online, it’s fast, friendly, with free subscription plans.

You can also access all building industry NZ Standards via Smartspec.

Come along to the launch and find out more about how the Smartspec innovation will save you time and money.

live demo
guest presentations
access NZ Standards via Smartspec
fast, online spec writing
automated selections

Thursday 06 October, 125 The Strand, Parnell, 4.30 - 7.00pm

RSVP to info@productspec.net

Looking forward to seeing you there..!

Check out the Smartspec overview video…

Fri, 16 Sep 2011 16:27:43 +1200

Check out the Smartspec overview video…

Smartspec is now live..!

Fri, 16 Sep 2011 15:43:00 +1200

We’ve been chomping at the bit to release Smartspec..!

This week we launched the next evolution of Smartspec. With this version, Architects, Designers, and Specifiers can create project specifications using our Architect-created generic and branded specifications, all online, for free.

Initially, Smartspec is ideally suited for residential or light commercial/industrial projects. We’ll be adding additional specifications for interiors, engineering, and heavy commercial/industrial projects in due course.

Smartspec is FREE, fast, friendly, and easy to use so create a free account today and let us know how you find it.