Building Systems Design (BSD), has partnered with integrated design firm Dialog to produce content for SpecLink Cloud, a database-driven software for specification writing and production. The content will be available within SpecLink’s database alongside tools like cloud collaboration and building information modelling (BIM) integration by spring 2019.

DIALOG and BSD first collaborated when working with the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) and Construction Specifications Canada (CSC) on MasterFormat updates. When working together, it became clear that many Canadian design professionals want to change from working in outdated, inefficient word processing-based systems with limited content for commercial projects.

Dialog’s specification team is working closely with BSD to adapt SpecLink’s extensive content for the Canadian market. Beyond terminology, language and units of measurement, Dialog’s team will convert complex codes, standards and formatting.

“SpecLink’s content and the way it’s organized will absolutely improve the quality of specifications,” says Dialog’s Keith Robinson, head of research and development, specifications in Edmonton. “It actually has usable content that people can read and understand. BSD’s approach to describing products and associated properties will be an eye‑opener to many specification editors.”

BSD’s best-in-class master guide content has been harmonized with the Canadian Construction Documents Committee (CCDC) documents, construction industry standards, terms and Construction Specifications Canada’s best specifying practices.

“Together with Dialog, BSD is committed to giving the Canadian market access to the country’s best content within the industry’s most advanced specification platform,” said Chris Anderson, CEO of BSD. “We are the first company to offer an intelligent software-based solution with best-in-class Canadian content created in partnership with the leading specification experts in Canada.”