ATLANTA, Feb. 22, 2010 — The Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) and Building Systems Design, Inc. (BSD) today announced that the latest update of the BSD SpecLink automated specification writing software includes hundreds of hyperlinks connecting individual specification sections with relevant "green" product information in CSI's GreenFormat web-based database.
GreenFormat ) is a web-based CSI format that:
- Allows manufacturers of products used in building construction to describe the properties of their products that are relevant to the issues of sustainability and environmental impact.
- Provides designers, constructors and building operators with basic information about products that can help meet "green" building requirements.
Manufacturers report the attributes of their products through a comprehensive, online questionnaire. Their entries are then freely available in one place and in a consistent structure to designers, constructors and building operators searching . The GreenFormat database currently includes information on more than 1,600 green products, and grows every day.
BSD SpecLink is a specification writing system sold by subscription to architects, engineers, and other design professionals. It is used to produce construction specifications for more than 26,000 projects annually across the United States. SpecLink includes many features that help design professionals write specifications that are more environmentally sound, including a number of automation tools that are geared to the LEED rating system promulgated by the U.S. Green Building Council. (LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design and is a certification program and guide for the design, construction, and operation of high performance green buildings.) The latest release of BSD SpecLink, with links to the GreenFormat website, will be available at http://www.bsdsoftlink.com in early March.
According to Walter Marlowe, Executive Director and CEO of CSI, "We at CSI are pleased to cooperate with BSD in providing architects and engineers with this new method of accessing useful product information that can help them design and specify buildings that are more environmentally sound and sustainable."
John Witherspoon, BSD's CEO, was equally positive about the joint effort with CSI. "The hundreds of links between our BSD SpecLink product and CSI's GreenFormat website are just the latest example of a successful strategic partnership that has resulted in benefits to a broad spectrum of the construction industry."
About BSD: Building Systems Design offers innovative software tools for the architecture, engineering, and construction markets of North America. Founded in 1983, the company creates, maintains, and supports advanced cost estimating and specification writing products used for tens of thousands of projects annually. http://www.bsdsoftlink.com
About CSI: The Construction Specifications Institute is a national association dedicated to creating standards and formats to improve construction documents and project delivery. The organization's membership includes specifiers, architects, engineers, contractors, and building materials suppliers. http://www.csinet.org
Contact:
CSI: Christine Tanner
703-706-4784
http://www.csinet.org
BSD: Robert Dean
888-273-7638
http://www.bsdsoftlink.com
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