See VisiSpecs BIM Integrated Specs + Docs in a Live Webinar

Portland, Maine (December 9, 2016) – Chalkline is pleased to announce the scheduling of free live webinars. Attendees will learn about the Chalkline company and strategy, VisiSpecs BIM integrated Specs + Docs applications, and the ease of implementing VisiSpecs at their firm.

VisiWord, VisiView, and VisiRevit applications will be shown and there should be ample time for Q&A.

VisiSpecs webinars are FREE but do require registration. Visit the VisiSpecs Events page for more details.

VisiView

VisiView provides visual and data access to the model along with automation and verification enabling highly coordinated project documents to be designed and delivered.

Chalkline adds Customer Driven Features to VisiSpecsTM V1.3

Portland, Maine (November 21, 2016) – Chalkline, Inc. continues to work with customers to increase efficiency, add functionality, and improve the ease of implementation.

Customers using VisiSpecs are providing feedback on new feature requests and enhancements and seeing the new functionality updated in as little as a day or two with the automatic update features.  Chalkline is also taking advantage of the existing and well-known applications, like MS Word for instance, so development can focus on improving the integration, processes, and spec editing features.

Chalkline is about to release V1.3 which includes the following updates since the initial release of VisiSpecs just two months ago:

  • Submittal Register
  • Project Outline Reports
  • Project and Document Transaction Logs
  • Project Keyword Search
  • Multi-User Check-in and Check-out Editing

In addition, many other features were improved such as export folder support for network servers and multiple users, local backups, project publishing with an advanced table of contents and page count features, tighter synchronization between the document and the VisiSpecs Doc Outliner, along with user experience improvements and feature improvements. Seamus McGrady, COO of Chalkline, stated “Rapid development on new features is possible since we are not spending our development resources reinventing the wheel. Instead, we can work closely with our customers to improve their processes which means there is very little time spent learning new tools, converting documents to new formats, or asking users to change the way they model.”

Customers using VisiSpecs see the automatic updates as soon as they are released helping to ensure the highest quality products and features are available without spending IT time updating applications.

Visit the Chalkline website and/or contact sales@chalklineinc.com to learn more about the introductory discounts of up to 40 percent, promotional monthly drawings for FREE licenses, and to get started downloading your free 30-Day Trial.

About Chalkline, Inc.

Chalkline is the developer of VisiSpecs®, a next-generation suite of applications to visually document, coordinate, and verify BIM models and project specifications. VisiSpecs is a hybrid cloud solution, meaning its desktop and mobile applications store and access the model and specification data on the company's cloud servers for easy access and collaboration among distributed team members. VisiSpecs is built on familiar applications already in use, resulting in minimal training and setup time. Users can easily integrate their own masters and project documents with the project models to accomplish true BIM integration without learning to use complicated model applications, and without a lengthy integration process. And for those that do use the model applications, VisiSpecs provides direct, integrated access to the project specifications and documentation. 

Autodesk®, the Autodesk logo and Revit® are registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., and/or its subsidiaries and/or affiliates in the USA and/or other countries. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective holders. For more information, visit www.chalklineinc.com.

Chalkline Releases VisiSpecsTM, The Visual Specification System

Portland, Maine (September 21, 2016) – Chalkline, Inc. has released the next generation of BIM-integrated specifications and documents

VisiView provides a visual view of the model and data for linking, editing, coordination, and verification of the entire project.

VisiView is one of the VisiSpecs applications providing visual and data access to the model.  Automation of linked docs and verification enables higher coordination of products designed and delivered.

to the Architectural, Engineering, Construction, and Owner/Developer marketplace. A successful six-month Beta Program for both Chalkline and VisiSpecsTM users has resulted in real-world usage, collaboration with customers, added features, and user experience enhancements.

The AECO market recognizes the need to better integrate and coordinate their design and construction documents. The resulting higher quality and higher profit projects are obvious to those adopting a BIM methodology, yet the solutions available have not met the need for a variety of reasons. Chalkline founders developed the next-generation VisiSpecs solutions to address these needs and the Beta Program proved the strategy and functionality are on target for broad-based adoption. Client needs to be identified and included in the VisiSpecs solutions include:

  • CLOUD-BASED DEPLOYMENT IMPROVES IMPLEMENTATION PROCESSES
  • VISUAL AND DYNAMIC BIM MODEL KEY + DOCUMENT LINKS
  • MICROSOFT WORD-BASED EDITING, PROJECT TREE, AND PUBLISHING
  • SUPPORT FOR ALL DOCUMENT TYPES AND FORMATS
  • BIM INTEGRATION AND VERIFICATION TOOLS WITHOUT CHANGING MODELS
  • ENTIRE PROJECT TEAM COLLABORATION
  • TRIAL, ADOPTION, AND IMPLEMENTATION MEASURED IN HOURS AND DAYS

The free trial of VisiSpecs enables users to quickly integrate their own documents and BIM models without spending money, requiring costly IT resources, or feeling buried in training to learn new tools.  Since VisiWordTM is a Microsoft Word Add-In, the integration of customer documents takes just minutes to complete. Users don’t have to learn to use a limited editor or lose their office integration or custom macros and VBA apps they currently use. Since the BIM models, families, and materials do not need to be modified, the integration into existing project models is immediate. The free trial lasts 30 days, however, users can import their project documents and start integrating with their BIM models within hours since modifying their documents or BIM models is not required. Multiple team members can even access and collaborate on projects using the free trial.

Deployment of VisiSpecs is also easy and low-cost due to the hybrid cloud solution. Corporate accounts, master libraries, projects, models, and other content are all securely managed in the cloud with user access on demand from the office, home, or while traveling without jumping through IT hoops, punching holes in firewalls, setting up VPNs, or waiting for IT admins to download, install, configure, license, and maintain the typical SQL server applications in the marketplace.

Visit the Chalkline website and/or contact sales@chalklineinc.com to learn more about the Introductory discounts of up to 40 percent, promotional month drawings for FREE licenses, and to get started downloading your free 30-Day Trial.

About Chalkline, Inc.

Chalkline is the developer of VisiSpecs®, a next-generation suite of applications to visually document, coordinate, and verify BIM models and project specifications. VisiSpecs is a hybrid cloud solution, meaning its desktop and mobile applications store and access the model and specification data on the company's cloud servers for easy access and collaboration among distributed team members. VisiSpecs is built on familiar applications already in use, resulting in minimal training and setup time. Users can easily integrate their own masters and project documents with the project models to accomplish true BIM integration without learning to use complicated model applications, and without a lengthy integration process. And for those that do use the model applications, VisiSpecs provides direct, integrated access to the project specifications and documentation. 

Autodesk®, the Autodesk logo and Revit® are registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., and/or its subsidiaries and/or affiliates in the USA and/or other countries. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective holders. For more information, visit www.chalklineinc.com.

Chalkline Announces Value-Based Pricing, Licensing & Introductory Promotions

Portland, Maine (July 13, 2016) – Chalkline, Inc. has confirmed the pricing, licensing, and promotions for VisiSpecsTM, The Visual Specification System, due to be released later this month.

The strategy in pricing and licensing is to enable large corporations

VisiSpecs Licensing and Pricing is value justified from the smallest of firms to the largest global enterprise firms.

VisiSpecs Licensing and Pricing is value justified from the smallest of firms to the largest global enterprise firms.

the functionality and pricing options to best suit their budgets and implementation plans while also offering the smallest of firms a low entry price point.  Larger firms require more integration and collaboration functionality with the ease of data access in the cloud and simple deployment across their offices around the globe.  Smaller firms may initially only need easier and faster specification writing and publishing tools with fewer collaborators.

VisiSpecs is adopting the user-based license subscription model which is becoming popular and familiar to clients in the AECO market.  Basic, Standard, Premium, and Enterprise level Editions will offer value-based pricing levels for the functionality and size of the firm’s implementation.  Smaller firms can start at a very low price point and as they grow and their implementation fills out, the price level adjusts according to the value received.  Enterprise-level firms can deploy a very large number of users with capped per-user prices and multi-year discounts.  Pricing will be available at an annual reduced price or customers have the flexibility for month-to-month pay-as-you-go payments and licensing.

VisiSpecs offers license subscriptions based on levels of functionality, number of users, server storage space, and user adoption metrics. Larger firms can take advantage of Enterprise licensing managing more projects and data with reduced IT requirements based on the Hybrid Cloud solution deployment of VisiSpecs.  Smaller firms also reap the IT savings of the Cloud solutions while initially starting without the BIM integration and coordination which can be added as they are ready.

VisiSpecs data is stored in Microsoft’s Azure Data Centers, which guarantees an industry-leading 99.99% availability. All VisiSpecs databases are protected by redundant backups and replicated servers with automatic failover. To ensure availability for disaster recovery purposes, VisiSpecs data is also replicated on a continuous basis to a secondary Microsoft Azure Data Center located in a different geographic region.  This Active Geo-Replication protects the data from a catastrophic failure within the primary data center due to natural disasters or other causes of prolonged downtime.

All licensed accounts will benefit from the core functionality within VisiSpecs including:

  • The most feature-rich editor which is already known and installed, Microsoft Word
  • VisiWord advanced editing, navigation, and collaboration features added to Word
  • The VisiSpecs Project Tree with customizable folders and access to all project documents
  • Project team sharing with markup, editing, and collaboration directly in Microsoft Word
  • Document management including header/footer, TOC, and merged field control
  • Entire project manual compilation without exporting and/or manual processing

FREE VisiSpecs Trials enable all the functionality for users to import their current projects and BIM models and start linking them within just an hour or two.  The return on the investment is easy to justify as the user pricing only requires 1-2 hours of savings to be recognized.  The upside includes reduced IT management costs, access to centralized project files and data, improved team collaboration, coordination and verification of construction documents, and more.

Seamus McGrady, COO of Chalkline adds, “No longer do users have to spend time and money while struggling with document conversions, mixed formats, limited editors, SQL server installation and administration, lack of team collaboration, or updating BIM models and families to integrate.  VisiSpecs leverages the tools already in use in the market providing the most powerful BIM model integrated document solutions in the market.  With a very simple pricing model, low entry point pricing, and free trials, we have very high expectations.”

Introductory discounts are aggressive at 40 percent off licenses and free video tutorials (a $300 value) for orders by December 31st, 2016.  A 20 percent license discount with free video tutorials is available for orders by March 31st, 2017. Educational curriculum licenses are highly encouraged and will always be free of charge.

For more information on the VisiSpecs pricing and licensing, please visit the Chalkline website.  Those interested in accessing the final Beta version of VisiSpecs or receiving a specific quotation for their VisiSpecs implementation should email sales@chalklineinc.com.

About Chalkline, Inc.

Chalkline is the developer of VisiSpecs®, a next-generation suite of applications to visually document, coordinate, and verify BIM models and project specifications. VisiSpecs is a hybrid cloud solution, meaning its desktop and mobile applications store and access the model and specification data on the company's cloud servers for easy access and collaboration among distributed team members. VisiSpecs is built on familiar applications already in use, resulting in minimal training and setup time. Users can easily integrate their own masters and project documents with the project models to accomplish true BIM integration without learning to use complicated model applications, and without a lengthy integration process. And for those that do use the model applications, VisiSpecs provides direct, integrated access to the project specifications and documentation. 

Autodesk®, the Autodesk logo and Revit® are registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., and/or its subsidiaries and/or affiliates in the USA and/or other countries. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective holders. For more information, visit www.chalklineinc.com.

VisiSpecsTM Supports Autodesk Revit 2017

Portland, Maine (May 8, 2016) – Chalkline, an Autodesk Architectural Engineering and Construction Industry Partner, is pleased to announce VisiSpecs, The Visual Specification System, is available for the latest Autodesk Revit 2017 software suite of applications.VisiRevit_2017

Chalkline is committed to quickly providing the next generation of building information modeling (BIM) integrated specifications and document solutions to clients updating to the latest Autodesk applications. VisiRevit 2017 is available for clients integrating and coordinating their construction documents and BIM models. The advanced integration linking, direct access to specifications and other documents directly in an Autodesk Revit model, and team collaboration enable time and cost savings while improving delivered product quality.

VisiRevit 2017 joins the VisiRevit 2015, VisiRevit 2016, VisiView, and VisiWord suite of applications. Those interested in learning more should email info@chalklineinc.com.

About Chalkline, Inc.

Chalkline is the developer of VisiSpecs®, a next-generation suite of applications to visually document, coordinate, and verify BIM models and project specifications. VisiSpecs is a hybrid cloud solution, meaning its desktop and mobile applications store and access the model and specification data on the company's cloud servers for easy access and collaboration among distributed team members. VisiSpecs is built on familiar applications already in use, resulting in minimal training and setup time. Users can easily integrate their own masters and project documents with the project models to accomplish true BIM integration without learning to use complicated model applications, and without a lengthy integration process. And for those that do use the model applications, VisiSpecs provides direct, integrated access to the project specifications and documentation. 

Autodesk®, the Autodesk logo and Revit® are registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., and/or its subsidiaries and/or affiliates in the USA and/or other countries. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective holders. For more information, visit www.chalklineinc.com.

VisiViewTM and VisiRevitTM are Now Available to Beta Program Members

Portland, Maine (May 10, 2016) – Chalkline has released the VisiView and VisiRevit applications as part of the VisiSpecs suite for Beta Program Members.  After multiple years of collaboration and development, the VisiSpecs applications are being used on pilot projects. VisiSpecs, The Visual Specification System, includes the VisiWord, VisiView, and VisiRevit suite of applications enabling true BIM integration, coordination, and verification at a fraction of the time and cost earlier solutions required.

VisiWord enables designers and owners the ability to quickly import their Word specifications and

VisiView provides a visual view of the model and data for linking, editing, coordination, and verification of the entire project.

VisiView and VisiRevit are now available

other related documents into masters and projects.  VisiWord provides additional spec editing features directly in Word like the Project Tree of documents, Doc Outliner for easy navigation and editing, double-click editing of paragraphs and branches, management of all document headers and footers, and the publication of all documents (Word and PDF) into a single project manual.

VisiView provides the visual model and data access for non-Revit users to be able to coordinate and verify the BIM model with the construction specifications.  Intelligent searching and document linking reduces the time to fully integrate an entire model with the specifications.  Error-prone processes have been eliminated and requirements to first update all models and families before integration can begin are not needed.  Models and specs have multiple integration options with an intelligent grouping of model keys and visualization of data to ensure time is not spent on tedious linking steps.  Access to and verification of model elements and materials linked to the documents is available to the user throughout the process.

VisiRevit is an Autodesk Revit Add-In, enabling direct access to project specifications and other related files directly in Revit. VisiRevit automates the process of creating models for VisiView users not using Revit as well as includes the functionality to link, coordinate, and verify directly in Revit the construction documents.

Pilot projects are underway demonstrating the ease of master guide specification integration and editing with VisiWord, automatic inserting of required specifications based on BIM model elements and links, advanced editing and team collaboration tools, and complete project manual publication without the need to import and export to Word throughout the stages of design.

Clients and partners interested in learning more about the VisiSpecs Beta Program should email info@chalklineinc.com for more information.

About Chalkline, Inc.

Chalkline is the developer of VisiSpecs®, a next-generation suite of applications to visually document, coordinate, and verify BIM models and project specifications. VisiSpecs is a hybrid cloud solution, meaning its desktop and mobile applications store and access the model and specification data on the company's cloud servers for easy access and collaboration among distributed team members. VisiSpecs is built on familiar applications already in use, resulting in minimal training and setup time. Users can easily integrate their own masters and project documents with the project models to accomplish true BIM integration without learning to use complicated model applications, and without a lengthy integration process. And for those that do use the model applications, VisiSpecs provides direct, integrated access to the project specifications and documentation. 

Autodesk®, the Autodesk logo and Revit® are registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., and/or its subsidiaries and/or affiliates in the USA and/or other countries. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective holders. For more information, visit www.chalklineinc.com.

VisiSpecsTM Beta Program Member Invitation

Portland, Maine (April 19, 2016) – Chalkline is the developer of VisiSpecs, a next-generation suite of applications to visually document, coordinate, and verify the BIM models and project specifications.

VisiSpec Customer Advisory Board (V-CAB) Program

VisiSpecs Beta Program Membership

We are focused on delivering the solutions agreed upon through close collaboration with our clients with ability to deliver functionality faster and of higher quality than any other provider in the market.   VisiSpecs suite of applications currently includes VisiWord, VisiView, and VisiRevit.  VisiWord is already available to Beta Program Members and very shortly VisiView and VisiRevit will be available.

In order to accomplish our goals, we are seeking VisiSpecs Beta Program Members.  We feel strongly that working closely with our clients and partners will enable us to deliver much higher quality and beneficial solutions in less time creating a loyal customer following.  Program members will have access to early releases of the applications, take an active role in defining and prioritizing new features, and provide input to ensure the highest level of usability and user experience is achieved.  Free licenses and technical support will be available to all VisiSpecs Beta Program Members.

Those interested in learning more about becoming a VisiSpecs Beta Program Member should email info@chalklineinc.com to receive more information.

About Chalkline, Inc.

Chalkline is the developer of VisiSpecs®, a next-generation suite of applications to visually document, coordinate, and verify BIM models and project specifications. VisiSpecs is a hybrid cloud solution, meaning its desktop and mobile applications store and access the model and specification data on the company's cloud servers for easy access and collaboration among distributed team members. VisiSpecs is built on familiar applications already in use, resulting in minimal training and setup time. Users can easily integrate their own masters and project documents with the project models to accomplish true BIM integration without learning to use complicated model applications, and without a lengthy integration process. And for those that do use the model applications, VisiSpecs provides direct, integrated access to the project specifications and documentation. 

Autodesk®, the Autodesk logo and Revit® are registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., and/or its subsidiaries and/or affiliates in the USA and/or other countries. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective holders. For more information, visit www.chalklineinc.com.

VisiWordTM is Available to Beta Program Members

Portland, ME, March 4, 2016 – Chalkline is pleased to announce the availability of VisiSpecs, The Visual Specification System, suite of solutions

VisiWord Editing in Microsoft Word

VisiWord Project Manager in Microsoft Word

for Beta Program Members.  After multiple years of collaboration and development, the VisiSpecs applications are ready for external testing and client feedback to our VisiSpecs Beta Program Members, starting with our VisiWord application for managing and editing Master and Project documents.

VisiSpecs enables the highest level of coordination in construction documents with the least amount of required data conversions, modifications, training on new tools, changes to the design process, and management required.  VisiSpecs has been developed to utilize the current environment of tools users are already familiar with.  Integrating these tools and the project team reduce the design time while improving the product quality and value delivered to owners.

Under development since 2014, Chalkline founders are ready to bring the next generation of specification solutions to market.  Clients and partners interested in learning more about the VisiSpecs Beta Program should email info@chalklineinc.com for more information.


About Chalkline, Inc.

Chalkline is the developer of VisiSpecs®, a next-generation suite of applications to visually document, coordinate, and verify BIM models and project specifications. VisiSpecs is a hybrid cloud solution, meaning its desktop and mobile applications store and access the model and specification data on the company's cloud servers for easy access and collaboration among distributed team members. VisiSpecs is built on familiar applications already in use, resulting in minimal training and setup time. Users can easily integrate their own masters and project documents with the project models to accomplish true BIM integration without learning to use complicated model applications, and without a lengthy integration process. And for those that do use the model applications, VisiSpecs provides direct, integrated access to the project specifications and documentation. 

Autodesk®, the Autodesk logo and Revit® are registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., and/or its subsidiaries and/or affiliates in the USA and/or other countries. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective holders. For more information, visit www.chalklineinc.com.

Chalkline to Deliver Next Generation of BIM Integrated Specifications & Documents

Portland, Maine (April 19, 2016) – Chalkline is a company focused on collaborating with clients and partners to deliver the next generation of solutions to fulfill the promise of BIM-integrated construction specifications and other documents.  We are pleased to announce the development of VisiSpecsTM, The Visual Specification System.

With over 30 years of experience in the AECO market, Chalkline founders have listened closely to what users are requesting and understand the difficulties of using the currently available tools.  Chalkline has developed a new suite of applications to address the issues and deliver on the promise of BIM-integrated and coordinated construction documents including:

  • CLOUD-BASED SOLUTIONS
  • VISUAL AND DYNAMIC BIM AND DOCUMENT LINKS
  • MICROSOFT WORD EDITING
  • SUPPORT FOR ALL DOCUMENT TYPES AND FORMATS
  • MOST ADVANCED BIM INTEGRATION AND VERIFICATION TOOLS
  • ENTIRE PROJECT TEAM COLLABORATION
  • TRIAL, ADOPTION, AND IMPLEMENTATION MEASURED IN HOURS AND DAYS

VisiSpecs suite of applications will be called VisiWord, VisiView, and VisiRevit.  VisiSpecs will have flexibility in licensing and pricing for larger enterprise accounts as well as the smallest of firms.  Free Trials for users and Free Licenses for Educational Curriculum and Beta Program Member users will help to speed the adoption of VisiSpecs.  Construction document support is the broadest available in the market as all Word documents in any format can be linked and integrated with BIM models and accessible via all team members through the cloud-based solutions.  Users will find the visual interaction between the models and the documents to be the most advanced and easiest to use with the ability to drill into more detailed parameters in the model and documents as needed.

Clients interested in working closely with Chalkline on the pre-release versions of VisiSpecs solutions should contact info@chalklineinc.com for more information about the VisiSpecs Beta Program.  Chalkline plans to officially release the VisiSpecs suite of applications to the market after an additional testing and collaboration phase with Beta Program Members.

    About Chalkline, Inc.

    Chalkline is the developer of VisiSpecs®, a next-generation suite of applications to visually document, coordinate, and verify BIM models and project specifications. VisiSpecs is a hybrid cloud solution, meaning its desktop and mobile applications store and access the model and specification data on the company's cloud servers for easy access and collaboration among distributed team members. VisiSpecs is built on familiar applications already in use, resulting in minimal training and setup time. Users can easily integrate their own masters and project documents with the project models to accomplish true BIM integration without learning to use complicated model applications, and without a lengthy integration process. And for those that do use the model applications, VisiSpecs provides direct, integrated access to the project specifications and documentation. 

    Autodesk®, the Autodesk logo and Revit® are registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., and/or its subsidiaries and/or affiliates in the USA and/or other countries. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective holders. For more information, visit www.chalklineinc.com.