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What's new

Specifile’s premier service now available in the Cape

 At Decorex Cape earlier this year, Specifile staff introduced Archi-Text, our premier information service to professionals in the Cape. To date, Archi-Text has only been available to subscribers in Gauteng in order to ensure that we supply a quality service.

The Archi-Text library was developed in response to requests from professional practices for a very comprehensive and regularly updated brochure information service. It in no way replaces either the traditional Specifile Library or the SPECXpert electronic information service. Archi-Text is a brochure library, consisting of 28 volumes of information, together with a number of sample binders. It is suitable for practices that require a wide variety of products to select from and who often find themselves selecting products together with their clients. Brochures are categorized according to product and users of the system are able to view similar products together and make their selections.

Any manufacturer of building products may place their brochure in the Archi-Text library. This ensures that the system is comprehensive and expansive in the range and depth of the products it carries information on. Archi-Text is updated every eight weeks, with each update consisting of a minimum of 200 pages of information. Brochures are constantly verified with manufacturers to ensure that the information is still current.

For more details on the Archi-Text system, visit our website: www.architext.co.za

Here you will find a list of the hundreds of manufacturers represented in Archi-Text, together with outlines of the latest information added to the system.

SPECXpert – the latest

The latest version of SPECXpert is currently being distributed by your Specifile field librarians and all Specifile subscribers should have one delivered to them shortly.

A few interesting facts:

Many of the brochures and catalogues are provided in Adobe Acrobat, in line with the PDF format now being accepted as the preferred file format for documentation in the AEC industries. This also brings with it the functionality of Adobe documentation – it is easy to search within documents, copy pictures and text, e-mail to colleagues, and save the documentation in project files.

Communication with manufacturers and suppliers is enabled throughout SPECXpert. As long as the user has an internet connection, the program can be used to e-mail and even view websites within SPECXpert.

A project journal facility means that all information accessed, viewed and selected in SPECXpert can be sent to the journal for reference or for sending on to clients and co-workers. A notes facility enables the user to make personal notes on such topics as prices quoted, delivery times and conversations held with the supplier.

Those Specifile subscribers who are used to the hard copy Specifile Library system and prefer to search within the well-established Specifile product categories are also catered for. The Building Product Index works in exactly the same way as the Specifile Library does, with only two major differences – the brochures are presented on computer and there are thousands more.

The SPECXpert programme can be networked and installed on as many workstations as the subscribing office requires. It is worth mentioning that no extra licence fees apply. As long as the user is a Specifile subscriber, they are welcome to network the programme and/or install it on laptops for employees.

 

The Source for Critical Information and Insight

I H S (Information Handling Services) worldwide commits itself to providing critical information to the construction, aerospace, defence, automotive, electronics and energy industry sectors.

SPECXpert, in line with the I H S mission statement, includes a vast array of relevant and pertinent information relating to the construction industry. Much time and effort has been dedicated to expanding and upgrading the quantity and quality of the information during 2007.

The SPECXpert Building Industry Reference Source now includes a large amount of generic information – information provided in order to ensure the subscriber access to research, methods and documentation on various building products and methods.

A number of associations are included, together with useful information relating to such issues as repairing concrete surfaces, the BESA building system, information on Energy Efficient Standards for Buildings, and South Africa’s National Housing Policy.

Of great value is the BRE (Building Research Establishment) information we have added to SPECXpert through our acquisition of BRE Press. BRE employs 600 building consultants, scientists, engineers, and other skilled staff who offer world-class expertise and the ability to offer practical solutions, technical advice, training and education in all aspects of the built environment.

I H S BRE Press is the exclusive publisher of BRE books, manuals, reports, information papers and guides. This means that SPECXpert now contains the BRE Building Elements series – a range of publications covering building services, flooring, foundations and external works, roofing, walls, windows and doors – each consisting of hundreds of pages of textbook information normally sold for thousands of rands. In addition, publications on environmental profiles, good building practice and eco-friendly buildings are also included.

This is in addition to the thousands of manufacturer datasheets, CAD drawings and product summary pages also included in SPECXpert.

I H S South Africa is committed to supplying our subscribing offices in the architectural, engineering and construction industries with in-depth information on products and issues pertinent to these disciplines. The SPECXpert Building Industry Reference Source certainly does just that.