Searching NBS

The enhancements for the 2010 NBS Building, Engineering Services and Landscape software include a new search function that allows the user to search NBS libraries and also office standards and specifications.

Fig 1. The NBS work section and prelims libraries can be searched. Items may be previewed and then used to create a project specification

Fig 2. User specifications and office standards may also be searched. Items found may be previewed and opened for editing

I asked our Technical Team what are the most common items that users cannot find in NBS. Here is the list below. The new search tool will make it very easy to find these items and add them to your project spec.

• Line marking
• Road marking
• Fire stop pipe sleeves
• Steel frame systems
• Fascias and soffits
• Underslab insulation
• Fall arrest systems

2010 Software now with Beta Testers

The NBS Beta Testers now have their preview version of the 2010 software. This will be with customers in March 2010. I'll blog more about each of the enhancements in detail over the coming months, but for now here are some screenshots as tasters...

1. Searching and previewing the clause content of specifications, office standards and NBS libraries:

2. The NBS Annotator, allowing clause references to be easily added to CAD models and schedules:

3. Printing and publishing improvements such as highlighting of revised clauses in the printed document:

4. The ability to add a tender summary and then work with these costs through the construction phase

5. Seamless links to The Construction Information Service - no need to enter username and password each time:

6. Interoperability so that a single project specification can be produced with prelims, building fabric, landscape and engineering work sections:

Update 13 April 2010 - This 2010 software is now being dispatched to all customers. Please note that the interopability work did not make it into this release. However all of the other features did. Interopability will be considered for a future release.