Specification Tools Overview
If you have already registered to use the specification tools you will need to sign in to use them:
Click here to sign in.
If you are not registered or new to the Bluebook Specification Tools, keep reading to learn more.
Introduction
The Bluebook Online Specification Tools are designed as a resource for industry professionals typically involved in large development projects:
- It is free to register and use the tools
- Create and manage projects online; no software installation required
- Fast, accurate choices, ensuring complete, compatible specifications
- Automatically produce and download essential industry standard reports
- Enable colleagues to securely share projects from any internet access point: in the office, or on-site.
- Access to your local business support team to help with specifying the right products for your needs
Beta programme
The Specification Tools are functional Beta release. We have launched as a Beta because we are the first to market with such a system, and it is unique. We want to give our audience the opportunity to try it out; live with it, and start to use it as an effective tool to make your work life more productive. We want to hear from you about the bits you like and the bits which you think could be improved.
System requirements
Connection Speed:
The Bluebook Online Specification Tools system is optimised for 512K download speed. If you are using a lower connection speed you will still get all the functionality, but you will need to wait longer for pages to load before proceeding.
Operating systems and web browser:
The Blue Book online catalogue
The Blue Book online catalogue is optimised for the following browser/platform configurations:
Microsoft Windows running;
Internet Explorer 6
Firefox 1.5
Opera 8.5
Mac - OSX.4 and above running;
Safari 2.0.3
Firefox 1.5
Blue Book specification tools
This Beta release of the Blue Book Specification Tools is designed to work specifically for Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 on Microsoft Windows.
We are currently developing a version of the Blue Book Specification Tools to work with other browser types and platforms.
If you or others in your organisation who might want access to the Bluebook online use a browser type other than the versions listed above (for instance you may be using a compatible browser, but someone else in your office/practice may not), you can register your interest by completing the simple form below, and we will e-mail you as soon we release a version which will work for you.
How the Specification Tools work
Personal Homepage
Once you have signed in, you land on your personal homepage.
The personal home page is the ideal jump space to link out to you recent projects, view projects that other bluebook users have sent to you, and manage your personal details.
Specification Tools menu
Once you have signed in you can click on the Specification Tools menu item. You will see the following sub menu appear:
'With assistance' gives you access to the Specification Wizard which walks you through the step by step creation of a real projects; enabling you to build up areas and rooms and to add products, (e.g. washbasins) with their pre-selected associated items (taps, brackets) within rooms.
'Specify by' enables you to specify projects by a particular criteria such as product name, product code, or specialised use, hospital code. You can find a CAD file with the same criteria.
In example projects we have provided some typical projects for you to review and experiment with.
Once you have built projects of your own, they will be listed under 'My projects' item.
The Specification Tools menu is available when you need it, wherever you are in the specification system; and it is likely that you will make use of many of its features as you build and manage your projects.
My projects
Accessed by clicking on the 'My projects' link on the Specification Tools menu, or by clicking on the 'Show all projects' link on your Personal Homepage takes you to your 'My Projects' page.
The my projects page gives you full access to all of your projects and you can sort them by individual criteria such as Project Title, Job number and Project category. You can also create a new project on this page.
By selecting a project you will be taken to the specific
'Project Control panel' for
that project.
Project Control Panel
This is where you manage all of the elements that make up a project including setting up areas and rooms and inserting product.
By selecting a product and clicking Edit Selected Product you can open the Product Configuration Panel specific to the product.
Product Configuration Panel
Here you can manage the properties of a main product such as its colour and finish.
The system also automatically shows Associated Products pre-selected by Ideal Standard as a recommended package. You can also add your own Associated Products beyond those already recommended. (See item in bold: Nuastyle lever action thermostatic sequential basin mixer tap). You can also add notes to your product configuration.
Reports
The reporting feature is only available from the product configuration panel of a project. From here the ‘Reports’ item appears in the Specification Tools menu:
When you first request a report online you are asked how you want to view it, click on view as word, view as excel AFTER selecting any other choices about the order of the report. View as word or excel online - View or Download (to edit and print) - Saves as a template with HTML as the default type.
Report Options |
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Specification report NBS style- |
If you want to edit or allow others to easily view and edit, we suggest saving as Word Doc in rtf type. Specification reports are in as near NBS (National Building Specification) style as possible, THE industry Standard for commercial project, fast, complete and compatible product choices. Sanitaryware is listed under N13 section and has clauses for each of the Sanitaryware types, E.G. 335 for all Washbasins. All the required items and accessories then follow in a pre determined order to make up each assembly. |
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Room Schedule |
Sorted by Room Number or Room Title, allowing each room to list the quantities of the specified sanitaryware. Phased Delivery can be organised and similar rooms compared. |
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Total Quantity (priced and un-priced) |
Shows the full details and the overall quantities for the project. Priced versions show the unit cost and totals as a Prime Cost Sum, these PC sums are a guide only. |
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Quantity by Product code |
A list of all products specified in the project, but now by individual product codes instead of assemblies. Useful for all order entry routines. |
What next?
To take advantage of this free service, you can sign up now and try it for yourself. Click here