Logo

Jacobs Turns to Ideate Software for Revit Revision Management Solutions

Ranked number one on Fortune Magazine’s 2019 World's Most Admired Companies list in engineering and construction, Jacobs is one of the world’s largest and most diverse providers of highly technical professional services. Its staff of more than 77,000 creates solutions to deliver a more connected, sustainable world through services including scientific, technical, professional and construction and program management for the business, industrial, commercial, government and infrastructure sectors. Its staff’s extensive client-application experience and digital intelligence enables them to analyze complex problems from multiple perspectives and deliver complete, high-value solutions. 

Choosing Ideate BIMLink for Revit Revision Management

Paul Cook - Jacobs

When looking into establishing a method of revision management for Revit models, Paul Cook, a Civil 3D, BIM & CAD Technician at Jacobs, learned about a limitation within Revit: you can’t view the revision history of each sheet in schedule form.


“I’ve had success with Ideate Software tools on several projects, so looked to them for a solution. I read their Help page on managing Revit sheet-based revisions,” said Paul. “It looked like Ideate BIMLink enables the creation of a document issuance record, and the Help page mentioned an Excel Macro template and dataset that Ideate Software offers free-of-charge to customers. I reached out to the Support team for details.”

Jan Sako, Support Manager, Ideate Software, sent Paul the information as well as links to short how-to videos that demonstrate how to use Ideate BIMLink to quickly and accurately update all sheets with the proper revision or sheet issuance information at one time.


“It was exactly what we were looking for,” said Paul.


Customizing the Spreadsheet for Jacob’s Unique Requirements


Jacobs uses an alphanumeric revision number that shows on sheets, in place of the Sequence number, that they have assigned to the ‘Issued To’ parameter to represent the Revision Number.


“Ideally, we would have this showing on the DIR tab on each issue instead of the issue count number, so I reached out to the Ideate Software Support team to see if they had any ideas,” said Paul. “Glynnis Patterson, the Director of Software Development, responded with two suggestions. Although neither quite worked, they sparked some thoughts. I managed to achieve what I was after by using Excel formulas on a new tab to recreate the register. It’s basically a clone of the DIR tab using cell links, except that where an issue is shown on the ‘DIR’ tab, it searches for the ‘Issued To’ entry for that sequence number and reports that instead of the issue count.” 


Paul also added a few extra things, like highlighting the issues that aren’t tagged as ‘Issued’ in Revit and a count of how many drawings were issued on that date. 


“I appreciate how responsive the Ideate Software Support team was and how flexible Ideate Software tools are,” said Paul. “I’ve already thought of other ways to customize the spreadsheet, and I know that if I have any trouble, I can give Ideate Software a call.”


About Ideate Software


Ideate Software allows Revit users to have unprecedented control over their data and solve persistent problems in Architecture, Engineering, Construction, and Owner (AECO) workflows. Ideate Software solutions enable Revit users to save time, increase accuracy, improve project deliverables, and elevate design.

DOWNLOAD CASE STUDY

Explore recent posts

Empower Your Revit Workflows with Ideate Software's Revit Tools
17 May, 2024
TRAINING - VIDEO | Join us to discover how you can boost your Revit workflows with Ideate Software's advanced tools, enhancing efficiency and elevating your productivity. Learn how to efficiently automate your Revit tasks, saving time and improving data accuracy with Ideate Automation, optimize quality control using Ideate BIMLink, efficiently manage MEP warnings with Ideate Explorer, seamlessly integrate Excel, Word, or PDF equipment/specification data into your Revit project with Ideate Sticky, gain a deeper understanding of Revit filter usage with Ideate StyleManager, and streamline renumbering and intelligent tagging with IdeateApps.
15@15: Ideate ReNumber: A Comprehensive Guide to Efficient Numbering in Revit
13 May, 2024
TRAINING - VIDEO: In this 15@15 recording, you'll discover the power of streamlining a wide range of number tasks for diverse Revit elements. Join us as we delve into essential renumbering techniques, covering tasks such as renumbering rooms, spaces, and doors. Explore techniques for numbering parking spaces, equipment items, viewports, and structural foundations to enhance efficiency and precision in your Revit projects. Start saving valuable time and effort with Ideate ReNumber.
Ideate Software 15@15 Training Series
07 May, 2024
EVENT | Designed to provide you with the best training available on the Ideate Software suite of tools, these 15-minute sessions are fantastic opportunities to enhance skills and maximize productivity.
Ideate Software Support Levels Up with a Unique Journal Parser
06 May, 2024
NEWS - ARTICLE | Ideate Software solutions are powerful tools to keep your Revit model healthy, but sometimes users encounter puzzling or complex model behavior they can’t easily unravel. When Ideate Software’s Revit add-ins and in-depth support files don’t provide the answers, our support team can help. As hands-on software developers and experienced Revit users, they bring unique insight to the most complex Revit challenges.
Show More
Share by: