BENTLEY AND ARCHITECTURAL COMPUTER TO IMPROVE PRODUCT INTEGRATION.

Architectural Computer Services, Inc. (ARCOM) and Bentley Systems plan to increase coordination between Bentley's MicroStation TriForma and the American Institute of Architect (AIA's) MASTERSPEC product.

This integration will help automate the production of specifications and improve users' abilities to produce accurate specifications, modeling, and drawing documentation.

MicroStation TriForma users will be able to link MASTERSPEC specification sections directly to elements in the single building model. MicroStation TriForma users will also have access to the extensive master keynotes provided in MASTERSPEC for use in their construction documents.

MASTERSPEC users will gain automation of a portion of the specification editing on projects using MicroStation TriForma's specification reports. ARCOM's LINX(R) software users will be able to automate sections of the project specification editing based on the keynotes from MicroStation TriForma.

There are tangible benefits contemplated for both MicroStation TriForma and MASTERSPEC users.

In coordination with MicroStation TriForma, the use of MASTERSPEC specifications reporting capabilities offers better collaboration between models, drawings, and specifications. This collaboration is further extended through final construction documents using common, linked keynotes that connect drawing annotation with appropriate project specifications.

Specifiers using MASTERSPEC and LINX products will be able to receive accurate, detailed reports on materials used, and specifications required, directly from the MicroStation TriForma models and drawings.

Direct linking of the building model and MASTERSPEC means coordination between the graphical representations and the specifications, acceleration of the editing process, and a reduction in errors and omissions.

"ARCOM is pleased to strengthen our relationship with Bentley", said Edward F. (Ted) Smith, president of ARCOM.

He added, "Our companies have a great opportunity to provide appropriate integration of our products. MicroStation TriForma and MASTERSPEC users will benefit from a new level of automation in specification production. This will be the first of many possibilities for collaboration in the future."

For more information on MicroStation or MicroStation TriForma, contact Bentley at 1-800-BENTLEY, [phone] (Americas), [phone] (Europe, Middle East, Africa), [phone] (Asia/Pacific), through E-mail at [e-mail] or through www.bentley.com.

More on Architectural Computer Services

ARCOM (Architectural Computer Services, Inc.) specializes in software and specification development services for design professionals and the construction industry. In 1995, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) selected ARCOM to operate all aspects of the MASTERSPEC system.

Today, MASTERSPEC is the most widely used master guide specification system sin the U.S. and is recognized as the industry standard.

More on Bentley

Bentley Systems, Incorporated is a worldwide leader in engineering software. The Bentley Continuum(SM) is the company's comprehensive engineering IT strategy comprising products, services, and strategic affiliations.

The company now serves over 300,000 professionals in building/plant engineering, geoengineering, and manufacturing engineering. With revenues now over $175 million annually, Bentley has advanced from the number three to the number two software provider in the A/E/C market, according to Daratech.

Bentley's MicroStation and ModelServer(R) enterprise engineering modeling (EEM) products, together with high-quality, interoperable engineering applications provided by strategic affiliates, are used at over 70 percent of the largest U.S. engineering firms.

These products form the software foundation of the world's infrastructure such as landmark buildings, roadways, industrial plants and machines. The Bentley SELECT(SM) technology and service subscription program now reaches nearly 200,000 users.