Blue sky thinking for manufacturers with cloud specification

NBS launches NBS Chorus for manufacturers

• Enables manufacturers to provide digital specifications in the format specifiers want
• Increases sales success by allowing manufacturers to communicate directly with project teams
• Provides an audit trail, to help keep track of business leads
• Removes the need for manual spec-writing, saving time, money and resources
• Prevents ‘mis-specification’ as manufacturers can easily advise correct combination of products/systems
• Anytime, anywhere access, available through the cloud and accessible on all devices

Manufacturers can now increase their chances of specification success with the launch of ‘NBS Chorus for Manufacturers’, the latest offering from connected construction information experts, NBS.

Its release follows the award-winning success of NBS’ specification platform, which has revolutionised the way architects, engineers and designers specify products and has seen usage grow by over six times during 2020*. NBS’ attention has now turned to manufacturers, creating an option within Chorus that connects the dots between specifiers looking for the right building products and manufacturers looking to win orders.

Designed specifically for manufacturers, this new version of NBS Chorus enables them to provide digital specifications in the format specifiers require and maintain direct communication with project teams. By providing greater assistance to specifiers, the platform can significantly boost the chances of a product being specified.

One of the platform’s main benefits is its ability to reduce the chances of ‘mis-specification’, an issue that can be costly in terms of time and money for both parties. Through Chorus, manufacturers can work directly with specifiers helping them to select the right products and systems, providing them with more information about their products, and increasing the chances of being specified for a particular project. For specifiers, this gives them greater peace of mind when making product decisions, reducing the risk of issues occurring on-site.

Chorus removes the toil of creating time-consuming spec-sheets, which can easily become outdated and open to error whilst giving specifiers access to the information they need in one convenient location. All information can be exchanged directly within the platform, cutting down on phone calls, emails and re-typing information.

Lee Jones, Head of Manufacturer Solutions at NBS, said: “Much like we did for the specifiers market, ‘Chorus for Manufacturers’ once again changes the playing field. We knew we needed a solution to the way manufacturers deal with endless enquiries, requests for spec-sheets and trailing lists of potential business leads. Through Chorus, all of this information is at their fingertips and it can be accessed through an intuitively designed platform. It puts the power back in the manufacturer’s hands, allowing them to respond to specification requests much more efficiently, saving them and the specifier valuable time and resources which could be used elsewhere.”

Another huge bonus is Chorus’ ability to provide an audit trail. Whereas previously, manufacturers could find themselves in the dark in terms of the origin of product selection, the online platform can provide a breakdown of which products are being chosen and by which specifiers. This digital record is a meaningful step towards achieving the ‘golden thread of information’, creating a traceable record that can help improve future safety standards.

Lee Jones, added: “With the majority of the industry still working remotely, it’s vital that we find new ways of working that can keep projects moving and teams connected. We’ve designed ‘Chorus for Manufacturers’ to do just that – allowing them anytime, anywhere access through a cloud platform to give them the flexibility they need. As long as they have an internet connection, they’ll be able to access Chorus to generate specifications and we’ve made it available on all devices including phones, PCs, tablets and even Apple Macs, for added convenience.”

NBS ‘Chorus for Manufacturers’ benefits

• Enables manufacturers to provide the digital specifications in the format specifiers want
• Increases sales success by allowing manufacturers to communicate directly with project teams within the actual project
• Provides an audit trail, to help keep track of business leads
• Removes the need for continuous spec-writing, saving time, money and resources for manufactures and specifiers
• Allows specifiers to work directly with manufacturers to select the right products and systems
• Anytime, anywhere access, available through the cloud and accessible on all devices
• NBS experts keep the platform updated with new rules and regulations
• Smoother and easier collaboration process, saving both time and money

In a recent building project, Chorus for Manufacturers became a vital tool for collaborators, Franklin Architects and Dulux Trade. Direct communication through Chorus allowed for a more streamlined process, removing the need for laborious emails and allowing them to specify correctly first time around.

Andy Baggot, Specification Account Manager at Dulux Trade, said: “The direct invitation into the project from Franklin Ellis Architects was a great leap forward and enabled us to get the spec right first time. With no previous Chorus training I was able to quickly get to grips with the platform. It’s changed the way we work and I find being able to add more relevant information into the execution clauses a standout feature.”

NBS Chorus was awarded the ‘Best New BIM Product’ award at the BIM Show Live held on 25th February 2020.

*Compared to 2019 as of 30th November 2020

For more information, please contact: Dale Maycock or Archit Chopra

Email: dalem@thinktank.org.uk, architc@thinktank.org.uk or call: 0751 854 7953