What is Bluebeam Revu and who uses it?

Chances are if you work in construction, you have probably at least heard of Bluebeam Revu. Although it is quickly becoming an industry standard, there are plenty of people who just don’t know what it is or what it does. Essentially, Bluebeam Revu is a software application that allows users to markup, takeoff, organize, and collaborate with PDF files like never before.

More than a PDF viewer, or annotation tool, Bluebeam Revu is efficiency and collaboration software for anyone who works with technical files. This applies to a wide range of industries, including construction, architecture, engineering, manufacturing, and energy related companies. The built-in tools and functions provide users in these industries a sleek and powerful tool to get work done quickly.

How Bluebeam Revu does it 

The power of Bluebeam Revu is founded in the dynamic power of the PDF file format. Although common, a PDF file is much more versatile than most people know. PDFs actually serve as a container for much more information than just the represented image. In fact, they are also capable of containing a collection of meta data including annotations, layers, digital signatures, 3D information, and much more.

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Because all of this extra data can be stored within the framework of the PDF file format, that information can be manipulated and managed. Bluebeam Revu takes full advantage of this and allows users to capitalize on this to maximize productivity, increase project predictability, and minimize risk.

Who Uses Bluebeam Revu?

Although there are many different types of Bluebeam users, there are 3 primary positions within architecture engineering and construction companies who are the primary driver's of Bluebeam within their organization.

Project Managers

Project managers typically oversee the planning, design, and/or construction of a project from start to finish. They consider themselves the “owner” of the project, so they obviously have a lot of responsibilities. These include communication with both owners and subcontractors, planning, design, and construction. As the managers of the project timeline, Project Manager need a way to streamline document management and communication across all across all team channels.

Some of the features of Bluebeam Revu that Project Managers love is the ability to have customizable, industry specific markups at the ready. Bluebeam ships with many standard markup tools on board for easy use, plus the best best in class markup technology makes creating custom markups a breeze. So, no matter if a user needs to simply highlight information and markup the the drawing, they can easily do it in blue beam with just a few clicks. Bluebeam even has the ability to calibrate the sheet to perform digital takeoffs and measurements.

Once takeoffs and markups are completed, the Project Manager can keep track of responsibilities and other important action items with the Advanced Markup List. Assignments can be made and managed and custom reports can be generated with a single click.

BIM or VDC Directors

Anyone in the construction business knows that AEC has changed more in the past 10 years then in the previous 50. New technologies and innovations have led to many advancements throughout the industry. With the introduction of new software platforms, new roles have emerged such as that of the BIM (Building Information Management) or VDC (Virtual Design & Construction) director. This person is responsible for managing the business information modeling and virtual design software applications for the company. The BIM/VDC job comes with its own set of challenges like keeping track of design cost quality for all of the company's projects and agreements that the company has with design firms.

This can be challenging because there always the risk of delays and cost overruns due to the complexity of today's construction projects. BIM/VDC directors are in charge of standardizing processes across projects and work-flows. Plus, they are responsible for defining solution stacks for projects and to bring you to new users on board. Obviously, these managers are concerned with maximizing value with successful implementations of people processes and technologies across the projects and throughout the company.

Bluebeam helps BIM or VDC directors simplify on-boarding of all new users with a simple to use software that performs all of the functions that they need. These Directors have ability to customize and standardize tools and templates to provide easy navigation and document management for all personnel involved.

The freely included and incredibly powerful Bluebeam Studio provides real time collaboration on centrally-located documents in the cloud that are easily shared both internally and outside of the organization. Studio serves as a single source of truth by keeping the latest versions of plans available to all invited users. Likewise, any file can also be launched in a Studio Session, which functions as a digital boardroom. This gives users access to the designated files simultaneously regards of their geographical location. Hosting a session with users in Austin, New York, and San Francisco collaborating together at the same time is an extremely powerful tool that help BIM/VDC Directors immensely.

 CIOs - Chief Information Officers

As a member of the executive team the CIO or Chief Information Officer wants to incorporate the best technology for the company in order to improve performance increase efficiency. But, they are also concerned about budget constraints and how tech solutions contribute to the company’s bottom line. This often has CIOs moving in several directions at the same time - they wear a lot of hats.

CIOs (or CTOs) are in charge of the company-wide tech stack, data security, CAD/BIM/VDC systems, business analytics, business intelligence, and cloud mobility platforms. They are concerned with minimizing security risk and exposure for the entire company. Plus, just like Project Managers and BIM/VDC Directors, they need to ensure projects are delivered on time and on budget while minimizing risk.

These information officers need a way to provide clear communication across all teams. This is why Bluebeam Revu is revered by CIOs as some of the top firms in the United States. It delivers the best in class markup technology and industry specific tools that enable highly-efficient work-flows. Plus, the cloud-based Bluebeam Studio provide a path for improved collaboration inside and outside the organization.

 Takeaway

Bluebeam Revu is a powerful software application that fully utilizes the power for the PDF file. From digital markups, takeoffs, job management, and even real-time, cloud-based collaboration, Bluebeam Revu provides the right things to help Project Managers, BIM/VDC Directors, CIOs make drawings, plans, and documents work smarter. Transition to a digital process, push the limits, and do more work in less time with Bluebeam Revu.

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