ATLANTA, Sept. 2003 -- Building Systems Design (BSD) announces the immediate availability of 70 built-in cost models in the latest release of its innovative BSD CostLink(R)/AE software for design professionals. Based on data from RS Means, a division of Reed Construction Data, these models make it possible for architects and engineers who are not cost estimating specialists to quickly generate detailed cost estimates very early in a project. Furthermore, the estimates produced by the cost models can be refined easily as the project design is developed, since all the assemblies and quantities used by the models can be accessed and modified as required.

The RS Means models included in CostLink/AE are constructed of up to 75 separate assemblies, and each assembly comprises 1 to 25 tasks and/or material components. The models operate through use of a series of formulas that calculate the quantity of each assembly and the quantity of the member tasks in each assembly, based on a small number of key parameters such as gross building area and number of floors. These parameters, which are adjustable by the user, are used by the formulas to project assembly quantities such as exterior closure area, slab on grade area, roof area, etc. In practice, the user chooses a model category (Commercial, Industrial or Institutional), selects a specific model from that category, then chooses one of the exterior closure and framing alternatives offered by the software. Next, the user enters an estimated building size and length of perimeter. The other major building parameters can then be reviewed and adjusted, if necessary.

Each model has an associated set of possible "Additive" items, which may or may not be appropriate for a particular project. The user simply enters a quantity for each item to be included. Another tab allows the user to select any of 700 different U.S. locations, enter an appropriate sales tax, and adjust contractor markups and other cost assumptions, such as the architect's fees. When this data has been appropriately adjusted, the preliminary cost information for the project is complete, and the user can print or preview a summary or a detailed cost estimate. It's also easy to add assemblies and cost items using any of the RS Means Assemblies and Cost Items provided with the software. The user can also experiment with alternative assemblies and building elements to investigate the effects on project cost.

Building Systems Design is the only company that provides the RS Means modeling capability integrated with a full-featured estimating system. Founded in 1983, BSD currently produces the BSD SoftLink(R) suite of software applications for the architecture/engineering/construction market. In addition to BSD CostLink/AE, the SoftLink suite includes PerSpective(R) for design criteria, BSD SpecLink for construction specifications, and BSD CostLink/CM for professional cost estimating. For more information about any of BSD's products, contact Bryant Hendricks at (888) 273-7638 or bhendricks@bsdsoftlink.com. Information and software demonstrations are also available at www.bsdsoftlink.com.