- Free Version: Available for teams of up to 10
- Pricing: Premium plan $24/month (with a free 30-day trial period)
- Platforms supported: Available as a mobile app (iOS and Android) or a web-based software
SafetyCulture (iAuditor)
Why use SafetyCulture?
An industry-leading platform, SafetyCulture’s product specification management software is the best digital tool for manufacturing businesses that want to ensure accuracy, efficiency, and consistency during a project or product development, from creating comprehensive and detailed requirements listing all the way to the actual production or execution. With this digital solution, teams are fully equipped to assign and accomplish tasks, identify issues that may crop up, and make data-driven decisions, ensuring quality and compliance with regulations and sustainability standards.
Features:
- Eliminate endless paperwork by using digital product specification checklists from the Public Library or customize one that suits the team’s needs better.
- Enhance accountability among teams by assigning roles with detailed tasks and tracking their progress throughout the supply chain.
- Manage multiple versions effectively by raising inaccuracies or any other issues immediately.
- Generate reports with insights and maintain a comprehensive history of the revisions made, providing a complete audit trail.
- Enable different departments to work on specifications simultaneously, send updates and approvals, and reduce information lags through real-time communication via Heads Up.
Why use Procore?
A highly-rated software solution in the construction industry, Procore offers various products in an all-in-one platform including project planning, project execution, and resources management. With the help of this software and its extensive tools, companies can stay on budget and, more importantly, on schedule.
Features:
- Centralized documents database
- Complete project visibility
- Mobile collaboration tools
- Free Version: None
- Pricing: Customized quote provided upon registration (free demo also available)
- Platforms supported: Web, Desktop, iOS, Android
Why use Oracle Aconex?
This all-inclusive construction management platform helps companies eliminate the barriers to collaboration so that they can effectively manage end-to-end processes, from creating project specifications to the turn-over after project completion.
Features:
- Supplier documentation management
- Advanced communication and forms
- Process and progress tracking
- Free Version: None
- Pricing: Not indicated. Inquire with the software provider to know more (Self-guided demo available)
- Platforms supported: Web, iOS, Android
Why use BIM 360?
This construction management software connects teams and their workflows smoothly from beginning to end, ensuring that project specifications are effectively planned and implemented. With Autodesk’s BIM 360, businesses can lower risk, enhance quality, and deliver high-quality results on schedule and under budget.
Features:
- Centralized project documents
- Design collaboration
- Proactive quality management
- Free Version: None
- Pricing: Customized quote provided upon request (free demo may be scheduled)
- Platforms supported: Web, iOS, Android
Why use Viewpoint Team?
This cloud-based solution aims to seamlessly connect the workforce at the office and those in the field, ensuring the success of any construction project. Viewpoint Team’s 360-degree visibility helps in better decision-making, reducing errors along the way and increasing the profits of all stakeholders involved.
Features:
- Document control with daily logs and submittals
- Drawing management with sheet comparisons
- Project communications with tracking and automated reminders
- Free Version: None
- Pricing: Available upon registration (free demo also provided)
- Platforms supported: Web, iOS, Android
Why use CMiC?
Designed for general and specialty contractors, CMiC is a cloud-based construction management platform that drives efficiency throughout the project as it optimizes both administrative and in-field workflows, and enhances communication among various departments.
Features:
- Document management
- Equipment asset management
- Financial reporting and management
- Free Version: None
- Pricing: Schedule a meeting with the sales team for more information (free demo also provided)
- Platforms supported: Web, On-premise, iOS, Android
Why use Finalcad?
A comprehensive productivity platform made for construction companies, Finalcad allows all departments involved to collaborate instantly even with minimum to no training, so they can adapt to constraints on-site, find the best solutions for problems, and deliver high-quality results on time.
Features:
- Quality and safety management
- Real-time progress tracking
- Collaborative tools
- Free Version: Yes. This comes with basic features for up to 15 forms or projects.
- Pricing: Premium plan costs €29 (≈ $31) per user per month, billed annually
- Platforms supported: Web, iOS, Android
Why use Newforma Project Center?
Project Center is Newforma’s solution for keeping plans and specifications organized and accessible when required. It unifies information in a central dashboard, allowing members from different departments to manage revisions, track status, and monitor the progress of a particular activity. Aside from saving time, the software also ensures the success of a project.
Features:
- Document management with file sharing
- RFIs and submittals
- Actionable items
- Free Version: None
- Pricing: Contact the software provider for more information (a free demo may be scheduled)
- Platforms supported: Web, On-premise, iOS, Android
Why use Projectmates?
A digital tool made specifically for construction owners and their stakeholders, Projectmates’ specification management software allows teams to plan projects, streamline building processes, and collaborate easily for the satisfactory completion of any project.
Features:
- Construction document management
- Scheduling with progress tracking
- Analytics and reporting
- Free Version: None
- Pricing: Contact Projectmates for more information (custom demo also available)
- Platforms supported: Web, iOS, Android
Why use DocXellent?
Created by Ensur, DocXellent’s product specification management software enables users to control and approve details of the specs created through a centralized database before it is sent to third-party partners and other stakeholders. With this digital solution, companies can be assured that their practices are standardized from top to bottom.
Features:
- Document management with version control
- Deviations and complaints
- CAPA solutions
- Free Version: None
- Pricing: Contact the software provider for more information (a demo may be requested)
- Platforms supported: Web, On-premise
What is Specification Management Software?
Specification management software is a digital tool designed for managing product or project specifications. By collating, organizing, and tracking the must-have information for the task, relevant teams can maintain consistency, accuracy, and collaboration throughout the development process. Features like version control, document sharing, and collaborative tools ensure that the document will have detailed data required for the manufacturing department to develop the product.
Importance
Product specs are crucial in developing any product as they contain information like technical requirements, manufacturing instructions, and numerous others. This is more than just a list and, without product specification management software, problems like communication breakdowns, version control issues, and non-compliance with regulations could negatively affect the end product. Here are reasons why this is a must-have.
- Improves collaboration – Transparency and the ability to access data are vital when developing products. The software provides these through cross-functional visibility, the use of product development templates, document sharing, and real-time updates.
- Facilitates efficient workflow management – By automating repetitive and laborious processes like task assignment and approvals, team leaders can make better decisions faster.
- Enhances quality control – Aligning industry standards with the specifications is challenging because the product goes through dozens of versions. Digital solutions can identify discrepancies and track configurations, ensuring quality every step of the way.
- Ensures regulatory compliance – With a centralized document repository that allows data tracking, revision history, and audit prep, departments can better adhere to regulations.
- Faster time-to-market – Delayed time-to-market puts companies at a significant disadvantage, increasing their costs, straining their resources, and damaging their reputations. The software prevents these issues from emerging.
Key Features
Product specification management software may be a stand-alone application or a module of a more comprehensive quality management system or a manufacturing ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) platform. Whichever you decide to get, make sure it has the following:
- Template repository
- Central dashboard
- Custom workflows
- Search and filtering
- Version control
- Approvals
- Document sharing
- Task assignment
- Incident management
- Reporting with audit trail
- Notifications and alerts
- Collaborative tools
- Integration
- Mobile accessibility
Selecting the Right Specification Management Software
Most of the options described above are designed for companies in the construction industry, save two. SafetyCulture and DocXellent may be used for specification management in product development and manufacturing. It is important to take note of these distinctions so that you can choose which suits your business needs best. Take a look at the summary below before making your final decision.
| App Name | Free Version | Paid Plan | Mobile App |
| SafetyCulture | Yes | $24/user/month* | Yes |
| Procore | No | Custom quote | Yes |
| Oracle Aconex | No | Contact for pricing | Yes |
| BIM 360 | No | Custom quote | Yes |
| Viewpoint Team | No | Contact for pricing | Yes |
| CMiC | No | Contact for pricing | Yes |
| Finalcad | Yes | €29 (≈ $31)/user/month* | Yes |
| Newforma Project Center | No | Contact for pricing | Yes |
| Projectmates | No | Contact for pricing | Yes |
| DocXellent | No | Contact for pricing | No |
*billed annually
