NBS Source is a tool that creates a single source for product information. Unlike any other product library, NBS Source provides an additional level of enhanced product data, in a consistent, structured format that will integrate seamlessly into your project workflow. This new platform will save you hours of time chasing product information across the web, on phone calls and manual searches though product literature.
Source includes over 1,100 manufacturers and 33,000 products covering all aspects of construction, ready to use on your projects. From images, catalogues and data sheets, to digital objects and product specifications - Source has all the information you need about a product, no matter what stage of a project you are at.
Our team of technical experts are currently working with our community of thousands of manufacturers to deliver their product information in a detailed and structured format. This enhanced data is listed to rigorous NBS standards, with consistent properties and values, performance criteria and certification. Alerts tell you how recently a manufacturer has checked a product to confirm its accuracy, and our permanent links make the products you specify easily traceable back to Source.
NBS Source connects directly with NBS Chorus, our cloud-based specification platform, and design tools including Autodesk Revit. Meaning you can find and specify products at every stage of your project. Saving you time trawling through the web or print catalogues for the latest product information.
All of the product data in NBS Source is free to use and adheres to NBS standards, with consistent properties and values, performance criteria and certification. Our new traffic light alert system will inform you how recently a manufacturer has checked and verified their products to confirm their accuracy, meaning you can specify with confidence.
You can access source on the web, on your mobile or tablet, within NBS chorus and Autodesk Revit. Whatever your workflow, NBS Source is fully accessible to suit your needs, making it even easier to create connected construction information.
NBS Source aims to help you find everything you need to make a decision in one place – product properties, certifications, associated literature, specification clauses and digital objects. With NBS Source, you will be able to add the products data straight into your NBS specification or design model in the click of a button, saving you countless hours of hunting down products on the web or in printed brochures.
It will also allow manufacturers to be much more efficient in maintaining their product information, for example by confirming product information is current and also archiving de-listed products and adding new products. This means that you will always have access to the most up-to-date product information.
How can I access Source?
NBS Source is available in the places you need it, whether that’s in a web browser, on a mobile device, in your specification or in your design model. NBS Source can be accessed through the website: https://source.thenbs.com/
NBS Source currently works in parallel to NBS Chorus, our cloud-based specification platform, and design tools such as Autodesk Revit. However, in the near future, NBS Source will be fully integrated within both of these tools.
What manufacturer and product data is in NBS Source?
Today there are over 30,000 products from over 1,200 manufacturers. This includes many thousands of pieces of product literature, digital objects and specification clauses.
We know that in addition to this, specifiers want highly detailed, structured technical product information, in a consistent format so they can easily make decisions and add them to their projects. This is exactly what we are creating with NBS Source – through our ‘enhanced data’.
NBS will work with all of our partner manufacturers to collect a complete set of extensive, high-quality product data, structured to industry standards, including all relevant performance criteria and certifications. This is known as our ‘enhanced data’ and will allow powerful search, comparison and other features.
We have already started this authoring process and we will enhance all of this product data working with our manufacturer partners.
Designers and specifiers can support us in this journey by requesting that manufacturers not already within the NBS provide their product data through NBS Source.
Why is it important for manufacturers to provide enhanced product data?
If the product data format is consistent, then decision making is easier. Specifiers have a duty to ensure that they choose the right products. Too frequently, they have found it harder than it needs to be to make an informed choice between products. Information presented varies between products and between manufacturers, and specifiers can’t easily tell if they are comparing similar products or not. This wastes valuable time and creates the risk of mis-specifying.
Is NBS Source free?
All of the product data in NBS Source is free to view. To download content, this can be done by registering for an NBS ID. It is also free to create an NBS ID.
Is it ready to use?
Yes, NBS Source is live and ready to use, the product data is the same that is currently in our existing products. However, month-by-month as the NBS team work with our partner manufactures we will enhance the quality of this data further.
What are permalinks?
These are short, permanent web hyperlinks that allow you to link to any organization, product, case study or literature item from the documentation you produce. For example, a hyperlink in an object within a 3D model or even a QR code on a physical product.
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For the latest updates on NBS Source and NBS Chorus, sign up to our newsletter. Alternatively, if there is a manufacturer you can't see in Source, but would like to, email manufacturers@thenbs.com
