Parkin Architects Exceeding Customer Expectations

Established in the 1940s, Parkin Architects is a well-known architectural leader in Canada for acute and mental healthcare, recreation, science, technology and research, justice, corrections, and education. Their architects, designers, and project managers have undertaken more than 2,000 projects in the last 10 years, and their design influence can be seen across Canada’s 10 provinces as well as Nunavut. 


An Award-Winning Industry Leader


Creators of innovative solutions that positively impact lives, Parkin has won numerous awards and boasts a client list that that includes several relationships that started more than 40 years ago. Contributing to their long-term success are their outstanding teams, integrity, practical approach, global insight, and top-tier cost control.


“One way we build and retain trust with all our customers is by bringing efficiency to every aspect of every project,” said Oscar Ramos-Martinez, BIM Manager, Parkin. “This starts with commitment from our directors and principals, and it carries through hiring top talent and providing them with the latest tools.”

Parkin and Ideate Software

It was Parkin’s goal of efficiently delivering innovative designs that led them to Ideate Software. Their initial need was for a tool that could move data from Revit to Excel for fast and accurate editing, and then push the updated data back into the Revit model. 


“In 2012, we were using a simple application to copy data from a Revit file into Excel,” said Oscar. “It worked, but it crashed a lot. Constantly relaunching the program was frustrating and time consuming, so our team did some research to find a better, more efficient solution.”


While browsing the internet, they came across Ideate BIMLink, which had the functionality needed and had received positive feedback from customers (See blog post from 2011 – Real ROI for Revit Projects: Ideate BIMLink Survey Results). They reached out to Ideate Software, got a demonstration of the software, and secured licenses for their team of BIM managers and BIM coordinators.  
Parkin and Ideate Software

“The team quickly learned how to address our immediate need, which was to set up new models with functional project data to expedite the planning process,” said Oscar. “We used Ideate BIMLink to help create the Rooms in Revit with all the information from the Functional Program, like functional location, program number, and name. This way the model would be ready for the planners to do their job.”


Ideate BIMLink proved to be easy to use and a time saver, so the Parkin team started using it to streamline other workflows. Here are a few examples of time-consuming and error-prone manual workflows that Parkin now performs with Ideate BIMLink: 

  1. Transferring parameter values to Doors from their hosts (Fire Rating, Wall Types, etc.) 
  2. Managing FF&E (Equipment) ID information (Number and Name) 
  3. Managing Room Data 
Parkin and Ideate Software

In addition to expanding their use of Ideate BIMLink, Parkin also expanded its use of Ideate Software products. Here are a few ways they streamline Revit data management tasks with our tools:


Ideate Explorer – “We use Ideate Explorer every day for quality control activities,” said Oscar. “The search capabilities in Revit are very limited, but with Ideate Explorer and its Query tool, we can find any element in the model, select it, locate it within the model, browse through its properties, identify issues, and more. This saves us a lot of time and helps us deliver clean models and accurate documentation to our clients.”

 

Ideate Sticky – Parkin uses Ideate Sticky to place schedules not done in Revit onto Revit files. “For example, we use Excel to manage code requirement data and use Ideate Sticky to live-link the Excel spreadsheet to our Revit file,” said Oscar. “Now our team doesn’t spend time verifying that the information they have is correct; they know it is.”

IdeateApps – Here are just three examples of how the Parkin team uses the many tools that come in this collection:
 

  • Ideate ReNumber – The Parkin team reduces the time spent on door coordination by using Ideate ReNumber to easily apply room numbers to doors.
  • Ideate ViewCreator – “We use Ideate ViewCreator to manually create views using the scope box in Revit, which was difficult to use,” said Oscar. “The process is easy and accurate with Ideate ViewCreator.”
  •  Ideate Align – “Aligning views in Revit is possible, but risky because people can accidentally move them,” said Oscar. “Now, as we are preparing documents for submission, we simply run Ideate Align and the alignments are perfect.” 


“Delivering as promised is critical, and Ideate Software helps us do that,” said Oscar. “Their products address challenges we face, and they are easy to learn and use. When we have questions, we know we can find demonstration videos on the Ideate Software website or in Eagle Point Software’s Pinnacle Series, which houses a lot of their training material” 


Images:


Top: Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital. Architect: Parkin Architects Limited and Adamson Associates in Joint Venture. Photographer: Studio Shai Gil

Middle: Joseph Brant Hospital. Architect: Parkin Architects Limited and Adamson Associates in Joint Venture. Photographer: Studio Shai Gil

Bottom: Providence Care Hospital. Architect: Parkin Architects Limited and Adamson Associates in Joint Venture. Photographer: Studio Shai Gil

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  • What is a Named User license?

    A Named User license is assigned to one specific person rather than shared across a network. For a step-by-step walkthrough, see the Graitec Licensing Help Center - Named User.

  • Are Ideate Suites replacing Ideate Software Bundles?

    Yes. Going forward, Ideate Suites replace Ideate Software Bundles.

  • What's the difference between the Ideate Software Bundle and the Ideate Suite?

    Both include the same five tools: IdeateApps, Ideate BIMLink, Ideate Explorer, Ideate Sticky and Ideate StyleManager. 


    • Bundle: Each tool is licensed separately, so different people can work in different tools at once. For example, with one Bundle, five people could each use a different tool at the same time.
    • Suite: One license covers all five tools for one person at a time. That person can move freely between every tool. While they're using the Suite, it isn't available to anyone else on that license until they finish.

    A Named User Suite is assigned to one specific person. A single Network Cloud Floating Suite can be shared across your team, one person at a time.


    Bundle to Suite Infographic


  • Will my team need more licenses?

    If several people on your team use different Ideate tools at the same time, you may need more than one Suite license. Contact us and we'll review your team's usage and help you choose the right setup.

  • Can I still buy an Ideate Software Bundle?

    No. Bundles are no longer available for purchase. New purchases are offered as follows:


    • Ideate Suite: Named User or Network Cloud Floating 
    • Enterprise Suite: Network Cloud Floating
    • Active Host: Network Cloud Floating
    • Automation: Network Cloud Floating
    • Individual products: Named User or Network Cloud Floating (IdeateApps, Ideate BIMLink, Ideate Explorer, Ideate Sticky, and Ideate StyleManager)

  • Can I still buy IdeateApps, BIMLink, Explorer, Sticky, or StyleManager individually?

    Yes. Individual products are available as Named User or Cloud Floating licenses until the new product lineup launches with the next major release, expected mid-2027.

  • Will floating (network) licenses still be available?

    Yes. FlexLM remains available for organizations with security requirements, such as environments without internet access. FlexLM is not available through the online store, so please contact your account manager to purchase.

  • My organization has strict security requirements or no internet access. Can I still get a FlexLM license?

    Yes. FlexLM remains available for organizations with security requirements, such as environments without internet access. FlexLM is not available through the online store, so please contact your account manager to purchase.

  • I'm an existing customer. What happens to my current license/s?

    Your existing Ideate Software subscription is moving to our new licensing system at no cost. Your license quantities and expiration dates stay the same.


    • Standalone licenses become Named User licenses. Set up your Named Users in the Graitec Advantage Portal.
    • Cloud Floating (network) licenses become Network Cloud Floating Suite licenses. Deploy the latest release as you have in the past, using the new license code in your migration email.
    • Each Ideate Software Bundle becomes an Ideate Suite.

    To keep using Ideate, update to the latest release and activate your new license by March 31, 2027. Older Ideate licenses will stop working in Q2 2027.


    Using Ideate with Revit 2022 or earlier? Contact ideatesupport@graitec.com to review your options. For account questions, contact sales@ideatesoftware.com.


  • I have a Bundle today. What will I receive when I move to the new licensing?

    Conversions are one for one. Each Ideate Software Bundle becomes one Ideate Suite, and each network Bundle becomes one Network Cloud Floating Suite. Your license quantities and expiration dates stay the same.

  • Where do I manage my licenses?

    In the Graitec Advantage Portal. Based on customer requests, starting with the latest Ideate release, license management and license usage information are handled in Graitec Advantage, outside of Revit. We recommend bookmarking the portal.


    • Named User licenses: Assign licenses to people on your team in Graitec Advantage.
    • Cloud Floating Suite licenses: Deploy the latest release with your new license code as you have in the past, then manage licenses in Graitec Advantage.

    Watch the Graitec Advantage walkthrough


  • Can I transfer a Named User license to another person?

    Yes. There's no limit on the total number of transfers, but each license can be transferred up to two times within a 30-day period.

  • How are licenses issued?

    Each product on your order is issued as its own license once your order is processed. To try a product before buying, contact us to request an evaluation license.

  • I want to try the Graitec AI Assistant now, but I don’t have my new license code yet. What should I do?

    Existing customers: We’re delivering new license codes to existing subscribers on a rolling basis over the next few weeks. If you need access sooner, contact your Graitec sales representative.


    New customers: The Graitec AI Assistant isn’t available in the Ideate trial. Contact your Graitec sales representative to request an evaluation license or purchase a 6-month subscription.

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