Jacobs Turns to Ideate Software for Revit Revision Management Solutions

Ranked number one on Fortune Magazine’s 2019 World's Most Admired Companies list in engineering and construction, Jacobs is one of the world’s largest and most diverse providers of highly technical professional services. Its staff of more than 77,000 creates solutions to deliver a more connected, sustainable world through services including scientific, technical, professional and construction and program management for the business, industrial, commercial, government and infrastructure sectors. Its staff’s extensive client-application experience and digital intelligence enables them to analyze complex problems from multiple perspectives and deliver complete, high-value solutions. 

Choosing Ideate BIMLink for Revit Revision Management

Paul Cook - Jacobs

When looking into establishing a method of revision management for Revit models, Paul Cook, a Civil 3D, BIM & CAD Technician at Jacobs, learned about a limitation within Revit: you can’t view the revision history of each sheet in schedule form.


“I’ve had success with Ideate Software tools on several projects, so looked to them for a solution. I read their Help page on managing Revit sheet-based revisions,” said Paul. “It looked like Ideate BIMLink enables the creation of a document issuance record, and the Help page mentioned an Excel Macro template and dataset that Ideate Software offers free-of-charge to customers. I reached out to the Support team for details.”

Jan Sako, Support Manager, Ideate Software, sent Paul the information as well as links to short how-to videos that demonstrate how to use Ideate BIMLink to quickly and accurately update all sheets with the proper revision or sheet issuance information at one time.


“It was exactly what we were looking for,” said Paul.


Customizing the Spreadsheet for Jacob’s Unique Requirements


Jacobs uses an alphanumeric revision number that shows on sheets, in place of the Sequence number, that they have assigned to the ‘Issued To’ parameter to represent the Revision Number.


“Ideally, we would have this showing on the DIR tab on each issue instead of the issue count number, so I reached out to the Ideate Software Support team to see if they had any ideas,” said Paul. “Glynnis Patterson, the Director of Software Development, responded with two suggestions. Although neither quite worked, they sparked some thoughts. I managed to achieve what I was after by using Excel formulas on a new tab to recreate the register. It’s basically a clone of the DIR tab using cell links, except that where an issue is shown on the ‘DIR’ tab, it searches for the ‘Issued To’ entry for that sequence number and reports that instead of the issue count.” 


Paul also added a few extra things, like highlighting the issues that aren’t tagged as ‘Issued’ in Revit and a count of how many drawings were issued on that date. 


“I appreciate how responsive the Ideate Software Support team was and how flexible Ideate Software tools are,” said Paul. “I’ve already thought of other ways to customize the spreadsheet, and I know that if I have any trouble, I can give Ideate Software a call.”


About Ideate Software


Ideate Software allows Revit users to have unprecedented control over their data and solve persistent problems in Architecture, Engineering, Construction, and Owner (AECO) workflows. Ideate Software solutions enable Revit users to save time, increase accuracy, improve project deliverables, and elevate design.

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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.

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