Item: Bluebeam
Rating: 10
Author: Ernest King

Overall Satisfaction with Bluebeam Revu

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

Bluebeam Revu was first introduced to our construction operations group in late 2011 and it quickly helped us transform many of our paper-based workflows to electronic. Most notably, it enabled us to update and maintain our construction documents in one central location, electronically, and share them with anyone regardless of location. As opposed to maintaining and updating multiple hard copies in different locations. After a successful implementation with our construction operations group, Bluebeam Revu spread to the entire company and has become the new standard for PDF viewing/markups and collaboration.

Pros and Cons

Pros

A host of batch processes offer a huge time savings over the manual alternatives
Powerful cloud-based collaboration via Bluebeam Studio
Easy and intuitive markup tools

Cons

Really tough to provide any cons. Bluebeam listens to their user base and constantly strives to improve the product.

Return on Investment

We have not attempted to quantify a specific ROI for Bluebeam Revu, but the batch processes offer such a huge time savings over the manual alternatives that you can easily justify the price of the software for an individual after running just one or two processes.
When we first rolled out Bluebeam Revu and started using it for some batch drawing overlays and comparisons, we were often saying "that just paid for itself" once the automated process was complete.

Alternatives Considered

We used Adobe Acrobat prior to switching to Bluebeam Revu. We've found Bluebeam Revu to do everything that Acrobat could do and much, much more. And surprisingly, for a more reasonable price. Once we were exposed to Bluebeam Revu, it was a no-brainer to make it our standard.

We also leverage Bluebeam Studio Sessions and Projects for collaboration to the extent that they have essentially replaced our need for services like Dropbox, Box, or FTP sites.

Likelihood to Recommend

Bluebeam Revu is perfect for managing construction documents. Tools like Batch Hyperlinking, Batch Slip Sheet and Batch Compare/Overlay are incredibly valuable.

Using Bluebeam Revu

Usability

I'm constantly finding that Bluebeam Revu does more than I knew it could. And when I find something that it can't do, I've found that Bluebeam truly listens to its user base and will work to incorporate any good suggestion when feasible.

Usability Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
Like to use Relatively simple Easy to use Technical support not required Well integrated Consistent Quick to learn Convenient Feel confident using Familiar	None

Easy Tasks

Batch Slip Sheet, Batch Hyperlinking, Batch Comparison/Overlay
Collaboration via Bluebeam Studio
PDF Markups
Estimating
Auto Mark Tools

Mobile Interface Availability and Impressions

Yes -

Bluebeam's iPad app allows us to easily view our updated documents in the field, whether online or offline. When used with a Bluebeam Studio Project, even large documents render instantly when you zoom in.

Here's a small wish list of future additions to the app: Bluebeam's Sets functionality, offline Studio Sessions and 3D PDF viewing.

Comments

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Switching to Bluebeam Revu is a No-Brainer Once You Try It