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Anyone recommend a subscription service for specs?
2

Anyone recommend a subscription service for specs?

Anyone recommend a subscription service for specs?

(OP)
Hi folks...I run a small design services firm.  Since I'm "cutoff" from any big company's engineering library, I find myself in a bit of a pickle for getting the latest material, etc specifications.

Can anyone recommend a subscription service (or pay per download) that allows me to download from a LARGE # of worldwide specifications?

I'd like to be able to download things like:
ANSI
ASTM
EC directives.

Can anyone recommend a service that they've been happy with ...and if you know the ~ monthly price that would be great also.

Thanks

RE: Anyone recommend a subscription service for specs?

I've always had good luck with IHS.com

You can pretty much get any spec you need and taylor a subscription service for the types of document you require. I think they will also fax or e-mail you documents on a pay per document fee as well. Not sure of the exact price but I beleive you're talking in the few thousand to 10K or more for unlimted use of ANSI, ASME, MIL-Specs and the like.

RE: Anyone recommend a subscription service for specs?

IHS is definitely the source with the most extensive collection.  I recommend that you talk to one of their sales people to understand the exact type of products that are available.  In many instances, their service can be tailored so that you can purchase only the standards that you need, and therefore save some money.

RE: Anyone recommend a subscription service for specs?

(OP)
TVP and WINPOP123,

IHS looks quite good, though a bit tough to negotiate the site.  I tried looking for something simple like ASTM A 653 (glavanized sheet) and came up with nothing.  Is it finicky about search terms?

RE: Anyone recommend a subscription service for specs?

(OP)
OOPS...never mind....I think you have to be in the "Standards Store" to be able to search by the standard number.

Thanks guys.

Has anyone used www.techstreet.com?

RE: Anyone recommend a subscription service for specs?

IHS gets my vote too.  I have always been able to find what I need there.  They aren't cheap, but hey, you need the spec!

RE: Anyone recommend a subscription service for specs?

ASSIST is free

RE: Anyone recommend a subscription service for specs?

rb1957,

Yes ASSIST is very good (and free) for MIL specs, but what about ANSI, ASTM or other non-governmental specs?  I don't think they're available thru ASSIST.

Tom

RE: Anyone recommend a subscription service for specs?

IHS is pretty much the only game in town worth talking about.  However, we discontinued IHS because we felt it to be too expensive.  For most of the standards, ANSI, ASTM, etc., you can buy them directly from the organizations.  If you're a member, you'll usually get a discount.  Since you probably don't want to pay for IHS' profit margin, the direct route might be the cheapest.

TTFN



RE: Anyone recommend a subscription service for specs?

You can get a CD with National Master Specification... and pay for the sections used.

RE: Anyone recommend a subscription service for specs?

(OP)
Thanks alot folks.  Those all look like good options.  I'm going to get started with http://www.ili-info.com/

RE: Anyone recommend a subscription service for specs?

IRStuff-
It's misleading to say that IHS is the "only game in town" as a source of specs.  THE DOCUMENT CENTER is a good one too.

Tunalover

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