The directory that transformed information management in the external works area turned 10 this year with the release of its 600 page 2008 Edition.
“Outdoor Design Source (ODS) has become something of a ‘bible’ for a wide range of external works specifiers,” commented Publishing Manager Emil Montibeler, “Property Managers, Developers, Councils, Landscape Architects, Landscape Contractors, Environmental Engineers, and pretty well everyone who specifies for external works on all kinds of projects are using ODS”.
10 Years of External works – A Changing Industry
“When we started ODS, specifiers operated within a highly fragmented industry and ‘information management’ consisted of a pile of brochures,” commented Associate Publisher Janice Williams.
“Now the pile of brochures has been replaced with a slick print and online product, and we’re working within an industry that has drawn together to deal with the environmental and water-management issues that have dominated the decade.”
A Thank you to the External Works Industry Associations
Industry Associations played a key role in setting up the categories covered by Outdoor Design Source and the format in which information was delivered.
The now-familiar “Data Spec” is an information unit that came about after many discussions with board members of the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects, the Landscape Contractors Associations of each state (especially the LCA of NSW), the Australian Institute of Horticulture, and many others.
“We’d like to take the opportunity to thank the industry associations not only for identifying the market’s need for information management, but for helping us work out what specifiers really needed,” said National Publishing Manager Emil Montibeler.
Today the publication still has endorsements from no fewer than 23 industry associations, and is used by them as a communication tool to reach broader parts of the external works field.
For further Information, contact Emil Montibeler, Publishing Manager, on 02 9887 0310 or emontibeler@universalmagazines.com.au
