Manage Bluebeam workflows directly from within the Raken app to make your project teams as efficient as possible. With the integration enabled, you can create and link Bluebeam sessions to Raken RFIs for faster collaboration.
What is the Raken - Bluebeam Integration?
The Raken-Bluebeam integration embeds Bluebeam Studio Sessions into the Raken RFI workflow. Instead of juggling emails and manual file downloads, you can create a virtual collaboration room linked specifically to a Raken RFI.
Studio Sessions: A virtual plan room where project teams collaborate on drawings in real-time with integrated chat and activity tracking.
Automatic Sync: PDF attachments from Raken are automatically pushed to Bluebeam, and finalized markups are pulled back into Raken as new attachments.
Benefits
Eliminate Version Conflict: Stop relying on email chains. Stakeholders markup the same file simultaneously.
Speed Up Resolution: Real-time collaboration with design and engineering teams means RFIs get closed faster.
Centralized Documentation: All history, chats, and markups from the Studio Session are captured, providing a clear audit trail.
Availability & Requirements
Plan Requirement: Performance Plan only.
User Credentials: Each user must have their own Bluebeam credentials. Raken connects at the user level, not the company level.
Platform: Session management (creating, linking, and finalizing) is available on the Raken Web App. The Raken Mobile App will display a "Session Linked" indicator for visibility in the field.
How it Works (Step-by-Step)
1. Enable the Integration (Company Level)
A Company Admin must first go to the Integration Hub in Raken. Toggle the Bluebeam integration to "On." This enables the feature for the entire company but does not require individual credentials yet.
2. Authenticate Your Account (User Level)
Because Bluebeam manages permissions per person, each user must link their own Bluebeam ID:
Open any RFI (new or existing).
You will see a Bluebeam banner. Click to initiate the login flow.
Once authorized, Raken securely captures your access token, and your Bluebeam email will appear in the RFI view to confirm you are connected.
3. Creating a Session on an RFI
You can create a Bluebeam session during the initial RFI creation or add one to an existing RFI later.
The Setup: When creating a new RFI, ensure you have attached the relevant PDF files.
Enable Bluebeam: Check the box labeled "Create Bluebeam Session" before sending the RFI.
Inviting Collaborators: Raken automatically suggests all RFI assignees as session invitees. You can add or remove people from this list before launching the session.
Naming: Sessions are automatically named using the format:
[Project Name] - [RFI Number].
4. Collaborating in Bluebeam
Invitees receive an email notification with a direct link to the Bluebeam Session.
Users perform markups and reviews within the Bluebeam environment.
Raken tracks the unique Bluebeam Session ID and links it directly to the RFI for easy navigation.
Once the session is live, all PDF attachments from the RFI are pushed into the Studio Session.
Real-Time Markups: Use Bluebeam’s toolset to add comments, measurements, and callouts.
Compatibility: Markups made in Raken’s internal tool are compatible with Bluebeam, meaning you won’t lose any initial field notes when the file moves to the Studio Session.
Permissions: Session permissions (who can add files, markup, etc.) are managed within Bluebeam Review.
4. Finalizing and Closing
When collaboration is complete, you must Finalize the session to bring the data back to Raken.
The Snapshot: Finalizing takes a snapshot of the marked-up documents and attaches them to the Raken RFI as NEW attachments (prefixed with "Bluebeam" for easy identification).
RFI Closure: While not required, we recommend finalizing your Bluebeam session at the same time you close the RFI in Raken to ensure your records are synced.
[NOTE] Once a Bluebeam session is finalized, the link is closed. Each RFI can only be mapped to one Bluebeam session.
Still have questions?
We’re here to help. Reach out to us at help@rakenapp.com or give us a call at +1 866-438-0646.
We’d love to hear from you!