Platform · Spec matching
Every spec line matched, with the best alternate first
SuppLux reads the fixture schedule, compares each line against verified products attribute by attribute, and shows you where an alternate is equal, better or different before anything is quoted.
Short answer
AI spec matching turns each line of a lighting schedule into structured attributes (fixture type, mounting, dimensions, lumens, CCT, CRI, optic, voltage, driver, dimming protocol, certification) and compares them against a catalogue of verified products. SuppLux ranks the candidates, flags every attribute that differs from the spec, and a lighting specialist confirms the match before it is quoted. The goal is not to replace the specifier’s judgement but to do the reading and comparing that normally takes hours.
Key takeaways
- Matching is attribute by attribute, not by product name or part number.
- Differences are shown, not hidden, so an alternate can be defended to the designer.
- Photometric files (IES) are compared where the spec includes them.
- A person signs off each match before it reaches a quote or submittal.
What gets compared
A lighting specification line carries far more than a part number. SuppLux extracts and compares:
| Attribute group | Examples |
|---|---|
| Form and mounting | Recessed, suspended, surface, wall; ceiling type; nominal and actual length; profile width and height |
| Light output | Delivered lumens (per fixture or per foot), wattage, efficacy |
| Colour | CCT, CRI, R9 where specified, colour consistency (MacAdam steps) |
| Optics | Lens type (opal, microprismatic, louvre), distribution, cutoff and glare limits |
| Electrical | Input voltage (120, 277 or 347 V), driver type and location, dimming protocol, dimming range |
| Compliance | Certification marks acceptable for Canada, wet or damp location rating, emergency option |
| Commercial | Lead time, availability, price, warranty terms |
How the ranking works
- Hard requirements first. Candidates that miss a non-negotiable requirement (for example a certification mark, voltage or dimming protocol) are excluded rather than ranked low.
- Weighted closeness. Remaining candidates are scored on how close each attribute is to the specification, weighted towards the attributes that affect the design intent: light output, distribution, colour and dimensions.
- Commercial fit. Lead time and price are shown alongside, so an alternate that is technically equal and arrives six weeks sooner is easy to spot.
- Human review. A lighting specialist confirms the match or sends it back before it can be quoted.
Where alternates help most
- Custom linear runs with long lead times, where an equal product from another verified manufacturer can protect the schedule.
- Discontinued or back-ordered fixtures discovered after the specification was written.
- Budget pressure, where a value-engineered alternate keeps the photometric performance and changes something the design team cares less about, such as a finish or housing detail.
For how to present an alternate so it gets approved, see the or-equal substitution guide.
Related
- Platform How SuppLux works: from lighting spec to site SuppLux reads lighting specs and fixture schedules, matches every line to verified products and alternates, builds quotes and submittal packages, and manages supply to site across Canada. →
- Platform · Submittals Lighting submittal packages SuppLux assembles lighting submittal packages from the matched fixture set, with cover sheet, schedule cross-reference, marked-up cut sheets, IES files, driver and control data, and revisions that stay in sync with the quote. →
- Guide · Alternates How to get a lighting "or equal" substitution approved How to prepare a lighting substitution or value-engineered alternate that design teams approve, covering what to compare (photometrics, colour, electrical, dimensions, compliance), how to present it, and when not to substitute. →
- Guide · Specification How to specify custom linear lighting A step-by-step method for specifying custom linear lighting on commercial projects, covering application targets, mounting, optics, output, colour, run layout, voltage, drivers, controls and compliance, with a complete fixture schedule example. →
Frequently asked questions
Is an AI-proposed alternate an approved substitution?
No. An alternate is a proposal. On most projects a substitution still needs the design team’s approval through the project’s substitution process. SuppLux prepares the comparison so that approval is quick to request and easy to defend.
What if the specified product is exactly what I want?
Then that is the match. Alternates are shown only as options, for example when lead time, budget or availability is a problem.
How accurate is the matching?
Accuracy depends on how complete the specification is. Lines with full photometric and electrical data match more reliably than lines that name only a product family.
Send us the spec. We will do the matching.
Upload a fixture schedule, a spec section or a drawing set. You get a line-by-line match, alternates and a quote back from a person who knows lighting.