Engineering document search FAQs

1. What is Augusta Search?

• Windows desktop software for AI technical document search and engineering document management on your PC.
• You add construction codes and standards, technical specifications, network rules, metering manuals, and other publications you are licensed to use.
• Ask questions and get cited answers from those files. Open the matching PDF page to verify before you rely on an answer.

2. Is there a website to upload and search?

• No. The public site is for download, pricing, and legal pages only.
• Documents are added inside the desktop app on your computer. They are not uploaded to a cloud workspace on this website.

3. Do you provide a rules library or bundled construction codes?

• No. Augusta Search does not ship copyrighted codes and does not host a shared rules library of Australian Standards, international standards, or construction regulations.
• If you already hold a licence for a construction code, network rulebook, or similar PDF, you can add that file in the app and search it there.

4. How much does it cost?

• 180-day trial after you install — no credit card required to start.
• Then A$99 per year for an annual licence.
• Pay via Stripe on the pricing page. We email a licence key after payment.

5. How do licence keys work?

• Each paid licence is a unique key. Enter it in the app to activate the year.
• The name on a key is a label for our records. The key is not bound to a specific PC login.
• Keys are for the person or organisation that paid. Sharing a key is against the Terms.

6. Which operating systems are supported?

• Windows, via the Setup installer on this site.
• macOS and Linux installers are not offered today.

7. Where do my PDFs live?

• On your computer, in the app’s local data. This site does not store your engineering document library.
• When you ask a question, retrieved excerpts may be sent to an AI provider so the app can generate an answer. Do not add documents you are not authorised to use—including for AI processing.

8. How is this different from ChatGPT?

• A general chatbot does not keep a persistent, clause-indexed library of your licensed engineering standards and technical PDFs.
• Augusta Search uses retrieval-augmented generation (RAG): it retrieves from the documents you added, then generates from that evidence and shows clause-level citations you can open in the PDF.
• It is still a research aid. You verify against the official publication before you rely on an answer.

9. Does retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) improve accuracy?

• It improves relevance by retrieving specific clauses before generating—semantic document search plus keyword and clause-ID signals where available.
• It does not guarantee a correct legal or engineering conclusion. Editions, amendments, and site conditions still matter.

10. Can I add several large standards?

• Yes. Add each licensed PDF you hold to your searchable PDF library. Retrieval shows which document a clause came from.
• If you have a new edition or amendment, add it as its own file so citations stay clear.

11. Can I export answers?

• Yes — copy, print/PDF, and JPG export are built for client notes and audit files.
• Exports are still research notes, not a certificate of compliance.

12. Do you build custom RAG systems?

• Yes. If you need a private retrieval app for internal rulebooks or company data, email [email protected].

13. Can Augusta Search search electrical, mechanical, fire protection and hydraulic engineering standards?

• Yes. Augusta Search is designed to work with supported technical PDF documents across multiple engineering disciplines.
• Users can add documents they are authorised to use, including electrical engineering standards, mechanical engineering standards, fire protection standards, hydraulic engineering standards, plumbing and water services documentation, and other building construction documentation.
• Augusta Search does not supply copyrighted engineering standards or construction codes.

14. Can I organise documents by engineering discipline?

• Yes. You build a local engineering document library from the PDFs you add, and you can organise that collection to match how you work—by discipline, project, or document category—using the organisation options available in the installed app and on your PC.
• Typical collections engineers maintain include electrical, mechanical, fire protection, hydraulic and plumbing services, building construction, technical specifications, and manufacturer documentation. Exact folder or directory controls depend on the features in your installed version; describe only what you see in the app when advising others.
• Review note: Confirm folder hierarchy and search-scope behaviour in the current Windows build before treating any specific directory UI as guaranteed.

15. How does Augusta Search index engineering standards and technical PDFs?

• Augusta Search processes supported PDF documents and builds a local searchable index (local PDF indexing).
• Its AI-powered document retrieval helps identify relevant information from your document library.
• When you ask a technical question, the application retrieves relevant document passages and uses the configured AI provider to help generate an answer with supporting citations you can check against the original PDF.
• Document indexing and storage occur locally. Relevant retrieved content may be transmitted to your selected external AI provider.

16. Can I search multiple engineering standards and construction codes together?

• Yes. Add multiple supported technical documents to your library—electrical standards, mechanical specifications, fire protection documentation, plumbing requirements, construction codes, building codes, and technical manuals you are authorised to use.
• The application helps retrieve relevant information from your indexed documents.
• You remain responsible for verifying applicable document editions, requirements, and engineering interpretations.

17. Can Augusta Search help electrical engineers research wiring rules and electrical installation requirements?

• Yes. Augusta Search can assist electrical engineers with researching technical documents they are authorised to use.
• Potential applications include searching documentation relating to electrical installations, cable selection, protective devices, earthing, switchboards, and building electrical services.
• The application helps retrieve relevant passages and provides citations for verification. It does not replace professional engineering judgement or independent compliance verification.

18. Can mechanical, fire protection and hydraulic engineers use Augusta Search?

• Yes. Augusta Search is not restricted to electrical engineering.
• Mechanical engineers can research relevant technical specifications and mechanical services documentation they hold.
• Fire protection engineers can search licensed fire safety and fire protection documentation.
• Hydraulic engineers can organise and research plumbing, drainage, and water services technical documents.
• Availability and usefulness of answers depend on the documents supplied and retrieval performance.

19. How is Augusta Search different from a general AI chatbot?

• General AI chatbots may generate answers without searching your specific engineering document library.
• Augusta Search uses retrieval-augmented generation to identify relevant passages from your indexed technical documents before generating an answer—a document-grounded research workflow with supporting citations.
• AI-generated answers may still contain errors and must be verified against the original documents.
• Learn more about our AI-powered engineering standards search on the homepage.

20. Can I organise engineering standards by project, discipline or document category?

• Yes. Augusta Search supports building a structured technical library from the documents you add, so you can keep collections aligned with project, discipline, or category needs.
• For example, a building services engineer may maintain separate collections for electrical, mechanical, fire protection, and hydraulic documentation.
• Review note: Publish only the folder creation, document assignment, and search-scope capabilities that exist in the current Windows application; remove or adjust this answer if those controls are not yet shipped.

21. Does Augusta Search provide Australian Standards, international standards or construction codes?

• No. Augusta Search does not distribute copyrighted engineering standards or provide a bundled library of licensed construction codes.
• Users must obtain the documents they wish to search through appropriate authorised channels.
• They are responsible for ensuring their licences permit the intended storage, processing, and use of those documents, including any transmission of retrieved content to external AI providers.
• Augusta Search provides the engineering technical document search software—not the copyrighted publications.