Speckle’s new era of data-driven workflows

Next-Gen Connectors are now at the heart of our development, signalling a major shift to a more unified platform. This change represents a refined focus on data-driven workflows, performance, and seamless integration across the Speckle ecosystem.

This might raise questions, especially if you relied on Speckle exclusively for interoperability workflows. Let us explain why we’re making this change, what it means for you, and how it will deliver more than ever!

Stepping up our game: Shifting beyond interoperability

When we first built Speckle, our primary goal was to solve interoperability challenges in the AEC industry.

Over time, we realized that interoperability is not a goal in itself - it’s a means to the end of making better design and delivery decisions and getting faster feedback.

AEC projects are extremely complex, making it hard to decipher the information that truly matters. We’re now making sure Speckle can cut through the noise, helping you reach those “a-ha!” moments in seconds.

Even when all you see are seemingly ordinary model parameters, Speckle unlocks insights for you and turns them into real value.

The bigger picture: Speckle is unified

We’re no longer “doing interoperability” just to get models from A to B. The Next-Gen connectors are called “next generation” because one thing makes them infinitely better than the legacy version: they fit with the rest of Speckle like a glove.

They integrate seamlessly with our web app, Automate, data analytics, and more, so the entire platform works together for you. By using Speckle daily and regularly, you’ll get real-time insights that will help you catch mistakes early and keep projects on track.

“Working with Next-Gen connectors is really fast; what used to take hours, now takes 20 seconds. I don’t even know what you’re doing in the background to make this happen!”, says Niko Gamsakhurdiya, Head of BIM Department and long time Speckle user.

What’s changing for legacy connector users?

We get it—leaving some interoperability workflows behind may feel like a big change. But adopting Speckle was also a massive change for you and your team. And as you noticed, change can be precisely what you need!

Here’s what you need to know to switch smoothly:

Focus on core workflows

‍We’re prioritizing the most valuable workflows, ensuring they’re stable and fully supported. Less-used workflows from the legacy connectors will be deprecated, streamlining your experience. Check the FAQ for details!

Data compatibility

‍Next-Gen workflows require Next-Gen data, which isn’t directly compatible with legacy data. We provide tools and guidance to help you transition quickly.

Legacy connectors still available

‍Legacy connectors will remain available but won’t receive updates or new features. We recommend switching to Next-Gen to access the latest improvements.

Re-publish legacy models

‍To use Next-Gen workflows, re-publish your legacy models using Next-Gen connectors. We’ve got tools and resources to guide you.

To wrap it up

This shift to Next-Gen connectors represents a new chapter for Speckle—one where we’re doubling down on what we do best: helping you understand your data, make better decisions, and collaborate more effectively.

While change can be challenging, we’re confident that this evolution will deliver more value, stability, and clarity than ever before.