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Product(s): |
Bentley Descartes for MicroStation Bentley Descartes ContextCapture Editor |
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Version(s): |
CONNECT Edition |
In these challenging times when COVID-19 is imposing significant disruptions to day-to-day activities and affecting normal business flow of our much-valued users and employees, we at Bentley are mindfully committed to ensuring smooth transition of work from office to remote location or home. Our innovative software and services are all geared for working from home or remote locations and do not impose the need to be in an office set-up.
To ensure smooth transition of work and effectiveness of your daily workflows with Bentley software, we have assembled information that you can refer to while working remotely or from home. We are working hard to deliver high levels of customer service, and welcome feedback, questions, and ideas on how we can serve you better in a remote work environment.
HOME INSTALLATION
You may decide to install the software on your home computer. If you do this, once signed in via the CONNECTION Client using your normal work email login, you will have the same licenses available as you do in the office.
Machine Requirements
What can we do to ensure our users’ workflows are uninterrupted?
There are several options to work remotely. You may decide to install the software on your home computer. Please click here to see these minimum machine requirements for MicroStation.
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Processor |
Intel® or AMD® processor 1.0 GHz or greater. MicroStation is not supported on a CPU that does not support SSE2. |
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Memory |
4 GB minimum, 16 GB recommended. More memory almost always improves performance, particularly when |
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Hard Disk |
10 GB minimum, 10-25 GB depending on additional installations such as Companion Features and Companion |
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Video |
See the graphics card manufacturer for latest information on DirectX drivers. 512 MB of video RAM or higher |
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Screen Resolution |
1024 x 768 or higher |
Internet Connectivity
Internet Access
Internet access is required for downloading, installing, and licensing the software (unless the machine concerned has a checked-out license). As the MicroStation installer is almost 8 GB, installation may take a significant time over low bandwidth connections. Ensure the connection used has sufficient data allowance if it is not an unlimited data package. Many CONNECT Edition products are installed from a small installer file that pulls the rest of the installation files from our servers. If you encounter problems with this installation route, please refer to the DOWNLOADING SOFTWARE section below for links to full software downloads or guidance on the use of Deployment Images to take home.
Internet Proxy Settings
MicroStation will try to obtain your Internet Proxy Settings from Internet Explorer browser. If it is not feasible, you can fill the details manually as described in this page located here.
Connecting to Your Organization’s Network via VPN
Virtual Private Network enables organizations to provide secure connection to their network over the internet so their employees can connect remotely or from public places. Click here to follow these instructions to connect to Windows VPN. If your organization uses a different VPN software, contact your IT administrator to guide you with the steps.
Features that require Internet Connectivity
The following features of MicroStation may not work properly in the absence of internet connectivity.
REMOTE DESKTOP CONNECTION
Remotely Accessing Office Computer
If you work on a heavy-duty desktop machine that is difficult to carry or if your organization does not allow employees to move computers out of the office premises, Remote Desktop Connection offers a great way to log into that machine from your personal computer. You will require your computer name or IP address. Click here to follow the instructions on this page.
SHARING CONFIGURATIONS AND PROJECT DATA
When you’re working remotely, you are still part of a team and therefore sharing of project data is crucial. This is where the Configuration system shines. No matter where you are, you can be sure to be using the correct CAD standard with server-based Configurations. If your system has already been configured to use server-based resources virtualization and remote desktop access results in a similar experience to working in the office, there may be some graphic latency, but the system will be identical.
Attempting to connect to a configuration on office-based shares via VPN may be possible, depending on your IT systems, but is likely to be subject to significant latency, especially with many more VPN users than usual. Working with a local copy of the network configuration may be more appropriate.
Common Network Storage
One of the simplest and effective ways of work sharing is by storing the project data in a common network location and pointing every user’s configuration to that location by setting MicroStation’s _USTN_CONFIGURATION configuration variable. In addition, we recommend mapping a drive letter to organization’s network server path. For example, in ConfigurationSetup.cfg, the variable should be set as follows:
_USTN_CUSTOM_CONFIGURATION = Z:\SharedStandards\
To point to your WorkSpaces and WorkSets (if in another location) use the WorkSpacesSetup.cfg file and uncomment and set:
_USTN_WORKSPACESROOT = P:\ProjectsRoot\
Storing Your Project data on ProjectWise Share or OneDrive
Store your project data on ProjectWise Share or Microsoft OneDrive, which allows high levels of control. Easily manage and transfer without the need for additional software.
Collaborating on Projects with ProjectWise
The beauty of working with ProjectWise is that work sharing is built-in and the concept of being tied to a location is foreign. In a Client-Server architecture the client can be anywhere. By storing standards and work files on a server you can ensure proper access for anyone. By establishing a digital environment for all project information, you can give access to people regardless of location and device type. However, ensuring the correct access is the key to success. So, setting up ProjectWise Explorer locally is key.
The way to install ProjectWise Explorer can be found here.
DOWNLOADING SOFTWARE
Descartes for MicroStation CONNECT Edition is bundled in the installation programs of most MicroStation-based applications. Here is a list of MicroStation-based applications that are known to bundle the Descartes for MicroStation Companion product. And, here is a guide on how to install Descartes for MicroStation CONNECT Edition. If you require additional information, please contact our Technical Support team.
ACCESSING PRODUCT DOCUMENTATION
RESOLVING LICENSING ISSUES
HOW TO GET HELP
USEFUL ARTICLES ABOUT WORKING REMOTELY
TIPS
Printing
At home set your default printer to PDF to avoid sending prints via a VPN to an unattended printer.