Service Packs - Some people call them Updates

Why do we need service packs?

Software is generally supplied as an initial release. You can sometimes find this referred to as a point release.  What this means is that the software is usually the first proper good build. In its own right, it will be stable and will do the job intended. All software companies do this from Microsoft (with their Windows operating system and Office suite) all the way through other application suites, and even game manufacturers. Bentley Systems is no different in this respect.

A point release is very unlikely to get rebuilt until the next major release of the software is scheduled, so to provide updates and value added resources, service packs (or updates) are released through the lifespan of the software version.

In the case of Bentley Hevacomp V8i (also known as Hevacomp V25), the point release for the software will install V25.00.40 onto your system. This software has been updated a number of times since the point release. These updates can be created for a number of reasons, such as changes in regulations (such as the PART L/SBEM calculation engine and interface) or new resources such as device data for the Electrical software. 

To find out if your software needs updating, you can click on the Check
for Updates button on the opening menu of the software

This should return one of three possible options:

• "Invalid patch index" - this would indicate that your software is still the point release version and hasn't ever been updated, or has not been updated for a long time. You should update as soon as possible
• "Your software is out of date and requires the latest Service Pack." - you should to follow this advise and update as soon as possible
• "Your software is currently up to date" - All is currently fine and you do not need to update at this time. We do recommend checking this once a week, however.

If you get any other message, then the chances are your firewall is blocking the check, or you are not connected to the internet. You should check with your IT department under these circumstances.

*IMPORTANT* Please note that the "check for updates" feature has been redacted - for updated information on checking your software is up to date, please read this article

 Applying a service pack

These updates are made available through the Bentley Select website and once logged into the website can be accessed using the following settings in the software search page:

The service packs provided are cumulative. That is to say, regardless of whether you are running the point release of the software or have diligently updated your software using the last service pack, then you will only need to install the latest service pack to bring your software bang up to date.

It is important that you ensure that you and all of your colleagues are running the same version of the software, so you may wish to pass the service pack around to them for their own installations.  While Bentley Hevacomp V8i will always allow you to bring an earlier version of a project into a later version of the software, it will not allow later versions of a project into earlier version of the software.

Detailed information on the service pack application process can be found in one of our Wiki articles, available here.