Hi everyone,
I just wanted to point out how complicated it has become for me the use of Bentley Engineering softwares regarding the quantity of different solutions for different tasks and for the same tasks.
I currently have the Enterprise license, that looked like a good package, but I wind out with several applications that I cannot differentiate. My license has (mainly):
STAAD (Staad.Pro, Staad Foundation Advanced, RCDC, RCDC FE), RAM (RAM Structural Systems, Ram Connections, Ram Elements [Beam Design, Concrete Wall, Concrete Column, Masonry Wall, Retaining Wall, Spread Footing, Tilt-up Wall, Truss Design, Ram Concept), other (Limcon, Microstan [I don't even know what this software is for])
And all of these with different user interface.
Of course I want a complete software that help me to solve what I need, but with so many options, it becomes very complicated to approach.
Wouldn't it be more efficient to have 2, 3 or 4 softwares, apps or modules that include all above? differentiate the basic items (such as superstructure, substructure, connections, etc.). And having access to each in the same interface without the need to convert, export, import.
For instance, now if I design a structure in Staad and want to design connections, I have to change my profiles/section to be American, otherwise I cannot design. If I want to design a reinforced concrete structure in Staad I have to export it to RCDC which depends on which part of the structure I want to design, so I have to export for columns, export for beams, export for foundations and I cannot even sync back to Staad for reports or revision of integral structure, I have to make partial reports from one and other software.
Also, applications like Ram Connnections and Limcon looks like doing the same. Similar to STAAD and RAM (in general). I found the stand alone modules to be useful for quick independent revisions.
Basically I don't know if Bentley Engineering down the path plan to have a more integrated solution or this kind of segmented strategy is the target.
Thanks for reading.
We try to consolidate our applications to limit the number of interfaces users have to learn, and to limit the number of products we have to develop. But we often get push back from users who prefer different interfaces. The consolidation of Limcon to Ram Connection is a good example of this. We are consolidating some of the foundation design programs into one concrete design center next. Each of these projects takes a while because we don't want to stop developing new features and codes completely.
Well, that's what happens when a company buys out their competitors (e.g. Limcon from Engineering Systems, Staad from Research Engineers Inc) - you end up with either semi-duplicated functionality or mad customers when you discontinue their preferred program. It's a catch-22 situation... But regarding your comment about having to switch to American profiles to design connections, RAM Connection has various other international sections. I use RAM Connection with RAM Structural System and as a standalone program, but are those not options for you in Staad? If not, are you able to get to them using RAM Connection standalone? And with Limcon having been an Australian company, I would think it would deal with international sections well, if you can do the connections standalone.
As Jason said many of these programs used to be competitors of each other. I don't know why anyone would want the entire suite of programs that you mentioned. It's just too many to learn. Bentley eliminated competition by buying them and left it's users confused and frustrated. Pick a few that you really need and learn them well. For example, I use STAAD.Pro for my structural analysis and design. I don't have RAM Structural Systems. Maybe it does some things better than STAAD, but I'll never know because I'm not going to spend the money for a program that does basically the same thing.