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.