STAAD (X)

Hello everyone,

I appreciate the comments and your interest in STAAD(X). Counter to perception, these comments are considered seriously at Bentley and have been the subject of much debate.

As we make a generational shift in product [lines], the temptation is to wait until everything is 100% complete and then launch. In this case we chose to do a technology preview to try solicit input and advice, not just on what’s missing relative to the current STAAD(X) (hopefully we know these things), but to engage our users and possible ones to and get your feedback on everything from functionality, ease of use, reporting, UI, interoperability, etc. Hopefully you can look at these versions (that, granted, they should be coined technology previews as opposed to betas) and give us your feedback and input.

We are working towards a Fall major update release for STAAD(X) and we welcome all comments towards the goal of producing something truly exceptional.

Feel free to contact me privately for any questions you might have about STAAD(X). Thank you!

What exactly is the intent with STAAD(X)?

Is this "...a generational shift in product " as F_Diego mentioned or ".... a viable alternative for STAAD.Pro users.", as Kris noted in other post? Are both programs suppose to co-exist and receive equal support from Bently or only staad (x) has a future? And what about licences (Ram_staad quesiont is remains un-answered).

I read other posts on the web about staax(x) - after few incarnations it appears far from ready for everyday use. But then, how much time we have to wait to bring staad(x) to the level of staad pro?...and subsequently to the level of competitors?

Come on Rama!  That's not factual or proper. The STAAD(X) story is nothing like the one of the video game you mention.

In general, in the software industry all BETA and FINAL dates released are just estimations. These are based on an established plan and previous experiences programming something similar. Developing software always means to do something you probably never did before and it's impossible to know what might happen on the way. This is the case, we’re conceiving a brand new software program.

STAAD(X) is a complex software. We think that quality has a much higher importance than keeping a release date. We appreciate to see people like you waiting for it and we are sorry when delays occur. Nevertheless, we kindly ask you to bear with us a little more, you will be pleasantly surprised.

If you're a Bentley user and are interested in knowing more about STAAD(X), please keep an eye on this webpage: STAAD(X).

Yes DIA_FW, all the design modules in RAM Elements will be ported to STAAD(X)

I am truly sorry you feel that way Tank. You can vent as much as you want, we have never been criticized for not listening to our users, on the contrary. I am sorry it took me 8 months to respond to Rama, I have updated my notifications so I get them on time every time someone posts something here. However this is an online public forum open to anyone, users like you and Rama, could contact us directly via e-mail when a response is urgent. That is part of the benefits of being a Bentley user and your SELECT agreement.

Having said that, yes, STAAD(X) looks nothing like any of our general purpose analysis and design products (by the way, the current STAAD.Pro is SELECTseries 5, version 20.07.10.66). Well... I should not say that, it has a little bit of all of them, we kept the strengths of all of them as much as we could, but gave them a revamp. You're right to say that STAAD(X) has never been officially released. However it will be this year.

I do understand where your confusion is coming from, so let me clarify. We are not developing a new STAAD(X). It is the same Carlos is referring to in his 2012 post. But plans change and they change in the interest of our users and our users only and that is why the front end of that SX you mention from that post, is now improved. If you would like to discuss this further, feel free to e-mail me directly.

On behalf of Bentley and myself, I apologize for any confusion this may have caused you. I am here to help.

Thank you Gumpmaster!

software company has re-vamped a structural analysis package to this degree (with the exception of the advent of GUI's), so it's an unprecedented situation.

Can we please have a little more info on the extent to which the coding has been changed? I can see the UI has been changed from that screenshot. 

I think I have mentioned it elsewhere; one of the best thing about STAAD is its sheer robustness. I sincerely hope that quality shall remain intact in the re-vamped package.

Would be good to have a small write up on the new features on the offer. 

It's a little surprising that there has been so little information on the product we are going to get. Every work environment has its own culture. I suppose that's the way Bentley rolls. Part of our confusion has stemmed from that very lack of info of any sorts, I presume.

Every project has its own development cycle. Regardless of the methods pursued, it all culminates in one thing; end product. We have seen several projected milestones go by. Francisco might feel the game that I mentioned may not be proper or factual but he has to accept it is contextual. It is very weird that I have to say this as an end user. Any honest professional worth his salt will tell you how important it is to meet critical deadlines. 

Not sure how many of you took time to read on that Daikatana story. It's a lovely read. 

Let's hope a revamped STAAD will offer us greater functionality, same robustness and better results for our clients.

Hello Rama. Absolutely, in due time we will start making public more and more information about STAAD(X), including features, functionality tiers, exact release date, official webpage in www.bentley.com, data sheet, etc.

You can bet on the quality of the product. As I said some time ago, that is one of the main reasons it is taking time to come out of the oven.

I am confused on what your statement intention is, but I'd like to think of myself as an "honest professional worth his salt". Keep in mind that this is a brand new product that has never been in the market and Bentley reserves the right to release it whenever the software is ready. It is not an existing product update or patch that is leaving our users without being able to work and be productive. If that was the case, I would understand the frustration sometimes expressed here, but it is not.

I can understand the curiosity, the expectation, wanting to know a little bit more about what's coming, but not the aggressiveness sometimes expressed in this thread. I am assuming people posting here are STAAD.Pro or RAM Elements users. Those products are still in production, maintained and supported. STAAD.Pro will not disappear when STAAD(X) is released, so you'll be able to choose whichever you want for some years.

In short, please, I ask you for patience. We will in due time publish more info on SX and shortly thereafter, release its first version. The product will be robust, with excellent quality and beneficial to all our users.

Thanks!