Dubai, United Arab Emirates, November 25 2015 - Bentley Systems, the global leader dedicated to providing comprehensive software solutions for sustaining infrastructure, held its CONNECTION Event in Dubai on November 23 – 24, 2015 and drew over 180 infrastructure professionals from the surrounding region. They came to learn about the CONNECT Edition, Bentley’s common environment for comprehensive project delivery comprising a common modeling environment, common performance environment, and common data environment. The CONNECT Edition leverages the Microsoft Azure cloudservice to span hybrid computing configurations for every project and enterprise. At the end of this information-rich, two-day event, they were able to return to their respective organizations with an in-depth understanding of how this new software at your service can help their teams become more connected users, working in connected projects, for connected enterprises. Moreover, they left with knowledge of Bentley initiatives that will enable the majority of Bentley users to access this innovative new software and begin to seamlessly introduce it into their existing workflows.
Keynote: Introduction to the CONNECT Edition
Malcolm Walter, Chief Operating Officer Bentley Systems, delivered the keynote address An Introduction to the CONNECT Edition. The presentation included a brief review of the company’s 30 years of cumulative BIM advancements that have enabled its users to more comprehensively deliver their projects, as well as to enhance the performance of the assets being designed, built, and operated. He walked conference attendees through Bentley advances in Design Modeling, Analytical Modeling, Construction Modeling, Reality Modeling, and Asset Performance Modeling, citing along the way key acquisitions that brought new capabilities to each of these. Among the more recent acquisitions noted were SITEOPS, Amulet, (now AssetWise Amulet), Acute3D, and EADOC.
In discussing the CONNECT Edition, he explained that comprehensive project delivery starts with a common modeling environment, but requires a common performance environment through ProjectWise, as well as a common data environment applicable also to the owner’s commissioned AssetWise environment. The CONNECT Edition, he said, brings all of this together and connects it all.
Best of all, with the CONNECT Edition, users in the AECO community don't have to start all over again. The CONNECT Edition lets them continue to use their existing Bentley software and services in whatever hybrid computing environments they are currently employing, but now they can connect comprehensively across their project through the Azure cloud. They also can connect to other environments and enterprise environments with i-models for project deliverables coming in and going out, and add the field environment for their devices via apps. Moreover, they can introduce this new technology in stages of advancement, at a pace with which they are comfortable, thereby making the transition seamless in terms of their existing workflows.
He further announced Introductory Access Programs for the CONNECT Edition, plus new CONNECTED Partner Program offerings.
Through the MicroStation CONNECT Edition Introductory Access Program, Bentley is extending an invitation to every MicroStation SELECT subscriber, along with every SELECT Open Access subscriber and Enterprise License Subscriber, to introduce MicroStation CONNECT Edition (SELECTseries 1) into their current toolset (which they can easily do since there is no change from the MicroStation V8i file format). The Introductory Access Program for MicroStation CONNECT Edition opened on June 1, 2015 and eligible users can download the software at www.bentley.com/CONNECT.
The Navigator CONNECT Edition Introductory Access Program opened on July 1, 2015, for CONNECTIONS Passport holders. All others are welcome to take part in the Navigator CONNECT Edition Test Drive. Those completing a test drive will be eligible to win prizes, including Microsoft Surface Pro 3 computers. For additional information, users can visit www.bentley.com/NavigatorTestDrive.
The CONNECT Edition’s common modeling environment enables Bentley to extend Project Playbooks and Personal Playlists to include application tools from CONNECTED Partners – with SELECTservice-based licensing and administration, including through SELECT Open Access and Enterprise License Subscriptions. Initial CONNECTED Partner offerings include:
- LumenRT (e-on software) – for “visual optioneering,” with real-time, immersive interaction, enlivening infrastructure environments with rich libraries of dynamic content. With the “cinematic” quality of LumenRT scenes and intuitive, hands-on interface, every engineer can envision his or her proposed design alternatives as they would be experienced in actual operation.
- ADDS (Roussey Solutions) – for electric utility designers to optioneer underground residential distribution, minimizing provisioning cost and network loads.
User Presentations
The Dubai CONNECTION Event also included presentations by users of Bentley software. These highlighted project achievements made possible by not only technology advancements but also innovative best practices on the part of the respective user organization. These included:
- BIM Implementation and Delivery on GCC Transportation Projects – Christopher Tebb, BIM Practice Lead (Middle East Unit), Mott MacDonald
Mott MacDonald is involved in some of the region's industry-leading transportation BIM projects. This session shared some of the insights that Mott MacDonald has assimilated from these projects to help further the GCC's BIM development and enhance the value of information that is created through a collaborative, integrated project.
- Ultra-Deep-Water Jack Up Barges and Jack Up Rigs – Ashik Subahani, Managing Director, Great Waters Maritime
This presentation discussed the market trends and requirements of jack up barges and rigs based on offshore, oil and gas developments, and wind farms worldwide. It also addressed the technical challenges faced when designing ultra-deep water jack up barges and rigs. The presentation highlighted how SACS software was used for the global analysis of jack up barges.
- Management and Planning of Sharjah City Water Networks Using WaterGEMS Software by Dr. AlaEldin Idris, Planning Coordinator – General Directorate of Water, Sharjah Electricity & Water Authority
Sharjah Electricity & Water Authority (SEWA) is managing the water supply network of the Sharjah city in UAE ensuring long-term safe and reliable drinking water services to its population. The increased population growth, urban development, and migration is driving the increase of the demands for potable water and the size and capacity of the installations, such as production and distribution capacities. This presentation described how Bentley WaterGEMS package was utilized to facilitate the process of management and planning of the SEWA water supply network using hydraulic modelling, scenario analysis and optioneering for master planning in order to ensure efficient water supply capacities and pressures within the water distribution network.
About Bentley Systems
Bentley Systems is the global leader dedicated to providing architects, engineers, geospatial professionals, constructors, and owner-operators with comprehensive software solutions for advancing the design, construction, and operations of infrastructure. Bentley users leverage information mobility across disciplines and throughout the infrastructure lifecycle to deliver better-performing projects and assets. Bentley solutions encompass MicroStation applications for information modeling, ProjectWise collaboration services to deliver integrated projects, and AssetWise operations services to achieve intelligent infrastructure – complemented by worldwide professional services and comprehensive managed services. Additional information about Bentley is available at www.bentley.com.