02 November, 2014

Bentley OpenPlant Orthographics Manager V8i Automates Extraction and Production of General Arrangement




Plant Drawings from 3D Model, Saving Time and Money

Reduces Drawing Output Times from Hours to Minutes


November 2, 2014 – Bentley Systems, Incorporated, the leading company dedicated to providing comprehensive software solutions for sustaining infrastructure, recently announced the immediate availability of Bentley OpenPlant Orthographics Manager V8i for the automatic extraction and production of high-quality general arrangement (GA) plant drawings from a 3D model. This newest addition to the Bentley OpenPlant family of products reduces the time required to output single- and double-line drawings, including all annotations, dimensions, and label placements, from hours to minutes.

The benefits of Bentley OpenPlant Orthographics Manager V8i to engineering, procurement, and construction contractors, owner-operators, and others – in industries ranging from oil and gas to power generation, manufacturing, and marine – include:
·         increased productivity, with designers spending less time on manual drawing production and more time on their primary job;
·         a reduced potential for errors in drawings, speeding review times;
·         the ability to ensure annotations, dimensioning, and labels are located in a free space, enhancing readability and reducing markups and drawing rework;
·         integration with Bentley’s ProjectWise collaboration services, enabling designers to easily and securely share drawings and other files across even globally dispersed projects, saving time and overall costs.  

Ken Adamson, Bentley vice president, plant products, said, “With the addition of Orthographics Manager to OpenPlant – Bentley’s collaborative BIM advancement for the multi-discipline engineering of chemical, petrochemical, food, water and wastewater, and other process plants – we address the ongoing need in many industry sectors to create and deliver drawings for construction, operations and maintenance, and more. The new software automates this typically labor-intensive production process, enhancing the quality and accelerating the delivery of these documents to help keep projects on schedule. At the same time, through OpenPlant’s inherent interoperability, users of Bentley OpenPlant Orthographics Manager V8i have the additional option of managing and distributing drawing files through ProjectWise, making drawing information securely available for everyone to quickly find and share, anytime, anywhere.”

John Bender, IT director, Lindab Incorporated, said, “Bentley OpenPlant Orthographics Manager appears to be very conducive to our present practices. Labels require little or no adjustments. The new label options, with in-line leader and side line frame, look promising and will do a great job of stacking labels when required. We believe that Bentley OpenPlant Orthographics Manager will be a valuable tool for automating our drawing process.”

For additional information:
·         To learn more about Bentley OpenPlant Orthographics Manager V8i, click here.
·         To download a high-resolution Bentley OpenPlant Orthographics Manager V8i image, click here.

About Bentley OpenPlant
OpenPlant is Bentley’s emerging pacesetter to deliver collaborative BIM advancement for multi-discipline engineering of process plants. OpenPlant is being widely adopted by leading plant engineering, procurement, and construction contractors and owner-operators, who have confirmed it as the most practical system to support plant design, engineering, construction, and operations – in terms of fastest return on investment – and the most scalable. Through its use of iRING/ISO 15926 as an intrinsic data model, OpenPlant enables users to coordinate and share information across multiple disciplines and the infrastructure lifecycle. For additional information about Bentley OpenPlant, click here.

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.

Founded in 1984, Bentley has more than 3,000 colleagues in over 50 countries, more than $600 million in annual revenues, and since 2006 has invested more than $1 billion in research, development, and acquisitions.

Additional information about Bentley is available at www.bentley.com and in Bentley’s annual report. For Bentley news as it happens, subscribe to an RSS feed of Bentley press releases and news alerts. Visit The Year in Infrastructure 2014 Conference for highlights of Bentley’s premier thought-leadership event. To view a searchable collection of innovative infrastructure projects from the annual Be Inspired Awards, access Bentley’s Infrastructure Yearbooks. To access a professional networking site that enables members of the infrastructure community to connect, communicate, and learn from each other, visit Be Communities.

To download the Bentley Infrastructure 500 Top Owners ranking, a unique global compendium of the top public- and private-sector owners of infrastructure based on the value of their cumulative infrastructure investments, visit www.bentley.com/500.

Autodesk Announces $100 Million Spark Investment Fund, the World’s First 3D Printing Investment Program





DUBAI, UAE, Nov. 02, 2014 Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADSK) has announced that it intends to invest up to $100 million in 3D printing companies over the next several years. The Spark Investment Fund, which will be operated within Autodesk, is the first of its kind for the 3D printing industry and will invest in entrepreneurs, startups and researchers who push the boundaries of 3D printing technology and accelerate the new industrial revolution.
Earlier this year, Autodesk announced Spark, an open and free* software platform for 3D printing that will connect digital information to 3D printers in a new way. Spark will connect to any hardware and be materials agnostic, and the company invites the entire 3D printing community to collaborate, build and improve the platform, its associated Ember 3D printer and materials.
Companies and individuals developing groundbreaking hardware, software, materials, marketplaces and maker spaces are encouraged to apply to participate in the Spark Investment Fund’s investment portfolio. In addition to the financial investment, Spark Investment Fund recipients will become part of the Spark partner program and have access to marketing and other developer services available to Spark partners. It is through this unique combination of strategic investment and value-added partnership opportunity that Autodesk seeks to extend and empower the Spark ecosystem and spur innovation toward a more mature 3D printing experience.
“The days of taking a closed, top-down approach to innovating for additive manufacturing are behind us. Numerous industries recognize the value of tapping into entrepreneurs or startups with better ideas and approaches, and 3D printing is no exception,” said Samir Hanna, vice president and general manager, Consumer Products and 3D Printing, at Autodesk. “The Spark Investment Fund will empower innovators to improve 3D printing, and to help us unlock the tremendous promise of this technology.”
To learn more about the Spark Investment Fund or to apply to become a recipient, visit spark.autodesk.com/fund.


"أوتوديسك" تعلن عن إطلاق "صندوق سبارك الإستثماري" بقيمة 100 مليون دولار ليكون أول برنامج إستثمار في قطاع الطباعة ثلاثية الأبعاد في العالم

دبي، الإمارات، 02 نوفمبر 2014

أعلنت "أوتوديسك" (Autodesk)، الشركة المدرجة في سوق أسهم ناسداك تحت الرمز (NASDAQ: ADSK) عن عزمها استثمار ما يصل إلى 100 مليون دولار في شركات الطباعة ثلاثية الأبعاد على مدى السنوات القليلة المقبلة. وسيكون "صندوق سبارك الإستثماري" (Spark Investment Fund)، الذي ستُديره "أوتوديسك"، الأول من نوعه في مجال الطباعة ثلاثية الأبعاد، حيث ستدعَم إستثماراته روّاد الأعمال والشركات الجديدة والباحثين الراغبين في توسيع نطاق إستخدام تكنولوجيا الطباعة ثلاثية الأبعاد وتسريع عمل الثورة الصناعية الجديدة.

وكانت "أوتوديسك" قد أعلنت في وقت سابق من هذا العام عن إطلاقها "سبارك"، وهي منصة برمجية مجانية* مفتوحة للطباعة ثلاثية الأبعاد تقوم بربط المعلومات الرقمية بالطابعات ثلاثية الأبعاد بطريقة مبتكرة. ويتم ربط منصة "سبارك" بأي جهاز مع استخدام مجموعة واسعة من المواد الطباعية، حيث تدعو "أوتوديسك" كافة المعنيين بالطباعة ثلاثية الأبعاد إلى التعاون والمساهمة في تطوير هذه المنصة والطابعة ثلاثية الأبعاد المرفقة معها "إيمبر" (Ember) وكذلك المواد المستخدمة في الطباعة ثلاثية الأبعاد.

وبإمكان الشركات والأفراد العاملين على إنتاج برمجيات ومعدّات ومواد متطورة وإعداد ورش الإنتاج المساهمة في المحفظة الإستثمارية لـ "صندوق سبارك الإستثماري". وإلى جانب الإستثمار المالي، سيكون "صندوق سبارك الإستثماري" جزءاً من برنامج شركاء "سبارك"، حيث سيتاح له الوصول إلى خدمات التسويق وخدمات المطورين الآخرين المتاحة لشركاء "سبارك". وتسعى "اوتوديسك"، من خلال هذا المزيج بين الإستثمار الإستراتيجي والشراكة ذات القيمة المضافة، إلى توسيع وتمكين منظومة "سبارك" وتحفيز الإبتكار للوصول إلى تجربة أكثر نضجاً في مجال الطباعة ثلاثية الأبعاد.

وقال سمير حنا، مدير عام ونائب رئيس "أوتوديسك للمنتجات الإستهلاكية والطباعة ثلاثية الأبعاد" في "أوتوديسك": "ولّت الأيام التي كنا فيها نتبع نموذجاً مغلقاً لعملية الإبتكار في مجال الطباعة ثلاثية الأبعاد. وباتت الكثير من القطاعات تدرك الآن أهمية إستفادة روّاد الأعمال أو الشركات الجديدة من الأفكار والطرق الجديدة في مجال التصنيع، بما في ذلك قطاع الطباعة ثلاثية الأبعاد. وسيمكّن "صندوق سبارك الإستثماري" المبتكرين من تحسين عمليات الطباعة ثلاثية الأبعاد ، كما سيساعدنا أيضاً على التوعية بالإمكانات الهائلة لهذه التكنولوجيا وفتح آفاق جديدة أمامها".

ولمعرفة المزيد عن "صندوق سبارك الإستثماري" أو تقديم طلب للصندوق، يرجى زيارة الموقع spark.autodesk.com/fund. 
 

Challenge Laguna Phuket Tri-Fest set to be bigger than ever in 2014

Dubai, 2 November, 2014Challenge Laguna Phuket Tri-Fest, the week-long carnival of multisport fun and tri-related activities, is set to be bigger than ever in 2014 with some 1,800 athletes expected to take part in the two world-class triathlons.
This year marks the 21stanniversary of the legendary Laguna Phuket Triathlon, Asia’s premier destination triathlon, and the 2ndedition of the Challenge Laguna Phuket, a part of the globally expanding Challenge Family series of events.
Over 1,200 entries at the Laguna Phuket Triathlon 2013
The 21stLaguna Phuket Triathlon is scheduled to be held on 23 November, 2014. Triathletes will be participating in a unique course of a 1.8 km swim, 55 km bike ride and 12 km run through lush tropical scenery of the Laguna Phuket resort complex and the northern part of Phuket.
The 2ndChallenge Laguna Phuket is scheduled to be held on 30 November, 2014. Triathlon stars will be taking the challenge in the half iron distance of a 1.9 km swim, 90 km bike ride and 21 km run, featuring a spectacular course in the iconic Laguna Phuket resort complex and surrounding areas.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is lending its full support as one of the event’s main sponsors, saying these two world-class races will help promote sport tourism in the country.
Mr. Thawatchai Arunyik, Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand said, “The Laguna Phuket Triathlon has been a fixture on the international triathlon calendar for many years, thanks to the Laguna Phuket for organising and promoting this premier sporting event for over 20 years. We’d also like to express our heartfelt appreciation to both the Laguna Phuket and Challenge Family for bringing this inspirational Challenge event to Thailand.”
To date, a combined 1,500 athletes, including several international triathlon stars, have signed up for the two races, which are scheduled during the last week of November 2014 and are linked by a tri-fest of training and social activities at the Laguna Phuket.
Australia’s Melissa Hauschildt, the 2013 ITU Long Distance World Champion and double winner in the women’s field of the 2013 Laguna Phuket Triathlon and 2013 Challenge Laguna Phuket, will be defending her championship title against Belinda Granger (Australia), Radka Vodickova (Czech Republic) and Rebekah Keat (Australia).
Rasmus Petraeus (Denmark) will be defending his Challenge Laguna Phuket Champion title from last year in the race against Ruedi Wild (Switzerland), last year’s Laguna Phuket Triathlon’s champion, Massimo Cigana (Italy) and Luke McKenzie (Australia).

Radka Vodickova biked past the cheering crowds during last year’s triathlon.

Melissa Hauschildt won both challenges during last year’s Laguna Phuket Tri-Fest
Mr. Thawatchai said, “November 2014 marks several milestones for sports tourism in Thailand, in Phuket in particular. This southern Thai island is set to welcome athletes from 42 countries in Asia to compete in 26 sports during the 4thAsian Beach Games 2014 from 14 to 23 November. And as Asian athletes compete for the last medals on 23 November, thousands of triathletes will take part in the first main race of the week-long Challenge Laguna Phuket Tri-Fest.”
In an attempt to enhance the experience of travellers to Thailand, Phuket is among several Thai destinations that have seen their popular destinations received improvement. Following a clear-out of beach encroachment, Phuket’s popular beaches including Patong, Surin and Bang Tao are now welcoming tourists in their natural pristine states. In addition, Phuket International Airport has also see actions to clampdown on illicit taxi operations.
For more information on the Challenge Phuket Tri-Fest, visit: Challenge Laguna Phuket

Switcher Studio is joining with Breathe Luxury to produce a multi­camera video stream for the auction of Holiday.com.


Holiday.com has the potential to be the No.1 leading travel website for holidaymakers worldwide, as it is one of the biggest keywords in the industry with the potential of becoming a global brand identity.
Holiday.com is expected to break a world record and could be the world’s most expensive domain name to ever be auctioned (Hotels.com sold for $11,000,000 USD and “Vacationrentals.com” is rumored to have been sold for a staggering $35,000,000 USD).
Our production setup will include up to 3 camera angles using wireless iOS devices and the revolutionary Galileo pan/tilt camera controller. The production will be managed by a single operator and broadcast LIVE to the NextLot online bidding platform where viewers can watch the event in real­time and place bids from anywhere in the world with an internet connection.
Switcher Studio is a multi­camera video “switching” application that allows users to wirelessly connect up to four Apple iOS devices and switch between each device’s camera to record and instantly stream live video to services like Ustream and YouTube Live. With Switcher Studio, you can use iPhones and iPads to start
broadcasting at a fraction of the cost of a traditional live streaming setup. More information available at
www.switcherstudio.com
Join us as Switcher Studio introduces its cutting edge video production tool to the travel technology market
and watch this once in a lifetime event LIVE from London.

30 October, 2014

Simmons & Simmons Marks 20 Years in the UAE





International law firm Simmons & Simmons celebrates two decades of providing world class legal services to the UAE this week. The Abu Dhabi office, which was the first to open in the region in 1994, celebrated this milestone with a commemorative event for clients and staff at the Rosewood Hotel last week.

Senior Partner Colin Passmore, who previously worked in the Abu Dhabi office, joined the festivities and took the opportunity to publicly thank and congratulate the team, who have represented some of the biggest organisations in the UAE during their 20 years of operation.

He commented: “The UAE has seen some incredible changes over the past twenty years, from the overwhelming potential that Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan cultivated and grew, to the global player which you see today. The country is competing and excelling in nearly every market thanks to this leadership and vision.”

“As we celebrate our 20th anniversary, we acknowledge that it is our clients, and the quality and calibre of our staff that are responsible for Simmons & Simmons’ successes and reputation in the region.”

After achieving huge success in Abu Dhabi, Simmons & Simmons opened in Doha in 2003 and in Dubai in 2007. This is the second celebration for the firm and their Middle East offices this month after the official opening of a second office in Saudi Arabia as part of their alliance with Hammad Al Mehdar which began in 2011.
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