Bentley Connect Edition creates “common environment” to boost BIM in the field.

The use of Building Information Modelling as a key plank in boosting efficiency in construction took a step forward this week with the launch of Bentley Systems’ new Connect Edition platform that enables models to be more easily accessed and utilised across multiple computing devices and operating systems.

Antony Oliver
04 November 2014

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The construction software business said that by creating its so-called “common environment”, its next generation construction modelling tools would deliver “better performing products and so better performing infrastructure assets”.

The new service was launched this week at Bentley’s annual “Year in Infrastructure Conference” in London at which a number of new developments in the use of BIM software were revealed to the industry.

“The Connect Edition is built around this common environment. We are really confident that our users will be able to leverage this increased information mobility,” Bentley Systems Senior Vice President of Software Bhupinder Singh.

Bentley Senior Vice President of Software Bhupinder Singh described the launch, which will replace its current V8i offering, as a hugely significant development for the firm that “will empower Bentley software, and our users, to attain the full potential of BIM advancements for project delivery”.

“With the Connect Edition, we are intrinsically availing cloud-based capabilities throughout the software and services we provide, to advance projects through a new “connected user experience”, he added, pointing out that the platform would support a hybrid environment across desktop modelling, cloud services, on-premises servers and mobile apps.

“The cloud services span existing and evolving computing environments enabling Bentley’s innovations to extend beyond our traditional modelling users throughout the supply chain and to construction.”

He said that the service meant that BIM software would be now available across the infrastructure delivery and management team “to and from the right contributors, anytime and anywhere”.

The Connect Edition will be rolled out initially across the three core Bentley products, ProjectWise, Navigator and MicroStation and then be extended to its modelling applications and AssetWise product over the next two years.

A new “Playlist” personalised for each user, will make applications and apps available to suit specific roles and enable training and development to be easily accessed.

Bentley explained that the platform would provide a step change in user experience by providing a “common environment for comprehensive project delivery" encompassing:

• Common project environment
• Common modelling environment
• Common deliverables environment
• Common data environment
• Common performance environment

“The Connect Edition is built around this common environment. We are really confident that our users will be able to leverage this increased information mobility,” said Singh.

For detail of how to get early access to Bentley Connect Edition visit:

www.bentley.com/microstationEAP

www.bentley.com/navigatorEAP

See Editor's Comment: BIM – the tech may be cool but the fundamentals are still based on culture - click here