Bentley’s Connect Edition seamlessly integrates modelling and documentation workflows for projects of any size and complexity.

Users of Bentley’s early access program for MicroStation Connect Edition say they are discovering potential new workflows and productivity enhancements.

For the thousands of users who have had an early glimpse of the program, the first thing they discover is its modern, streamlined user experience highlighted by an updated user interface and other enhancements to make it easier to use, learn, and find help to become productive quickly, according to a spokesman for Bentley, a leading provider of comprehensive software solutions for sustainable infrastructure.

Last May at the inaugural Connection event held in Philadelphia, US, Bentley Systems launched the initial offerings in its Connect Edition.

The Connect Edition is described as the first common environment for comprehensive project delivery that comprises a common modelling environment, a common performance environment and a common data environment. By leveraging a common environment, modelling and documentation workflows can be productively integrated across disciplines for projects of any size and complexity, says the spokesman.

Users can easily access, share, and manage all their data throughout the project and asset lifecycle, helping them make better decisions with immediate feedback and clear insight made possible through complete visibility into design and project performance.

The Connect Edition leverages the Microsoft Azure cloudservice to span hybrid computing configurations for every project and enterprise. The initial Connect Edition releases include MicroStation, an introductory access program; and Navigator, an introductory access program.

The MicroStation Connect Edition provides the common modelling environment for comprehensive infrastructure delivery. Its innovations, which include functional components and a common documentation centre, enable optioneering across disciplines.

Among the users, Gary Mansager, professional associate at architectural, engineering, and consulting firm HDR, comments: “I really do like the new interface – it makes a lot of sense. The new capabilities are intuitive, and the introduction of the workflows they enable will cut down the time it takes to get things done!”

Commenting on the many enhancements to the modelling tools in MicroStation, Robert Cervellione, principal at Cerver Design Studio, says: “What I’m really looking forward to in the new version of MicroStation is the new, clean user interface, the improvements in the solids modelling, and the great new constraints and parametric capabilities that can be used to capture design intent and quickly develop reusable model content that is really powerful and versatile.”

Building upon its industry-leading hypermodelling workflows for creating deliverables that are inherently immersed within the context of models, MicroStation Connect Edition provides a new set of capabilities to speed the production of intelligent deliverables from building information modelling (BIM) models. Most significantly, this new documentation centre functionality automates the processes required to produce multi-discipline documentation, including rapid generation of schedules and bills of materials.

Another user, Regis Mitchom, BIM manager at John Portman & Associates, says: “The ability to easily create and manage sheet sets and produce annotation and schedules based on the model’s embedded information is a huge step forward, and I anticipate we’ll save time and reduce the chances of manual errors, thanks to this new MicroStation innovation.”

With these innovations, users can expect clearer project-wide insight and improved clarity and precision of project documentation. Early access program participants have also seen the planned connected user experience. The personalised in-product capability will provide the ability to communicate with project teams through ProjectWise Connection Services, access project content such as catalogues, specifications, and standards, and leverage learning paths for directed learning.

Navigator Connect

Meanwhile, the Navigator Connect Edition “app-lication” enables project participants to advance beyond visualisation to visibility for issue resolution. Its features include a touch-enabled interface; availability for both desktop and mobile operating systems (including Microsoft, iOS, and Android); and a single, consistent experience for users across all of their touch-enabled devices – from tablets to large touch screens, and from office to site to field.

Keith Bentley, Bentley Systems founder and chief technical officer (CTO), says: “Our development of Navigator Connect Edition, along with the mobile i-model technologies supporting it, has been one of my favourite projects across our 30-year history. I think that every user of MicroStation and our applications will find it valuable to use Navigator Connect Edition to extend their work to every device, in the course of their day and across their projects. So we’ve also made it a great value, requiring only a nominally-priced Bentley connections passport subscription.”

The company spokesman says the robustness of the Connect Edition’s common modelling 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.

Bentley Systems is a 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. The company’s solutions encompass MicroStation applications for information modelling, 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 staff members in over 50 countries.