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It’s that time of year when we start thinking about our 2005 Tekla Structures annual licence maintenance and support.

I am sure that every year each one of you evaluates the value and benefit of renewing your Tekla annual software maintenance. And each year most of you do realize this value and remain on maintenance. As a point of interest, Dowco also goes through this same yearly analysis of cost versus benefit process. There have been many enhancements over the years, but none as significant as the launch of the new Tekla Structures product line. Some of you may be wondering how you are benefiting from what appears to be a name change or a re-branding only. There are of course, many enhancements in version 10 (and now 10.2), but it the opinion of this writer that the new advancements behind the re-branding of Xsteel to Tekla Structures is probably the most significant of all.

Why….?

“For the past few years, AISC has been promulgating the benefits of Electronic Data Interchange (EDI). But the term has never really caught on within our industry. And since other industries have moved to a different term – “interoperability”- the structural steel industry is now doing the same.

Interoperability is the ability to manage and communicate electronic product and project data between collaborating firms. It allows the exchange and management of electronic information, where individuals and systems are able to identify, access, and integrate information across multiple systems. The goal of interoperability is to create greater efficiencies by eliminating the manual reentry of date, duplication of business functions, and the continued reliance on paper based information management systems. The steel design and construction industry uses the CIMSteel (CIS/2) neutral file format to enable interoperability.

Interoperability is one of the tools that fabricators (or, to use a term coming into popular usage, “specialty steel contractors”) and designers can use to reduce the cost of steel framed buildings.” From Modern Steel Construction, October 2004 edition, Scott L. Melnick

How can interoperability help us?

It is interesting that Tekla have positioned themselves as the only industry standard software to facilitate such a process. How lucky we are to already have the necessary tools. The new Tekla Structures, Version 10 is the software that will take your business into the future.

Your job is to now spread the word. You can do what others are only still discussing and theorizing about. Start promoting your company as the leading edge company you are.

Remember what it is that makes Tekla Structures technology so unique. All structural information needed for design construction, and fabrication is stored in one place, the 3D product model. You and your partners/consultants can share this product model throughout the building process. This gives you the power to manage information and workflow effectively. You also have the tools you need to collaborate in real time, with anyone, anywhere. This solution shortens throughput time and gives you the information you need to react effectively to changes, and enables you always to have the most up-to-date project information at your fingertips.

True 3D Product Modeling.

3D product modeling brings your projects to life. You model, design, analyze, detail and fabricate using the same physical model, so you only input information once. You can examine objects from any angle to see how parts fit together and even test different structural solutions quickly and efficiently - with instant results.

Don’t be a slave to drawings

Start thinking and talking about projects in 3D. Why use 2D images to communicate with your project team and clients? By switching to 3D you improve productivity and accuracy dramatically.

Powerful Project Collaboration

Interoperability. In the real world, project collaboration is not simply a question of importing and exporting 3D models. That’s why Tekla Structures solutions support multiple users working on a single product model simultaneously, wherever they are in the world.

True interoperability gives you the versatility you need to share information quickly and easily. It leads to better design, fewer delays, and there are no budget surprises.

Tekla have been leading the interoperability charge for years. They are the first to truly position themselves at the forefront of this industry- changing initiative. Be wise to this, and promote your business and your skills accordingly.