The GRAITEC Advance Suite - launch of the 2011 versions

GRAITEC, an international software developer for CAD and structural analysis solutions for civil engineering, launches GRAITEC Advance 2011, the structural BIM software solution for construction professionals.

GRAITEC Advance is a Building Information Modeling (BIM) system that automates the entire structural design and construction documentation process from engineering design and structural analysis to member optimization, detailing and fabrication. GRAITEC Advance provides designers and detailers with an optimal working environment with tools to create and completely carry out their construction projects: optimization of construction materials, elimination of project inconsistencies, faster study turnaround time, automatic document creation, project history and tracking, fluid communication with project partners, etc.

The development of the 2011 versions of the Graitec Advance suite focuses on 4 main themes: 
- Development of intelligent data exchange and interoperability not only between the Advance Suite of products but also with other industry standard formats, other software systems, industry partners and equipment manufacturers
- Enhanced ergonomic user interface and ease of use
- Improved performance and
- Greater Automation in the production of documents and project management designed to increase the productivity of users.

With version 2011, all programs in the Advance Suite are now delivered on one DVD. This greatly simplifies installation and facilitates the sharing of common data sources between designers and draughtsmen, such as the databases containing sections (UKB, RHS…) and materials. In addition certain calculation engines are shared between the design programs and the detailing programs (e.g. EC3 connection design). The introduction of our innovative new interface, “Graitec Advance Manager”, centralises the management of common system settings and tools shared between programs in the suite. This new application comes as standard for all users.

Graitec Advance 2011 also enhances interoperability with Autodesk Revit (Revit Architecture and Revit Structure). This allows Graitec users to carry out the design and the production of construction drawings from models designed in Autodesk Revit. Another major development (and a massive step forward) in the fi eld of plant design: Graitec Advance 2011 is now compatible with Aveva’s PDMS software package. The R&D teams of Graitec and AVEVA have worked together to develop exchange protocols that allow Aveva and Graitec users to intelligently and efficiently share their design models. Not forgetting our full compatibility with industry standards: IFC, CIS/2, PSS, SDNF, KISS…

The Graitec Advance suite is now used in over 80 countries and is available in more than 12 Languages. Thousands of users around the world rely on our solutions every day, so in a bid to standardise the regional brand names we are unifying our global product identity: all local names previously used have been rebranded to Advance Steel, Advance Concrete and Advance Design. Localisation of programs to different country standards and practices still remains a major focus of Graitec development. The Graitec Advance range is also supplemented by software tailored to the specific needs of local markets such as Arche, Effel and Melody in France and SuperSTRESS and SuperCAD in the UK.

According to Francis Guillemard, CEO of the GRAITEC Group: “The market is demanding global solutions for design calculation, CAD and more effective BIM (Building Information Modeling) and Graitec is breaking new ground in this area as is evident with our latest release of Graitec Advance 2011. Our expansion into Singapore with the recent opening of a new subsidiary is evidence of the demand for Graitec technology and testimony to our global presence. With nearly 25 years of experience in this field and thousands of international references, Graitec is able to provide an innovative solution to its clients. The 2011 version of the Graitec Advance product range is founded on this collaborative approach while offering ever more time-saving functionality to increase the productivity and confidence of our users.”