As of Monday, June 16th, 2014, the SELECT versions of Microstran, Limcon, and MStower are available for download on Bentley SELECTservices Online. This article answers some key questions about this release, including how to download the software and what is different from past releases.
How do I download the SELECT versions of Microstran, Limcon, and MStower?
Current and past releases of Microstran, Limcon, and MStower can be downloaded from Bentley Cloud Services at http://connect.bentley.com.
After signing in to the personal portal, select Software Downloads under My Support. Once on the Software Fulfillment page, Microstran, Limcon, and MStower installers can be located by performing a word search on the product name. Note that although there are multiple listings for each product (for example, Micrsotran, Microstran.Pro, and Microstran.Advanced), each of these takes the user to the same installer as all features of each product require only one installation.
What is available in the new SELECT versions of the Microstran products?
The most significant enhancement is that the products are now licensed in a far more sophisticated and useful manner: through Bentley CONNECT SELECTservices. There are many benefits this offers over the hardware locks previously used. Some of the most important are:
- If you need short term access to more licenses that you own, they can be acquired without needing to consult technical support or a sales representative.
- Licenses are pooled across an organization.
- Reports can be generated that show your daily product use, allowing you to make informed business decisions.
The following improvements have also been made:
- Silent deployment of installers, allowing batch installation of the products across an entire organization.
- Signing of installers with Authenticode signatures, preventing Windows 8 from blocking or restricting installations.
- File associations, allowing launching of application by double clicking a file.
Additionally, Microstran is now compliant with Bentley's Integrated Structural Modelling standard (ISM). This allows Microstran to interoperate with any other ISM-compatible product. This includes products such as STAAD Foundation Advanced, ProStructures, STAAD.Pro, AECOsim, Revit, or Tekla.
Has anything changed about how the products are offered or packaged?
With the SELECT release there are changes to the way MStower is packaged. Information on this change is available in the following article: Bentley's New Packaging of MStower.
Detailed information on how Microstran interoperates with other products, including useful workflows, is available at the following page:
I do not have a support agreement in place with Bentley to cover my Microstran products. How do I go about getting them covered under Bentley’s maintenance?
You may contact one of our representatives at the email below to cover your products under Bentley’s SELECT program.
Alternatively, if you are new to the Microstran product line and would like more information, please contact:
- Sandra Mora, at Sandra.Mora@bentley.com
Existing Bentley customers may also contact their current sales representative.
Is formal training available for these products?
A course entitled Fundamentals of Microstran is available through Bentley Learn.
Are Microstran, Limcon, and MStower included in Bentley’s Enterprise License Subscription (ELS)?
Yes. The SELECT versions are included in ELS.
Are Microstran, Limcon, and MStower included in Bentley’s Structural Enterprise License?
Microstran and Limcon are included in Structural Enterprise, as are the entire RAM brand and most of the STAAD brand. MStower however, is not included in Structural Enterprise and requires its own license.
What are the future development plans for Microstran now that a SELECT version is available?
Microstran technology will be incorporated into the next generation structural analysis and design product STAAD(X). Users who have Microstran licenses covered by a Bentley SELECT plan will be offered an upgrade path to STAAD(X) when it is available.
What are the future development plans for Limcon now that a SELECT version is available?
Limcon will be merged with RAM Connection, and the best of each of these products will be offered in one release. Owners of either Limcon or RAM Connection that are covered by a Bentley SELECT contract will be offered an upgrade path to this new version.
What are the future development plans for MStower now that a SELECT version is available?
MStower will be merged with STAAD(X).Tower and the best of each of these products will be offered in one release. Owners of either MStower or STAAD(X).Tower that are covered by a Bentley SELECT contract will be offered an upgrade path to this new version.