Latest Issue of BE Magazine Focuses on Bold New Approach to Structural Engineering
The Digital Publication Also Includes Features on Training ROI, Workforce Replenishment, Bentley User Success Stories, and More
Exton, Pa. - June 1, 2006 - The newest issue of BE Magazine (www.be.org), which was released at the BE Conference last week, provides in-depth coverage on a bold new approach to structural engineering. The approach improves efficiencies in infrastructure workflows by integrating analysis and design.
The road to these improvements begins with building information modeling (BIM), says Charles Carter, chief structural engineer of the American Institute of Steel Construction, in the first of two articles on integrated engineering. Carter points out that in the design and documentation of building projects, BIM enables the building team to focus on information for its decisions, rather than on the documentation tools and processes. The primary rewards are faster delivery of a better-quality project and the consequent cost savings.
In the article "Gaining Ground," Bentley Vice President Mike Markovitz discusses Bentley's newly formed Integrated Engineering Group (IEG). He explains that the new group is focused on integrating engineering analysis and design with CAD or BIM-based modeling, layout, and documentation systems. IEG's goal is to enhance collaboration and thus enable design teams to increase productivity, decrease errors and constructability problems, and deliver greater value to owner-operators.
Readers interested in learning how progressive organizations distinguish themselves through their training practices won't want to miss Christopher Klein's article "How To Transform Training Into a Competitive Advantage." Klein, a principal at ZweigWhite, says his company's research shows that organizations with well-trained professionals benefit from a better work environment, increased productivity, and a higher quality of work. All of these benefits, he explains, have a bottom-line effect on project and firm profitability.
In the article "Inspiring the Next Generation," Future City Competition National Director Carol Rieg says there is cause for alarm in the United States regarding the future of its engineering workforce. According to Rieg, U.S. primary and secondary schools are not producing enough potential engineering students to counterbalance the wave of engineers nearing retirement. As she points out, "Sadly, most high school students in the United States do not even possess the prerequisites to consider an engineering career path."
Rieg goes on to discuss a program that fosters an interest in math and science through hands-on, real-world applications - the National Engineers Week Future City Competition. In the program, teams of middle school students, each working with a teacher and volunteer engineer mentor, create cities of the future, first on a computer and then in large tabletop models. The engineering mentors engage the students to work as a team, solve problems, overcome obstacles, and achieve success - in short, the very things engineers do for a living.
In his column, "The Last Word," CEO Greg Bentley describes the supply chain of innovation that extends around the world. "It occurs to me that our innovations are made possible by the innovations of others," says Mr. Bentley, "and ours in turn empower the innovations of your organizations. I see this ripple of advances through technology as a 'supply chain' of innovation."
He goes on to explain that the ultimate source of this supply chain is human potential, in the form of our children: the engineers of the future. To help sustain our supply chain of innovation, Mr. Bentley encourages others to support programs, such as the Future City Competition, that promote the study of the sciences and math.
As always, readers of BE Magazine will also find a variety of inspiring user success stories; how-to articles that help architectural, engineering, and construction (AEC) professionals and owner-operators become better connected and more productive; a global roundup of AEC news; practical technical notes; commentary on issues critical to the AEC community; and much more.
To experience BE Magazine's latest digital issue and become a subscriber, go to www.be.org. To contribute to the editorial content of future issues, submit success stories, feature articles, news items, commentary, or letters to BEmagazine@be.org.
About BE Magazine
BE Magazine, which is electronically distributed to more than 200,000 readers, is dedicated to Bentley users and their work improving the world's infrastructure.
About the BE Conference
The BE Conference, which consistently scores a 99 percent attendee satisfaction rating, is a once-a-year learning opportunity for Bentley users and their managers offering professional training, technology updates, keynotes, and best practice sharing. At these sessions, attendees better themselves, better their organizations, and better the ways they can improve the world's infrastructure.
For more information on the BE Conference, go to www.be.org.
About Bentley
Bentley Systems, Incorporated provides software for the lifecycle of the world's infrastructure. The company's comprehensive portfolio for the building, plant, civil, and geospatial verticals spans architecture, engineering, construction (AEC) and operations. With 2005 revenues of $336 million and more than 2,000 colleagues around the world, Bentley is the leading provider of AEC software to the Engineering News-Record Top 500 Design Firms and major owner-operators.
To receive Bentley press releases as they are issued, visit www.bentley.com/bentleywire. For more information, visit www.bentley.com.
Bentley, the "B" logo, and BE are either registered or unregistered trademarks or service marks of Bentley Systems, Incorporated or one of its direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries. Other brands and product names are trademarks of their respective owners.
Christine Byrne
Media Relations manager
Bentley Systems, Incorporated
Tel: 203-805-0432
E-mail: christine.byrne@bentley.com
