To achieve shortest possible engineering and design cycle times, NCI Building Systems, Inc. (NCI), a metal building supplier, uses a rule-based technology supplied by Bentley to automate large parts of its engineering and detailing processes. The solution, built on Bentley's Design++ platform, was originally developed by Robertson-Ceco Corporation (RCC), which was acquired by NCI in April 2006, and is currently expanded to include NCI's products. At the time of the acquisition RCC used their systems to engineer and detail approximately 7,000 buildings of all complexities annually. Combined, the companies can potentially process approximately 15,000 buildings per year using the solution.
The benefits have been significant with a direct impact on the bottom line. Since implementing the Design++ based system RCC saw record increases in productivity, sales wins, high-margin products and a decrease in warranty claims, results that NCI hopes to replicate as indicated in their April 2006 acquisition webcast.
Bentley acquired Design++ as part of the acquisition of Design Power, Inc. in January 2007.
"Robertson Ceco Automates Design Process, Leverages Designer Knowledge" by Daratech Research Staff, based on an interview with an RCC VP
"Automated Rule-Based Building Design and Engineering at Robertson Ceco Corporation" by Lachmi Khemlani in AECbytes
"Challenges and Rewards in Automating the Engineering Design Process" by Robert Carr, RCC VP in FIATECH