New Open Applications Advance Comprehensive Modeling Environment for Multidiscipline Collaboration

The Year in Infrastructure 2018 Conference – Bentley Systems, Incorporated, the leading global provider of comprehensive software solutions for advancing the design, construction, and operations of infrastructure, today launched OpenSite Designer, a built-for-purpose application for the design and construction of civil site projects. It also launched OpenBuildings, bringing together its AECOsim building design and Speedikon factory and industrial design applications; and announced the availability of OpenBuildings Station Designer, a specialized application for designing rail and metro stations. At the same time, Bentley announced the availability of OpenBridge Designer, which combines Bentley’s bridge modeling, analysis and design capabilities into one comprehensive package, and OpenFlows FLOOD, a flood analysis and early warning system.

In addition, in pursuit of its ‘industrialization’ strategy, Bentley announced it has rebranded under its Open portfolio several of its applications based on MicroStation technology which collectively accelerate the advancement of its comprehensive modeling environment by connecting digital workflows across disciplines and sharing digital components in its Connected Data Environment (CDE).

Bhupinder Singh, chief product officer, Bentley Systems, said, “Open has three meanings. First, it signifies open to multiple disciplines. Second, it means open to analysis and simulation. Using different applications, two different disciplines, for example, a geotechnical engineer and a structural engineer, can iterate on the same dataset in our comprehensive modeling environment, providing a ‘digital feedback loop’ and enhancing their collaboration across BIM workflows. And third, because MicroStation technology underpins Open applications, users can produce multidiscipline deliverables and accomplish multidiscipline clash resolution from any Open application. Bentley’s comprehensive modeling environment is ‘Open’ for collaborative digital workflows.”

Fully 49 of the 62 finalists and awardees of this year’s Year in Infrastructure Awards credited collaborative digital workflows in their successful outcomes. For example, OpenRoads, Bentley’s civil design applications for road networks, is credited by 22 awards finalists’ projects in 12 categories, and OpenPlant, Bentley’s plant design project management applications, is credited by 10 finalists’ projects in 9 different categories. ProjectWise and/or AssetWise were credited by finalists’ projects in 16 of 19 awards categories this year.

OpenSite Designer
The collaborative nature of digital workflows connecting analysis and simulation with design and modeling is exemplified in OpenSite, Bentley’s new solution for the design and construction of civil site projects. OpenSite provides rapid site modeling and analysis, earthwork optimization and quantification, drainage and underground utilities, and automated project deliverables.

OpenSite Designer provides the most comprehensive site design workflow available including reality modeling, geotechnical, underground utilities, stormwater drainage, terrain modeling, detailed drawing production, and visualization. OpenSite Designer optimizes design outcomes with multidiscipline information modeling and analysis. Interoperating with PLAXIS, Bentley’s newly acquired geotechnical engineering solution, site plans can be enhanced with new information about the active properties of soil including bearing capacity, stresses, and displacement.

OpenBuildings Designer
The newly launched OpenBuildings Designer incorporates all of the capabilities of AECOsim Building Designer as well as Components Center and a range of new capabilities and standards including EnergyPlus, a building energy model to help users comply with ASHRAE standards in the US, and UK energy requirements; support of international standards including IFC 2x3, IFC4 Reference View, COBie, and Singapore’s Building and Construction Authority; new capabilities to design curtain wall systems; and OpenBuildings Speedikon, a leading application for industrialized design and construction. OpenBuildings Designer takes advantage of collaborative digital workflows with other applications in Bentley’s Open portfolio, for example templates in OpenBuildings Station Designer for tunnel segments created through GenerativeComponents based on linear alignment from OpenRail. Showcasing their robustness and versatility, OpenBuildings applications were credited by 32 of 62 of the Year in Infrastructure Awards finalists projects in 15 of 19 categories.

OpenBridge Designer
OpenBridge Designer is a new, all-encompassing application that integrates the modeling capabilities of OpenBridge Modeler and the analysis and design features of RM Bridge, LEAP Bridge Concrete, and LEAP Bridge Steel to meet the design and construction needs of both concrete and steel bridges. OpenBridge Designer enables bridge designers to rapidly create an intelligent, parametric bridge model, fully integrated with analysis and design, as well as drawings. It enables seamless synchronization of various disciplines for analysis, design, detailing, documentation, construction engineering and load-rating. 

OpenFlows FLOOD
Bentley also announced the rebranding of its Haestad water modeling and ACTION Modulers flood analysis product lines to form OpenFlows for water districts, sewer utilities and flood plain managers. OpenFlows extends smart water networks capabilities with GIS-based asset-centric information for water loss reduction, water operations, flood prediction and prevention. OpenFlows FLOOD continuously monitors watersheds, integrating data from real-time monitoring stations and numerical models to calculate risk levels. OpenFlows FLOOD mitigates flood risk, improving understanding of the processes involved in flood generation, and transmitting early alerts to reduce the impact caused by floods. 

Connecting Digital Workflows Across Disciplines
Applications for analysis and simulation, on the one hand, can collaboratively and iteratively work with applications for design and modeling, and on the other, connect operational workflows and converge the work of different disciplines. Collaborative digital workflows are characterized by data captured or created for one purpose being accessed and used by other applications for other purposes thereby saving time, minimizing rework, and improving data quality over the asset lifecycle.

An example of multidiscipline collaboration with OpenFlows involves workflows that use ContextCapture to create a 3D reality mesh, feeding into OpenFlows FLOOD modeling and using the terrain as input to various analyses in a single review environment for visualization and presentation to stakeholders using LumenRT.

Connecting analysis with modeling in another Open collaborative digital workflow involves the layout of road geometry, and hydraulic analysis and design using storm analysis tools including the determination of the size of storm inlets, pipes, depth of pipes, and manholes. The collaborative nature of the workflow enables clash detection in the subsurface environment, and iteration and adjustment as needed, to confirm functional and physical characteristics.

Other instances of Open collaborative digital workflows connecting design and analysis include OpenUtilities with Siemens’ PSS©SINCAL, which helps utilities improve resilience and deal with weak spots in the grid; and OpenBuildings Station Designer with LEGION pedestrian simulation, to enable designers to design, test, and validate simulations of scenarios for pedestrian traffic.

Rebranding 
Completing its announcement about Open applications, Bentley said that Bentley Map will be rebranded as OpenCities Map; and OpenComms, aimed primarily at multisystem operators, will incorporate Bentley Fiber and Bentley Coax.

William Grant & Sons Launches New Scotch Whisky in India Ahead of the Festive Season

William Grant & Sons, the distiller of premium brands including Glenfiddich, Monkey Shoulder and Hendricks Gin, has launched Grant’s Distinction, the latest variant of its leading Blended Scotch whisky brand, ahead of the festive season in India. The new variant has been launched in Goa with an MRP of 1275 INR, in advance of a nationwide rollout.

Grant’s Distinction is a blended Scotch that has been hand-picked for smoothness by master blender Brian Kinsman himself, to appeal to a new generation of Scotch whisky drinkers. Grant’s Distinction will initially be exclusively available in India. The blended Scotch has been designed for mixing, and has a raisin cake richness that gives it a distinctive character to cut through any mixer.

Brian Kinsman, Master Blender at William Grant & Sons, said “It was a real labour of love to create this new blend Grant’s Distinction. I wanted to make a Scotch that would be rich, smooth and mixable and am really proud of what we have achieved. It was important to retain the ‘House style’ for the Grant’s family which is delicate fresh fruit flavours with subtle spice for smoothness. But at the heart of Grant’s Distinction I have used a single malt whisky from a distillery that gives a robust, malty and raisin cake rich character to the blend which makes it highly mixable.”

The uniqueness of the blend’s taste and mixability is an ingredient that comes from a distillery with teal coloured walls – the malt from this distillery is at the heart of the blend.

James Pennefather, Managing Director of William Grant & Sons India, added “We see a clear opportunity to bring in new brands targeted at the next generation of Scotch drinkers, those who are already making progress in their careers but still appreciate the fact that it is those around them who keep them grounded and real. The smooth, rich flavours of Grant’s Distinction are certain to inspire conversations amongst friends to help them ‘find their distinction’, which will be the brand’s call to action. We are also proud of the fact that not only has India been chosen as the launch market for Grant’s Distinction, it is also the only place outside Scotland where this world-famous Scotch brand is bottled.”

Through this new variant, William Grant & Sons aims to cater to the increasing demand for premium spirits in India. According to IWSR global forecasts, India is expected to be one of the largest contributors to global whisky growth over the next 5 years. The Blended Scotch market in India is expected to grow to 5 million cases by 2021. Currently the scale of the market for Scotch brands bottled in India is ten times larger than those bottled in Scotland and imported.

Hero Motocorp Drives Industry Growth with 2nd Successive Month of More than 7-Lakh Sales

Hero MotoCorp, the world’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer, today reported yet another month of landmark 7-lakh sales.

Hero MotoCorp despatched 734,668 units of motorcycles and scooters in October 2018 – a growth of 16.4% over the corresponding month of the previous fiscal (October 2017) when the Company had sold 631,105 units.

Fortifying its market leadership with a strong sales growth trajectory, this is the fourth occasion in this fiscal (FY’19), and sixth overall, when the Company has registered sales of more than seven lakh units of two-wheelers in a month.

Coming immediately after the Company’s highest-ever monthly sales (769,138 in September 2018), the growth provides a positive outlook on the industry, which has witnessed a sub-par festive season sales thus far this year.

Compared to the previous year, retail off-take across the country during the initial few weeks of the festive season have been moderate, primarily on account of the significant increase in Insurance cost, followed by the associated confusion over the coverage amount and period in the matter of two-wheeler insurance. We hope to see a positive turnaround in the sentiments and retail sales to pick up in the days leading up to Diwali.

Hero MotoCorp also marked its entry into the 125cc scooter segment during the month, with the launch of its new 125cc scooter – Destini 125 – in the Delhi-NCR region. Attractively priced at Rs. 54,650/- (Ex-Showroom Delhi-NCR) for the Lx variant and Rs. 57,500/- (Ex-Showroom Delhi-NCR) for the Vx variant, the scooter will be available in the rest of country over the next 3-4 weeks.

1MG – Lido Mall Unveils Campaign to Celebrate Eco-Friendly Diwali

An urgent call to action has been taken by 1MG – Lido Mall after rising pollution levels are forcing Bengaluru residents to leave the city during the festive season to celebrate Diwali with their loved ones. The Mall has launched the eco-friendly Diwali 2018 which commits to no-pollution and no-noise keeping in mind the health and wellbeing of its visitors. With an aim to make a difference, the Mall has also partnered with leading eye care hospital Narayana Nethralaya to promote eye donation. 

Commented Suman Lahiri, Chief Operating Officer, 1MG – Lido Mall, “We have witnessed over 500 people signing up each day ever since we announced the eco-friendly and eye donation campaign on our social media platform. This goes to show that the residents of Bengaluru do care about the welfare of our community and want to play an integral role in the campaign as well”.

Also commented Bhanu Praveen, Marketing Manager, 1MG – Lido Mall, “This Diwali, we commit ourselves to lighting up lives. The figures were indeed alarming and hence we as a Mall decided to launch an eco-friendly Diwali celebration this year onwards which promotes no-pollution and no-noise. We are also addressing key areas on do’s and don’ts of bursting fire crackers and the increasing pollution levels, how loud noise can affect animals and more. All visitors to our Mall also participated in a pledge to celebrate Diwali the eco-friendly way moving forward. Post event, the visitors were treated to Diwali sweets and we tried our best to make the festive season most memorable for all”. 

Also added Roby Varghese, Centre Manager – 1MG Lido Mall, “With an attempt to raise awareness on eye donation, we are encouraging all our visitors to take a pledge towards an eco-friendly Diwali.  The eye donation campaign will also be conducted for all those who are keen to donate their eyes.  The eye donation is considered an act of charity, purely for the benefit of the society and is totally voluntary. 

With over 50 cases of eye injuries reported by Narayana Nethralaya every year on the onset of Diwali, the hospital announced that it will open its doors to offer free consultation and primary eye treatment on the 6th, 7th and 8th of November 2018 to all those whose eyes are affected by the fire crackers. With a fully equipped manpower and resources a dedicated team of doctors will be on standby through the night to administer timely aid to all those who enter their hospitals”. 

Commented Dr. Bhujang Shetty, Founder Chairman and MD Narayana Nethralaya, “Last year the supreme court banned fire crackers and it was quite challenging to have this enforced across the country, especially keeping in mind how people enthusiastically look forward to bursting firecrackers especially during Diwali. However, this year, the balanced judgment from the BBMP with restricted timings and the use of green crackers with low emissions and low sound which has paved way for a more responsible commitment on the citizens and how well we will all work towards preserving our environment. However, the only challenge is that the green cracker are not easily available in the market this year and hence the conventional ones are still being used by most”.

“A city like Bengaluru is already witnessing increasing levels of pollution because of traffic and other reasons.  With Diwali the levels of toxic gases in the air increases to over 50 percent. With so many people already suffering from asthma and allergy, this will only cause more havoc. And it is because of things like these that most people prefer to leave the city during these days, which is really unfortunate. As responsible citizens we also need to understand that it is not the pollution board or the Government to handle these issues, it should be our responsibility not to burn crackers and we inturn should influence others too!”

Topcon and Bentley Strengthen Constructioneering Initiatives and Programs

The Year in Infrastructure 2018 Conference– Topcon Positioning Group, a world leader in positioning technology for the survey and construction industries, and Bentley Systems, the leading global provider of comprehensive software solutions for advancing the design, construction, and operations of infrastructure, announce new developments in the constructioneering workflow initiative.

Constructioneering Academy

The Bentley Year in Infrastructure Conference 2018 (YII) marks the first anniversary of the launch of the Constructioneering Academy initiative of Topcon and the Bentley Institute. The program has been held in multiple locations across North America and Australia throughout the first year and now expands into Europe with the first London-based Constructioneering Academy, part of the YII.

“The Constructioneering Academies are filled with a mix of professionals from companies, governmental agencies and organizations who are involved in putting important infrastructure projects into motion and seeing them through to completion. The uniqueness of the dialogue taking place among participants, representing more than 80 organizations in the first year, cannot be overstated,” said Ewout Korpershoek, executive vice president of Topcon Positioning Group. “The program’s educational and collaborative atmosphere is creating awareness of potential productivity gaps that can be encountered on a project, and how those gaps can be filled, resulting in a paradigm shift in how work can be accomplished.”

Alan Lamont, Bentley Systems’ vice president for Digital Advancement Academies, said, “The active participation and feedback that we have experienced during the various Constructioneering Academy events have been very informative and encouraging. The level of interest and feedback demonstrate that there is a clear need for automated digital workflows between design and construction to help project teams be more efficient and avoid mistakes. We look forward to expanding the reach of Constructioneering Academies to other geographic locations.”

“We are looking forward to building upon the success of the inaugural year of the Constructioneering Academy,” said Ron Oberlander, vice president of Global Professional Services for Topcon Positioning Group. “The industry needs these types of programs as a catalyst to drive digital automation adoption. A key part of the initiative is the interaction of field and office professionals from the ‘front lines’ and we are excited to provide this opportunity to professionals around the world.

“We believe the Constructioneering Academies are truly fostering progress. For the industry to be successful in meeting future infrastructure demands, we have to change the mindsets and processes on how we approach construction. What Topcon and Bentley have initiated and will continue to evolve is an exciting journey to help shape that change,” Oberlander said.

Sasken Becomes a Member of the Enterprise Ethereum Alliance

Sasken Technologies Ltd., (formerly Sasken Communication Technologies Ltd.), a leading product engineering and digital transformation solutions provider, today announced that it has joined the Enterprise Ethereum Alliance (EEA), the world's largest open source blockchain initiative.

Sasken has been working on Ethereum to develop solutions and accelerators for several industry use cases such as revenue-sharing solution for multimodal public transportation system, enhancing security of IoT edge network, and asset registry for industrial equipment.

“We are already leveraging blockchain for developing solutions to expedite transactions, improve working capital, improve efficiency, reduce disputes, and build trust in industry ecosystems,” said Raman Sapra, Executive Vice President and General Manager-Digital, Sasken. “We are excited to join the EEA as it provides us an avenue for networking with the alliance members, contribute to working groups, and expedite development of Ethereum-based enterprise grade solutions for Transportation, Industrial, and Manufacturing segments.”

With more than 500 member companies, the EEA membership base represents a wide variety of business sectors from every region of the world. The EEA’s industry-focused, member-driven working groups are each tasked with creating and delivering specific advancements to the development and use of Ethereum-based technologies.

1MG – Lido Mall Lights Up Lives with Eco-Diwali and Free Eye Surgery

Ensuring celebrations last for a lifetime, 1MG-Lido Mall is spreading awareness on eco-friendly Diwali and ensuring public health and safety with a strong message on no-noise and no-pollution this Diwali 2018.

Come and join the celebration on Friday, 2nd November from 5:30 to 6:30pm at 1MG Mall where all visitors will be handed out eco-friendly diya and will light lamps together. Shortly after the lamp lighting ceremony, sweets will be distributed to all mall visitors. 

With the objective to ensure an environmentally safe Diwali, the Mall in partnership with Narayana Nethralaya hospital will be offering a free surgery to anyone who has lot their eye sight on account of lighting Diwali crackers. The free eye surgery will be conducted by Dr. K. Bhujang Shetty, Founder Chairman & MD Narayana Nethralaya to anyone who has lost their eyes on account of lighting fire crackers during the Diwali season. 

In an attempt to raise awareness on eye donation, 1MG – Lido Mall is encouraging more visitors to sign in and take the pledge on a no-pollution and no-noise eco friendly Diwali moving forward. An eye donation campaign will also be conducted for all those who are keen to donate their eyes.  The eye donation is considered an act of charity, purely for the benefit of the society and is totally voluntary.