Save 32 Hours per Project Using Ideate BIMLink to Audit Analytical Columns, Structural Framing, and Rebar Shape Data
Auditing Revit projects is critical, but probably not a favorite task for many.
Fortunately, with Ideate BIMLink, engineers can quickly check data, verify accuracy, and make necessary changes, so they can confidently get back to the more interesting aspects of their jobs.
Ideate BIMLink users, including those who are not Revit users, use the software to pull Revit model data into Excel for easy auditing and editing, and then push the verified data back into Revit to update the model.
Below is information on how much time our users reported saving.
Tasks: Auditing Analytical Columns, Structural Framing, and Rebar Shape Data
Calculate Your Return on Investment
Do you need to determine the value of Ideate BIMLink to your company? Here’s how:
- Review the above chart above and additional related data to understand how much time can be saved by using Ideate BIMLink for various tasks
- Compare that amount of time to the number of projects you have and your software purchase price
ROI Examples
Here are two examples. For simplicity’s sake, these examples assume you save four hours per project. Because our customers reported an average savings of 32 hours per project on the tasks featured in this blog post alone, your payback will likely be much higher.
- Single Standalone License
A single standalone license of Ideate BIMLink costs approximately US$795. If you have 20 projects per year and save four hours per project, you’ll save 80 hours per year. According to the 2020 Economic Research Institute, the average Structural Engineer’s salary is about $99K per year. Assuming a corresponding hourly rate of $48 (which would exclude overhead), you will have a payback (over covering software costs) of more than US$3000 each year.
- Network Licensing
For larger firms, network licensing can deliver an even higher return on investment. For example, the cost of a single seat is about $2,000 per year. Assuming that you save four hours per project, pay a higher burdened salary rate of $59, and have 50 projects, you will have a payback of more than US$9,800 per year.
Learn More
Visit our Help files to learn more about Ideate BIMLink.
What is a Named User license?
A Named User license is assigned to one specific person rather than shared across a network. For a step-by-step walkthrough, see the Graitec Licensing Help Center - Named User.
Are Ideate Suites replacing Ideate Software Bundles?
Yes. Going forward, Ideate Suites replace Ideate Software Bundles.
What's the difference between the Ideate Software Bundle and the Ideate Suite?
Both include the same five tools: IdeateApps, Ideate BIMLink, Ideate Explorer, Ideate Sticky and Ideate StyleManager.
- Bundle: Each tool is licensed separately, so different people can work in different tools at once. For example, with one Bundle, five people could each use a different tool at the same time.
- Suite: One license covers all five tools for one person at a time. That person can move freely between every tool. While they're using the Suite, it isn't available to anyone else on that license until they finish.
A Named User Suite is assigned to one specific person. A single Network Cloud Floating Suite can be shared across your team, one person at a time.
Will my team need more licenses?
If several people on your team use different Ideate tools at the same time, you may need more than one Suite license. Contact us and we'll review your team's usage and help you choose the right setup.
Can I still buy an Ideate Software Bundle?
No. Bundles are no longer available for purchase. New purchases are offered as follows:
- Ideate Suite: Named User or Network Cloud Floating
- Enterprise Suite: Network Cloud Floating
- Active Host: Network Cloud Floating
- Automation: Network Cloud Floating
- Individual products: Named User or Network Cloud Floating (IdeateApps, Ideate BIMLink, Ideate Explorer, Ideate Sticky, and Ideate StyleManager)
Can I still buy IdeateApps, BIMLink, Explorer, Sticky, or StyleManager individually?
Yes. Individual products are available as Named User or Cloud Floating licenses until the new product lineup launches with the next major release, expected mid-2027.
Will floating (network) licenses still be available?
Yes. FlexLM remains available for organizations with security requirements, such as environments without internet access. FlexLM is not available through the online store, so please contact your account manager to purchase.
My organization has strict security requirements or no internet access. Can I still get a FlexLM license?
Yes. FlexLM remains available for organizations with security requirements, such as environments without internet access. FlexLM is not available through the online store, so please contact your account manager to purchase.
I'm an existing customer. What happens to my current license/s?
Your existing Ideate Software subscription is moving to our new licensing system at no cost. Your license quantities and expiration dates stay the same.
- Standalone licenses become Named User licenses. Set up your Named Users in the Graitec Advantage Portal.
- Cloud Floating (network) licenses become Network Cloud Floating Suite licenses. Deploy the latest release as you have in the past, using the new license code in your migration email.
- Each Ideate Software Bundle becomes an Ideate Suite.
To keep using Ideate, update to the latest release and activate your new license by March 31, 2027. Older Ideate licenses will stop working in Q2 2027.
Using Ideate with Revit 2022 or earlier? Contact ideatesupport@graitec.com to review your options. For account questions, contact sales@ideatesoftware.com.
I have a Bundle today. What will I receive when I move to the new licensing?
Conversions are one for one. Each Ideate Software Bundle becomes one Ideate Suite, and each network Bundle becomes one Network Cloud Floating Suite. Your license quantities and expiration dates stay the same.
Where do I manage my licenses?
In the Graitec Advantage Portal. Based on customer requests, starting with the latest Ideate release, license management and license usage information are handled in Graitec Advantage, outside of Revit. We recommend bookmarking the portal.
- Named User licenses: Assign licenses to people on your team in Graitec Advantage.
- Cloud Floating Suite licenses: Deploy the latest release with your new license code as you have in the past, then manage licenses in Graitec Advantage.
Watch the Graitec Advantage walkthrough
Can I transfer a Named User license to another person?
Yes. There's no limit on the total number of transfers, but each license can be transferred up to two times within a 30-day period.
How are licenses issued?
Each product on your order is issued as its own license once your order is processed. To try a product before buying, contact us to request an evaluation license.
I want to try the Graitec AI Assistant now, but I don’t have my new license code yet. What should I do?
Existing customers: We’re delivering new license codes to existing subscribers on a rolling basis over the next few weeks. If you need access sooner, contact your Graitec sales representative.
New customers: The Graitec AI Assistant isn’t available in the Ideate trial. Contact your Graitec sales representative to request an evaluation license or purchase a 6-month subscription.
What are the token/costs are associated with using the Graitec Assistant?
There are currently no costs associated with using the AI tokens in the Graitec Assistant. Token usage monitoring will be enabled in the future.
Are there any SSO option to tie into our login/directory?
Currently, we do not have an SSO feature. However, this is something we are planning to add, and we have discussed with R&D integrating it into the Advantage roadmap.
What’s the best way to bulk-add named users – we have 400+?
For bulk-adding named users, the process needs to be completed in two steps:
- Using the template in Advantage, upload the users to the portal.
- Once the users have been uploaded, the customer can select all users and mass-assign the licenses.
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