Working from home with MicroStation

In these challenging times when COVID-19 is imposing significant disruptions to day-to-day activities and affecting normal business flow of our much-valued users and employees, we at Bentley are mindfully committed to ensuring smooth transition of work from office to remote location or home. Our innovative software and services are all geared for working from home or remote locations and do not impose the need to be in an office set-up. 

We Have Your Back! 

www.youtube.com/watch

To ensure smooth transition of work and effectiveness of your daily workflows with Bentley software, we have assembled information that you can refer to while working remotely or from home. We are working hard to deliver high levels of customer service, and welcome feedback, questions, and ideas on how we can serve you better in a remote work environment. 

Ways to use Bentley software from home include: 

• Accessing project data and resources via ProjectWise
• Remote access to your usual PC in the workplace via VPN or other software solutions 
• Taking your PC home, whether laptop or workstation 
• Installing Bentley applications on a home PC 

When deciding which method to adopt the aspects to consider will depend on the type of work you carry out and the level off access that you need to your normal workplace systems.  Where ProjectWise is already in use the transition should be relatively straightforward. 

Maximum fidelity with your workplace systems can generally be archived most easily at short notice by using remote access tools. These simply connect you virtually to your workplace workstation or to server hosted virtual machines. 

There may be some latency in operation depending on the remote access solution adopted.Taking a laptop or workstation home will give you the speed and performance to which you are accustomed but may not have all the connectivity to workplace systems and resources that the applications need.

Installing applications on a home PC may be essential if it is not possible to use remote access software or to bring hardware home from the workplace. This may also not have all of the connectivity to workplace systems and resources that the applications need.. 

Internet Connectivity

Internet access is obviously required to utilize remote access solutions, and is also required for downloading, installing, and licensing Bentley software (unless the machine concerned has a checked-out license). As the MicroStation installer is almost 8 GB, installation may take a significant time over low bandwidth connections. Ensure the connection used has sufficient data allowance if it is not an unlimited data package. Once connected additional steps will be required to access workplace systems and data, some of these are discussed below. 

Many CONNECT Edition products are installed from a small installer file that pulls the rest of the installation files from our servers. If you encounter problems with installing directly from our software downloads, please refer to the Downloading Software section below for links to full software downloads or guidance on the use of Deployment Images created in the workplace to take home. 

Connecting to Your Organization’s Network via VPN 

Virtual Private Network enables organizations to provide secure connection to their network over the internet so their employees can connect remotely or from public places. Please contact your IT support for guidance on VPN software that is already in use or may be appropriate for your organization. If you have a work laptop your organization may have already be installed a VPN solution. 

MicroStation Features that require Internet Connectivity 

The following features of MicroStation may not work properly in the absence of internet connectivity. 

• Bing Maps 
• CONNECT Project 
• CONNECT Licensing 
• CONNECT Advisor 
• Web Map Service 
• Component Center 
• Issue Resolution Service 
• Reality Context Share Service 
• User Feedback Service 
• Send as Email 
• Google Earth and Google Map integration
• Social interaction (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, etc.) 
• Online Help 
• Publish iModel and PDF to ProjectWise Share 
• CONNECT Notification Service 
• RSS Feeds 

Internet Proxy Settings 

A proxy server (also known as “a proxy” in IT circles) is an intermediary between an end user/computer and the internet. A proxy server acts just like a traffic conductor.  Depending on where the proxy server lies in your network (more on this later), it will inspect and route internet traffic to/from the user and the requested web address.There are many explanations regarding it, here is one: https://umbrella.cisco.com/blog/what-is-a-proxy-server

Most home Wi-Fi or network connections do not require use of a proxy server, but if you need to connect via a proxy server MicroStation will try to obtain your Internet Proxy Settings from Internet Explorer browser. If the settings are not found automatically, you can fill the details manually as described in the link below. See “What if my organization has a proxy server?”https://communities.bentley.com/communities/other_communities/sign-in_assistance_and_web_services/w/wiki/36380/faq

Collaborating on Projects with ProjectWise 

The beauty of working with ProjectWise is that work sharing is built-in and the concept of being tied to a location is foreign. In a Client-Server architecture the client can be anywhere. By storing standards and work files on a server you can ensure proper access for anyone. By establishing a digital environment for all project information, you can give access to people regardless of location and device type. However, ensuring the correct access is the key to success. So, setting up ProjectWise Explorer locally is key. 

• Whether using a workplace PC at home or applications installed on a home PC, once the ProjectWise Client and the another applications you need are available, working from a ProjectWise datasource with a Managed Configuration will offer a near identical experience to that of the workplace. 
• The way to install ProjectWise Explorer can be found here. 

Remote Accessing Office Workstation

Remote Desktop Connection 

If you work on a heavy-duty desktop machine that is difficult to carry or if your organization does not allow employees to move computers out of the office premises, Remote Desktop Connection offers a great way to log into that machine from your personal computer. You will require your computer name or IP address.  

Other Remote Access Solutions 

In this video, you will find guidelines on how to use Virtual Machines and Remote desktops effectively whole working form home with Bentley Software.www.youtube.com/watch

Various other remote access solutions are available, some free, mostly designed for general purpose remote control. One CAD specific solution is available free to users of HP workstations. HP Remote Graphics Software (RGS) is free to use on HP hardware, purchasable for use on non-HP machines. Their RGS receiver can be installed free on a home PC, connecting to the RGS sender installed on the HP workstation in the office. 

HP Z Central Remote Boost with MicroStation & LumenRT

HP Z Central Remote Boost allows those with a HP Z Workstation to have a performance boost in order to tackle their most graphic-intensive projects from anywhere. For information please refer to the following link for Achieving High Speed Remote Desktop experience for HP Z Class Computers:

https://communities.bentley.com/products/microstation/w/microstation__wiki/47748/achieving-high-speed-remote-desktop-experience-for-hp-z-class-computers

Virtualization and Virtual Machines 

Important notice about use of Bentley applications in virtual environments - click here

Virtualization enables organizations to create virtual machines from a single physical machine and administer them to their employees on demand. MicroStation is certified on Citrix XenApp. Follow the steps below to set it up. Bentley is exploring other virtualization providers like VMWare Horizon and Azure Virtual Desktop. If your organization uses any of these, please reach out to us with your questions, and we’ll try our best to assist. 

Virtualization with Citrix 

• Citrix XenApp Supported  
• 7.18 64-bit on Windows Server 2012 R2 
• Setup Instructions  
• Install Configure 
• Application Groups Manage 
• MicroStation Virtualization FAQ 

More information on using Citrix XenApp with MicroStation can be found here

Virtual Machines 

Virtual machines are a great way to manage operating systems and work remotely with a running Remote Desktop Connection, login credentials and a valid IP address. Installing virtualization software allows one or more virtual machines to share one physical computer. Your IT administrator can create VMs with a readymade image of Windows operating system that includes MicroStation and any other software needed. When such a VM is provisioned to you, you can directly launch MicroStation and start working on your project. 

You can create a new VM and install its operating system by following these simple steps located here. 

You can export and import existing VMs in Windows Hyper-V Server by following these steps located here. 

How do you create a Windows 10 image with MicroStation preinstalled?

• If you are using VMware, you can create a Virtual machine thru the steps on the link https://kb.vmware.com/s/article/1018415. Once the machine is created, you can log into it and install MicroStation, just like you would do on a regular computer. After that, you can shut down the virtual machine. To move it to other location see the article https://kb.vmware.com/s/article/2030609
• If you are using Hyper-V, from Microsoft, you can create a VM. There are several articles on docs.microsoft.com regarding this. See a few below:
• https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/virtualization/hyper-v-on-windows/quick-start/enable-hyper-v
• https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/virtualization/hyper-v/get-started/create-a-virtual-machine-in-hyper-v
• https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/virtualization/hyper-v/deploy/export-and-import-virtual-machines
• Since this can be done several times, the IT responsible should open each Virtual machine, and change its name for licensing purpose.
• VMware Virtual Machines can be run thru a VMware Player
• Hyper-V is a tool that can be used in a Windows 10 machine and is part of its core.

Taking Your PC Home 

If you already have a laptop with Bentley applications, your primary concern may be accessing project data and resources from the workplace. It may be as simple as accessing the same cloud storage that you use in the workplace or may require new systems to be established. Project data could be taken home on removeable media the shared with colleagues via cloud services, such as OneDrive, DropBox or ProjectWise Share. Care will need to be taken over version control and to avoid duplication in these scenarios. 

Home Installation   

You may decide to install the software on your home computer, whether temporarily, during the current situation, or for the longer term. Once normal working patterns are resumed, managers may prefer applications installed on home machines to be removed. If you do install applications, once signed in via the CONNECTION Client using your normal work email login, you will have the same licenses available as you do in the office. While your organization is working from home, license consumption should be similar to normal circumstances. 

Note, there are scenarios where it would be possible to over-use licenses. If an application such as MicroStation is installed on a home PC, and remote access to an office PC is available, it is possible to sign into both machines simultaneously with the same user name and open MicroStation on both machines. This would consume two licenses. 

Machine Requirements  

Licensing Software 

When you sign in as a CONNECTED User you receive the same license entitlements regardless of location. No further action should be required. 

Downloading Software

Direct Download 

Software can be downloaded directly from our Software Downloads site. To do this you may need the software download role to be added to your CONNECTED Profile. Your organization will have people assigned as administrators who can modify your role. Bentley support cannot modify these roles. 

How do I find out who my site Administrator(s) are? 

Your organization can have one or more Administrators who can assist with Bentley license management, downloads, assigning permission, etc. A list of your Administrators can be seen by going to https://connect.bentley.com. Below the Welcome Banner, click on the 'How are you CONNECTED?' link; in the “Administrators” tab you will find a list of your site Administrators names and email addresses. 

Portable Deployment Images 

We recommend that CAD/BIM administrators create Deployment Images to use as the source for multiple installations in normal circumstances. In this situation either an existing or a new deployment image can be copied to removable media and taken home to use as the installation source where internet availability/speed is limited (note: Internet access is still essential to sign-in to licensing services). The steps to create a Deployment Image for MicroStation CONNECT Edition are explained here: MicroStation CONNECT - How to create a Deployment Image.

Creating a Deployment Image for other products is very similar.

 www.youtube.com/watch

Download links for full installers (a.k.a. Deployment Images) 

If you are having difficulty downloading software from Software Downloads site, full installers of the latest version can be provided by your site Administrators. If site administrators need to get links to the installers please log a service request in order to request the links from Support. 

• CONNECTION Client 
• MicroStation CONNECT Edition Update 13 
• PowerDraft CONNECT Edition Update 13 
• Bentley View CONNECT Edition Update 13 
• LumenRT CONNECT Edition Update 13 
  

Storing Your Project data on ProjectWise Share or OneDrive

If you do not have access in ProjectWise or other management systems your project data can obviously be stored and shared on standard platforms such as Microsoft OneDrive or DropBox. Bentley CONNECTED Projects can also be utilized to share files via ProjectWise Share included with your Bentley cloud services. ProjectWise Share offers access control and the file synchronization helping to manage and share files without the need for additional software.

Sharing Configurations And Project Data 

When you’re working remotely, you are still part of a team and therefore sharing of project data is crucial. This is where the Configuration system shines. No matter where you are, you can be sure to be using the correct CAD standard with server-based Configurations. If your system has already been configured to use server-based resources virtualization and remote desktop access results in a similar experience to working in the office, there may be some graphic latency, but the system will be identical. 

Attempting to connect to a configuration on office-based shares via VPN may be possible, depending on your IT systems, but is likely to be subject to significant latency, especially with many more VPN users than usual. Working with a local copy of the network configuration may be more appropriate. Applications can be configured to automatically switch to a local configuration for home working. This type of solution is primarily aimed at short term scenarios. If longer term home working becomes a necessity, a remote access or document management solution may be a more appropriate option to avoid problems with version control and duplication of documents. 

If your system is not currently configured to share standards and data, planning for home working may be an opportunity.  In outline, one of the simplest and effective ways of sharing is by storing your standards and project data in a common network location defined by a Custom Configuration and poiting every user's configuration to that configuration. CONNECT Edition is easier to reconfigure to sue a Custom Configuration on the networ than previous versions. We are working on new guidance for configuration solutoins suited to home working. Some guidance on Custom Configuration can be found in: 

CONNECT Edition - Custom Configuration Guides 

The topic is discussed extensively in our wikis and forums. 

Access Product Documentation 

• Online Documents 
• MicroStation CONNECT Edition Update 13 
• PowerDraft CONNECT Edition Update 13 
• Bentley View CONNECT Edition Update 13 

Resolving Licensing Issues 

www.youtube.com/watch

• Licensing Wiki 
• Subscription Entitlement Service 
• Bentley User Registration 
• Offline Usage 
• How to ensure usage from only one user on a shared workstation 
• How remote usage is recorded with Subscription Entitlement Service (SES) 
• How to check out licenses from Entitlement Management (how to run offline) 
• How to bulk checkout licenses from Entitlement Management (extended offline scenarios) 

How to Get Help

• Service Request Manager 
• Bentley Communities 
• MicroStation Community 
• CONNECT Center 
• Bentley LEARNserver 
• License Manager 
• Entitlement Management 
• User Management 
• Roles and Permissions 

Useful Articles About Working Remotely 

• Super Evil Megacorp 
• Suddenly Remote? Here’s How to Regain Your Productivity in Record Time 
• The Ultimate Guide to Remote Work 

Getting Started With Bentley Applications:

You might find the following courses from the Bentley Institute helpful:

1. Before You Begin: Configure the Dataset
2. Quick Starts for Existing Users
3. Train the Trainer MASTER CLASS
4. Sheeting
5. Printing and Publishing
6. How to Share Your Feedback

Tips

Printing 

At home set your default printer to PDF to avoid sending prints via a VPN to an unattended printerin the workplace.

Maximizing Screen Real Estate in MicroStation   

Working From Home might not have the luxury of multiple screens like you do at the office.  Here's how to be efficient with one monitor

• Minimize Ribbon for Maximum Real-estate – To gain the most real-estate with a single monitor, minimize the ribbon with the arrow on the right side.  This will collapse the ribbon, but expand on demand when you select on a ribbon group. 
• Spacebar pop up – Select the spacebar on your pop up to gain access to some of the most commonly used tools right at your cursor.  Avoid having to move your cursor to the ribbon menu to get to one of the commonly used tools.  If you find a tool that you use often and is not on the spacebar pop but, please check out the help on customizing it to make you more efficient. 
• Tool Search – Hunting for a tool?  Use the Tool search in the upper right corner to find that tool that you might forget where it is.  The search tool provides the location of the tool on the ribbon or backstage. 
• Key-in Window – Use the key-in window as an alternative to access or start your tools.  For example, typing in: Place Smartline will start the Smartline tool. 
• Modifying Function Keys -  Setup your function keys from the Backstage: File>Settings>User>Function Keys with key-ins to allow you to quickly invoke that command from the keyboard. 

www.youtube.com/watch

Please refer to the this FAQ for more information.

• Licensing
• Elements not displaying correctly
• "MicroStation has Stopped Working” error when opening
• Gray screen and not responding when opening
• Slow file open performance over Wi-Fi
• Locating UCF file on network workspace
• Tools and text too small when using higher resolution display
• Resolving reference file location over VPN
  
• MicroStation will not open file and crashes

Other Language Sources 

Deutsch EspañolItalianoFrançais