'Steel construction software bocad offers precision that saves you significant time'

Some have been working with bocad for about 25 years, others started using it a year ago. Yet the conclusions about the use, strengths and capabilities of the program are largely the same. Zeki Tahir of Tekenbureau De Hoek and Maurice van den Haak of Van den Haak Engineering, both freelancers, about (their start with) bocad and the cooperation with Liemar as Value Added Reseller.

Zeki drew by hand and AutoCAD 25 years ago. Through a new employer, he came into contact with bocad. 'I thought: wow, this is quite a step from 2D to 3D! I haven't let go of it since, even when I started my own firm. It's still great software. Over the years, the basis of the program has remained largely the same, but it has all become more sophisticated.'

Despite that sophistication, Maurice believes bocad has a spicier learning curve than other programs he has worked with. 'After 15 years of working with another package, I switched to bocad. So I am an experienced draughtsman, but I had to find my way around. By the way, that time investment is already paying off in every project. Once you know bocad, you save a lot of work and time in every project because of all the things the software does for you.'

2D and 3D

Maurice: 'In bocad you work in 2D, which you then translate into a composition in 3D. As a result, I think, the precision of your work is much greater than when you work in 3D with snapping tools. The precision of the workshop drawings is also greater at the same time. Whereas I used to spend hours to days correcting drawings, now it's just a matter of looking through them briefly and making final checks. That just saves a lot of time. And time is money. So as an entrepreneur, I see that as a major improvement. Zeki adds, "I agree with that. Especially the power of compositions in bocad is great. I've really come to rely on that.'

Schuller & Company

A few years ago, things were tense for a while around the survival of bocad. Fortunately, the German company Schuller & Company took over from AVEVA and since then there have been updates and improvements. Zeki: 'I'm glad that the software is being worked on again, but in all that time I have of course had Tom Smout of Liemar as my contact. Fortunately, that hasn't changed.' Maurice didn't get the older versions of bocad. 'I started using it when one of the more recent versions was available from Schuller & Company. To my mind, I got in right away. That is pure coincidence, but I am very satisfied with it. Especially with the new developments I see now.'

Strong exports

What strikes Maurice in particular about using bocad is the high quality of the exports. 'The IFC models, the customizability that you bring to those IFC models and, for that matter, the STEP files are very good and detailed. That really amazed me. And again, there's a significant time savings in that.'

Added value

Tom Smout, our senior consultant and bocad expert, supports all bocad users in both commissioning, and daily use of the program. So did Zeki and Maurice. Like other bocad users before him, Maurice discovered that Tom's service level is remarkably high. 'As a zzp'er I often experienced being placed in the back of a long queue by help desks when I had questions. The way things are going now with Tom is a huge contrast to that. When I call him, I am either helped immediately or called back in a very short time with a good solution. So I am also very satisfied with the service. Zeki agrees. That has been going extremely well for years. If I get stuck on something, I send a message to Tom. He usually has a solution for me the same day, so I can get on with it. Great.

Drawing office De Hoek and Van den Haak Engineering

Drawing Office De Hoek provides detailed engineering drawings based on design and specification drawings for national and international clients. Zeki's projects range from small renovations, landings, stairs, fencing and machine frames to complex steel structures. Van den Haak Engineering specializes in the field of steel and aluminum structures. Maurice delivers from design to fully BIM-ready and custom production.

Want to know more?

Are you curious about the possibilities of bocad? Want to know more about our role as a value added reseller and what we can do for you? Please contact us. We would love to help you further.