The steel construction industry is rapidly evolving, and staying competitive requires the right tools to deliver precision, speed, and value. If you’ve been relying on outdated or inefficient steel detailing software, you might already be feeling the pinch.
Whether you’re just trying to earn yourself some more breathing room in a crowded market or want to take your business to the next level, here are the key signs it’s time to upgrade your steel detailing software—and why SDS2 is the go-to solution for steel detailers and fabricators.
1. You simply want better drawings, faster.
Despite the rise in advanced technology, for better or worse, shop drawings and erection drawings are not going away anytime soon. They’re also one of the most time-intensive parts of the steel detailing process, requiring absolute precision and accuracy.
If you’re using a basic 2D CAD solution with little to no automation, drawing creation takes a significant manual effort that increases the risk of errors and delays. On the flipside, some advanced software can make it overly difficult to achieve desired results and lack features specific to structural and miscellaneous steel.
SDS2 streamlines drawing production, with automated tools built specifically for structural steel, steel connections, and miscellaneous steel, including stairs and handrails . It empowers you to tackle any project with ease, meeting tight deadlines without sacrificing quality.
2. Frequent errors are costing you money.
Steel detailers are the final line of defense against errors and clashes before a project makes it to the field where issues become drastically more expensive. Some issues might be inherited from the design or engineering teams, such as HVAC clashes, mismatched connections, or compliance issues. But detailing comes with plenty of opportunities to introduce new errors to the project. A minor mistake in beam length, misaligned bolt holes, incorrect weld specifications, inaccuracies on the Bill of Material…the list goes on.
The more manual processes you use in your detailing workflow, the higher the potential is for errors to arise.
SDS2 mitigates the risk of errors throughout the detailing process with automated tools for intelligent connection design, built-in clash detection and code compliance checks, and more. With model, drawings, and reports all interconnected, you only have to make changes or revisions once to update the entire project from the model to your material lists. Plus, in the 3D modeling environment, SDS2 makes it easy to visually identify issues and clashes on complicated designs that might otherwise go unnoticed.
3. Your ROI is dwindling.
It’s hard to make an “apples to apples” cost comparison of steel detailing software. Licensing packages vary, additional fees can skew the initial price points, and prices are almost always on the rise. You may end up with software that looks cost-effective upfront, but now it’s not giving you the efficiency and productivity gains you expected. Maybe your budget has become bloated with rising costs, add-ons, or third-party plug-ins needed for specialized tasks. Maybe the software has big potential, but it’s so difficult to master and train new employees that you’re stuck playing catch-up while your productivity and profits fall.
SDS2 maximizes the return on your investment, hitting that sweet spot between price and value. An investment in SDS2 buys you an easy-to-use and customizable interface, powerful automation and intelligence, and comprehensive integrations with the industry’s top fabrication and BIM systems. In other words: faster workflows with more accurate, usable results that you’ll be able to see right away. And with straightforward, flexible licensing plans, you can tailor SDS2 to fit the adapting needs of your modern workforce.
4. You can't integrate with the right technology.
Whether you work for a detailing firm or directly within a fabrication shop, your detailing output must line up with the needs of the shop floor. The beauty of BIM technology is that you can tie everything back to your detailing model—estimating, purchasing, shop management, production, shipping, and erection planning.
But not all tools play nice with one another, and it’s important to ensure that the model data from your steel detailing software will integrate smoothly with your or your customer’s systems.
SDS2 partners with industry-leading technology providers, from MRP and MIS software to specialized CNC equipment, to ensure that your model data fully integrates with all your workflows and operations. As an openBIM solution, SDS2 is dedicated to interoperability, using universal file formats and constantly looking to build smoother integrations with industry partners. You can find a full list of SDS2’s partner integrations here, plus discover specialized tools and integrations in the SDS2 Toolbox.
5. You can't handle complex or custom projects.
Architectural innovation, growing project scales, changing design standards, and increased customization—all combined with faster turnaround times—make it harder than ever for steel detailers to keep up with market demands. Even if you’ve mastered simple structural detailing with your current steel detailing process, you could start missing out on key opportunities.
SDS2 helps steel detailers tackle the most complex projects, with advanced modeling tools, code-compliant design automation, and easy customization options. Detailers have used SDS2 in projects of all types, all around the globe, from massive industrial facilities to intricate commercial architecture.
Check out the wide variety of SDS2 projects highlighted on our blog, including everything from elevated nature walks and iconic skyscrapers to Olympic sporting facilities, NASA rocket launchpads, marine docking fenders, and more.
6. Collaboration feels like a hassle.
In addition to becoming more complex, steel projects today also require more collaboration and coordination. Engineers, detailers, fabricators, and contractors must all work closely to ensure designs are not only functional but feasible for fabrication and construction.
Even if you’re just looking to streamline collaboration within your own teams, you have to worry about managing model access to avoid conflicts, coordinating revisions, and aligning tasks and schedules.
SDS2 streamlines collaboration, keeping teams in line with a unique live, multi-user modeling environment that eliminates the need for complicated model management. In conjunction with Bimplus, it provides a centralized, cloud-based platform to easily share project data from any device, any time.
If any of these items resonate with you, it’s time to take a closer look at SDS2 for your steel detailing needs. SDS2 is the smartest steel detailing software out there, giving you powerful, time-saving tools to get the job done fast—and get it done right. At the same time, you don’t have to be a technical wizard to figure it out, and it’s flexible enough to fit the adapting needs of modern businesses of any size.
