BIM Cloud server recommendations

[psmith]

We are looking to replace our current BIMcloud server.

We have 15-20 users and projects that could be considered medium size (including large apartment buildings)

With respect to operating system - Windows 11 or WIndows Server 2022? What are the benefits of going to Windows Server? 

Currently looking at something like this
Processor: Intel Core i9-13900K 5.8GHz 24 cores
RAM: 32GB RAM DDR5
Application Disk: 500GB NVME SSD
Database Disk: 2TB NVME SSD in Raid Sequential Read Speed: Up to 7,450 MB/s - Sequential Write Speed: Up to 6,900 MB/s

Thoughts? Suggestions?

[Karl Ottenstein]

If you don't have a full time IT person, considering the size of your firm, I would recommend looking at the Bimcloud Software as Service (SAS) option where Graphisoft hosts everything for you eliminating the need to maintain a server, deal with ports /remote access etc etc and you just sign up and go.  Requires a good internet connection though as the service is in the cloud - but physically located in or near whatever country you are in.  Not a sales pitch, as I'm just a customer like you.

To do it on your own, see these hardware recommendations:

https://community.graphisoft.com/t5/Installation-update/Recommended-Hardware-for-BIMcloud/ta-p/30407...

To learn about BIMcloud as a Service see:

https://community.graphisoft.com/t5/Getting-started/BIMcloud-as-a-Service/ta-p/304068

[psmith]

Yep I have thought about the SAAS option. Our internet connection at the office is satisfactory, but not amazing. Do you have experience with SAAS?  do you use the delta cache? I assume for on-premises users the read/write would be slower.

Thanks

[Karl Ottenstein]

I don't have direct experience with the SAAS option.  For a reasonably good internet connection, your on-premises users would not notice much difference doing send/receive operations because the amount of information exchanged is so small.  The only time the internet speed would be noticeable would be for the initial project upload, and the initial project download to each workstation.

Perhaps an experienced user / BIM Manager could provide better insight here if you provided  speedtest results... run at some point when everyone in the office isn't busy on the internet...

https://www.speedtest.net/

[Boldizsar Vermes]

@psmith, please consult with the BIMcloud Software as a Service system requirements, especially the paragraph under the table about the latency. If you are unsure or want more assistance with choosing the proper setup for your needs, I suggest contacting your local Graphisoft support representative.

[Ignacio Azpiazu]

The thing with BCaaS is that you pay $ 100, I think it was, for the service and the first user, and then 100 for each addtional user. So 15 people on the server means $1500 monthly, and you have a hiccup the moment you need 16. I think BCaaS is more suitable for smaller offices. But I may have outdated information. 

[Karl Ottenstein]

@Ignacio Azpiazu The current advertised price (at least in USD) is $ 43.33/month billed annually ($520/year/user)

https://graphisoft.com/buy-now

I imagine that the sales contact can negotiate a price for a large number of users.  As far as I know, there is no limit and BIMcloud SAAS is supposed to be scaleable to more powerful servers as the user load increases from what I read.   I don't believe it is intended for any particular sized office.   Perhaps @Boldizsar Vermes can confirm that.

[Boldizsar Vermes · Accepted solution]

BIMcloud Software as a Service is being scaled as the usage requires. There are pros and cons for both solutions (saas vs. on-premises), that's why I suggested contacting a local representative to find the best solution for a client's needs.

[psmith]

Thans to all. I did contact our local Graphisoft supplier... the cost for the SAAS does not justify the benifits for a practice of our site.

I can really see the benefits for smaller practices, where the cost per user of the server is greater. But for us, after the 1st year we will be paying more for SAAS than our new server would cost us...