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Pricing:
| Option |
Pricing (US $) |
MECAWind License
(incl. 1 yr Maintenance, and floating network) |
150 |
1 Year Extension
(When Currently under maintenance) |
75 |
1 Year Extension
(When maintenance agreement has Expired) |
105 |
1) During the maintenance period, the user receives
free technical support and software updates. Maintenance also
includes support on the floating network option.
2) Once the maintenance has expired, the software will
still be active; however, the user will not have technical support nor
will free software updates be available. Also, the floating network
option will not be supported after maintenance has expired.
Floating Network Option:
Each license entitles the customer to a floating network
license. This option allows multiple users to share a
license. Some conditions must be met:
1) User must be connected to internet, while
license transfer is occurring.
2) MECAWind must not be blocked by a firewall.
3) If one (1) license is purchased, then only one (1) user at a
time can access the software. Other users will not be able to access
the software until the current user releases the license.
4) Each user must set up the floating network option correctly.
We want to provide you with realistic expectations for the floating
network option, so here are the pro's and con's of the floating network
option. This option is powerful, but it is not maintenance
free. Here are some known problems and issues that can arise:
a) All users must be set up correctly for the
floating network option. If they are not, then the other users cannot
access the software.
b) Although all users do not have to be at the same site, it does
create a bit of a logistics problem if a user at one site does not close
down the software correctly.
c) If the license is checked out and you cannot determine who has
the license, then you have to contact Meca at support@mecaenterprises.com
, and we can try to locate the user that has the license checked
out.
d) There are instances where for some unknown reason (program
crashes, network connection lost, etc..) that the license is not
returned correctly. In these cases Meca must be contacted and we
will investigate and correct the problem.
For these reasons, we would like to make certain
recommendations to minimize the inconvenience to our clients (Customer
can choose to follow or not):
Technical Support:
We do offer free technical support during the maintenance
period. We are a lean and mean company, so we don't have a large
staff to field questions over the phone. This is why we request
that all software support be handled by email: support@mecaenterprises.com.
Send the input file (there is an option under the Help menu to do this
automatically) and a description of the question or problem, and we will
respond. We pride ourselves on being very responsive to
email. Unfortunately, we cannot be responsive to telephone calls,
so please email. We always respond to email within 24 hrs, and
usually much faster.
FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS:
Does it meet State Codes?
Any state using ASCE 7-02 or 7-05. It's difficult to keep up with
all state requirements, but as far as we know all states are now
following ASCE 7 or planning to follow ASCE 7. Specific states
that we know reference ASCE 7 include: Florida, California, Texas,
Oklahoma, North Carolina, Hawaii. (If you know other states that
should be added, let us know and we will add it). Please
note that we do not include any "special provisions" that
might exist in local codes, we only follow ASCE 7 in the
software.
Is ASCE 7-05 the latest version of the code?
Yes. The next version is scheduled to be published in
2010.
Can I share the Software with Coworkers?
Yes, the software can be shared. See "Floating Network
Option" above for more explanation.
Do I
have to be connected to the internet to use the software?
It is possible to run the software without an internet connection;
however there are specific instances where a connection is required:
1) Initial Activation of Software
2) Transfer Use of software to another computer
3) Check for updates automatically.
Once a computer is activated, then the software does not require an
internet connection to run. A common situation is a person that may have
a desktop and laptop computer, and they want to use the software on both
computers. If you were going on a trip, then you would want to transfer
the license to the laptop while you have an internet connection. In this
case you would "Log Out" on the desktop and "Log In"
on the laptop. Now you would be able to use the software on the laptop
without an internet connection. This is a very simple process, but does
require some planning. There are a couple of other alternatives:
Option # 1) Buy an additional license and keep both the laptop and
desktop activated all of the time.
Option # 2) Enable the "Floating Network" option so that
you are automatically "Logged In" and "Logged Out"
when you launch and close the software respectively. This still requires
that you have an internet connection to "Log In" on the
laptop, but it handles the situation where you forgot to "Log
Out" of the software on the desktop prior to leaving on the trip.
Once you "Log In" on the laptop, then you no longer need an
internet connection.
How do I set up software on a laptop when traveling?
See "Do I have to be connected to the internet to use the
software" for detailed answer.
I'm not an Engineer, is the software going to be
difficult to learn?
The software itself is fairly simple to use; however, the program
follows the ASCE 7 standard, and honestly it is not always a simple
standard to follow. You probably already know this, and that's why
you are looking to purchase software. The ASCE 7 standard uses a
lot of terminology and has a lot of notes and special exceptions.
The software helps navigate through those issues, but it still requires
some familiarity with the ASCE 7 standard.
Do I need a copy of the ASCE 7-05 standard?
We recommend that the user has a copy of the standard. We do
sell the standard, here is a link
to the Book. Please note that we are not recommending to purchase
because we sell the book, we started selling the book as a matter of
convenience for our customers.
Does the program have a help manual?
A help manual is provided with the program in the form of a pdf
file. You may print the file or view it electronically.
Does the program come with a tutorial?
No, there is not a tutorial. We do sell a book that is published
by ASCE and it provides a few examples and step by step instructions on
how the code is applied to these examples. As a tutorial, the user
could work those examples using the software, and verify that the same
answers can be obtained. Please note that although the guide is
written for ASCE 7-02, most of it is applicable to ASCE 7-05 as
well. A new version of the guide has not been published. Link
to wind guide.
Is technical support available for the software?
Yes, technical support is available. We offer a very affordable
program, and we are a lean and mean company. This means that we
must handle technical support by email (support@mecaenterprises.com).
We request that questions be limited to the use of the software, we can
not provide interpretations as to how to apply the code to various
situations. There is an option under the "Help"
menu which automatically emails the input file to Meca, and you simply
provide an explanation to the problem which you are experiencing.
Does the software handle oddly shaped buildings (T,
L, U, etc..)?
There is not an option in the software for these buildings; however,
these shapes can be handled by making multiple analysis runs of the
software. There is a good example of this in the Wind Guide that
we offer (Link
to wind guide).
Can I get a fully functioning demo to try out the
software?
We offer a limited
demo, but we do not offer a fully functioning demo.
What happens when the maintenance expires?
Once maintenance has expired, the software will still be active;
however, the user will not have technical support nor will free software
updates be available. Also, floating network option will not be
supported after maintenance has expired.
Do I receive a CD with my purchase?
No, not unless the "CD" option is purchased in the
store. Shipping charges apply.
How quickly can I begin using the software?
Our order process is completely automated. If you purchase online,
you will automatically receive an email with instructions on downloading
and activating the software. This information also appears on the
last page of the order process. You will be using the software in
minutes after purchase.
How do I extend the maintenance on the software?
Go to the "Security" "Extend Maintenance on
Software" and click "Continue". The program will
automatically launch the internet browser and take you to our
store. Please note that if you do this before the current
maintenance has expired, you will receive more favorable pricing.
The maintenance date will be extended for 1 year from the end of the
current expiration. If the maintenance is expired, then the
maintenance is extended for 1 year from the purchase date (of the
extension).
How do I determine the expiration on the maintenance
for the software?
Go to the "Security" and the expiration date is shown near the
bottom.
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