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Mining · head to head

3DEC vs Wenco

3

3DEC

Mining

3D distinct element code for underground mining

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Wenco logo

Wenco

Mining

Fleet management and dispatch for open-pit mines, sold on an explicit open interoperability stance

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: 3DEC pricing is not published; licences are quoted, with subscription and perpetual options; Wenco wenco is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hitachi Construction Machinery, so the open interoperability position sits inside an equipment manufacturer and buyers should test the autonomy roadmap against that ownership rather than the marketing.
  • They diverge on capability: 3DEC covers 3D distinct element analysis, Wenco covers Fleet dispatch.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which 3DEC and Wenco actually diverge.

Attributes where 3DEC and Wenco differ
Attribute3DECWenco
Pricing modelsubscriptionquote
PlatformsWindows, LinuxWindows, Web, In-cab hardware
Founded1981Unknown

Identical on both: starting price (On request), free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Mining).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in 3DEC

  • 3D distinct element analysis
  • Block motion tracking
  • Contact detection
  • Support design
  • Dynamic simulation
  • FLAC3D
  • Leapfrog
  • Vulcan

Only in Wenco

  • Fleet dispatch
  • Machine guidance
  • Asset health
  • Asset management
  • Stockpile management
  • Safety technology
  • Reporting and analytics
  • Open interfaces

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

3DEC

  • Three-dimensional analysis of jointed rock and discontinuous materialsnot Wenco
  • Slope stability and pillar analysis for miningnot Wenco
  • Blast and earthquake dynamic analysisnot Wenco
  • Groundwater flow through fractured rocknot Wenco
  • Coupled thermal, mechanical and hydraulic modelling for geothermal, CO2 sequestration and nuclear wastenot Wenco

Wenco

  • An open-pit mine running trucks from more than one manufacturer that does not want dispatch tied to a single OEMnot 3DEC
  • A site replacing manual radio dispatch and paper cycle records with measured truck assignmentnot 3DEC
  • An operation adding machine guidance to drills and shovels alongside existing dispatchnot 3DEC
  • A group standardising fleet management across several pits with different equipment historiesnot 3DEC

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

3DEC

  • Pricing is not published; licences are quoted, with subscription and perpetual options
  • A specialist geomechanical tool rather than general purpose simulation, so it assumes the user is a rock mechanics engineer

Wenco

  • Wenco is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hitachi Construction Machinery, so the open interoperability position sits inside an equipment manufacturer and buyers should test the autonomy roadmap against that ownership rather than the marketing.
  • It has the smallest installed base of the three fleet management vendors, so experienced dispatch engineers and superintendents are harder to recruit than staff trained on the larger competitor.
  • A deployment is a capital project covering in-pit wireless coverage, in-cab hardware and a dispatch control room, and the software licence is a minor line in a much larger number.
  • Underground coverage is weaker than surface, so an operation running both open pit and underground generally ends up maintaining two fleet management systems and two sets of skills.
  • The return depends on a permanently staffed and competent dispatch function, so mines that install the system and then leave it unattended see the productivity gain evaporate within months.

Pricing, plan by plan

3DEC

On request
  • 3DEC Professional$25000/year
    • 3D distinct element analysis
    • Block-to-block interaction
    • Support installation modeling

Wenco

On request
  • Wenco fleet management$undefined/year
    • Quoted per site by fleet size and modules
    • In-cab hardware and installation priced separately
    • In-pit network design and coverage usually a separate capital item

Which should you pick?

Choose 3DEC if

  • You need 3d distinct element analysis.
  • You work on Windows, Linux.
  • You also want block motion tracking.
3DEC review

Choose Wenco if

  • You need fleet dispatch.
  • You work on Windows, Web, In-cab hardware.
  • You also want machine guidance.
Wenco review

Questions people ask

Is 3DEC or Wenco better?
Neither clearly leads. 3DEC starts at On request and Wenco at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, 3DEC or Wenco?
3DEC starts at On request and Wenco at On request.
Does 3DEC or Wenco run on more platforms?
3DEC runs on Windows, Linux. Wenco runs on Windows, Web, In-cab hardware.
What is 3DEC best used for?
3DEC is most often used for three-dimensional analysis of jointed rock and discontinuous materials, slope stability and pillar analysis for mining, blast and earthquake dynamic analysis, groundwater flow through fractured rock. Of those, three-dimensional analysis of jointed rock and discontinuous materials and slope stability and pillar analysis for mining are not what Wenco is typically brought in for.
What can 3DEC do that Wenco cannot?
3DEC covers 3D distinct element analysis, Block motion tracking, Contact detection, Support design. Wenco covers Fleet dispatch, Machine guidance, Asset health, Asset management.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

3DEC: Does 3DEC offer a free trial before purchasing?

Yes, 3DEC provides a free demo download available via the REQUEST DEMO button on their website. However, the specific trial period length is not stated on the product page.

Source
Wenco: Who owns Wenco?

Hitachi Construction Machinery. It is a wholly owned subsidiary based in Vancouver.

3DEC: What licensing models does 3DEC support?

3DEC offers both subscription-based licenses (annual) and perpetual licenses. Subscription licenses are available through their FastSpring store with annual subscription terms.

Source
Wenco: Does it work with non-Hitachi equipment?

Yes, and mixed fleet support is the main reason mines shortlist it. Verify the specific interfaces for your equipment during evaluation rather than assuming.

3DEC: How is 3DEC pricing determined?

3DEC uses a quote-based pricing model rather than publishing fixed rates. Customers can request a quote through the website or purchase through their software store, with pricing customized based on specific needs.

Source
Wenco: Does it cover underground mining?

Coverage is much weaker than surface. Underground operations usually select a different system.

3DEC: What support resources are included with 3DEC?

3DEC includes documentation, tutorials, forum access, FAQs, applied examples, and training courses. Support appears to be included with purchases rather than sold separately.

Source
Wenco: Is pricing published?

No. It is quoted per site by fleet size, modules and the hardware and network work involved.

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