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Mining & Resources · head to head

Caterpillar MineStar vs UDEC

Caterpillar MineStar logo

Caterpillar MineStar

Mining & Resources

Integrated technology for mining fleet management

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
U

UDEC

Mining & Resources

Universal distinct element code for mining analysis

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Caterpillar MineStar requires significant capital investment and integration with existing fleet infrastructure; UDEC the UDEC product page publishes no price and directs buyers to a quote request or an external software store
  • They diverge on capability: Caterpillar MineStar covers Fleet management, UDEC covers Distinct element modeling.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Caterpillar MineStar and UDEC actually diverge.

Attributes where Caterpillar MineStar and UDEC differ
AttributeCaterpillar MineStarUDEC
Pricing modelUnknownsubscription
PlatformsCloud-based, Remote operation stationsWindows, Linux
Founded19251981

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

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 Caterpillar MineStar

  • Fleet management
  • Real-time tracking
  • Terrain management
  • Equipment health monitoring
  • Autonomous haulage
  • Drill guidance
  • CAT Equipment
  • Third-party OEM

Only in UDEC

  • Distinct element modeling
  • Joint network modeling
  • Block interaction analysis
  • Support interaction
  • Dynamic analysis
  • FLAC3D
  • 3DEC
  • Leapfrog

What people use each for

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

Caterpillar MineStar

  • Fleet optimizationnot UDEC
  • Autonomous operationsnot UDEC
  • Equipment monitoringnot UDEC
  • Production trackingnot UDEC

UDEC

  • Two dimensional distinct element modelling of jointed and fractured rocknot Caterpillar MineStar
  • Assessing stability of blocky rock slopes and underground excavationsnot Caterpillar MineStar
  • Simulating fluid flow through rock fractures in mining and tunnellingnot Caterpillar MineStar

Where each one falls short

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

Caterpillar MineStar

  • Requires significant capital investment and integration with existing fleet infrastructure
  • Complex implementation requiring specialized training for operators and management personnel
  • Primarily designed for large-scale mining operations; less suitable for smaller mines

UDEC

  • The UDEC product page publishes no price and directs buyers to a quote request or an external software store
  • Fluid Flow, Barton-Bandis joint analysis, Creep, Thermal and User Defined Models are optional add ons charged on top of the base licence
  • Writing custom constitutive models requires the separately licensed UDM option and C++ programming
  • Purchases through the Buy Now route are prepaid annual subscriptions rather than a permanent licence

Pricing, plan by plan

Caterpillar MineStar

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Caterpillar MineStar review.

UDEC

On request
  • UDEC Professional$19000/year
    • Distinct element analysis
    • Joint modeling
    • Block interaction

Which should you pick?

Choose Caterpillar MineStar if

  • You need fleet management.
  • You work on Cloud-based, Remote operation stations.
  • You also want real-time tracking.
Caterpillar MineStar review

Choose UDEC if

  • You need distinct element modeling.
  • You work on Windows, Linux.
  • You also want joint network modeling.
UDEC review

Questions people ask

Is Caterpillar MineStar or UDEC better?
Neither clearly leads. Caterpillar MineStar starts at On request and UDEC at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Caterpillar MineStar or UDEC?
Caterpillar MineStar starts at On request and UDEC at On request.
Does Caterpillar MineStar or UDEC run on more platforms?
Caterpillar MineStar runs on Cloud-based, Remote operation stations. UDEC runs on Windows, Linux.
What is Caterpillar MineStar best used for?
Caterpillar MineStar is most often used for fleet optimization, autonomous operations, equipment monitoring, production tracking. Of those, fleet optimization and autonomous operations are not what UDEC is typically brought in for.
What can Caterpillar MineStar do that UDEC cannot?
Caterpillar MineStar covers Fleet management, Real-time tracking, Terrain management, Equipment health monitoring. UDEC covers Distinct element modeling, Joint network modeling, Block interaction analysis, Support interaction.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Caterpillar MineStar: Does MineStar work with equipment from other manufacturers?

Yes. MineStar Solutions work with all types of assets and integrate with any brand of equipment, sharing data across existing machines, systems and technologies.

Source
Caterpillar MineStar: What are the main components of MineStar?

MineStar comprises five configurable features: Fleet for equipment tracking, Terrain for haul path optimization, Detection for safety monitoring, Health for equipment maintenance, and Command for autonomous operations.

Source
Caterpillar MineStar: Can MineStar be used for underground mining?

Yes. MineStar Solutions are available for both surface and underground mining operations, with dedicated technology offerings for underground safety and productivity.

Source
Caterpillar MineStar: Is MineStar a cloud-based or on-premises solution?

MineStar is a cloud-based, subscription-managed application that reduces costs of deployment, service, and training by allowing customers to select offerings by role, function, or task.

Source
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