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Mining · head to head

PCBC vs Wenco

PCBC logo

PCBC

Mining

Pit optimisation and scheduling software

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: PCBC dassault Systemes GEOVIA PCBC has no published commercial pricing and is sold via direct contact, with a separate Academic License Program as the only named alternative tier; 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: PCBC covers Pit optimization, Wenco covers Fleet dispatch.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which PCBC and Wenco actually diverge.

Attributes where PCBC and Wenco differ
AttributePCBCWenco
Pricing modelsubscriptionquote
PlatformsWindowsWindows, 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 PCBC

  • Pit optimization
  • Pushback scheduling
  • Cutoff grade analysis
  • NPV maximization
  • Sensitivity analysis
  • Surpac
  • Whittle
  • MineSched

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.

PCBC

  • Pit optimizationnot Wenco
  • Pushback designnot Wenco
  • Cutoff optimizationnot Wenco
  • Economic analysisnot Wenco

Wenco

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

Where each one falls short

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

PCBC

  • Dassault Systemes GEOVIA PCBC has no published commercial pricing and is sold via direct contact, with a separate Academic License Program as the only named alternative tier

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

PCBC

On request
  • PCBC Standard$12000/year
    • Pit optimization
    • Pushback design
    • Economic analysis

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 PCBC if

  • You need pit optimization.
  • You work on Windows.
  • You also want pushback scheduling.
PCBC 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 PCBC or Wenco better?
Neither clearly leads. PCBC 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, PCBC or Wenco?
PCBC starts at On request and Wenco at On request.
Does PCBC or Wenco run on more platforms?
PCBC runs on Windows. Wenco runs on Windows, Web, In-cab hardware.
What is PCBC best used for?
PCBC is most often used for pit optimization, pushback design, cutoff optimization, economic analysis. Of those, pit optimization and pushback design are not what Wenco is typically brought in for.
What can PCBC do that Wenco cannot?
PCBC covers Pit optimization, Pushback scheduling, Cutoff grade analysis, NPV maximization. Wenco covers Fleet dispatch, Machine guidance, Asset health, Asset management.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

PCBC: Where can I find GEOVIA PCBC pricing?

GEOVIA does not publish pricing on the product page. Interested buyers should contact GEOVIA directly via their contact link or visit the full GEOVIA website to request pricing information.

Source
Wenco: Who owns Wenco?

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

PCBC: How can I learn more about PCBC before purchasing?

GEOVIA provides a user community resource where real-world users share experiences. You can also contact their sales team directly for product information and trial inquiries.

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.

Wenco: Does it cover underground mining?

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

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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