Mining & Resources · head to head
UDEC vs acQuire GIM Suite
U
UDEC
Mining & Resources
Universal distinct element code for mining analysis
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
acQuire GIM Suite
Mining & Resources
Geoscientific information management platform
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: UDEC the UDEC product page publishes no price and directs buyers to a quote request or an external software store; acQuire GIM Suite pricing is not published
- They diverge on capability: UDEC covers Distinct element modeling, acQuire GIM Suite covers Drill hole data management.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which UDEC and acQuire GIM Suite actually diverge.
| Attribute | UDEC | acQuire GIM Suite |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Windows, Linux | Windows, Web |
| Founded | 1981 | 1996 |
Identical on both: starting price (On request), pricing model (subscription), 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 UDEC
- Distinct element modeling
- Joint network modeling
- Block interaction analysis
- Support interaction
- Dynamic analysis
- FLAC3D
- 3DEC
- AutoCAD
Only in acQuire GIM Suite
- Drill hole data management
- Sample tracking
- QAQC management
- Data validation
- Reporting tools
- Surpac
- Vulcan
- Micromine
Both cover
- Leapfrog
- Windows support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
UDEC
- Two dimensional distinct element modelling of jointed and fractured rocknot acQuire GIM Suite
- Assessing stability of blocky rock slopes and underground excavationsnot acQuire GIM Suite
- Simulating fluid flow through rock fractures in mining and tunnellingnot acQuire GIM Suite
acQuire GIM Suite
- Capturing and validating drillhole and geological datanot UDEC
- Maintaining a single source of truth for geoscientific recordsnot UDEC
- Field data capture on mobile with offline workingnot UDEC
- Delivering geological data to modelling and reporting toolsnot UDEC
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
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
acQuire GIM Suite
- Pricing is not published
- Built specifically for mining geology rather than general data management
Pricing, plan by plan
UDEC
On request- UDEC Professional$19000/year
- Distinct element analysis
- Joint modeling
- Block interaction
acQuire GIM Suite
On request- GIM Suite Standard$8000/year
- Data management
- QAQC tools
- Validation rules
- GIM Suite Enterprise$18000/year
- Multi-site deployment
- Advanced workflows
- Integration APIs
Which should you pick?
Choose UDEC if
- You need distinct element modeling.
- You work on Windows, Linux.
- You also want joint network modeling.
Choose acQuire GIM Suite if
- You need drill hole data management.
- You work on Windows, Web.
- You also want sample tracking.
Questions people ask
- Is UDEC or acQuire GIM Suite better?
- Neither clearly leads. UDEC starts at On request and acQuire GIM Suite at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, UDEC or acQuire GIM Suite?
- UDEC starts at On request and acQuire GIM Suite at On request.
- Does UDEC or acQuire GIM Suite run on more platforms?
- UDEC runs on Windows, Linux. acQuire GIM Suite runs on Windows, Web.
- What is UDEC best used for?
- UDEC is most often used for two dimensional distinct element modelling of jointed and fractured rock, assessing stability of blocky rock slopes and underground excavations, simulating fluid flow through rock fractures in mining and tunnelling. Of those, two dimensional distinct element modelling of jointed and fractured rock and assessing stability of blocky rock slopes and underground excavations are not what acQuire GIM Suite is typically brought in for.
- What can UDEC do that acQuire GIM Suite cannot?
- UDEC covers Distinct element modeling, Joint network modeling, Block interaction analysis, Support interaction. acQuire GIM Suite covers Drill hole data management, Sample tracking, QAQC management, Data validation. Both handle Leapfrog, Windows support.