Software · head to head
UDEC vs Deswik Suite
U
UDEC
Software
Universal distinct element code for mining analysis
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
Deswik Suite
Software
Integrated mine planning and design software
- 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; Deswik Suite deswik publishes no price, no licence term and no cost driver for the suite; the only routes given are a demo request or contacting the company
- They diverge on capability: UDEC covers Distinct element modeling, Deswik Suite covers 3D mine design.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which UDEC and Deswik Suite actually diverge.
| Attribute | UDEC | Deswik Suite |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Windows, Linux | Windows |
| Founded | 1981 | 2007 |
Identical on both: starting price (On request), pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
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
- Leapfrog
Only in Deswik Suite
- 3D mine design
- Resource scheduling
- Geological modeling
- Pit optimization
- Underground planning
- Surpac
- Vulcan
- Datamine
Both cover
- 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 Deswik Suite
- Assessing stability of blocky rock slopes and underground excavationsnot Deswik Suite
- Simulating fluid flow through rock fractures in mining and tunnellingnot Deswik Suite
Deswik Suite
- Mine design and scheduling for open pit and underground operationsnot UDEC
- Reserve reporting and life of mine planningnot UDEC
- Connecting mine plans to production execution and material trackingnot 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
Deswik Suite
- Deswik publishes no price, no licence term and no cost driver for the suite; the only routes given are a demo request or contacting the company
- The suite is sold as separate modules grouped under Design and Reserving, Planning, Operations and Mine to Market, so a full workflow requires buying several products
- Software downloads and support are gated behind a client portal available to existing customers
- The product formerly sold as Deswik.CAD is now named Deswik Spatial, so older documentation and job listings refer to a name the vendor no longer uses
Pricing, plan by plan
UDEC
On request- UDEC Professional$19000/year
- Distinct element analysis
- Joint modeling
- Block interaction
Deswik Suite
On request- Deswik.CAD$5000/year
- 3D mine design
- Geological modeling
- Drill hole analysis
- Deswik.Sched$8000/year
- Mine scheduling
- Resource optimization
- Gantt charts
- Enterprise Suite$25000/year
- Complete platform access
- All modules included
- Priority support
Which should you pick?
Choose UDEC if
- You need distinct element modeling.
- You work on Windows, Linux.
- You also want joint network modeling.
Choose Deswik Suite if
- You need 3d mine design.
- You work on Windows.
- You also want resource scheduling.
Questions people ask
- Is UDEC or Deswik Suite better?
- Neither clearly leads. UDEC starts at On request and Deswik Suite at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, UDEC or Deswik Suite?
- UDEC starts at On request and Deswik Suite at On request.
- Does UDEC or Deswik Suite run on more platforms?
- UDEC runs on Windows, Linux. Deswik Suite runs on Windows.
- 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 Deswik Suite is typically brought in for.
- What can UDEC do that Deswik Suite cannot?
- UDEC covers Distinct element modeling, Joint network modeling, Block interaction analysis, Support interaction. Deswik Suite covers 3D mine design, Resource scheduling, Geological modeling, Pit optimization. Both handle Windows support.