During October 17-18, 2024, we held the annual KCT (Key Customers Team) event in Budapest, marking over a decade of dedicated collaboration between StruSoft and FEM-Design’s superusers. KCT2024 celebrated the continued growth and innovation in FEM-Design, StruSoft’s main structural analysis software, while fostering a dynamic knowledge exchange among our superusers community.
At StruSoft, we’re proud to make KCT a platform for innovation, feedback, and community-building. It’s a key part of our commitment to listening to customer insights, applying them to our software, and ensuring that FEM-Design continually evolves to meet user needs.
We want to thank everyone who attended and contributed to making KCT2024 an invaluable learning and networking event. As always, we’re implementing dreams together!
Browse the photo gallery below to see highlights from the event:
StruSoft’s presentations at KCT2024:
Day 1 opened with introductions by Mohsen Ghaemi, Regional Manager, and Dennis Kristensen, Managing Director of Matrix&StruSoft Structural, setting the stage for two days filled with learning and sharing ideas. Anders Nilsen led an engaging and funny quiz that brought participants together. Then, our colleagues Marek Krawczyk, Country Manager – Poland, Ciprian Tibea, Country Manager – Baltic & Romania, and Joni Hytönen, Country Manager – Finland, presented new features in the upcoming FEM-Design 24, including highly requested tools like shell buckling eccentricity, anchoring rebars, and automated deflection design—essential functionalities driven by feedback from our superusers.
Participants enjoyed presentations on practical applications and innovations, like Dennis’ insights on the new Simplex Beam software.
“Simplex Beam, the first application in StruSoft’s Simplex suite, represents the next step in structural engineering software. It combines the robustness of our FEM-Design calculation core with a modern, intuitive interface. Our goal was to create a beam design tool that simplifies analysis and design without compromising accuracy. It supports concrete, steel, and timber beams, making it accessible, versatile, and engineered to enhance productivity for engineers of all levels. We highlighted all these benefits at KCT2024 and got many questions from the audience. We look forward to seeing our users try the software in their projects,” said Johanna Riad, Product Owner of Simplex Beam.
Casper Hougaard, Customer Success Manager – Denmark, brought updates about PREFAB features. Joni’s deep dive into plastic analysis presented unique comparisons (Kupfer vs. Mohr-Coulomb methods) and a look at the software’s shear plasticity for steel, which stands out in the industry.
Moreover, it was the first time we featured interactive Q&A workshops at KCT. We had several tables where our FEM-Design experts interacted directly with the user community on topics such as plastic shell, input and design, interoperability and API, and PREFAB and prefab modelling.
Day 2 began with Dennis Kristensen discussing the next generation of Eurocodes and how StruSoft is already working to incorporate these updates into FEM-Design, ensuring current and future compliance.
Akos Rechtorisz, Product Manager of Interoperability Development, presented the latest interoperability improvements, such as step-by-step import filters and IFC export enhancements, that will be included in FEM-Design 24.
Marco Pellegrino, our API expert, updated us on the API developments. He explained CRUD operations and shared how clients have leveraged the API to create optimal solutions, like parametric bridges and customised slab thickness adjustments. “With the FEM-Design API, the only limit is our imagination,” he concluded.
What made KCT2024 a welcoming and insightful event for FEM-Design superusers?
It’s the people, the conversations, and the sense of community. KCT2024 brought together ideas, facilitated informal discussions, and inspired new ways to leverage FEM-Design in daily engineering work.
- Engaging directly with StruSoft representatives from various regions.
- Connecting with key developers of FEM-Design.
- Exclusive previews and hands-on sessions with FEM-Design 24.
- Sharing feedback and future version requests.
- Learning from fellow superusers’ real-world applications of FEM-Design.
- Discovering the potential of FEM-Design’s API for advanced custom solutions.
- Building a strong network and exploring new collaborative opportunities.
“The first KCT in Budapest was a modest gathering, but it has since grown into a key event, attracting superusers from across Europe. The transformation has been incredible. Our users bring valuable insights each year, enabling in-depth discussions that drive FEM-Design forward. KCT has become an essential platform for this dialogue, benefiting our team and the superusers community,” reflects Iwona Budny, Product Owner of FEM-Design.
“KCT2024 in Budapest during October 17-18 was a huge success! We had the pleasure of bringing together leading structural design professionals, FEM-Design developers, and industry innovators. Attendees had the opportunity to engage directly with our development team, be the first to see FEM-Design 24 and share valuable feedback for future versions. It was an incredible event filled with networking, collaboration, and inspiring insights about the future of structural engineering. A big thank you to everyone who participated and contributed to making it so memorable,” said Mohsen Ghaemi, Regional Manager and the Event Manager of KCT.
Client success stories at KCT2024:
Our superusers showcased FEM-Design’s versatility in real-world scenarios. Here are a few examples:
- Claus Jensen and Thomas Aamand from Ramboll Denmark demonstrated a range of projects—from concrete structures in Sweden to timber offices. They highlighted how FEM-Design has streamlined everything from plastic analysis to foundational load distributions.
- Igor Muzdeka from Sweco highlighted how the API accelerates realistic modelling, simplifies complex load applications, and reduces errors in steel tank designs and structural optimizations.
- Toms Bokta and Reinis Kālis from UPB showed the impact of API in design workflows for efficient data import/export, load transformations, and error minimisation.
- Viktors Magone and Edgars Zelčs from Swetch presented their work with FEM-Design and Grasshopper in designing complex superstructures, handling challenges like FE model calibration and post-tensioning.
How to start with FEM-Design
If you’re new to FEM-Design, we offer a free, automated two-week trial to help you explore its capabilities. Apply for your trial here or click this link to access a free educational license for students.
Our YouTube channel also provides a range of video tutorials to help you get started with FEM-Design. You can also read our latest case studies here.
We’re excited to see what you create with FEM-Design! As we wrapped up KCT2024, we’re already looking ahead to future developments—stay tuned for updates on the next version of FEM-Design.