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The pure computing power of Matrix

Anton van Roekel
director Van Roekel & Van Roekel Engineering

The pure computing power of Matrix

Often the collaboration between Matrix and its customers goes back to the very beginning. This certainly applies to Van Roekel & Van Roekel BV, a major player in the steel construction industry for many years. Anton van Roekel agrees that Matrix has always played a major supporting role within his office. "I think we have been working together since the beginning of the 1990s, still in the time of Matrix BouwRaam. But I've only been involved with the agency since 1996, so that's for my time. "Almost all engineers at Van Roekel & Van Roekel use MatrixFrame and MatrixTools intensively."Every day", says Van Roekel. "Matrix software is the tool for us when designing, checking and detailing constructions. 80% of our 'sums' are made with Matrix. We can of course also make these sums by hand, but never as fast and good as with the software."

Double check

Van Roekel sees Matrix software as a reliable and fast tool that supports their own sense of constructions. "My approach is always that an engineer first thinks and designs himself and actually only tests this with a software program like MatrixFrame. The components of calculations that occur frequently (determining loads, safety factors, etc.) must be done very quickly and efficiently by the program. On the other hand, as an engineer, you have to be able to easily check the program and yourself again. And Matrix can do that."

Matrix and more

Although Matrix takes a lot of work off your hands, the software is not used for all calculations. Van Roekel: "In addition to Matrix, we also work with other very specific software and self-developed Excel programs. This is mainly to supplement tackling certain niche problems that Matrix does not foresee - nor can foresee. We sometimes face such unique challenges that it is difficult to capture it all within Matrix. Everyone can live well with that. Or as Matrix calls it: 'the carpenter has more tools than only a hammer'.

Always ready

Every software product requires habituation. So adequate instruction, guidance and support is a must. Matrix is aware of this and ensures that this is provided generously, is also the experience of Van Roekel: "We receive very regularly updates that sometimes even by our input come about. Matrix has a clear help function and if that is not sufficient, the helpdesk is always ready. The course offer is broad enough. As a company we have chosen to do an annual update training, in which the latest developments are discussed. This allows us to make maximum use of the software's potential. "

To learn from each other

Of course, Van Roekel & Van Roekel and Matrix have an excellent customer/supplier relationship. "After all these years," says Anton van Roekel, "Both sales, development, helpdesk and management are no strangers to us. But there's more. Just as we benefit from Matrix, Matrix benefits from our knowledge. It is a kind of interaction. By sharing our knowledge, Matrix can realize improvements in the software again. We see that happen regularly and notice that improvements that we have proposed in the past have also been honored. Sometimes it takes some patience, because not everything can have the same high priority. For a while now we have the reporting and the linking thereof with Office as a point of improvement on our list. An online environment, in which users can see each other's questions and solutions, has also been mentioned before. That way you relieve the helpdesk and keep your other users sharp. "

About Van Roekel & Van Roekel

Ingenieursbureau Van Roekel & Van Roekel, founded in 1973, is an independent consultancy for civil engineering. The firm specializes in concrete, steel and timber constructions, foundations and geotechnical constructions. Clients include architectural firms, contracting companies, steel construction companies, project developers, housing corporations, chain stores, private individuals and industry. Architectural structures for buildings and constructions form the most important activity (85%), in addition to hydraulic engineering works (15%). Van Roekel & Van Roekel has always worked extensively for clients in the steel construction industry, creating a unique expertise. The firm handles the entire process, including design calculations for the calculation departments of steel companies, main calculations of the complete construction for the permits and the specifications, and detailed calculations of connections for the execution. The agency also regularly makes second opinions or shadow designs for steel constructions in order to achieve a more economical or more feasible steel construction.