Buying Hydrology & Hydraulics Software
Since 1986, our primary objective has remained the same: to produce the
highest quality software at a reasonable price. As a result, HydroCAD is
the leading H&H solution in the USA, with over
50,000 installations
worldwide,
and growing every day. We invite you to read some of our
customer comments and peruse links
to customer web sites.
But choosing between the many H & H programs on the market is not an easy task.
And with a wide range of needs and expectations, this is definitely not a situation
where one size fits all. We urge you to shop carefully and compare before you buy. We're
interested in satisfied, long term customers (rather than quick sales), and this
happens only if you buy the software that's right for you!
To help with your selection we offer detailed product
information and even a free evaluation program
that lets you try-before-you buy. Although it's impossible to keep up with all the H & H software on the market, we
can offer some general guidelines to help you compare your options.
Initial Purchase Price
Superior Pricing
HydroCAD was the first to offer a sliding price scale based on the complexity
of the drainage systems being modeled. This lets you
purchase a complete permanent license for
$295 to
$2395, with the ability to
upgrade at any time for the difference in cost.
The basic 5-node
$295 system is one of the least expensive on the market, while
providing capabilities that match or exceed programs selling for up to $5,000.
Even our "average"
$895 20-node program is a bargain in comparison.
If you prefer, we also offer an all-inclusive annual
license starting at just
$195 for a
5-node program, or
$375 of our most popular
20-node program.
Flexible Software Licensing
HydroCAD provides the most advantageous "simultaneous user"
licensing. This means you can install a
single HydroCAD license on any number of computers in your office, as long as
only one person is using the program at a time. (We even provide automatic
license pooling to manage the shared use!) This provides a
tremendous cost savings compared to buying a separate program for each computer or user.
Ongoing Costs
Technical Support
We provide free web and email support to all customers - usually within the
hour.
A permanent license include 90 days of software maintenance
including email support and free software updates, including any major updates
that may be released during that time! After 90-days you may extend your maintenance plan for a
fixed annual fee. Again including all program updates at no extra charge.
Or you can use our free email support whenever the need arises.
Or you can opt for an annual license, which includes
software maintenance at no extra charge.
Software Updates
On average, we introduce a major update every two years, plus one or
two minor updates in between. These are not bug fixes (we don't ship
sloppy code in the first place) but improved software that offers new features
as requested by our customers. (Beware of any vendor that
offers, much less brags, about their frequent updates!)
Customers on software maintenance or an annual license (see above) receive all new
releases, including
major updates, at no charge. Others may purchase
updates individually.
Ease of Use
Although direct software expenses typically receive the most attention, the
biggest cost is the people who will use the software. HydroCAD is a
powerful yet intuitive tool that can save you countless hours in comparison to
many other products. And we back this up with comprehensive printed and
electronic documentation, including detailed context-sensitive help for every
function, screen, and report within the program.
Without a doubt, ease-of-use and the resulting cost savings is the primary
reason that HydroCAD has been a leading hydrology solution since 1986.
System Installation
Another hidden cost is software installation and maintenance. HydroCAD
provides a simple 60-second installation that requires no technical expertise,
yet offers additional controls for system administrators. And HydroCAD makes no changes of any kind to
sensitive operating system files or settings.
Fast, Efficient Software
HydroCAD takes less than 10MB of disk space when installed. It's a
fully-compiled native Windows application that gets optimum performance
out of any PC with Windows 98 or later.
HydroCAD is written entirely in Delphi, one of the most powerful and stable
development environments available. Beware of applications written in
older
FORTRAN or BASIC languages, which often generate bloated code and
slower operation, and may involve intrusive installations with troublesome
system modifications.
Reliable, Dedicated Vendor
Over 40 Years of Software Expertise
We pride ourselves on being professional software developers. Since
1977 we've been developing robust software for demanding technical applications.
HydroCAD is not a sideline run by a civil engineering firm. It's our main
endeavor, and it shows in the quality of our product and support.
About Us.
Responsive Customer Support
Call us old fashioned, but our phones are still answered by live human
beings, ready to provide prompt solutions to your needs and questions.
We also respond to email inquiries at any time, and offer complete
sales and support through our web site.
Knowledgeable People
We know our product inside out, so you'll get informed, accurate answers to
all your questions, from "when did it ship?" to "how do I model
my site?"
For Further Information!
Read some of our
customer comments and
case studies.
