December 2024: AASHTOWare Bridge Management Newsletter

December 19, 2024

BrM 7.0 Now Available

We are pleased to announce the official release of BrM 7.0! After years of detailed planning, development, testing, and incorporating feedback from our dedicated user community, this release represents a significant leap forward in bridge inspection, featuring SNBI compliance, expanded asset support, a redesigned user experience, and improved integration capabilities. 

For non-hosted agencies, please request access to the BrM 7.0 installation package through a JIRA service management ticket (support.mayvue.com) or by emailing support@mayvue.com. Hosted agencies have already discussed the next steps and should have a plan in place to transition to BrM 7.0 with the help of Mayvue.  

The BrM software’s longevity, success, and 7.0 redesign were only possible because of the dedication, collaboration, and hard work of our users, teams, and contributors. A special thank you to the states that participated in the solicitation and testing phases — your contributions have played a crucial role in ensuring the success and timeliness of the BrM 7.0 release! 

If you have questions or would like more information about BrM 7.0, please reach out to either of the below contacts: 

Agency Support for BrM 7.0 

To ensure a seamless transition to BrM 7.0, several support materials are available to the user community. Within the BrM application, users can access a new and improved user manual which will be updated in real-time, without the need for a BrM release. Additionally, users have access to a new installation guide, database migration guide, entity relationship diagram (ERD), and other helpful documentation. 

Since this is a major version release, the Task Force recommends that agencies have close involvement with Mayvue so that intricacies with the transition and data migration are fully understood. Mayvue is ready to support each licensee with its install, setup, and eventual usage of BrM 7.0. Given the uniqueness of each state, especially regarding data, we strongly recommend that users reach out for help before attempting the migration. The data migration logic is based on Federal Highway Administration guidance and in-depth knowledge of how licensees use BrM, but it is not “one size fits all” and it is expected that agencies will need assistance or have questions. 

When you are ready to start planning your transition to BrM 7.0, please reach out via a JIRA service management ticket (support.mayvue.com) or by emailing support@mayvue.com. 

New AASHTOWare BrM Website

The all new AASHTOWare BrM website is now live! Head over to www.aashtowarebrm.org to explore the new site and update your bookmarks. The website contains a wealth of information about all things BrM, including valuable information on the software’s capabilities, cloud hosting, frequently asked questions, annual User Group information, and much more. 

AASHTOWare OpenAPI

The BrM 7.0 release is connected to AASHTOWare OpenAPI, revolutionizing how data is shared between BrM and other applications, whether another AASHTOWare product, an AASHTOWare strategic partner, or non-accredited third-party software. 

The goal is for all data to be pushed and/or pulled through AASHTOWare OpenAPI, which provides the framework of appropriate access, permissions, and validity checks, and standardizes how data is exchanged for all AASHTOWare products.

Agencies are strongly encouraged to begin planning for their integration needs when transitioning to BrM 7.0 and beyond. Agencies should recognize that integrations will need to be rebuilt regardless because BrM 7.0 has a new database. Therefore, AASHTOWare OpenAPI should be leveraged to complete these integrations. AASHTO, the Task Force, and Mayvue are here to help agencies think through the next steps, plan accordingly, and/or help complete the integration work if needed.

For more details, visit www.aashtoware.org/openapi/.

BrM 7.1: Development Update

We are full steam ahead on the development of the next version of BrM, version 7.1. This release focuses on the BrM Optimizer and management modules. 

The first two of four planned walk-throughs were completed in November and December and included an overview of many features including General and Modeling Configurations, Project Funding Sources, Utility Value, Program Results, Reports, Scheduled Tasks, and portions of Project and Program Lists. Walk-through #3 will be scheduled to take place in January 2025 with #4 following shortly after in the spring. 

The beta test site was sent to the Testing TAG and agencies that contributed to the solicitation and will continue to be updated after each walk-through. As a reminder, with BrM 7.1 we have returned to the standard release process. Unlike BrM 7.0 where a hosted development site was provided to each agency, beta testing of BrM 7.1 will be completed by all testers on a single, shared beta test site. 

For access to the recorded walk-through session(s), please contact the AASHTOWare BrM Product Manager Ben Sade (bsade@aashto.org). 

Mayvue Inspection Platform

The next generation of mobile bridge inspection is nearly here! Many State DOTs are reaching out about adopting Mayvue’s Inspection Platform to coincide with bridge management in BrM 7.0. This application boasts many significant improvements over the previous generation of inspection software, including being fully configurable, supporting multiple asset and inspection types, and being designed to be functional on and offline across mobile, tablet, and desktop devices. 

Additionally, the first NBI submittal following the Specifications for the National Bridge Inventory (SNBI) will occur in March 2026. Several states are taking advantage of Mayvue’s SNBI Collector tool to collect their SNBI data efficiently and effectively. Please reach out to support@mayvue.com for more information and to learn how your agency could benefit from Mayvue’s suite of mobile applications today. 

Save the Date for the 2025 BrMUG!

September 9-10 | Marriott Providence Downtown | Providence RI

BrM Hosted-Only Solution (FY2029)

Agencies are encouraged to begin planning for the transition to cloud-hosted software now. Effective July 1, 2028 (start of FY2029), BrM will transition to a cloud-hosted solution only. This decision aligns with industry standards and ensures a consistent, high-quality user experience.  

Licensee Benefits: 

  • Increased Efficiency: Faster upgrades, quicker problem resolution, less agency IT burden. 
  • Database Access: Secured VPN-provided access for uninterrupted use. 
  • Top-Tier Security: AWS security protocols and multi-layer backup. 
  • Comprehensive Environments: Development, UAT, and Production environments tailored to your agency’s needs. 
  • Seamless API Integration: Full access via AASHTOWare OpenAPI. 
  • Detailed System Audit Logging: Rich logging available on demand. 
  • Automatic Updates: Regular updates ensure optimal performance and security. 

Program Benefits: 

  • Faster Issue Resolution: Quicker issue identification and resolution for all users. 
  • Improved Version Management: Easier to maintain current versions, reducing outdated releases. 
  • Cost Efficiency: Lower infrastructure costs support program improvements. 

The next generation of Cloud Hosting offerings will be available in the FY2026 AASHTOWare catalog. Pricing details will be published by Q2 of 2025. 

If you have questions or concerns, please contact Ryan Fragapane, AASHTOWare BrM Product Director, at rfragapane@aashto.org to start a discussion.