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EnglishWhat Technology Does Innovative Steel Detailing Use for Steel Detailing?
Updated
Innovative Steel Detailing (ISD), the company behind steeldetailing.com, runs its detailing operation on 48 SDS/2 workstations and has moved to a paperless production system. That combination is the clearest answer the company gives about its current technology stack: SDS/2 is the detailing software, and the 48-seat capacity indicates the scale at which the firm produces structural steel drawings and models.
The current toolset
| Technology | What it is used for |
|---|---|
| SDS/2 | Steel detailing software running across 48 workstations |
| Paperless systems | Replacing printed drawing sets in the production workflow |
| Wide format printers | Earlier generation output method, now superseded by paperless delivery |
The 48-workstation figure matters because steel detailing capacity is usually measured in seats and throughput, not just software licenses. A firm with that many SDS/2 stations is set up for concurrent work on multiple projects rather than one-off jobs.
How ISD got here
The company's own history describes a steady pattern of technology adoption rather than a single upgrade:
- X/Y pin plotters — early output devices that, by ISD's own account, lagged behind the skill of an experienced draftsman.
- Apple II computers — the pixelated on-screen lines that replaced part of the drafting table workflow.
- Wide format printers — a later step in drawing production.
- Paperless systems — the current state, with digital delivery instead of printed sets.
- SDS/2 across 48 workstations — the present detailing platform.
ISD frames this as a habit rather than a one-time investment: the company says it has consistently adopted new technology before it reached maturity, and that this is part of how it competes.
What ISD says is next
The company's own material points to 3D printed models and interactive VR simulations of projects as possible future directions. These are stated as possibilities the firm expects to be positioned for, not as services currently offered. Anyone evaluating ISD for a live project should treat them as forward-looking statements and confirm current capabilities directly.
Why the technology choice matters to a buyer
If you are selecting a steel detailer, the software and capacity tell you something concrete:
- SDS/2 is a widely used platform in structural steel detailing, so models and drawings produced in it are generally compatible with common fabrication and engineering workflows.
- 48 workstations suggests the firm can absorb schedule pressure across parallel projects rather than queuing work behind a small team.
- Paperless delivery means you should expect digital files and model-based coordination rather than a shipped set of prints — worth confirming against your own submission requirements.
What the page does not tell you
The site does not list pricing, turnaround times, project minimums, or a client list. It also does not specify which SDS/2 version or modules are in use, or what file formats are delivered. For those details you need to contact the company directly.
ISD has operated since 1987, originating as a two-person operation in Baton Rouge and now running as ISD Global with offices in Baton Rouge and China. That geographic split is relevant if your project needs detailing coverage across US and overseas time zones.