InfoWorks ICM Standard vs. Ultimate: which one do you need?

Autodesk’s InfoWork ICM is a complete catchment modeling software which can be applied to hydraulic modeling challenges as diverse as:

Sanitary sewer capacity analysis
Riverine and floodplain assessments
Wastewater treatment plant operations and capacities
Combined and separate stormwater emergency management
Master planning for the largest – or smallest – communities

Water professionals who are completely new to InfoWorks ICM (welcome!) sometimes ask us which version they need to get started. We’ve put together this simple guide to explain the differences.

What is included with Standard and Ultimate versions?

See the simple column comparison below and related FAQs to help you decide which InfoWorks ICM software is right for you.

Can the Standard version be used for stormwater modeling?

Absolutely. InfoWorks ICM Standard doesn’t provide a full 2D analysis, but 1D modeling through your stormwater pipe network is still a good use case.

How does the cloud option within ICM affect Standard vs. Ultimate subscriptions?

Both versions provide the option to store databases and run simulations in the cloud, provided you have an Autodesk subscription.

Now you can store your databases in the cloud if you wish – or if security is a concern.

When you access a database stored in the cloud, multiple concurrent users (Standard or Ultimate) can access and collaborate in this environment. This is different than if the database is stored locally. If stored locally, multiple InfoWorks ICM Standard subscription holders cannot access the workgroup database concurrently; only one at a time. In other words: only Ultimate subscribers can utilize the full workgroup functionality.

What version of InfoWorks ICM is included within the InfoCare to Subscriptions (I2S) program?

If you want to take advantage of I2S, you will receive the full InfoWorks ICM Ultimate version.

What is the cost of each version? Can I use Flex tokens?

Pricing for InfoWorks ICM is publicly available on our site, and you can utilize Flex tokens if that works better for you.

Do you offer a free trial?

We don’t currently offer a free trial for InfoWorks ICM (like we do for InfoDrainage), but we hope to add that option in the future.

Embrace the cloud: Both versions can now run speedy cloud simulations.

I currently use another storm, sanitary, flood software. Why should I switch?

InfoWorks ICM has been the premier solution for catchment modeling for many years. Since being added to the Autodesk portfolio, it has seen even more rapid development. We’ve added speedy cloud simulations, tighter integration with other apps and services, and we have much more in the works, which you can view on our public product roadmap for each of our products.

Public roadmap: We’re committed to transparency and building the best water software on the planet.

You can see what we have planned in the near and far term, and even provide your own feedback and help us determine what we should build next.

How does InfoWorks ICM work with my existing Civil 3D and other design tools?

InfoWorks ICM is a fantastic tool for storing libraries of SWMM and HEC-RAS models. It can combine SSA models, automate data exchanges, and import directly from Civil 3D and InfoDrainage design tools.

Does Autodesk offer learning materials to help me get started?

So many learning materials! Here are some great places to start: