GaBi 4.4 Update

Important GaBi 4.4 Update Information

This is a major update for your GaBi Software. The update procedure has 2 steps:
1.    The download of the updated program files and updates for the database content resulting in an updated GaBi software version.
2.    Activating your GaBi databases to update their content. This can take up to 15-20 minutes de-pending on the content and size of the database. Please do not interrupt the updating process.

Important things to know about this update

Compatibility
With GaBi 4.4 the internal structure of databases and files was changed. Databases that have been opened with GaBi 4.4 can therefore no longer be used with GaBi 4.3 or older versions, so it is important that your co-workers also update their GaBi licenses. Files and databases created with an older GaBi version can still be opened with GaBi 4.4. During the update process, backups of your database will automatically be made and stored in your GaBi 4 program directory (default location is “My Documents/GaBi/DB”) in the folder called
‘_ DB backups’.

Installation changes
GaBi 4.4 can be run without administrator rights but this requires some modifications to the storage of some of your GaBi files:

• The default storage for GaBi databases is now the “My Documents” folder. All databases that are currently saved directly in your GaBi 4 directory will be moved there the first time you start GaBi 4.4. (This is necessary because non-adminstrators do not have write access to the GaBi 4 directory with Windows Vista or Windows 7.)  
• Other files that require write access are also moved to the Common App Data directory or the My Documents folder.
• Write access to the Common App Data directory is required.
  For Windows XP: “C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\GaBi”
  For Windows Vista or Windows 7: “C:\ProgramData\GaBi”

The default path for GaBi Databases and GaBi files can be changed in GaBi 4.4 under “Extras -> Options... -> Directories”

New features in GaBi 4.4

The GaBi 4.4 Update includes a variety of changes in response to developments in the life cycle assessment and sustainability fields. Here’s a quick summary of some of the changes:

ILCD Implementation
The International Reference Life Cycle Database system, from the European Commission, aims to increase awareness and use of life cycle thinking and includes the development of the European Life Cycle Database (ELCD). We’ve included the ELCD database in GaBi 4.4 giving you access to all of the publically available ELCD data. We’ve also implemented the documentation requirements on process level. This should speed up the documenting process and help standardise communication of LCA information.

Life Cycle Working Environment
GaBi 4.4 includes the first social information. This empowers you to integrate social aspects into your LCA studies by tracking the seconds of labour per value added. You’ll hear more about this in the future.

Land Use
We’ve integrated ground-breaking site-specific characterisation and impact factors into some of the aggregated processes in the database. These data allow you to better understand the impacts of land use.

Carbon Dioxide Flows
The existing carbon dioxide flows have been split into carbon dioxide from fossil resources and carbon dioxide from renewable or biotic resources. This change allows you to model CO2 according to well-known modelling techniques such as PAS 2050 and the GHG Protocol. This change makes your balance easier to understand and improves your modelling flexibility.

Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs)
A new functionality will improve your ability to quickly complete EPD documentation.

Other Changes
Grouping is now possible on plan level – no need to apply grouping to every individual process anymore!

And good news – the restore button has been removed so you won’t accidentally restore your model ever again.

Database Improvements
In addition to new Life Cycle Working Environment and Land use information in existing datasets, and the inclusion of the ELCD database, there are also new datasets from Worldsteel, Eurofer and the European Aluminium Association. In total, there are more than 350 new datasets.
Note: These new datasets will not be added to your existing databases automatically. To get a database that includes these new datasets, go to the menu Database -> Create new database. You can drag’n’drop new datasets from this database to your existing databases if you like.

Update of the Extension Database XIV: Construction Materials
If you have this extension database, you will receive 600 new datasets at no extra cost!
Note: These new datasets will not be added to your existing databases automatically. To get a database that includes these new datasets, go to the menu Database -> Create new database. You can drag’n’drop new datasets from this database to your existing databases if you like.

GaBi i-report creator & publisher bundle
GaBi i-report users now have better control over number formats in tables and variables can now be defined by inserting formulas in the variables tab.

Still have questions?
You are always welcome to contact your GaBi team representative. If you are not sure who your representa-tive is, please go to the GaBi website to find out: www.gabi-software.com/about-pe-international/