- Keep connection to database open when changing files

By default, Bentley Map automatically closes the connection to the graphical source when changing files.  This behavior ensures that you connect to the appropriate graphical source for each design file as it is opened. To keep the connection open, add the following configuration variable to your workspace.

       GDI_KEEP_CONNECTION_OPEN_ON_FILE_CLOSE=1

Adding the above configuration variable overrides the default behavior and should be used with care. It is your responsibility to ensure that all opened design files contain data from the same graphical source connection.

Source: Connection to graphical data sources is lost when changing file