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AEC Principals Generate Unprecedented CAD Solutions Comparison
Technology Study Highlights Successes and Failures in Meeting the Business Requirements of Design Firms
Chicago, Illinois, Dec. 5, 2000 – The CAD for Principals Council, Chicago, IL, and PSMJ Resources, Inc., a Boston, Mass. publisher, announced today the completion of the first comprehensive study of computer-aided design technology for the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry planned and carried out by practicing AEC professionals. AECDesignware, Autodesk, Bentley Systems, bricsnet, GraphiSoft, and Revit Technology each answered more than 200 questions for the study, detailing how their applications meet requirements design firm principals deem most important to the support of their business objectives and the core competencies of their profession. A group of industry experts established evaluation metrics and teams of evaluators, made up of design professionals who use the applications in their firms, reviewed and verified the accuracy of each response. Nearly 40 AEC professionals worked on the evaluations and preparation of the report. “ The results of this analysis are much more revealing than a product demonstration or comparative benchmark based on discrete features or the performance of individual tasks,” said Alex Maxim, Design Technologies Manager for NBBJ in Seattle, Wash., who chaired the evaluation committee. “This analysis holds all the applications to the standards, points out differences in approaches to AEC design and engineering and reports performance results.” In a comprehensive requirements statement issued in June 2000 the Council asked software suppliers to explain how their products support real-world design, engineering and construction processes. Software suppliers responded, describing features that make their applications easy to use and effective. They documented how their software “works like building professionals think” and provides support for: quality feedback; budget, schedule and performance controls; output and deliverables; industry-wide interoperability; and the new electronic process. After months of work with software suppliers and users of computer-aided design (CAD) tools for the AEC industry, the CAD for Principals Council has completed its detailed analysis of how the six leading AEC software packages meet the needs of architects and related building design professionals. Applications providing strong functionality and ease of use in 3D modeling systems clearly best meet many of the requirements outlined by the council. New solutions compete well with established applications. Configuring full solutions for all of the design and engineering disciplines remains difficult and support for seamless interoperability among solutions and data sets continues to challenge CAD managers. PSMJ Resources, Inc., leading strategic advisor to design and construction firms worldwide for nearly 30 years, will publish the results in January 2001. PSMJ’s CAD for Principals Council CAD SOFTWARE EVALUATION REPORT will position each vendor’s statement with the actual point-by-point evaluation document, providing design professionals with an unprecedented basis for comparing the major products on the market today. “ This report should be particularly useful for senior level AEC professionals who want to select and implement CAD solutions that truly support the business of their firms. They can examine the application descriptions, review evaluator comments and get a feel for the kind of solution that fits their needs,” said Kristine K. Fallon, FAIA, leader of the study and president of KFA, Inc. in Chicago.
About CAD for Principals
Principals from ten prominent U.S. design firms launched the CAD for Principals Council in 1999 to examine the work processes and current uses of CAD and related technologies in the architectural, engineering and construction (AEC) professions. Established leaders in their profession, the principals published AEC Principals Speak Out on CAD: A Call to Action, urging AEC professionals to join a campaign to improve the use and quality of technology systems for building design and construction. Today AEC professionals worldwide support the CAD for Principals Council’s research and education projects.
About the Publisher
PSMJ Resources, Inc., offers management consulting services, training, and published information for A/E/C professionals worldwide. The firm conducts more than 200 educational seminars each year, publishes several newsletters, and has over 150 titles in book audio, and video formats focusing on the management of professional firms. PSMJ Resources, Inc., also produces the industry’s preeminent annual survey reports supported by major professional societies such as The American Institute of Architects (AIA) and The American Consulting Engineers Council (ACEC). Areas surveyed include executive salaries, financial statistics, and fees. To order a copy of the Report, visit PSMJ or telephone 1-800-537-PSMJ.