Hear Jim Lynch, vice president, building and strategic technologies, AEC Solutions, Autodesk, discuss expanding role of BIM. The segment opens with a discussion of what’s driving Autodesk’s BIM efforts and strategy — Demand for BIM as owners demand BIM for their projects. The explosion of data and government mandates around the world for sustainability, and how this is driving demand for BIM. Jim also notes the appeal of BIM for owners for building maintenance and operations. Contractors around the world are driving BIM to reduce costs and boost profits.
Jim notes how historically Autodesk focused on the architecture side of BIM (design and drafting), then moved into structural engineering, then MEP, then contractor segment, and now into owner/operator. Jim then discusses the huge market for retrofits and renovation building projects.
The presentation then focuses on the new Autodesk Building Design Suite 2012. Jim stressed the interoperability, consistency and value of the suites. Three editions of the suites are outlined. Jim addresses how small design firms and contractors who must to a “little bit of everything” can benefit from a suite with all three Revit offerings (Revit Architecture, Revit MEP and Revit Structure). Jim explains why having Autodesk Inventor software in the Ultimate edition to address firms dealing with pre-fabrication building components.
The key enhancements of the Autodesk 2012 Revit platform are outlined, including the ability to bring point clouds directly into Revit. The adoption of BIM by MEP engineers, and the enhancements to Revit MEP are then outlined by Jim. A third key to 2012 Autodesk Revit products is Analysis, with the Conceptual Energy Analysis enhancements, and Project Vasari (a compelling conceptual design and analysis tool). Another area of investment is in Structural Engineering, with the goal to move Structural Engineers to do analysis. Jim notes our investments in concrete reinforcement features in the 2012 platform.
Jim then notes improvements in overall performance, and advancements in the Revit platform API — which has generated 3rd party development. The “gun slinger” program is highlighted by Jim — a program that brings real customers, with real project data to be applied to new revisions of the AEC software.
Building Construction and Construction modeling is discussed, and how with Revit 2012 new construction modeling capabilities are provided to contractors to deliver an “as built” view of information.
The discussion then moves to growing demand for data management and facilitate collaboration on a global scale. Revit Server, work sharing enhancements and Citrix ready capabilities are cited to demonstrate Autodesk’s commitment to address collaboration. Jim notes the new BIM 360, and coming of an integration of Vault Collaboration and Revit, the first time these two products have come together.
Jim then addresses IFC, and Autodesk’s commitment and continued investment in this technology, followed by a discussion of collaboration moving beyond the desktop to mobile devices, with AutoCAD WS and Buzzsaw Mobile.
Jim concludes with a customer case history on ICA (the largest construction company in Mexico), and how they use all three Revit products, Navisworks and a host of Autodesk BIM software.
