Leading AEC Firm Adopts Progressive Building Information Modeling Strategy for Improved Client Service and Design Coordination Enterprise-wide
SAN RAFAEL, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 7, 2003-- One of the world's largest architecture, engineering, and construction firms, DMJM, is implementing a comprehensive technology plan using building design solutions developed by Autodesk, Inc. (Nasdaq: ADSK) to transition the company enterprise-wide from 2D production drafting to building information modeling. Part of an employee-owned consortium of companies known as AECOM, which has offices in 35 cities around the world, DMJM provides a broad range of services on corporate commercial, themed entertainment, leisure and hospitality, and government projects. Committed to a strategic alliance with Autodesk, DMJM has embraced building information modeling as a way to dramatically improve its business. First developed by Autodesk as a strategy for applying information technology to the building industry, building information modeling enables higher quality work, increased productivity, and reduced costs while preserving information for reuse throughout the building lifecycle.
"When we decided to move forward with building information
modeling, we talked to Autodesk first, based on our long, positive
relationship with the company," said Ray Landy, president of DMJM,
which has three practices known as DMJM Design, DMJM Technology and
DMJM Management.
"There have been a lot of attempts to push the industry into
model-based design over the past couple of decades," said Mark W.
Kiker, associate principal and director of core technology at the
firm. "Autodesk's building design solutions are one of the first to
deliver on the promise. They're enabling us to improve design through
enhanced coordination, and help our clients to swiftly make
better-informed decisions."
Moving into the Future
Building on a long legacy of AutoCAD(R) software use, DMJM
Design's practice is staging its transition to the Autodesk(R)
Revit(R) building information modeling platform. Currently, DMJM is
implementing Autodesk(R) Architectural Desktop software firm-wide.
Architectural Desktop is an AutoCAD-based building design and
documentation software providing intelligent architectural objects for
increased productivity and accuracy. DMJM plans to rely in this first
phase on Architectural Desktop and its intelligent architectural
objects as its primary model-based design application. Projects
already under way using Architectural Desktop include a high-rise
police facility and an industrial manufacturing facility.
Complementing Architectural Desktop, DMJM is also implementing
Autodesk(R) Building Systems software for improved coordination of
architectural and engineering disciplines. Building Systems is the
most complete application for mechanical, electrical, and plumbing
engineers using intelligent engineering objects built on the AutoCAD
platform.
In addition to Architectural Desktop, DMJM Design is presently
implementing Autodesk Revit, Autodesk's purpose-built building
information modeling platform, for specific projects in selected
offices. In the future, DMJM plans to shift a portion of its workload
to the Autodesk Revit building information modeling platform. Revit is
a powerful building design and documentation software that offers
concurrent, real-time coordination of design documents through
parametric change technology. Currently the firm is using Revit on a
number of projects, including a student residence hall for Christopher
Newport University in Virginia and the Baltimore County Detention
Center. DMJM is also using the Revit application for marketing
efforts, and has found that clients have been very impressed with by
its coordination and presentation capabilities.
By participating in the Autodesk(R) Subscription Program, DMJM can
reliably move forward with its staged implementation plan since
designers know they will always have the latest versions of the
applications.
Reasons for Choosing Autodesk Building Design Solutions
Since Autodesk's building design solutions automate low-value
drafting chores, DMJM's designers can spend less time on documentation
and coordination, and more on design. Because the firm works on a wide
variety of projects, some involving unique, highly customized designs,
DMJM appreciates the ease with which they can design directly in the
workspace and make modifications, speeding complex work. "We see using
Autodesk's building design solutions as an expansion of what we
already do," said Kiker.
DMJM has also found a number of benefits from the applications' 3D
capabilities. Not all clients are trained to visualize structures
three-dimensionally by looking at two-dimensional plans and drawings.
The three-dimensional presentation capabilities of the software allow
clients to understand the designs, and as a result make faster, more
strategic decisions.
DMJM Design also appreciates that Autodesk has clearly
communicated its own building lifecycle solutions strategic plan,
focused on building information modeling and collaboration services.
This has helped DMJM develop its own technology implementation plan.
Every six months, DMJM participates in an executive briefing session
with Autodesk, sharing feedback. "These meetings are very productive,"
said Kiker, "and Autodesk is moving to increase our level of input in
the future. We see ourselves as very tied into Autodesk. We are
particularly impressed with how Autodesk understands our business
first, followed by what technology can do to help our business. Not
all technology firms can do that."
"Many leading design firms across the nation are adopting
Autodesk's building information modeling platform," said Phil
Bernstein, FAIA, vice president of Autodesk's Building Solutions
Division. "DMJM is a perfect example of how a large organization with
a global practice is effectively managing the implementation of a new
technology paradigm. Through our work with this industry leader, we're
learning a great deal about how to support the transition to building
information modeling and lifecycle management."
About DMJM
For over 60 years, the professionals of DMJM have helped to shape
our work environments, from high-rise buildings that identify the
skylines of the world's most prominent cities, to high-tech science,
education, and research facilities that help define our future way of
life. With over 5,400 professionals in 20 cities around the globe,
DMJM is poised to become the world's premier facilities practice --
offering a broad range of architecture, engineering, strategic real
estate planning, program and construction management, IT, security and
operations & maintenance services. Crossing all disciplines,
geographies, and market sectors, DMJM provides the resources,
expertise, and agility to respond to the emerging needs of our
clients, whatever the requirements -- new construction, expansion,
renovation, or modernization.
About Autodesk
Autodesk is the world's leading design software and digital
content company, offering customers progressive business solutions
through powerful technology products and services. Autodesk helps
customers in the building, manufacturing, infrastructure, digital
media, and wireless data services fields increase the value of their
digital design data and improve efficiencies across their entire
project lifecycle management processes. For more information about the
company, see
http://www.autodesk.com. For more information on building
information modeling and Autodesk's building design solutions, see
http://www.autodesk.com/buildinginformation.
Autodesk, AutoCAD, and Revit are registered trademarks of
Autodesk, Inc., in the USA and/or other countries. All other brand
names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective
holders.
CONTACT: Autodesk, Inc. Carol Lettieri, 415-507-6908 Email Contact