'BIM'ovate or Disintegrate - Investing in BIM in an Economic Downturn
Arvin Eugenio

A CAD report released from Jon Peddie Research (JPR) based on late 2008 Figures shows investment in CAD tools has expanded and expects to continue growing at 11% through to 2012. The analyst firm reports that the growth is due to the broadening acceptance of 3D techniques… [and] the marriage of CAD visualization with information management – 'in spite of challenges in the U.S. economy.'

JPR Vice President Kathleen Maher is optimistic about this software market because of 'large-scale infrastructure projects that are already in place and the transition to new building techniques, such as BIM.' She points out that these projects are 'big ships that can't be turned back...' and ... 'may have enough steam to sail through the next year or so, recession or not...'

A dead end

Unfortunately, ignorance of better 3D systems and Building Information Modeling (BIM) tools is ongoing, making a transition to Tekla Structures more difficult with companies previously spending thousands of dollars on painful, hard to use and inefficient 'so-called' BIM platforms. Business Owners need to be more prudent in investing and applying technologies. Decision makers have a duty to advocate ways of getting work done better with more efficient tools. With budgets tighter during a downturn, investing in the best tools should be done right the first time.

Catch 22?

Despite the recent announcement of the Bank of Canada declaring the recession to be 'essentially' over with the economy to see growth this summer, business owners convinced of the benefits of applying technology are generally still on the fence. Canadian conservatism can be a hindrance to survival and thriving, despite clear advantages in productivity gain by implementing better tools, such as Tekla Structures.

Offshore companies in the Middle East and in the UK have seen fit to invest in Tekla Structures despite the downturn. GSW, after years of experience with Tekla, saw that it was 'the most suitable option' for steel detailing as well as an engineering solution that is in line with automating their fabrication facility. One of UK’s top 10 steelwork contractors has recognized the potential to improve efficiency and has signed a frame agreement over a two year period to replace all their structural design and detailing software with Tekla Structures.

With light finally showing at the end of the depression tunnel, now would be the opportune time to invest in Tekla systems. "Those using the most advanced BIM tools will be able to secure work, especially in areas where project fees have been cut to the minimum and the projects are highly sought after," said Risto Raty, Tekla Executive Vice President. "Prices for design and detailing have already dropped up to 25 percent, and whoever uses the latest, most efficient building tools will be able to better meet this demand and still achieve a profit margin."

Those that choose to innovate now gain a leg up on the competition, add value to the knowledge and proficiency of their staff, and assure a BIM-readiness for the inevitable upturn.

If you haven't yet started to 'BIMovate', it's time to contact Dowco Technology Services for your free step by step guide on how to participate in the changing BIM workflow paradigm that is emerging around the world.