How do you view the current market scenario for software products and services as related to AEC solutions in India and how the market is set to grow in view of the ongoing boom in infrastructure developments in the country?
The development of world-class infrastructure like highways, metrorail projects, new airports, high-tech offices and commercial buildings is evidence enough of the huge opportunities for design-related work in the Indian market. In the prevailing scenario, the design is more important than ever. Ruthless commoditization means designers of all kinds, architects, manufacturers, filmmakers, game developers and engineers must differentiate themselves with great ideas to better compete in the global economy. The new generation technology and software is playing a pivotal role in this emerging construction and infrastructure scenario. The early success of using digital models to quickly iterate alternatives and understand their ramifications will spawn a new generation of analysis technologies that are deeply imbedded in design technologies. With the growing acceptance and adoption of BIM, there will be a burgeoning market for (and therefore rapid acceleration in the development of) enabling technology that is aligned to advance integration through the building design, construction and management continuum.
Autodesk has invested significantly in creating the BIM platform. In the last one year, we have seen a significant increase in the interest levels amongst customers in India as they realize the benefits and ROI. BIM is an integrated process that allows architects, engineers, contractors, and owners to explore a project's key physical and functional characteristics digitally—before it's built. On a project that takes advantage of BIM, information is coordinated and consistent, spurring efficiencies through the project lifecycle. BIM holds promise for all construction firms—from a small firm with design-bid-build projects to a larger company specializing in design-build projects. The tangible benefits of BIM include everything from fewer RFIs and change orders and lower costs to faster schedules and well-orchestrated field work.
Autodesk has also recently launched the 2012 AEC (Architecture Engineering Construction) software portfolio that expands the value of BIM.
Please tell us about Autodesk India, its products and services, their competitive strength to produce better value added solutions for its clients.
As you look in the world today, from buildings and bridges to machines and movies, there are few aspects of the designed world that have not been touched by Autodesk software. A world leader in 2D and 3D design, engineering, and entertainment software, Autodesk has a series of products, services, and solutions in its portfolio that enable customers to create digital models and workflows, helping them to fully experience their ideas virtually and design in better ways. This in turn enables the customer organizations to get to market faster, reduce development costs and positively impact profits.
Democratizing design has been the mantra of the company. This simply means that Autodesk makes complex technology simple and affordable for the masses. That also manifests itself in the 10+ million users of Autodesk software worldwide today and to further expand the access of design tools, the company has introduced AutoCAD Web Service, a free downloadable app for Apple and Android 2.2 devices, and the concept has taken the world by storm with a couple of million downloads in a matter of a few months.
The design is increasingly being used as a competitive tool worldwide and the story is no different in India. Some of the large Autodesk customers in India include Larsen & Toubro, DLF, Tata Motors and the work in the design that they have helped enabled includes the Monorail project in Mumbai and DIAL in New Delhi (L&T). Autodesk India customers explored new creative boundaries with Mumbai based Crest Animation's Alpha and Omega, India's first stereoscopic 3D animated feature that was created using Autodesk Maya software. Autodesk's Smoke for Mac and Flame Premium Suite have received an overwhelming response from the production and content creation industry. Continuing its efforts to enhance the design talent pool, Autodesk signed an MoU with the AICTE and Ministry of Education, Govt of India that allows the students and registered faculty members of engineering colleges to download Autodesk software for free from the AICTE portal.
Autodesk aims to empower imaginations of tens of millions of customers across the globe through the broad suite of design software. The new range of Autodesk suites-Building Design Suite, Infrastructure Design Suite, Product Design Suite, Factory Design Suite and Suites for Digital Entertainment and Creative Finishing, will help people in creating a more beautiful, better engineered and more sustainable world.
What are the core business areas of the company?
Autodesk, Inc., is a leader in 3D design, engineering and entertainment software. Customers across the manufacturing, architecture, building, construction, and media and entertainment industries ¾ including the last 16 Academy Award winners for Best Visual Effects ¾ use Autodesk software to design, visualize and simulate their ideas. Since its introduction of AutoCAD software in 1982, Autodesk continues to develop the broadest portfolio of state-of-the-art software for global markets.
Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) Solutions from Autodesk enable AEC firms and the clients they serve to create and profit from digital design data and streamlined communications across extended teams. BIM—an integrated process built on coordinated, reliable information about a project from design through construction and into operations—helps architects, engineers, and contractors easily create coordinated digital design information and documentation, use that information to more accurately design, visualize, and simulate performance and appearance, and deliver the project faster, more economically, and with the potential for reduced environmental impact.
How would Autodesk's flagship proposed 2012 portfolio of software comprehensively address the pressing needs of professionals in AEC?
Autodesk recently announced its 2012 portfolio of software for the AEC industry. The updated portfolio supports the BIM process by offering comprehensive software solutions to help architects, engineers, planners, contractors, facility managers and owners in the building and infrastructure industries meet today's business challenges. In addition to new and updated software products, Autodesk announced two new design suites for building design, construction and infrastructure professionals.
Autodesk's broad portfolio of BIM solutions includes AutoCAD Civil 3D and AutoCAD Map 3D software for transportation, land development and water projects. Autodesk BIM solutions for the building industry are based on models created using Autodesk Revit-based software — including solutions for architecture, structural engineering, and mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) engineering. AutoCAD software for documentation and professional drafting complements, these core BIM products and helps extend the value of Building Information Modeling.
The new Autodesk Building Design Suite and Autodesk Infrastructure Design Suite provide a comprehensive set of tools to help users address a variety of workflow requirements from project design, visualization and simulation to documentation and construction. The visualization technology offered by the suites helps improve efficiency by making visualization and integral part of the entire design process. Each suite offers a cost-effective way to respond to changing business requirements, providing access to the latest design and visualization tools through a single, economical, and convenient purchase.
The new Autodesk Infrastructure Design Suite will be available later this year in three editions: Standard, Premium and Ultimate. The Standard edition includes AutoCAD Map 3D 2012, Autodesk Navisworks Simulate 2012 and AutoCAD. The Premium edition adds AutoCAD Civil 3D 2012 and Autodesk 3ds Max Design. The Ultimate edition includes all of the software in the Premium edition with Autodesk Navisworks Manage 2012 instead of Autodesk Navisworks Simulate 2012.
How do you look at the current pace of indigenization in developing cutting edge technical solutions for civil engineering requirements in the country? Are these developments keeping pace with those abroad and as a leading company how would you like to push and spearhead the pace of indigenization for the healthy growth of software industry in India?
The development of world class infrastructure from highways, metrorail projects, new airports, high-tech offices and commercial buildings are evidence enough of the huge opportunities for design-related work in the Indian market. Design is more important than ever. Autodesk's 2012 software products for transportation, water, land, and energy infrastructure projects help civil engineering professionals deliver more innovative project solutions by enabling BIM processes. AutoCAD Civil 3D 2012 helps accelerate and simplify complex 3D infrastructure modeling workflows on transportation design and other infrastructure projects. Improved editing tools help streamline corridor editing by providing for interaction in plan, profile, and section view simultaneously; Autodesk Storm and Sanitary Analysis 2012 software, now included, provides improved integration with the Civil 3D model, enabling more accurate water analysis earlier in the design process.
Developing software solutions and their successful application depend upon the expertise of the users and their continuous training. What systems are placed in the company to upgrade software expertise of the users of your products and services?
Our endeavour is to help deliver to our customers, software that will help them to better create, manage and deliver their ideas. In order to meet the growing requirements of our customers, we provide upgraded versions every year wherein we incorporate customer feedback and also provide opportunities for customers to train through our wide network of training centers across India. Whatever is the size or stature of the organization, companies are changing the conventional mindset and are increasingly becoming tech savvy and we at Autodesk provide appropriate support to this shift.
As Head of AEC Solutions activities in India and SAARC region, what is your market strategy, including business development, sales management, channel development and networking and related components to have an edge in the domestic as well as global market place?
Autodesk products are widely accepted in the construction industry and architect, designers look at new range and launches year on year basis. From AutoCAD based design and documentation software to advanced technology for BIM, dynamic civil modeling, and collaborative project management, Autodesk helps AEC (Architecture, Engineering, Construction) professionals migrate to greater productivity through more complete design information at their own pace. Affordable Autodesk solutions help increase profitability, reduce risk and minimize inefficiencies in building design, civil engineering, construction, and operation. Autodesk is also focused at making software the least of an engineer's worries, letting them put their energy into innovation.
At Autodesk, we continue to work with all our major users to reinforce the benefits that organizations have been accruing out of usage of AutoCAD which continues in its strong leadership position as the most widely used and the most ubiquitous 2D CAD software in India. The 2D and 3D vertical products have started gaining tremendous traction, and we have an array of functionalities that our products offer that is unmatched considering the highly competitive prices. Going ahead both 2D and 3D technology will drive growth for the company as well as the sector.
We have very aggressive market strategies for all our verticals specifically customized for each of the primary industries that we cater to: AEC, Manufacturing & M&E. One of our biggest initiatives is adoption and we have appropriate strategies built around adoption, to ensure that all our customers are able to extract maximum mileage out of our products and get sustained ROI through the entire project lifecycle. We are and we will be always willing to go the extra mile to ensure that our customers see value in all our product offerings across sectors.
