Practical Nerds

031⎟The next battlefield of the CAD Wars?⎟Why design software for contractors makes a ton of sense⎟How 3D will transform the project estimation process of GC’s


Listen Later

This week:


(01:17) - CAD wars: The untapped potential for contractor-focused solutions

- Schneider Electric's acquisition of Bentley Systems and industry implications

(16:19) - Opportunities and challenges in building "CAD for Contractors"

- Incumbent CAD players' struggles to adapt to contractor needs

(28:26) - The future of BIM: Integration, collaboration, and progressive UX


In this episode, Patric and Shub dive deep into the world of CAD solutions tailored specifically for contractors in the construction industry. They discuss the untapped potential of contractor-centric CAD tools and the limitations of existing solutions in meeting the unique needs of contractors, particularly in the estimation and bidding process. The conversation also touches on the recent acquisition discussions between Schneider Electric and Bentley Systems, signaling the growing interest of industry giants in construction-tech for energy infrastructure.


Patric and Shub explore the opportunities and challenges in building "CAD for Contractors" solutions, which enable easy 3D BIM model enrichment and detailing for accurate quantity take-offs. They highlight the need for user-friendly tools that allow contractors to enrich models with minimal training and effort. The discussion also delves into the struggles of incumbent CAD players to adapt to the specific requirements of contractors, such as browser-based accessibility, mobile compatibility, and intuitive user experiences.


Looking to the future, the hosts share their insights on the evolution of Building Information Modeling (BIM) in construction. They emphasize the importance of integrating as-built models, collaborative estimation, and progressive user experiences tailored for untrained users. The episode concludes with a discussion on the perspectives of construction-tech investors, who recognize the significant potential in the market while acknowledging the challenges in developing and scaling contractor-focused CAD solutions.

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Practical NerdsBy Patric Hellermann