“According to several indices Apple is again growing in the AEC (architecture, engineering and construction) industry. Specialized resellers focused in this area are not only carrying record levels of available software choices — as more and more developers continue to support the Mac platform — but sales for the last quarter were higher than expected,” Anthony Frausto-Robledo writes for Architosh.
“Greg Conyngham, AIA, an architect and president of Integrated CADD Services, one of the nation’s largest Apple VARs specializing in the CAD (specifically ArchiCAD) and AEC markets noted that for them it’s been one of the ‘best quarters in Apple sales in over a year…. It has been a lot of ‘switchers,” says Greg. ‘A lot of them are coming back to the Mac having been users years back.’ With the up-and-down architectural economy in the US Northeast market, Greg notes that many firms have downsized several times and in those transitions many senior professionals chose to exit their employers and start their own practices. When they did that, he said, they ‘often left the Autocad or Datacad world on the PC’ and came to ICS to learn ArchiCAD. When they did that they often jumped back on the Macintosh,” Frausto-Robledo writes.
“As Greg mentioned, the Macintosh allows smaller or solo practices to thrive without the need of internal IT experts. The Windows operating systems, with their constant attendant viruses and security patches, represent too much of a headache for these professionals,” Frausto-Robledo writes. “Perhaps the best leading indicator of a growing market for Apple in AEC is the continued trend in more excellent software for AEC businesses. Recent newcomers include such exciting products as Maxwell Render; Cheetah 3D; MaxonForm, a new add-on to Graphisoft’s ArchiCAD BIM application; and business software solutions like SharedPlan and Architectronica Information Management System.”
“Such new software development is responding to a growing market place where the demand for more Macintosh native software is clearly evident,” Frausto-Robledo writes. “With Apple expanding its installed base — now over 16 million on Mac OS X alone — and its market share growing nearly twice as fast as its nearest rivals, the company is finally acting prepared to battle it out for more share of the AEC market. Not too long ago the company created a dedicated Architecture section within its Small Business area on its corporate US website, something it has had on its Apple Euro sites for years. And this year for the first time in more then half a decade, Apple Computer held an event at the annual AIA (American Institute of Architects) Convention and Expo focusing on architectural practice on the Mac platform. The limited seating event proved hugely popular with a better-than-expected attendance.”
Full article with much more, including how the Intel-based Macs will impact the AEC market, here.
Related MacDailyNews articles:
Java-based application allows viewing Autocad files on Macintosh – July 23, 2004
Autodesk working with Apple: will it lead to AutoCAD for Mac OS X? – September 10, 2003
Autodesk requests AutoCAD for OS X feedback – May 05, 2003
A Powerbook in a Windows/AutoCAD Architecture Firm – April 02, 2003