Glodon Software Co. Ltd., a Chinese AEC IT company, today signed the memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Autodesk Software (China) Co., Ltd., the wholly owned subsidiary of Autodesk, Inc. The goal is to jointly promote the further adoption and application of Building Information Modeling (BIM) technology in the China construction industry. As two prominent AEC software providers, the companies expect this collaboration will benefit technology advancement in the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry.
On behalf of their respective parties, Jim Lynch, Vice President of the Building and Collaboration Group at Autodesk, and Jia Xiaoping, President and Director of Glodon, signed the MoU in Hangzhou. Attendees at the signing ceremony also included Richard Li, Director of AEC/ENI/MFG China at Autodesk, Ling Zhao, Senior Director of Engineering at Autodesk China Research and Development Center (ACRD), Diao Zhizhong, Chairman of Glodon, and Dr. Yuan Zhenggang, Deputy General Manager of Glodon.
According to the National Bureau of Statistics of China, the total output of China construction industry has exceeded 15 trillion yuan in 2013. Notwithstanding this tremendous market size and its fast development, there are a couple of headwinds including the relatively low informatization level and productivity, pointed out in the 12th Five-Year Plan for Development of Construction Industry issued by the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development of the People’s Republic of China (MOHURD). Meanwhile, BIM, an integrated 3D model-based process that enables architects, engineers, builders, and owners to digitally explore and optimize a project’s key physical and functional characteristics such as cost, scheduling, and environmental impact—before the project is built – has received high recognition of its effectiveness to accelerate the pace of informatization as well as enhance productivity. In fact, MOHURD has indicated BIM as the key technology for informatization development in the Outline of Information Development of Construction Industry during 2011-2015. The report also requested construction enterprises to carry out the research and application of BIM technology during the construction phase and consider it as the primary strategic goal. BIM technology, although awaiting extensive adoption, is expected to have great potential to prosper in the Chinese construction industry and in turn, to contribute to its growth.
Glodon Software is a leader in construction software in China and an avant-garde in BIM research. Focusing on BIM applications in the whole building life cycle and throughout every phase of the construction project, Glodon now has a complete set of BIM-based solutions.
Under the Memorandum of Understanding, the two parties will leverage each other’s advantages to drive a win-win relationship. At research and development level, Autodesk and Glodon will work together to improve the interoperability between their software products. Moreover, both are joining forces on marketing campaigns to expand the awareness and understanding of BIM technology in China construction industry.
“We’re excited to build a collaboration with Autodesk, one of the world’s leading BIM technology providers,” said Jia Xiaoping, Glodon. “BIM technology of Autodesk and Glodon are very complementary, therefore, I believe, we both will promote the application of BIM technology in China construction market, in an effort to invigorate market development.”
“It is a great honor to join hands with Glodon, a preeminent player in the China AEC industry. Autodesk is dedicated to serving the China market and our local partners here and this collaboration is just another embodiment of our commitment,” said Jim Lynch, Vice President, Building & Collaboration Group, Autodesk. “I am confident that our collaboration with Glodon will forward the adoption of BIM in the China construction industry. Moving forward, this collaboration is bound to enable customers of both parties to ramp up their productivity and competence.”
