In keeping with an aggressive business plan focused on software development for the construction industry, Autodesk has made two key acquisitions that it hopes will broaden its construction management platforms.
Today, the company says that it has completed its $875 million cash acquisition of PlanGrid, a seven-year-old startup based in San Francisco, which provides construction productivity software that enables GCs, subcontractors, and owners to have real-time access to project plans, digital blueprints, punch lists, work tasks, progress imagery, daily field reports, and submittals.
Also today, Autodesk discloses that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire BuildingConnected for $275 million in net cash. San Francisco-based BuildingConnected was founded in 2012, and has grown to become the largest digital network of construction professionals, with more than 700,000 people in its database. Its cofounder Dustin DeVan had been a general contractor before starting the company, which currently has about 180 employees.
BuildingConnected helps owners and GCs find and hire qualified contractors for their projects. It moves Autodesk into preconstruction planning to help contractors decide which subs and suppliers to go with. It includes TradeTapp, a subcontractor risk analysis platform; and Bid Board Pro, a platform that helps subs manage and win more bids. BuildingConnected’s customers include such contractor giants as Turner, McCarthy, Mortenson, StructureTone, Skanska, Clark, Ryan Companies, and AECOM.
(Autodesk has taken a particular interest in developing products that get subs more involved earlier in projects. At its recent Autodesk University event in Las Vegas, Autodesk showcased its strategic alliance with eSub Construction Software, a cloud-based system of record for trades to plan and track their employees’ productivity. eSub is the field data component within Autodesk’s BIM 360 platform.)
Its latest acquisition “provides an opportunity for Autodesk and BuildingConnected to connect every business in the construction industry, becoming the definitive source of information throughout the sector,” says Jim Lynch, Vice President and General Manager, Autodesk Construction Solutions. “Our tools empower all stakeholders with greater visibility and better information to make immediate decisions. We’re excited about creating a robust digital marketplace for the global construction industry, helping to boost productivity, while lowering cost and risk.”
BuildingConnected has 700,000 trades in its database, and helps contractors select the best subs and suppliers for their projects. Image: Autodesk
A late bloomer when it comes to implementing technology, the construction sector is now embracing tech to help manage projects at a time when the industry is grappling with labor shortages and other factors that cause 70% of construction projects to be delivered late and/or over budget.
Capturing, analyzing, and disseminating design- and construction-related data are the primary objectives of Autodesk’s product development and expansion strategies. “We are trying to completely digitize the construction process all the way from design to build,” Andrew Anagnost, Autodesk’s evangelical CEO, tells Forbes. “With the completion of [the purchase of] BuildingConnected, we feel we have acquired all the important assets we need to acquire.”
Clayco, the design-build firm, chose Autodesk BIM 360 and PlanGrid to help digitize each step of the construction process in order to accelerate project delivery, reduce risk and increase productivity. “I’m excited to see how Autodesk and PlanGrid will work together to encourage collaboration between the project team and owners from the time a building is conceived, all the way through to handover,” says Bob Clark, Clayco’s founder and CEO.
Autodesk expects PlanGrid to contribute approximately $100 million in annual recurring revenue. Autodesk does not project any ARR from its acquisition of BuildingConnected.
Related Stories
| Nov 8, 2013
S+T buildings embrace 'no excuses' approach to green labs
Some science-design experts once believed high levels of sustainability would be possible only for low-intensity labs in temperate zones. But recent projects prove otherwise.
| Nov 8, 2013
Walkable solar pavement debuts at George Washington University
George Washington University worked with supplier Onyx Solar to design and install 100 sf of walkable solar pavement at its Virginia Science and Technology Campus in Ashburn, Va.
| Nov 6, 2013
Energy-efficiency measures paying off for commercial building owners, says BOMA study
The commercial real estate industry’s ongoing focus on energy efficiency has resulted in a downward trend in total operating expenses (3.9 percent drop, on average), according to BOMA's Experience Exchange Report.
| Nov 5, 2013
Net-zero movement gaining traction in U.S. schools market
As more net-zero energy schools come online, school officials are asking: Is NZE a more logical approach for school districts than holistic green buildings?
| Oct 31, 2013
74 years later, Frank Lloyd Wright structure built at Florida Southern College
The Lakeland, Fla., college adds to its collection of FLW buildings with the completion of the Usonian house, designed by the famed architect in 1939, but never built—until now.
| Oct 30, 2013
15 stellar historic preservation, adaptive reuse, and renovation projects
The winners of the 2013 Reconstruction Awards showcase the best work of distinguished Building Teams, encompassing historic preservation, adaptive reuse, and renovations and additions.
| Oct 30, 2013
11 hot BIM/VDC topics for 2013
If you like to geek out on building information modeling and virtual design and construction, you should enjoy this overview of the top BIM/VDC topics.
| Oct 20, 2013
What you missed at BUILDINGChicago/Greening the Heartland
Not able to attend the inaugural BUILDINGChicago/Greening the Heartland conference and expo this week? Don't worry. The BD+C editorial team has you covered.
| Oct 18, 2013
Meet the winners of BD+C's $5,000 Vision U40 Competition
Fifteen teams competed last week in the first annual Vision U40 Competition at BD+C's Under 40 Leadership Summit in San Francisco. Here are the five winning teams, including the $3,000 grand prize honorees.
| Oct 15, 2013
Sustainable design trends in windows, doors and door hardware [AIA course]
Architects and fenestration experts are looking for windows and doors for their projects that emphasize speed to the project site, a fair price, resilient and sustainable performance, and no callbacks.
