The market for building information modeling (BIM) software and services is still nascent, but evolving rapidly. As energy conservation and carbon emissions become increasingly important issues, the adoption of BIM tools and practices will become a higher priority, since they can significantly affect the efficient use of scarce and valuable resources. According to a new report from Pike Research, annual worldwide revenue for BIM products and services solutions will grow from $1.8 billion in 2012 to almost $6.5 billion in 2020.
“Building information modeling represents one of the most important breakthroughs in building design technology over the last decade,” says senior analyst Eric Bloom. “The next generation of buildings will be more intelligent and energy-efficient than any before. However, designing and delivering such buildings requires a level of collaboration that only BIM software can facilitate.”
The market for BIM software tools is led by a handful of well-known names, such as Autodesk, Bentley, Tekla, Nemetschek, and Gehry Technologies. Small firms that enter the market with an innovative BIM (or other) solution generally do not last long as independent firms because the larger players strategically acquire them to enhance their own product portfolios. The industry has also seen a spate of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in recent years, as firms prepare for the next phase of BIM technology advancement in areas like BIM to Field solutions, cloud-based solutions, and mobile capabilities. Continue reading
