UK Architectural CAD User Survey report published

Monday, 2 February 2009

Findings from the UK Architectural CAD User Survey report published this month by Revelation Research show that some CAD software developers are meeting the requirements of UK architects better than others.

The survey measured architectural CAD software users' experience of both the CAD products they used and their associated support services. The research was conducted in November 2008 and included responses from 925 architects based in the UK, representing a statistically valid sample for the survey.

In terms of product functionality, Autodesk's Revit and Graphisoft's ArchiCAD had the most satisfied users. Revit scored slightly higher on collaboration while ArchiCAD was rated higher on its ability to evaluate design alternatives easily and overall ease of use.

The survey measured architects' satisfaction with the technical support, training and communications provided to users by the CAD software developers and their resellers. Across each of these areas users gave ArchiCAD the highest scores though Bentley Microstation and VectorWorks were also rated well for technical support.

AutoCAD, the CAD product with the largest market share in the UK received some of the lowest ratings on service, though users were indifferent towards the service provided for AutoCAD rather than significantly dissatisfied.

A combination of good product functionality and service meant that 83% of ArchiCAD users would recommend the product to fellow architects. By comparison, 62% of Revit and Bentley Microstation users and 57% of AutoCAD users would do the same for the products they were using.

AutoCAD is the most widely used CAD product (58% of architects) followed by ArchiCAD (22%) and Revit (11% of users). Of all the CAD products covered in the research it was evident that overall, ArchiCAD users were the most enthusiastic towards their CAD product and considered it best aligned to meeting the needs of the architectural community.

Revelation Research is a specialist research consultancy, focusing on the High Technology and E-Business markets.

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