"When I give, I give myself." -- Walt Whitman

Graphisoft Veterans Acquire Virtual Construction Software Line

Posted on Wednesday, April 11, 2007 8:33 AM
A team of former Graphisoft exectuives including former atLast Software (SketchUp) CEO Mark Sawyer have formed a new company and acquired the Graphisoft Virtual Construction product line. VICO Software will continue to develop and sell the complete line of Virtual Construction products.

Joining Sawyer as co-founders are Don Henrick and Olli Seppanen, both moving from Graphisoft. Sawyer will be CEO, Henrick will be Vice President of the Americas, and Seppanen will be Director of Production Control Solutions. Also moving from Graphisoft to be on the initial management team is Garreth Evans, who will be Vice President of Europe, Middle East and Africa operations.

In a statement announcing the buyout, Graphisoft says it will cooperate with VICO Software to ensure a smooth transition for clients, many of whom are also users of Graphisoft's ArchiCAD architectural software.Graphisoft was acquired recently by Nemetschek, the other leading European vendor of architectural CAD and BIM technology. The plan to spin off the virtual construction technology was announced soon after the Nemetschek buyout. Graphisoft CEO Dominic Gallello said at the time Graphisoft’s management believed the segment required an outside investor until the Virtual Construction market becomes more mainstream in big construction companies, which could take several more years. The Contruction Solutions Division generated net revenue of €1.756 million in Q1-Q3 2006, more than double that in the same period a year earlier. Operating losses doubled to €3.628 million. Venture capital company Borealis Ventures is now a VICO Software investor.

Unlike most industry start-ups, Vico launches with a complete product line. The current product set includes:
  • Constructor 2007, for building construction models and linking them with schedules
  • Estimator 2007, which supports both text-based and model-based construction estimation methods
  • Control 2007, a schedule planning and production control product that uses location-based technology to help plan and compress schedules
  • 5D Presenter 2007, for visualization of data created in the other products.
More information: www.vicosoftware.com.  

  --RSN
 

Feedback

# re: Graphisoft Veterans Acquire Virtual Construction Software Line

4/12/2007 6:26 PM by Michael Schettine
If the memebrs create value as they have in the past, look out construction world for the best innovations in building. Good luck!

# re: Graphisoft Veterans Acquire Virtual Construction Software Line

4/12/2007 6:51 PM by Robert Daniels
WOw! this is really big news...As an asssociate Architect I've become very synical lately of the software investment in time and resources. The merge from 2D to 3D is very problematic. I watch as some of my co-workers and Architects alike scratching their heads and frankly losing their interest and creativity with regards to architectural design. Many of the programs have become very mechanical like. I am not an engineer.
I am striving to be an Architect. The only excitement I've had in recent years with regards to software have beeen Sketchup (since version 1.5) and Archicad 8 -10. Autodesk ADT I use but truly do not like the interface and how it works. I truly wish Autodesk will let it go and really push REVIT. As a CAD Manager I struggle day in and day out to entice and encourage that 3D is the way foward.....and it really is. But the tools need to get much better intuitive. I'm really tired of trouble shooting...I want to get back into design again.
-by the way I want to move to a MAC....tired aas hell of the PC.
Archicad & Sketchup & Piranesi & Impression and now virtual construction 5D.....Are the new paths.. I will now consider.....now only if I can squeeze out more time during a 24hr period.
Comments on this post are closed