by Rebecca Walker — January 15, 2010—Autodesk, Inc., a world leader in 2D and 3D design, engineering and entertainment software for the manufacturing, building and construction, and media and entertainment markets, and FM:Systems, a leading provider of integrated workplace management systems (IWMS) and computer-aided facility management (CAFM) software, have joined together to ensure continued customer support for Autodesk FMDesktop software users.
In keeping with Autodesk’s commitment to provide customers the best solutions, Autodesk will transition Autodesk FMDesktop customer support to FM:Systems. Under the terms of the agreement, FM:Systems will provide Autodesk FMDesktop customers with extended support as well as an option to migrate to the firm’s FM:Interact Workplace Management Suite.
In addition, FM:Systems has joined the Autodesk Preferred Industry Partner Program, a program that recognizes select third-party software developers for their industry-focused solutions.
Under the program, FM:Systems will work with Autodesk to create applications that complement Autodesk 3D products, such as the Autodesk Building Information Modeling (BIM) portfolio of products, and help customers simulate their ideas early in the design process as well as reduce time and cost in manufacturing or construction.
“As a long-time member of the Autodesk Developer Network, FM:Systems was the natural choice to help us extend the value of BIM into the facilities management arena, and to provide our customers with continued support,” said Jim Lynch, vice president of Autodesk BIM Product Line Group. “Contractors and building owners are telling us that they want to take advantage of the valuable data in BIM for facilities management. We are excited to partner with FM:Systems to deliver this value.”
Building upon a shared goal to bring the benefits of BIM to the operations phases of a building’s lifecycle, the two companies will now work together to integrate BIM data from Autodesk software products, such as Autodesk Revit Architecture, with FM:Systems’ facilities software to support enhanced building operation and maintenance.
The FM:Interact Workplace Management Suite offers an integrated set of powerful Web-based workplace management products designed to assist facilities and real estate professionals improve planning, manage performance and streamline processes. FM:Interact provides the space management, occupancy management and facility maintenance offered by Autodesk FMDesktop, and offers additional capabilities such as real estate portfolio management, lease administration, project management, move management and strategic planning.
Existing Autodesk FMDesktop customers will be contacted by FM:Systems sales representatives during the next 30 days to discuss their extended support and/or migration options. A special Web site has been established to provide Autodesk FMDesktop users with information and FM:Systems contact referrals.
By connecting people, place and process, FM:Systems helps facilities and real-estate professionals improve customer service, reduce costs and increase productivity enterprise-wide. For more information, see the Web site as well as the ad on FMLink.
