Autodesk acquires Horizontal Systems for multidiscipline BIM model collaboration

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Autodesk announced today that it has entered an agreement to acquire Horizontal Systems, a provider of cloud-based Building Information Modeling (BIM) collaboration solutions for the AEC industries. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to close in Autodesk's fourth quarter of fiscal 2012 (which ends on Jan. 31, 2012). Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The deal was announced at the AutoCAD manufacturer and producer's annual Autodesk University user conference in Las Vegas.

Horizontal Systems technology will be an important contributor to the Autodesk 360 for BIM vision for collaboration, data and lifecycle management. The acquisition of Horizontal Systems will help accelerate the movement of BIM to the cloud by providing users with the ability to more easily access and coordinate multi-discipline project data wherever and whenever it is needed throughout the entire project lifecycle.

"Horizontal Systems technology will help accelerate our Autodesk 360 for BIM capabilities by allowing multi-discipline teams to more easily communicate and synchronize information--helping reduce waste and errors during the design and construction of AEC projects and leading to faster, more efficient project delivery," said Jim Lynch, vice president, Architecture, Engineering and Construction Solutions, Autodesk. "The integration of Horizontal Systems technology with other Autodesk BIM solutions will streamline business processes and workflows for increased efficiency, improved profitability, and higher quality outcomes for both Autodesk and Horizontal Systems customers."

Horizontal Glue brings BIM to the cloud with technology that supports multi-discipline model collaboration and intelligent object data exchange for the building and infrastructure industries. This approach enables architects, engineers, owners and builders across the globe to collaborate in real time in over 40 different 3D formats, while providing a solution to distribute BIM data into external business systems.

"Autodesk has long been a valued business partner, sharing our dedication to advancing BIM across multi-discipline teams, workflows, and projects," said Jordan Brandt, CEO and Cofounder at Horizontal Systems. "Our customers will experience the benefit of 'gluing' together Horizontal Systems' cloud technology with the comprehensive portfolio of Autodesk BIM software. The Autodesk 360 for BIM vision is a perfect fit for our customers, as this integrated and flexible strategy makes it easier than ever for everyone to collaborate."

Autodesk intends to integrate Horizontal Systems solutions into its Autodesk 360 for BIM solution. During the transition, Autodesk will continue to fully support existing Horizontal Systems customers.

"We've been doing build/buy work on the (multidiscipline model sharing via cloud computing) problem since announcing BIM 360 last year," said Rick Rundell, senior director of strategic technology for the AEC Industry at Autodesk. "They're fully integrated into our systems and this was a good time in their business cycle as well as ours to make this acquisition."