Esri, a global leader in geographic information systems (GIS) and location intelligence, has strengthened its strategic alliance with Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADSK), a leader in building information modeling (BIM) technology for the architecture, engineering, construction, and operations (AECO) industry. This enhanced collaboration brings Esri’s geospatial data directly into Autodesk Forma, transforming the early design and planning phases for AECO professionals.
“With Esri’s contextual data available in Autodesk Forma, architects and planners can design with a focus on location and sustainability, enabling more resilient projects that better support local communities,” said Eric DesRoche, Director of Infrastructure Business Strategy at Autodesk.
Traditionally, AECO professionals have relied on multiple tools during the planning process, which often led to inefficiencies and data discrepancies. The integration of ArcGIS data into Autodesk Forma solves this by delivering consistent, cohesive spatial data and analytics right from the start. This powerful combination of GIS and BIM technologies in the early stages of design improves mapping capabilities, enhances collaboration, and ultimately reduces project costs and timelines.
Kathleen Kewley, Director of Global Business Development for AEC at Esri, added, “We are thrilled to expand our partnership with Autodesk, offering our joint customers an integrated experience that brings the strengths of GIS and BIM to the entire project lifecycle.”
By incorporating Esri’s ArcGIS basemaps and curated data from ArcGIS Living Atlas of the World into Autodesk Forma, architects and planners gain immediate access to a comprehensive geographic context. This seamless integration fosters collaboration between GIS and design teams, enabling real-time feedback and data-driven decision-making, which leads to improved project outcomes.
This collaboration follows the earlier integration of Esri’s ArcGIS basemaps with Autodesk Civil 3D and AutoCAD, further solidifying the companies’ joint efforts to unify GIS and BIM technologies, creating substantial value for AECO professionals and enhancing the overall project workflow.
