PLM for AEC
Unique solutions for architecture, engineering, and construction companies looking to enhance their digitalization, simulation, and digital engineering capabilities.
AEC professionals face increasing pressure to optimize project outcomes, streamline collaboration, and deliver exceptional customer satisfaction in a competitive, fragmented industry. From managing multi-CAD environments to reducing costs and accelerating delivery times, digital transformation is reshaping how architecture, engineering, and construction projects are executed.
Advanced information management, precise 3D modeling, and real-time project management tools enable seamless data sharing, improve efficiency, and eradicate costly on-site issues.
Let’s explore how we can help you build smarter, faster, and more sustainably.
Tell us about your organization’s challenges
Take a moment to read through the information below, and put a tick against the obstacles you’re ready to overcome. Once we know a bit more about your business, we’d be happy to put a custom demonstration together for you.
Project planning and management
ENOVIA helps reduce resource and project costs by enabling lean, optimized team planning. It provides a framework for sustainable innovation by connecting employees, partners, suppliers, customers, and regulators.
Integrated project scheduling
Synchronizing schedules across various teams and phases can be challenging due to the complexity of working with multiple timelines and dependencies. Delays in one area can cascade, affecting the entire project schedule.
Gannt chart visualization
While useful for visualizing project timelines, Gantt charts can become overly complex in large projects. This complexity makes them difficult to interpret and manage, especially when tasks have numerous dependencies or when the project spans several pages.
3DEXPERIENCE offers interactive Gantt charts that allow project managers to create and update tasks easily. This feature helps visualize project timelines effectively, making it easier to manage complex projects.
Resource allocation optimization
Optimizing resource allocation requires precise forecasting and real-time adjustments. Challenges include dealing with labor shortages, equipment availability, and ensuring that resources are used efficiently without overburdening any single team or resource.
ENOVIA provides deliverables-based project management that links product development data to projects. This enables real-time monitoring and assessment, allowing project managers to align resources efficiently to maintain or accelerate schedules.
Risk assessment modeling
Accurately predicting potential risks involves complex modeling that requires up-to-date data. This can be difficult to maintain due to the dynamic nature of construction projects and external factors such as economic changes or unexpected site conditions.
ENOVIA allows managers to reveal and manage risks and issues to minimize their impact on projects. It provides tools for tracking tasks, issues, and risks in real-time, facilitating better decision-making.
BIM (building information modeling)
The 3DEXPERIENCE platform supports BIM Level III with multidisciplinary modeling and attribute management. It offers a collaborative model based on data management in a PLM context, enhancing coordination across teams.
3D parametric modeling
Transitioning from 2D to 3D modeling involves a steep learning curve. Resistance can occur among teams accustomed to traditional methods, making it difficult to fully leverage the benefits of 3D modeling.
Building design authoring
Ensuring interdisciplinary coordination is crucial but challenging due to varying levels of expertise in BIM tools. This can lead to inconsistencies in design documentation and difficulties in maintaining a unified project vision.
CATIA offers advanced 3D modeling capabilities that support building design authoring. It provides tools for creating detailed architectural models, enabling seamless integration of design elements and facilitating collaboration among various disciplines involved in the project.
Clash detection and resolution
Identifying and resolving design clashes early is critical but requires sophisticated software and collaboration across teams. Without effective clash detection, projects can face costly rework and delays.
CATIA enables the integration of building design with manufacturing processes, providing tools for 3D modeling and clash management. It helps detect and resolve design clashes early, reducing rework and ensuring smooth project execution.
Energy efficiency simulation
Balancing operational energy efficiency with the energy required for construction materials poses a significant challenge. Accurate simulation requires detailed data on building materials and systems, which can be time-consuming to gather.
SIMULIA provides simulation tools for energy efficiency analysis. It allows engineers to simulate building performance under various conditions, optimizing energy use and enhancing sustainability.
Infrastructure design and engineering
Civil 3D modeling
Modeling complex infrastructure in 3D requires precise data inputs and can be time-consuming. The challenge lies in integrating various data sources to create accurate models that reflect real-world conditions.
CATIA lets you perform large-scale infrastructure design by managing repetitive operations and standardization through automation rules and templates. This enhances precision and efficiency in civil engineering projects.
Structural integrity validation
Ensuring structural integrity through simulations requires accurate data and advanced computational tools. This process is essential for safety but can be technically demanding and resource-intensive.
Brigade offers FEA (finite element analysis) capabilities for detailed structural analysis of civil structures. It enables engineers to validate structural integrity through simulations, ensuring safety and compliance with design specifications.
Load testing visualization
Visualizing load tests accurately is crucial for safety but can be technically demanding. It requires sophisticated software capable of simulating real-world conditions accurately.
Collaboration and data management
Cloud-based project coordination
Migrating to cloud-based systems can face resistance due to concerns over cost, complexity, and data security. Ensuring seamless integration with existing workflows is a common challenge.
3DEXPERIENCE provides a cloud-based environment that connects all project stakeholders. It facilitates seamless collaboration and data sharing, improving project coordination and execution.
Real-time design review
Ensuring all stakeholders have access to real-time updates is challenging without robust digital infrastructure. Delays in updates can lead to miscommunication and project delays.
ENOVIA supports real-time design reviews by providing up-to-date access to project data. This ensures that all stakeholders can review designs simultaneously, reducing delays and improving decision-making.
Distributed team workflows
Coordinating distributed teams requires effective communication tools and protocols to prevent data silos. Time zone differences and cultural barriers can further complicate collaboration.
3DEXPERIENCE enables efficient collaboration among distributed teams by ensuring that all team members have access to the latest information, enhancing workflow efficiency.
Drawing change tracking
Keeping track of changes in design documents is essential but can be cumbersome without automated systems. Manual tracking increases the risk of errors and inconsistencies.
ENOVIA manages drawing change tracking by storing all project content securely within access-controlled folders. This ensures version control and accurate documentation throughout the project lifecycle.
As-built documentation
Ensuring accurate as-built documentation requires meticulous record-keeping throughout the construction process. Incomplete or inaccurate documentation can lead to issues during maintenance or future renovations.
ENOVIA provides tools for capturing accurate as-built documentation by collating real-time data during construction. This ensures that final documentation reflects the true state of the completed project
Visualization and presentation
Photorealistic rendering
Creating realistic renderings requires advanced software and significant computational resources. The challenge is balancing quality with time constraints, especially for client presentations.
CATIA supports photorealistic rendering with material and lighting effects. This tool is essential for creating high-quality visualizations for client presentations.
Mixed reality applications
Accurately simulating materials and lighting effects is crucial for client presentations but technically challenging. Additionally, expertise in rendering software is typically required to achieve realistic results.
3DEXPERIENCE virtual twin technology enables immersive site visualization with augmented reality annotations. This technology helps visualize construction sites in mixed reality environments, enhancing stakeholder engagement.
Virtual walkthroughs
Developing immersive virtual walkthroughs requires substantial computational power and expertise in VR technologies. These walkthroughs are valuable for client engagement but can require significant investment in technology.
3DEXPERIENCE virtual twin technology provides tools for creating virtual walkthroughs of construction projects. This enhances client engagement by allowing stakeholders to explore designs interactively before construction begins.
Augmented reality annotation
Integrating AR into construction workflows presents challenges in terms of hardware compatibility and user training. Ensuring accurate alignment between digital annotations and physical environments is critical.
3DEXPERIENCE supports augmented reality annotations, enabling users to overlay digital information onto physical environments. This enhances communication during construction by providing clear visual instructions.
Immersive site visualization
Creating immersive visualizations requires advanced technology that may not be widely adopted yet. The challenge lies in integrating these technologies into existing workflows without disrupting productivity.
3DEXPERIENCE provides immersive visualization capabilities that allow stakeholders to experience a virtual representation of the construction site, aiding in planning and decision-making.
Construction execution
Site monitoring and control
Real-time monitoring using drones or other technologies improves oversight but requires investment in new tools. Regulatory compliance for drone usage adds another layer of complexity.
DELMIA offers solutions for site monitoring and control through drone-based progress tracking. It also provides automated equipment guidance to improve efficiency during construction execution.
Material procurement forecasting
Accurate forecasting is critical to avoid delays but is complicated by supply chain disruptions. Firms must balance cost-efficiency with reliability when sourcing materials.
DELMIA helps forecast material procurement needs accurately while managing logistics efficiently. This tool integrates supply chain processes within the 3DEXPERIENCE platform to enhance operational efficiency.
Logistics and inventory management
Managing logistics efficiently involves complex coordination across multiple suppliers and sites. Challenges include ensuring timely deliveries while minimizing inventory costs.
DELMIA provides comprehensive solutions for managing logistics and inventory throughout the construction process. It ensures timely deliveries while minimizing inventory costs, optimizing overall supply chain performance.
Let's solve your challenges, together
This page lists some of the most common challenges in the AEC industry. If all of this sounds a lot like your business, don’t worry, you’re not alone!
How do we know? We’ve worked with hundreds of businesses across AEC industries, and we’ve solved all of these challenges before. We’d love to work together with you to implement a solution that set you up for success.
Essential software for architecture, engineering and construction businesses
For optimizing manufacturing processes, improving operational efficiency, and enhancing product quality.
For end-to-end PLM (product lifecycle management) and collaborative innovation.
For robust product data management, business analytics, and decision support.
For complex engineering design and assembly modeling.
For virtual testing, analyzing, and optimizing product performance.
For the structural analysis and design of bridges and civil structures.
View our extensive range of software solutions
