Autocad firms vie for MEP pie

The value of the mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) contracting market in the GCC is expected to surge to $14.5 billion (Dh53.2bn) in 2008, said a recent industry survey.

Hence Autodesk, the one of the leaders in 2D and 3D design software, says that it plans to leverage this rapid growth and push its new software AutoCAD Revit MEP Suite, a design, analysis and documentation solution for MEP contractors and consultants.

"Looking at the growth of the GCC MEP contracting market in terms of potential for our new software, we are convinced that this solution will further gain a steady following among MEP firms working on landmark projects in the region," said Manish Bhardwaj, Field Marketing Specialist, Autodesk, Middle East.

"Our range of MEP engineering consultancy services also holds much promise, especially, in markets such as the UAE, which is currently witnessing the emergence of high-rise, high quality and technically innovative buildings."

Vijay Kumar Raina, MEP Specialist, Omnix, said: "Through the advances of Building Information Modelling (BIM), MEP contractors are also presented with an opportunity to optimise systems design and provide better engineering direction to their clients. Our familiarised approach to design and building solutions through our expertise in architectural, structural and MEP engineering provides the highest level of coordination and integration possible to our customers, thereby resulting in the most efficient solutions that meet our clients' requirements." For the past 19 years, Omnix's has been implementing and distributing AutoCAD in the Middle East. Omnix client list includes sectors such as architecture and engineering.