Thanks to the rise of cloud computing and web-based software, firms in the AEC sectors are facing even more complex decisions in how to deploy traditional desktop software for mission-critical design and construction projects.
Autodesk, for example, is releasing more web-based versions of its traditional desktop tools and offering cloud-based options for renting as many core processors as a project may require. During an investor conference on Oct. 2, the firm announced that, starting in 2015, most customers will not be able to purchase software upgrades in the traditional mold.