Economic climate brings about local partnership

Todd Architects have invested in a new Autodesk Architectural Desktop system from cadcoevolution to help it speed up its design processes.

The company has experienced a huge increase in business over the last few years in both the private and public sector and on both sides of the border. Todd Architects work across a wide range of industries and its Belfast-based office has benefited greatly from the government’s investment in new schools, and hospitals, throughout Northern Ireland.

The additional workload had been taking its toll on Todd’s existing AutoCAD Release 14 and AEC system and a decision was taken to upgrade.

Explaining their investment decision, Brett Hodgson, Todd Architects’ IT Manager, said: “I went to an Architectural Desktop demonstration presented by cadcoevolution and have to admit that I was originally very sceptical that this product could help us. But it had two major advantages, its speed, and its compatibility with our existing AutoCAD information.”

Cadcoevolution, a specialist CAD reseller based in Belfast, provided 12 seats of Architectural Desktop 3 to Todd Architects, and the results were almost instantaneous. Mr Hodgson added: “I was right in the middle of a school project and a commercial project when the new system was installed, and the second half of each project took me only half the time to complete.

“Automation was the key; with cadcoevolution’s help all the old AutoCAD drawings could be transferred into the new system and utilised immediately, and the design process was so much quicker.”

The installation coincided with cadcoevolution providing training on a flexible basis to fit in with Todd Architects’ work schedule. They have also delivered further support to the seven architects and three technicians using the ADT3 system.

As well as its offices in Belfast, Todd Architects also has an office based in London. Cadcoevolution are currently exploring a similar solution for this office. (MB)