The Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DfMA) sector of the AEC/O market has existed beyond its peak of expectations phase for quite some time now. That doesn’t mean DfMA has gone away as much as it means that the construction market, in general, has been flooded with more news about artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) technologies and companies offering the industry more shiny promises than prefabrication and off-site construction.
However, DfMA is still very much alive, and one such company, Manufacton, is a renowned leader in offsite construction (OSC) software platforms.
Manufacton
Manufacton’s construction software platform specializes in providing real-time visibility to offsite production workflows and processes through AI and data-driven decision-making. From its website we learn that Manufacton customers have levered its technology to erect over 4,000 buildings, 260,000 prefabs worth over USD 18 billion in value.
ALLPLAN acquires US-based Manufacton, a leading cloud-based software platform for DfMA (Design for Manufacturing and Assembly) providers.
The software platform includes modules for project planning, production management, materials management, and logistics control. It also features advanced analytics to help businesses continuously improve efficiencies.
Manufacton’s software is a cloud-based platform suitable for general contractors, modular builders, owners/developers, and specialty subcontractors. It has a prominent integration with Oracle Primavera Cloud and with software from companies like Autodesk, Nemetschek Group, Procore, Trimble, Dassault Systemes, and more.
ALLPLAN Integration
The more engineering-centric of the Nemetschek Group’s three main BIM software ecosystems, ALLPLAN now strengthens its presence in the United States construction market vis-a-vis the DfMA side of the market. Specifically, it positions ALLPLAN to help accelerate the digitization of the US construction market.
We are delighted to welcome the Manufacton team to the ALLPLAN family,” said Eduardo Lazzarotto, Chief Product and Strategy Officer at ALLPLAN. “Manufacton is a great fit and a perfect complement to our existing portfolio of construction solutions. This acquisition enhances our expertise in covering the entire product lifecycle and gives us a strong competitive advantage in the rapidly growing modular construction and DfMA markets.”
“The Manufacton team and I are thrilled to join the ALLPLAN family as we continue supporting the AEC industry’s rapid transformation toward prefabrication and offsite construction,” said Raghi Iyengar, founder of Manufacton and CEO of ViZZ Technologies.
The Rise of DfMA in AEC
With increasing labor shortages in the United States and other western countries, modular and off-site construction methodologies continue to increase in adoption. In fact, off-site construction bodes well for larger themes in industrialized construction such as robotics and AI.
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The DfMA (Design for Manufacturing and Assembly) trend in AEC/O means critical tooling systems used in off-site construction are paired with critical design and BIM platforms. In the United States, the BIM platform that dominates the AEC market is Autodesk Revit, but more specialized software systems offer tailored advantages over a general BIM tool like Revit.
ALLPLAN is also a general BIM solution though one with existing integrated specializations—particularly in the heavy engineering side. Manufacton’s software platform adds integrated management modules unique to DfMA companies and their needs. Via ALLPLAN and the Nemetschek Group, the acquisition provides Manufacton expansion opportunities in Europe and Asia Pacific.
