DataCAD Second Most Widely Used CAD Software Among Architects According to American Institute of Architects’ 1997 Survey

DataCAD Market Share Increased 50% from 1990 to 1996


Avon , CT – March 23, 1998 – A recent survey conducted by The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has revealed that DataCAD® (DATACAD LLC, Avon, CT) is the second most widely used architectural computer-aided design and drafting (CADD) software among AIA member architectural firms. The 1997 AIA Firm Survey Report states that DataCAD is used by 12% of the member firms, second only to AutoCAD® (with a 61% market share), a generalized CADD program.

The report also revealed that DataCAD’s market penetration increased by 50% between 1990 and 1996 (from 8% to 12%), while AutoCAD’s increase was 17%. After DataCAD, ArchiCAD and Microstation finished tied for third, each with a 5% market share.

DataCAD’s highest market penetration was in small to mid-size firms. 13% of AIA member firms with less than five employees use DataCAD, according to the survey (compared to 47% for AutoCAD for the same group), and 15% of the firms with 5-9 employees reported using the software (76% of those firms used AutoCAD).

"These numbers illustrate what over 200,000 DataCAD users already know: That DataCAD is software designed by architects for architects," says Mark Madura, President of DATACAD LLC. "DataCAD contains the specific tools architects need to do their jobs. The principals of small to mid-size firms tend to be more directly involved in design than those in larger firms, and they realize that DataCAD is the best choice to get projects out the door quickly, efficiently and accurately."

About the 1997 Firm Survey Report

The American Institute of Architects, founded in 1857, is the professional society representing architects in the United States. The AIA has over 59,000 members. The 1997 Firm Survey questions were

created jointly by the AIA, McGraw-Hill and Readex and pre tested on 17 AIA member firms. The eight-page questionnaire was mailed to a systematic stratified sample of 4,060 AIA member-owned firms in March 1997. An unprecedented 51% of those surveyed responded, for a total of 2,087 completed forms.

About DATACAD LLC

DATACAD LLC is an independent, privately-held company that provides robust computer-aided design and drafting solutions to architecture, building, engineering, and construction firms. With over 200,000 installations worldwide, DATACAD LLC’s award-winning DataCAD architectural design products are some of the most popular, cost-effective CADD products available.