Japanese IT solution provider Forum 8 now acting as distributor for 3D planning and design software Allplan for architects and engineers in Asia. The two companies recently signed the agreement in Tokyo. The partnership is an important step towards expanding international business and injects further impetus into Nemetschek Allplan's growth strategy.

Forum 8 is an Asian provider of IT solutions and services for the construction industry and among other things develops its own 3D solution (UC-win) for road construction. The company, which has its headquarters in Tokyo and other branches in Japan and China, employs 150 people and its customers include more than 12,000 design offices.

According to the agreement with Nemetschek Allplan, Forum 8 will distribute Allplan Architecture and Allplan Engineering in Japan. The solution supports the entire planning and design process - from the first architectural design and construction cost planning through to general arrangement and reinforcement planning. There are plans to open up further markets such as China as of 2010. In the first few weeks, Forum 8 had already enjoyed sales success and won numerous new customers.

The market calls for BIM

"The distribution of Allplan in Japan gathered much media attention and was sensationally reported by Nikkei BP as being the '5th super fleet of BIM'. The awareness and demand for BIM solutions is increasing rapidly and we are happy to be in a position to be a solution provider for designers and engineers. We would like to nurture the market and introduce the utilization of 3D in design field and we hope that Allplan can be the best solution not only in Europe but also in Japan and other Asian countries", says Yuji Ito, Director of Forum8 Co., Ltd.

"Allplan is currently the leading platform for integrated planning in the construction process in Europe. The highest quality in planning as well as transparent costs are requirements that are more relevant than ever today in every market. We are now meeting this demand in Asia as well," explains Peter Mehlstäubler, CEO and general manager of Nemetschek Allplan. "With this cooperation, we have gained an experienced partner with excellent market and industry knowledge. We are looking forward to a very successful partnership," says Mehlstäubler.