FAQ about the merger of SCIA, FRILO & DC-Software with ALLPLAN
- What has happened?
The Nemetschek brands SCIA, FRILO as well as DC-Software as part of FRILO, which had already formed an alliance called Nemetschek Engineering, and their employees will form a joint company with the Nemetschek brand ALLPLAN following the merger.
- Who is ALLPLAN?
ALLPLAN is a global provider of BIM design to build software for the AEC industry. We focus on the delivery of building and infrastructure projects with an emphasis on equipping customers to increase efficiency in Design to Build workflows. True to our “Design to Build” tagline, we cover the entire process from the first concept to final detailed design for the construction site and for prefabrication. Allplan users create deliverables of the highest quality and level of detail thanks to lean workflows. ALLPLAN offers powerful integrated cloud technology to support interdisciplinary collaboration on building and civil engineering projects. Around the world, over 600 dedicated employees continue to write the ALLPLAN success story. Headquartered in Munich, Germany, ALLPLAN is part of the Nemetschek Group, which is a pioneer for digital transformation in the construction sector.
- Who is SCIA?
SCIA is one of the world’s leading developers of structural design and analysis software supporting the Open BIM process. With the multi-material structural analysis software SCIA Engineer SCIA provides a tool for design and calculation on 3D models. Its wide range of functionality makes SCIA the ideal partner for the design and calculation of all kinds of structures.
- Who is FRILO?
FRILO has been offering powerful and user-friendly software solutions for structural engineers for 45 years and has become a leading provider of innovative calculation programs on the German market. FRILO provides structural engineers the most efficient process to run calculations on load-bearing capacity and stability of building structures made of reinforced concrete, steel, timber and masonry. The component-based calculation approach significantly reduces the modelling effort and enables simple, fast and precise verification. With the acquisition of DC Software in 2022, FRILO has also significantly expanded its program portfolio in foundation engineering.
- Who is DC-Software?
DC-Software was acquired by FRILO in 2022 in order to extend FRILO's foundation engineering portfolio. For more than 30 years, DC-Software has been offering comprehensive solutions for foundation engineering that are both easy to use and highly efficient. The programs support geotechnical engineers in the efficient calculation of the stability of foundation and retaining structures as well as in their planning, design and dimensioning. Thanks to an extensive portfolio in the segment of soil mechanics, not only can the geotechnical parameters of the subsoil be recorded in a variety of ways, but the results of the subsoil investigations can also be graphically displayed and evaluated.
- Who is Nemetschek Group?
The Nemetschek Group is a leading global software provider for digital transformation in the AEC/O and media industries. Its intelligent software solutions cover the entire lifecycle of building and infrastructure projects and enable creatives to optimize their workflows. Customers can design, build, and manage buildings and infrastructures more efficiently and sustainably and develop digital content such as visualizations, films, and computer games more creatively. The software provider is driving innovations such as digital twins, open standards (OPEN BIM), and sustainability in the AEC/O industry, constantly expanding its portfolio by investing in deep-tech startups. More than seven million users worldwide are shaping the world with the customer-focused solutions of our four divisions. Founded by Prof. Georg Nemetschek in 1963, the Nemetschek Group today employs around 3,600 experts globally.
Publicly listed since 1999 and quoted on the MDAX and TecDAX, the company achieved a revenue of EUR 851.6 million and EBITDA of EUR 257.7 million in 2023 according to preliminary figures.
- Which brands and products are affected by the merger?
The merger includes all products and brands associated with ALLPLAN (including Allplan, SDS2 by ALLPLAN, Allplan Precast, Allplan Bridge and Bimplus by ALLPLAN) and Nemetschek Engineering (including SCIA, FRILO and DC Software).
- Why have ALLPLAN, SCIA, FRILO and DC-Software decided to join forces in a merger?
These long-established software companies are joining forces to offer AEC professionals a powerful solution technology stack of digital design and planning tools for building design in building construction and foundation engineering, for infrastructure design and for construction planning. The aim is to harmonize the software solutions of the four brands and thus map efficient end-to-end workflows in the design to build process of building and infrastructure projects to support users increasing their productivity.
- What does the merger mean for the customers of ALLPLAN, SCIA, FRILO and DC-Software?
The new alliance will bring together the best of each world, with great consideration for customer needs. The merger will enable further optimization of our products as well as the interoperability of the products through reliable and meaningful end-to-end workflows for the benefit of users and thus significantly increase customer productivity.
- How do FRILO and SCIA fit into the Allplan workflows?
The integration of FRILO and SCIA into the Allplan workflows is particularly interesting for multi-disciplinary consultancies and structural engineering offices. Architectural models designed in Allplan AEC can already be transferred directly to SCIA or FRILO for structural analysis and design. While the structural verifications are carried out in SCIA and FRILO in accordance with standards, users can utilize Allplan AEC to create general arrangement and reinforcement plans as well as a wide range of other construction deliverables based on the calculation results.
- How could DC-Software fit into the Allplan workflows?
The integration of DC-Software into the Allplan workflows will be particularly interesting for foundation engineers and geotechnical engineers. The vision is to be able to transfer CAD models of construction pits, earth layer models or terrain models designed in Allplan to DC-Software for structural analysis and design. While the structural verifications are carried out in DC-Software in accordance with standards, users can display the structural geometry in Allplan AEC based on the calculation results.
- The Nemetschek Group is a leader in developing and promoting OPEN BIM solutions and workflows. Will the openBIM support for all the products remain?
All merging brands, as well as the Nemetschek Group, are heavily supporting open workflows and interoperability between the solutions that are used by our customers. It will remain unchanged by the merge.
- Will Allplan, SCIA, FRILO and DC-Software continue to be sold as separate products?
Yes, Allplan, SCIA, FRILO and DC-Software will continue to be offered as independent products.
- Can I continue to use my licenses for the programs I have purchased?
Yes, the merger of the brands will not affect the use of licenses. The licenses can be used as usual.
- Will the further development of ALLPLAN products, SCIA Engineer, FRILO products and DC-Software products continue without interruption?
Allplan and SCIA as well as FRILO and DC-Software will undergo updates and new developments in the usual innovation cycles. The existing team will also continue to be responsible for improving the interoperability between ALLPLAN products, SCIA Engineer, FRILO products and DC-Software products with integrated solutions to bring additional value to the users.
- Will ALLPLAN, SCIA, FRILO and DC-Software support continue to be offered?
The brands' support teams will of course remain in place and will continue to offer their support to their users with the usual quality and reliability.
- Will the sales contacts at ALLPLAN, SCIA, FRILO and DC-Software remain?
For the time being the familiar contacts will remain unchanged. However, in order to provide the best possible experience for our customers, sales setups will be adjusted in the future. We will keep customers informed on future changes as they occur.