In this third part of our feature article on our 2002 AEC CAD IT Survey we discuss database systems utilized in the AEC market and the survey results.

Database Findings

The importance of database software has not yet reached the AEC professional to the same extent as computer-aided design (CAD) software. While architects in particular were notorious for delaying (and even fighting against) the eventual trend to CAD systems, much of this cultural aptitude still exist today. Nowhere does this manifest itself than in the resistance and lack of effort to understand the automation capabilities of relational database management systems (RDBMS's).

Not only do RDBMS's provide incredible opportunities for cost savings via automation but they can tie all of your office's data into a meaningful knowledge base from which KM (knowledge management) can take place. They also provide data flexibility that goes way beyond the document-centric world of Microsoft Office and they can tie into other types of software systems (Web and CAD for that matter) via ODBC (an industry standard, open database connectivity) and XML. The future of RDBMS's in AEC is very bright!

What People are Using

The QuickTime movie below will present graphics of the information we will summarize below. Essentially the database software results are not too surprising to us. What is more interesting is to see the relationship between firm size and database software use and database software type.

Once viewable hit Play button to advance

FileMaker Pro is the dominant database software within our study for a host of obvious reasons. Not the least of which include the fact that it is the best cross-platform database system around for the small and medium size business market (or enterprise workgroup).

Surprisingly there were a number of fascinating alternatives being used. These included: Oracle, Pervasive SQL, Corel's Paradox, mySQL, OPENBase, Helix, 4D, StarOffice-db, Abacas, and last but not least, the AppleWorks-db. Additionally some people typed in accounting database software such as MYOB AccountEdge under "Other".

Detailed Results

Again you can view some of this information inside the QuickTime above. Our database question on the survey asked them to list what database(s) they used in their practice and it included both a None and Other option. Here are the results:

What Percentages Use What Database Software or None At All:

• FileMaker Pro - 41 percent
• MS Access - 15 percent
• None - 31 percent
• Other Database - 14 percent

These results notably indicate the high numbers of Macintosh firms in the AEC Study because MS Access does not run on the Macintosh. Likewise, firms using both Mac and Windows systems also figure into this percentage (41 percent). What may indeed be surprising to many is the high degree of firms who don't use a database at all yet.

Once viewable hit Play button to advance

Again firm size is a key indication of a firm's IT capabilities and the database survey results indicate this clearly as well. What follows below are percentages based on firm size:

Database Systems as a Percentage based on Firm Size (1-2 people):

• FileMaker Pro - 30 percent
• MS Access - 0 percent
• Other db - 35 percent
• None - 35 percent

Database Systems as a Percentage based on Firm Size (3-19 people):

• FileMaker Pro - 44 percent
• MS Access - 6 percent
• Other dB - 9 percent
• None - 44 percent

Database Systems as a Percentage based on Firm Size (20-49 people):

• FileMaker Pro - 71 percent
• MS Access - 29 percent
• Other dB - 14 percent
• None - 0 percent

Database Systems as a Percentage based on Firm Size (50-149 people):

• FileMaker Pro - 63 percent
• MS Access - 50 percent
• Other dB - 25 percent
• None - 0 percent

The results above (breakdown by firm size) is an example of our peer group analyses. We have very detailed peer group breakdowns across the full spectrum of IT variables in the full report. You can view the contents here.

Above you can see that Other databases increase to 25 percent when firms are over 50 people. Note that percentages do not equal 100 because firms utilize more than one database system. This is especially true of larger firms. We had a number of firms in the two largest groups utilize 2 or more database systems. Such combinations include the use of FileMaker and Access; FileMaker and Oracle; and combinations of entirely different databases (see list above).

As we mentioned at the top of this page, many firms are not yet using any database. When one factors in the high use of databases built into "works" type of office applications, such as AppleWorks, ClarisWorks and MicrosoftWorks (all of which were mentioned) true database use actually drops. This is especially true in the 1-2 person firm where Other dB is up at 35 percent--larger than Filemaker Pro. It should be pointed out that MS Access does not feature into 1-2 person firms at all (even PC only firms). It also has a very low percentage of 3-19 person firms (at just 6 percent).

What of FileMaker's Dominance?

Surely Filemaker Pro is likely dominating this survey because of the high percentage of Macintosh and Mac/Windows hybrid firms. But how does it do in PC only firms of various sizes? How does it rank in those larger 50-149 person firms? And why and how do mixed platform firms use FileMaker over other databases? These are just some of the issues we address in the full report.

Other Findings

Just to point out. AEC Firms appear to favor FileMaker Pro and MS Access as their preferred databases. FileMaker clearly dominates heterogeneous firms (as is noted in our detailed report) as well as small and medium size AEC firms. Lastly, 100 percent of medium and large AEC firms in this study use database systems. Again scale in the AEC enterprise reveals different internal IT resources and their availability. This is a driver of the choice of systems.

You can see much of this information in slick Keynote-based QuickTimes movies, click here.

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