Architosh Staff ([email protected])

13 Jun 2002 [Edited: 15 Jun 2002]

 

Reader Survey Request: Mac CAD AEC IT Survey

In the May 2002 issue of Architectural Record magazine there was a feature article entitled, "Small, medium, and large: Is Growth a Burden or a Blessing?" as part of their "Lessons from the best-managed firms" series. The article included survey data which Architectural Record collected between October 2001 and January 2002. Interestingly, there were some excellent IT and Macintosh related information, which is the subject of another Architosh article.

Some of that information included data which supports the belief that Macs are used by 20 percent of architecture firms in the US. Additionally, the survey data suggested that FileMaker Pro is the leading database application in architecture firms as well, roughly tied with the combined market share of MS Access, MS SQL, and MS Outlook. Some firms which don't use FileMaker use all three MS products. To learn more click here.

Are Mac Firms Saving More with IT Costs than Their PC Counter Parts ?

This question has been at the forefront of this site's interest for quite some time. In an effort to obtain objective data to help us answer (or prove or disprove) our Mac-biased assumptions and questions we have put together an IT Survey for both AEC-based Mac, Mac/PC and PC firms and will publish the results just as soon as we obtain enough data to make that a worthwhile read. It should be this summer, so send in soon! Thanks in advance.

Obtaining Objective Data

It is important to stress the goal of obtaining true "objective data" from both Mac, Mac/PC, and PC firms in order to make valuable conclusions based on the data. This statement, and some red highlighted info in the survey below, will help aid that cause. In the event we receive questionable survey data, ie, answers that contridict themselves or are downright not reasonable (eg: firm size is 80+ and there is only 1 multi-function IT professional and she puts in 0-5 hours per week of IT time. Such answer combinations are nonsense) we will through out that data or put aside for further discussion.

AEC IT Survey for Mac vs. Windows Pros

To take the survey just select, copy and paste everything below the dotted line into your email program and send to: [email protected]

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Architosh AEC IT Survey: Directions: place an "x" or number in the brackets, ie [ x ].

DO NOT change the structure of any questions or add any answer fields. Do not add None or Other if they are not there.

1. What Type of Firm are You?

[ ] Architecture or Planning

[ ] Engineering

[ ] Construction or DesignBuild

[ ] Interiors

[ ] Other

2. What is Your Firm Size?

[ ] 1-2 (SOHO firm)

[ ] 3-19 (small firm)

[ ] 20-49 (medium firm)

[ ] 50-149 (large firm)

[ ] 150+ (enterprise level firm)

3. What Type of Computers Do You Use? (check all that apply)

[ ] Macs

[ ] Windows PC's

[ ] Linux

[ ] UNIX

4. What CAD Platform(s) Do You Use? (Type in your software)

[type here: ___________ ]

5. What Database Software Do You Use? (check all that apply)

[ ] FileMaker Pro

[ ] MS Access

[ ] MS SQL

[ ] None

[ ] Other: Type here:

5. What Accounting Software Do You Use? (check all that apply)

[ ] QuickBooks or QuickBooks Pro Mac

[ ] MYOB / AccountEdge / FirstEdge

[ ] Harper and Shuman

[ ] Sema 4

[ ] Other: Type in here: {put in Excel or related here as well}

6. What is Your Average Initial Purchase Cost of Hardware per CAD Station including Monitor?

[ ] $1000 - $1499

[ ] $1500 - $1999

[ ] $2000 - $2499

[ ] $2500 - $2999

[ ] $3000 - $3999

[ ] $4000 +

7. How Long Do You Keep Your CPU's Before Upgrading Them?

[ ] 12 - 18 months

[ ] 2 years

[ ] 3 years

[ ] 4 years

[ ] 5 years

8. How Many Dedicated Purpose Servers Do You Run? (count all types)

[ ] None

[ ] 1-2

[ ] 3-5

[ ] 6-10

[ ] 11 +

9. Do you Have Automated, Scheduled Backup Systems?

[ ] No {we manually use ZIP, CD-RW, the process is manually performed}

[ ] Yes {we have tape drives, RAID servers, other automated systems}

10. What Type of IT Staff Does Your Firm Have? (mark all that apply)

[ ] Dedicated Full-Time IT Staff (does not practice, all nonbillable time)

[ ] Dedicated Part-time IT Staff (does not practice, all nonbillable time)

[ ] Multi-Purpose IT Staff (mixes IT with design practice, mixed billable time)

[ ] Outsourced IT

11. If you have Multipurpose IT Staff, How Much IT Time Per Week?

[ ] 0-5 hours ave.

[ ] 6-10 hours Ave.

[ ] 11-20 hours Ave.

[ ] 21-35 hours Ave.

12. How Many IT Staff Do You Have Total? (Regardless of type)

Type the Number here: [ ___ ]

The Next Question is Optional

13. What is the Average IT Cost Per Employee Per Year?

Type the Number here: [ ___ ]

{factor initial purchase price for hdwe, software, licenses, Net access, and training and education.}

Thanks for taking the survey and Remember to share it with your PC-only friends so we can get comparative data.

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We will publish the results this summer. Thanks again.

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