What DDS does

DDS operates the DDScad product line within Graphisoft, a Budapest-headquartered AEC software company and wholly-owned subsidiary of the publicly listed Nemetschek Group. Founded in 1982, Graphisoft developed Archicad — among the first major BIM software products — and introduced the Virtual Building concept that became foundational to modern Building Information Modeling. The company's product portfolio spans Archicad (architectural BIM authoring), BIMcloud (real-time team collaboration), BIMx (multi-platform BIM viewing, including Apple Vision Pro support), and DDScad (comprehensive MEP design planning).

The underlying technology is an Adaptive Hybrid Framework that combines desktop and cloud architectures in a modular system, allowing the company to integrate emerging capabilities such as AI, Neural Language Processing, and Spatial Computing into its AEC solutions. Graphisoft's OPEN BIM philosophy with comprehensive IFC support enables interoperability with consultants using different software platforms, while a single Graphisoft ID authentication system unifies access across the product portfolio. Archicad is used by hundreds of thousands of architects in 108 countries and 27 languages.

DDS's revenue model combines subscription-based software licensing for Archicad, BIMcloud, BIMx, and DDScad with freemium funnels (30-day free trials and free Archicad EDU licenses for students/educators) and professional services revenue from the Graphisoft Learn training and certification platform. Go-to-market motions include product-led growth via downloadable trials, enterprise field sales for larger deployments, and community-led adoption through certifications, webinars, the Graphisoft Talks podcast, and an active user forum. DDScad is currently being actively rolled out to additional geographic markets, with the product page signaling ongoing expansion.

Name

DDS

Legal name

Graphisoft R&D Zrt.

Website

https://dds-cad.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

1982

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

DDS (Graphisoft DDScad) provides MEP design planning software within Graphisoft's BIM ecosystem, serving architects and engineering professionals across 108 countries via subscription licensing, freemium trials, and professional training.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Ascheberg

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Software Licenses and Subscriptions: Graphisoft offers software products including Archicad, BIMcloud, BIMx, and DDScad through subscription-based licensing models. The company provides 30-day free trials for Archicad and promotes subscription conversion from perpetual licenses.
2. Educational Licensing: Free Archicad EDU licenses available for students and educators, with full access to the complete software solution for academic purposes.
3. Professional Services and Training: Graphisoft Learn platform offers training, certification, and events including BIM Coordinator and BIM Manager programs for professional development.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

DDScad is a comprehensive MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing) design planning solution within the Graphisoft ecosystem. It enables MEP engineers and designers to model, coordinate, and document mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems within an integrated BIM workflow, interoperating with Archicad, BIMcloud, and BIMx.

Product overview

DDS (through Graphisoft DDScad) offers a product portfolio centered on DDScad, a specialized MEP design planning solution. DDScad is positioned within the broader Graphisoft ecosystem alongside Archicad (architectural design), BIMcloud (team collaboration), and BIMx (mobile/web BIM viewing). DDScad enables MEP engineers to design, model, and coordinate mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems within an integrated BIM workflow. The product is noted as being expanded to new markets.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Archicad: Industry-leading Building Information Modeling (BIM) software solution for architecture and design.
• BIMcloud
• BIMx
• DDScad

Quantifiable outcome

• Operate with about half the staff compared to traditional software in other offices
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Nemetschek GroupcoreOthersGraphisoft is part of the Nemetschek Group, a global software group for the construction industry. This parent company relationship provides strategic alignment and resources for Graphisoft's product development and market expansion.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• McNeel (Rhino + Grasshopper): Rhino with Grasshopper is widely used for parametric and computational design in architecture. While not a traditional BIM authoring tool, it competes with Archicad for advanced design workflows and is increasingly adopted by design-led firms worldwide.
• SketchUp (Trimble): SketchUp is a lightweight 3D modeling tool used extensively in early-stage architectural design. While lighter than Archicad, it competes for the same design exploration and conceptual modeling workflow within AEC firms.

Direct peers

• Vectorworks: Vectorworks is another Nemetschek Group sibling offering BIM/CAD software for architecture, landscape, and entertainment design. Like Archicad, it is a Mac-friendly, design-led BIM platform competing for the same mid-market architectural customers.
• Autodesk (Revit): Autodesk Revit is the dominant multi-discipline BIM authoring platform and the primary direct competitor to Graphisoft's Archicad across architectural, structural, and MEP workflows. Both serve the AEC market with subscription-based BIM software.
• Trimble (Tekla Structures): Tekla Structures is a structural BIM authoring solution from Trimble that competes with Archicad in structural and multi-discipline BIM workflows. Trimble also owns SketchUp, expanding the competitive footprint in adjacent AEC design tools.
• Nemetschek Allplan: Allplan is a sister company under Nemetschek Group and a direct competitor in the BIM authoring space, particularly strong in European infrastructure and engineering workflows. Comparable BIM product targeting architects and engineers.

Broad incumbents

• Dassault Systèmes (CATIA / 3DEXPERIENCE): Dassault Systèmes competes with Graphisoft at the high end of architectural and infrastructure design through its 3DEXPERIENCE platform, particularly for complex, parametric, and large-scale building projects.
• Bentley Systems (Open Buildings): Bentley Systems offers OpenBuildings and a broader portfolio of infrastructure-focused BIM and digital twin software. It competes with Graphisoft in large-scale architectural and multi-discipline BIM, particularly on infrastructure and facilities projects.
• Solibri: Solibri is a Nemetschek Group sibling offering BIM coordination and quality assurance software. While Graphisoft authors BIM models, Solibri checks and coordinates them — an adjacent but increasingly integrated workflow competitor in the same AEC customer base.
• Bluebeam (Revu): Bluebeam Revu is a sibling Nemetschek brand specializing in PDF-based design review, markup, and collaboration for AEC. While not a direct BIM authoring competitor, it is a complementary workflow tool competing for similar architecture/engineering customer wallet share.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/Archicad
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/Archicad
• Facebookfacebook.com/archicad
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/graphisoft
• Instagraminstagram.com/graphisoft

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments2 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about DDS