CAD and BIM workstations specified for Revit and AutoCAD
Revit and AutoCAD are demanding in specific ways, and a general office computer will not keep up with a large model. We help New York design and construction firms specify, source and refresh workstations that match the work, including HP Z-series through our HP partnership.
When the machine is the bottleneck
Slow models usually get blamed on the network or on Revit itself. Just as often, the workstation was never specified for the work.
- A model that opens in seconds on one machine takes minutes on another.
- Workstations were bought one at a time, so the team runs five different specs.
- Rendering ties up a machine for an hour and nobody can use it for anything else.
- A laptop was chosen for portability and cannot hold a model once it grows.
- The graphics card is whatever shipped in the box, not one certified for CAD.
- Nobody knows which machines are due for replacement until one of them fails.
What we handle
From choosing the right machine to retiring the old one, so every person has hardware that suits the work they actually do.
Specification
We match processor, memory, graphics and storage to the software you run and the size of your models, instead of buying the most expensive machine on the list.
Sourcing through HP
As an HP partner through HP Amplify, we can quote HP Z-series workstations directly and handle ordering and delivery.
Setup and deployment
New machines arrive configured with your software, security tools, drivers and access, ready for the person who will use them.
Performance tuning
Certified graphics drivers, power settings and storage configuration set up for CAD work, which is where a lot of lost speed hides.
Refresh planning
A record of every workstation's age and spec, so replacements are planned and budgeted instead of forced by a failure.
Mobile workstations
Laptops for people who present to clients, visit sites or work from home, specified for the models they actually open.
How a workstation refresh works
Most firms do this a few machines at a time. We plan it so nothing is replaced in a hurry.
- Step 01
Review
We look at the machines you have, the software each person runs and the size of your models, and find where the hardware is holding people back.
- Step 02
Specify and quote
We recommend a spec for each role rather than one machine for everyone, and quote it. HP Z-series where it fits, other options where they fit better.
- Step 03
Deploy
Machines arrive set up with software, drivers, security and access. Old machines are wiped and retired properly.
- Step 04
Plan the next cycle
We keep a record of every machine so the next refresh is planned and budgeted rather than forced by a failure.
Who this is for
Firms whose people spend their day in Revit, AutoCAD, Civil 3D or a rendering tool.
A strong fit if:
- Your team works in Revit, AutoCAD or Civil 3D every day
- Some machines are noticeably slower than others on the same files
- You render in Enscape, Twinmotion or V-Ray
- Several workstations are due for replacement
- You want a plan instead of replacing machines as they fail
What you won't have to worry about:
- Deciphering spec sheets and graphics card model numbers
- Guessing whether a laptop will hold your largest model
- Setting up each new machine by hand
- Finding out a machine is out of warranty when it fails
- Replacing half the office in one unplanned year
Why ELMIDA
We are an HP partner, and we look at hardware from the point of view of the software running on it.
HP partner
Through HP Amplify we can quote and source HP Z-series workstations directly, which is where most of our workstation recommendations start.
Specified for the software
We start from what Revit, AutoCAD and your rendering tools need, not from what a retailer has in stock.
One spec per role
A drafter, a project architect and a visualization specialist need different machines. We specify for each rather than overbuying for everyone.
Honest about alternatives
If another machine is the better fit for your firm, we will tell you, even when it is not one we source.
Set up properly
Machines arrive ready to work, with certified drivers, security tools and access already in place.
Part of the bigger picture
Workstation speed depends on storage and network too. We look at all three, because a fast machine on a slow file server is still slow.
What firms ask before getting started.
Ready to talk about your firm's technology?
Schedule a consultation. We'll review your environment, identify any gaps, and give you a clear picture of what proper IT looks like for a firm like yours. No obligation. No pressure.