Software · United Arab Emirates
Autodesk Forma (formerly Autodesk Construction Cloud)
Autodesk's construction platform, now sold as Autodesk Forma
Market position
Autodesk moved Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC) into its Autodesk Forma brand on 24 March 2026 and renamed the products, for example Forma Build, Forma Data Management, Forma Takeoff and Forma Estimate. Autodesk sells them in three quote-based bundles, Model Management, Preconstruction and Construction Operations, which also include Navisworks Manage, BuildingConnected Pro, ProEst and Pype tools.
United Arab Emirates-specific note
Global Construction Review reported in November 2023 that from 1 January 2024 Dubai Municipality would accept permit applications only with BIM models for buildings above 20 floors (architectural models) or 40 floors (structural), large complexes, specialised buildings such as hospitals and universities, and all government projects, following the Dubai BIM standard. The mandate names no software, so Autodesk Forma is one option among several BIM tools.
Pros
- + Model coordination, design collaboration and document management in one account
- + Bundles run from takeoff, estimating and bidding to field operations and closeout
- + User-, project- and account-based pricing options (per Autodesk)
- + 30-day money-back guarantee stated on the pricing page
Cons
- − No public prices for the construction bundles: quote-based
- − Product names changed in March 2026, so older guides use ACC names
- − Not an accounting or VAT tool
- − BIM depth is more than simple jobs need
Typical United Arab Emirates pricing
Quote-based: Autodesk's construction pricing page lists three bundles (Model Management, Preconstruction, Construction Operations) with 'Get a quote' and no prices; Autodesk says it offers user-, project- and account-based pricing and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Why this matters for United Arab Emirates trades
Under Dubai Law No. 7 of 2025, contracting work in Dubai needs a trade licence and entry in Dubai Municipality’s Contractors Register, while federal MOEI e-qualification covers only MOEI’s own engineering projects. VAT is 5%, with registration mandatory once taxable supplies and imports exceed AED 375,000 over 12 months. E-invoicing follows a decentralised model based on the OpenPeppol standard: under Ministerial Decision No. 244 of 2025, as amended by Ministerial Resolution No. 66 of 2026, each business appoints an Accredited Service Provider from the Ministry of Finance list (by 30 October 2026 for revenue of AED 50 million or more, implementing by 1 January 2027; by 31 March 2027 for smaller businesses, implementing by 1 July 2027). MOHRE sets Emiratisation targets for companies with 50 or more employees and for companies with 20-49 employees in 14 sectors, and in Abu Dhabi a building permit needs an Estidama Pearl rating (at least one Pearl for private projects, two for government-funded ones).
UAE construction and trades software selection is shaped by 5% VAT filed with the Federal Tax Authority through EmaraTax, the phased e-invoicing mandate run through accredited Peppol service providers (under Ministry of Finance decisions, businesses with revenue of AED 50 million or more implement it by 1 January 2027 and smaller businesses by 1 July 2027), MOHRE Emiratisation targets, separate regulatory systems in Dubai (Dubai Municipality’s Contractors Register and its BIM requirement for large and specialised buildings) and Abu Dhabi (DMT classification, permits and the Estidama Pearl rating), and AED pricing.
Frequently asked
Is Autodesk Forma (formerly Autodesk Construction Cloud) a good fit for United Arab Emirates trades?
Autodesk moved Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC) into its Autodesk Forma brand on 24 March 2026 and renamed the products, for example Forma Build, Forma Data Management, Forma Takeoff and Forma Estimate. Autodesk sells them in three quote-based bundles, Model Management, Preconstruction and Construction Operations, which also include Navisworks Manage, BuildingConnected Pro, ProEst and Pype tools. Global Construction Review reported in November 2023 that from 1 January 2024 Dubai Municipality would accept permit applications only with BIM models for buildings above 20 floors (architectural models) or 40 floors (structural), large complexes, specialised buildings such as hospitals and universities, and all government projects, following the Dubai BIM standard. The mandate names no software, so Autodesk Forma is one option among several BIM tools.
What does Autodesk Forma (formerly Autodesk Construction Cloud) cost in United Arab Emirates?
Quote-based: Autodesk's construction pricing page lists three bundles (Model Management, Preconstruction, Construction Operations) with 'Get a quote' and no prices; Autodesk says it offers user-, project- and account-based pricing and a 30-day money-back guarantee. Pricing and availability can change by region; confirm current United Arab Emirates pricing on the vendor's site before committing.