3D CAD FROM THE PRIVATE CLOUD
Stationary workstations are a thing of the past in 3D modelling. Today, architects, planners and designers work independently of location, across disciplines and with enormously data-intensive models. IT solutions are required that not only offer maximum performance, but are also flexible, secure and scalable. The solution: 3D CAD from the MTF Solutions private cloud.
Architectural firms, engineering and construction companies are faced with the conflicting demands of increasing project requirements, a shortage of skilled labour and the need to remain attractive as a modern employer. Mobile, efficient processes are in demand - without compromising on quality, data security or performance. Whether competition design, execution planning or BIM coordination: modern 3D CAD tools are indispensable, but place the highest demands on IT. Computing power, graphics performance, availability and security must be guaranteed at all times - in the office, in the home office or directly on the construction site.
Traditionally, CAD workstations were tied to powerful but expensive workstations in the office. However, this model is rigid and inefficient for mobile teams and interdisciplinary collaboration. The reality of many planning offices: decentralised teams, changing project partners, growing data volumes - and a clear need for scalable, collaborative solutions for digital and modern everyday life.
This is where MTF Solutions comes in: CAD from the private cloud creates a high-performance working environment that enables location-independent working without compromising on speed, data security or software compatibility. Using virtualised high-performance workstations in the cloud, graphics-intensive CAD projects can be processed in real time - on any end device, at the usual speed and with predictable monthly costs.
Performance is the key question - and the greatest strength
Many companies with CAD applications initially ask themselves a crucial question: can a cloud solution really keep up with the computing power of local workstations? The clear answer: yes - and often even better. Thanks to specialised GPU virtualisation in high-performance data centres, the MTF Business Cloud offers performance that is designed to meet the requirements of demanding 3D CAD applications. Complex models, real-time visualisations, point cloud data import and parallel processing by multiple users are possible without any problems - without jerking or delays. The reason: with the MTF Business Cloud, only the image stream is transferred, not the complete CAD data. This significantly reduces the required bandwidth and makes smooth working a reality, even in the home office or on the construction site.
Two MTF customers show how this works in practice
IKON Ingenieure AG
The renowned Swiss engineering firm IKON Ingenieure AG needed a high-performance, secure and flexible IT infrastructure within a very short space of time. The solution: a CAD-optimised private cloud from MTF. Today, over 50 CAD users work on the move and with maximum performance. ‘The cloud solution from MTF has met our expectations in every respect,’ says Stefan Urech, member of the management team at IKON Ingenieure AG.
Blaser Metallbau AG
After losing its internal IT expertise, Blaser Metallbau AG decided in favour of the MTF Business Cloud. The company was looking for a high-performance, low-maintenance solution - especially for demanding CAD applications. Today, the almost 70-strong team works independently of location, with stable performance and significantly lower IT costs. Daniel Vonrüti, CEO of Blaser Metallbau AG: ‘The solution with the MTF Business Cloud has dispelled all concerns regarding performance and fully met our expectations.’
The solution with the MTF Business Cloud has dispelled all our concerns regarding performance and fully met our expectations.
Daniel Vonrüti
CEO Blaser Metallbau AG
Private cloud for CAD: When performance and security go hand in hand
What the high performance makes possible
The practical examples show: CAD from the cloud works reliably and quickly. The basis for this is the Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI). Computing-intensive processes such as rendering or modelling no longer run locally, but in high-performance data centres. The end device is only used for display - even simple, inexpensive laptops are sufficient.
The advantage: complex CAD projects run smoothly, regardless of location. Teams can work simultaneously, changes are immediately visible, versioning and backups are centralised - this saves time and increases planning reliability.
Security in accordance with Swiss standards
In addition to performance, one thing is particularly important in construction and planning: trust in the handling of sensitive data. MTF's private cloud meets the highest data protection and reliability requirements - with redundant data storage in certified Swiss data centres (ISO 27001, 27017/27018), AES-256 encryption, automated backups and GDPR compliance. Swiss hosting also guarantees low latency and full data sovereignty - a major advantage over global public cloud solutions.
Growing demand
Cloud CAD is in tune with the times: according to market analyses, around 60% of all companies in the construction industry will be using cloud solutions by 2025.[1] Demand is also increasing in Switzerland - not only because of location-independent collaboration and cost benefits, but also because modern working environments are a key factor in the competition for talent. At the same time, cloud infrastructures improve energy efficiency and support sustainable IT management.
[1] https://scoop.market.us/construction-software-statistics/
Plain talking about the cloud: Three questions for the expert
Cloud technology meets construction practice: Christof Müller from MTF Solutions explains why CAD from the cloud can do much more today than many people think - and what users should bear in mind:
Mr Müller, what are the biggest misconceptions surrounding CAD from the cloud?
Many people suspect a loss of performance. Our CAD customer base of over 150 companies from various industries disproves this assumption. With almost 15 years of experience in the virtual graphics world, our private cloud has been continuously developed and perfected for companies with CAD.
What about software compatibility?
Our infrastructure is compatible with all CAD applications. As the operator of our own cloud infrastructure, we build individual IT landscapes for our customers, which are optimised for each software used by the customer.
For which companies is this solution particularly suitable?
Primarily for SMEs without their own IT team that use graphics programmes, benefit from location-independent working and/or want to provide their employees with a modern workplace. MTF provides you with a solution that is geared towards performance, security and flexibility, as well as support based on the single point of contact concept. Ideal for SMEs.
A look into the near future
Technological innovations such as AI-supported model optimisation, browser-based real-time rendering and integration into BIM and project management platforms are continuously expanding the possible uses of cloud CAD. Even today, complex simulations can be carried out up to five times faster in the cloud than locally - with a reduced hardware load and greater sustainability.
Building digitally now means building smarter
For architecture firms, engineering teams and construction companies, CAD from the cloud has long been more than just an IT topic - it is a key to future viability. After all, those who rely on a scalable, secure and high-performance infrastructure create the basis for agile project work, efficient collaboration and sustainable growth.
MTF: Your partner for CAD from the private cloud
The days when 3D CAD was necessarily tied to local workstations are a thing of the past. Thanks to modern cloud technologies, even sophisticated CAD environments can now be operated securely, scalably and from any location. For many SMEs, this is not only a technological but also an economic opportunity - towards greater agility and future-proofing.
With MTF Solutions, you can rely on a tried-and-tested IT infrastructure that integrates seamlessly into existing work processes - powerful, secure and flexible. Ready for the next step? With MTF, cloud CAD becomes reality. Contact us now for a no-obligation consultation.
FAQs
- How does CAD from the cloud differ from a traditional installation?
With traditional CAD, everything runs locally – with cloud CAD, the data center handles the performance. The end device only has to display and send inputs. Result: Less local hardware, more flexibility.
- Is my internet sufficient for this?
Yes. A stable connection of 10 Mbps or higher is sufficient, since only image data is transmitted. Low latency is important – for companies, we recommend MPLS; for home offices, standard broadband is often sufficient.
- Does CAD from the cloud really run smoothly?
Yes. Thanks to special graphics processors (GPU virtualization) and dedicated environments in the MTF data center, performance is comparable to local workstations—often even better.
- Is my software compatible in the cloud?
Yes. Common tools such as Allplan, Vectorworks, AutoCAD, and Revit are fully integrated. The environment is tailored to your applications.
- Is the solution also suitable for smaller businesses?
SMEs in particular benefit: No expensive investments, predictable costs, less internal IT effort, and scalable performance depending on the project situation.
- How secure is my data in the cloud?
MTF hosts your data in certified Swiss data centers – with multi-factor authentication, encryption, geo-redundancy, and Tier 4 monitoring.
- How quickly can the solution be implemented?
The conversion is project-based and closely monitored – usually within a few days, without interruption. A dedicated project manager coordinates all steps.
- Which devices can I use?
Almost all. Since the computing power comes from the cloud, simple laptops or tablets are sufficient – this significantly reduces hardware costs.