AI, Automation, and Connected Workflows: How Trimble is Shaping the Future of Structural Engineering

At World of Concrete 2025, Carl Taylor, Director of Structural Product Sales at Trimble, shared insights into how AI, automation, and connected workflows are driving efficiency in the construction and engineering sectors. With a diverse suite of software solutions, Trimble provides industry professionals with best-in-class tools that streamline design, modeling, and project management.

AI-Powered Innovation: What's Coming Next?

AI is becoming a critical force in construction and structural engineering, and Trimble is at the forefront of bringing practical, automation-driven AI solutions to the market.

The most significant application of AI in Trimble’s portfolio is in automating drawing generation within Tekla, its Building Information Modeling (BIM) solution. Instead of relying on manual inputs for every project, AI is now able to analyze past work and automatically generate drawings that match a user's preferred style and content.

“We’re seeing AI play a role in reducing tedious, repetitive tasks that take up valuable time,” Taylor explained. “Right now, we’re in the early stages, but our next release in March will introduce automated drawing generation, using AI to recognize patterns from past work and optimize output.”

The Future of AI in Structural Engineering

Looking ahead, Taylor sees AI expanding beyond time-saving automation into a decision-support role, helping engineers and construction professionals improve accuracy and efficiency.

“In four to five years, I see AI evolving to learn from experience—not just automating tasks, but understanding patterns, anticipating potential issues, and enabling users to focus on higher-value work,” he said. “It’s about shifting from manual input to AI-enhanced decision-making.”

While some customers are already asking about AI integrations, others are still in the early stages of understanding how it can benefit their workflows. Taylor emphasized that the more sophisticated customers are actively seeking AI tools, but many in the industry are still exploring what’s possible.

“They want to know what we’re doing, what’s coming next, and how we’re using AI to improve accuracy and efficiency—even if they don’t yet have specific AI requests themselves,” Taylor said.

Organizing for Success: How Trimble Manages a Diverse Software Portfolio

With a vast array of software solutions, Trimble operates with specialized business units focused on individual product areas. Each unit has dedicated product development teams that drive innovation while ensuring that solutions remain interoperable across the broader Trimble ecosystem.

“We have different product development groups specializing in various disciplines, but our goal is to avoid silos and ensure all our solutions work together seamlessly,” Taylor explained.

On the customer side, Trimble employs account teams that represent the full software portfolio, supported by product specialists and subject matter experts who guide customers through specific use cases.

“Our customers don’t want to juggle six different vendors,” Taylor noted. “That’s where our best-in-class products and connected workflows give us an edge—combining the power of multiple solutions into a seamless experience.”

Why Customers Choose Trimble

Trimble’s success stems from a dual value proposition:

1. Best-of-Breed Solutions – Industry professionals trust Trimble’s market-leading tools in disciplines like BIM modeling, structural analysis, and geospatial technology.

2. Seamless, Connected Workflows – Customers prefer integrated ecosystems rather than piecing together multiple vendors. Trimble offers both depth and interoperability, ensuring that projects flow smoothly across different stages of development.

“We have customers who want best-in-class solutions, and we also have customers who don’t want the hassle of managing multiple vendors,” Taylor said. “By offering both, we make it easier for them to get the most out of their data, software, and workflows.”

Looking Ahead to 2025 & Beyond

Trimble is set to accelerate AI integration, expand automation capabilities, and refine connected workflows in the coming years. With an emphasis on reducing manual workload and enabling smarter decision-making, the company is ensuring that engineers, designers, and construction professionals can focus on innovation rather than administrative tasks.

“The industry is evolving rapidly, and AI is going to be a big part of that transformation,” Taylor said. “But at the end of the day, it’s about creating practical, meaningful solutions that actually help our customers—not just tech for tech’s sake.”

As AI-powered efficiency and software integration continue to shape the future of structural engineering, Trimble is positioning itself as a leader in intelligent, connected workflows—driving the industry forward one innovation at a time.

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