From "gray automation" based on Autodesk to the transition to Russian BIM/TIM solutions. Should we expect an acceleration in 2026?

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Фото: Freepik

The construction industry is traditionally inert in matters of digitalization, which is confirmed by various studies noting the low level of introduction of digital technologies in this area. This inertia directly affects the engineering software market as well.

There are multidirectional regulatory factors: on the one hand, the decisions oblige to use information modeling technologies (BIM/TIM), and on the other, the requirement to use only domestic software for a number of companies. However, over the past three years, none of these requirements have had a significant impact on real processes in construction.

If we consider the segment of the state order, then the transition to BIM/TIM and domestic software remained inconspicuous. A certain dynamics was observed only shortly before the adoption and in the first years of the decree of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 331, which introduced obligations for the use of information modeling technologies. However, an amendment was later adopted that made it optional to use a digital information model or 3D part as part of projects in the form of an information model, and this reduced the dynamics. Although this temporary amendment has expired, the previous application volumes of digital models characteristic of 2021-2022 have not recovered.

Based on the statements of the Ministry of Construction of Russia, we can expect that in 2026 the attention of state inspection bodies to the mandatory use of Russian software for information modeling in the implementation of projects will increase.

In commercial construction, the use of information modeling until 2025 grew dynamically. However, this year significantly reduced the investments of enterprises in digitalization, automation and engineering software, including BIM/TIM. The reason is a decrease in demand for housing due to high credit rates, the inaccessibility of mortgages and a reduction in preferential programs. The number of new projects decreased throughout the year, which directly affected the dynamics of the use of engineering software.

Cautious optimism is given by statements by the Central Bank, the Ministry of Finance and the government about improving financial conditions for business, which may stimulate new projects in 2026 and related digitalization tasks.

A number of companies in the commercial segment maintain a restrained position on import substitution and the use of domestic software. This is especially typical for organizations where BIM/TIM is already deeply implemented not only among designers, but also in management processes. Restructuring these processes is difficult, so many companies continue to use foreign software, realizing that they work in "gray" schemes. Some foreign developers, such as Autodesk, explicitly banned Russian companies from using their software, but due to the lack of proper licensing control, this led to a situation of "gray automation."

Based on the rhetoric of the government, we can count on strengthening control over the use of licensed software in the construction industry, which will create more motivation for the transition to domestic solutions.

In the industrial construction segment, the transition to information modeling technologies (BIM/TIM) and modern engineering software did not require additional incentives. This is due to the high complexity of the projects themselves, expensive errors and the risk of hidden technical flaws that can only appear during the installation stage. The argument for the use of this class of programs was initially significant, so the development went organically.

Industrial enterprises, whether they are structures of state corporations or commercial holdings, have been implementing import substitution programs for a long time - equipment, materials and, of course, software. One of the key drivers of this process is information security requirements. Unsupported or unlicensed software is a vulnerability, a "hole" in security, which is unacceptable both in the civilian and especially in the defense industry.

The situation with the transition to domestic software develops from year to year with constant, but difficult dynamics. Large state-owned companies and corporations put forward serious requirements for software, which are then implemented, and the gradual transition continues.

What to expect in 2026? In the industrial segment, most likely, the current dynamics will remain. In terms of state-owned companies and state corporations, we can expect some increase in pressure, including due to the tightening of the responsibility of managers for not switching to domestic software.

In general, the market in 2026, and most likely in 2027, will be influenced by another recently identified factor. We are talking about the roadmap approved by Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin on the transition of the construction industry to Russian software for design and information modeling. This work is being carried out on behalf of Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, whose attention in June 2025 was drawn to the fact that the construction industry is not actively switching to domestic software compared to the industrial industry. In some discussions, there were even positions that there are no strong arguments and tasks for such a transition in construction. However, the head of government did not agree with this and gave a direct order to develop specific measures to intensify this process.

Of course, this will primarily affect the state order, but I am sure that it will also affect market structures. As a result, on November 26, 2025 , a roadmap for the phased transition of the Russian construction complex to domestic software for information modeling was published on the website of the Ministry of Construction. What does it mean? Now we have an official document that fixes the stages and mechanisms for transferring the entire design sphere to Russian software, aimed at mass introduction of domestic CAD and TIM in the construction industry.

To summarize, in 2026 we look with restrained optimism, hoping for an improvement in government financial policy. This in itself should stimulate the construction market, increase its activity, which, in turn, will affect the development of projects for digitalization and the use of engineering software.