On July 15, 2024, Russian developers encountered issues accessing their design documentation as their cloud accounts in the Autodesk BIM 360 system were blocked. This platform plays a crucial role in construction, design, and industrial design, hosting files on encrypted servers owned by Autodesk.
In 2022, Russian companies obtained Autodesk licenses through Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and the UAE. However, the American developer identified the use of their products in Russia and subsequently restricted access to the platform for these customers.
The loss of access to data in Autodesk BIM 360 could have severe repercussions for developers. They may need to recreate information models using archived data, potentially delaying project and contract fulfillment. Some companies might attempt to access the platform via VPN, but this approach is not foolproof as targeted bans could still be in effect.
Since March 2024, Autodesk has prohibited its corporate customers in Russia from using its products, citing EU sanctions. The company notified its partners in Russia, instructing them to cease using Autodesk products and services for Russian organizations.
In 2022, Autodesk halted its operations in Russia, and by October 2023, the company had completed the dissolution of its Russian legal entity. In response, Russian technical universities began transitioning in large numbers to domestic engineering software, replacing Autodesk solutions with products like KOMPAS-3D, DELTA Design, Renga, and Pilot-Bim.
According to ASCON, approximately 30% of Russian developers have already made the switch to domestic solutions, while the remaining developers continue to rely on Autodesk products and other specialized software such as Archicad and Tekla.