What can you read from the software your firm uses?
Before offering to connect a firm’s software, we tested what information we could read with permission. These notes record tests from July and August 2026. Access and prices can change, so check them again for your own account.
One project can be spread across several tools. Emails and documents may be in Microsoft 365, comments in Autodesk Construction Cloud, and the building model in Revit or 3DEXPERIENCE. Each tool holds part of the story.
Suppose someone asks who approved a change and when. The answer may be split across an email, a marked drawing and a dated comment. Finding it means checking several places.
Why we published this
We wrote down what we learned so other teams can plan their own checks. Some limits only became clear when we tested a real company account.
Microsoft 365 is the easy one
In our tests, Microsoft’s Graph API, a connection that lets software read permitted data, gave access to email, files and their details. Access could be set up for a service rather than relying on one employee’s account.
Autodesk can share details about parts of a building model
Our tests read building-model details through Autodesk’s AEC Data Model API. An API is a way for software tools to exchange information. The original test notes flagged changes to usage charges in August 2026. Check current charges before setting a budget.
Construction Cloud access depends on the user
In our tests, we could read reported problems, comments, drawing notes and records of changes. Access depended on the permissions of the person whose account was connected.
If that person’s permissions change or they leave, access can change too. Decide who will manage the connection before work starts.
Reading a 3D model without opening Revit
Our tests could read 3D shapes and positions without opening Revit. That feature was still in testing and had no promised service level. Try it on your own files before relying on it.
3DEXPERIENCE needs your account administrator
In our tests, access needed an account linked to a paying company. The company’s account administrator had to set it up.
Ask your account administrator to help at the start. The connection cannot be finished until the required access is ready.
Check where your Autodesk files are stored
The Autodesk connections we tested needed files published to Autodesk Docs. If your firm stores models somewhere else, check how they will reach Autodesk Docs before promising a connection.
What to ask a vendor before you sign
- Which of our tools have you tested using a real company account?
- Does Construction Cloud access depend on one employee? What happens when they leave?
- Are you relying on any features still in testing, with no promised service level?
- What must our account administrator set up, and when?
- Have you checked whether our models are published to Autodesk Docs?
Ask for clear answers and evidence from a test. If the provider does not know an answer, agree on how to check it before starting.
These are dated test notes
These notes describe our July and August 2026 tests. Software access can change. Test your own account and check current terms before spending money. These notes do not mean Mebbian offers a live or certified connection to each tool. The named companies are not our partners.