{"id":57326,"date":"2026-05-28T16:08:14","date_gmt":"2026-05-28T20:08:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/adsknews.autodesk.com\/?post_type=views&p=57326"},"modified":"2026-05-28T18:48:38","modified_gmt":"2026-05-28T22:48:38","slug":"inside-autodesk-operations-solutions","status":"publish","type":"views","link":"https:\/\/adsknews.autodesk.com\/en\/views\/inside-autodesk-operations-solutions\/","title":{"rendered":"Inside Autodesk Operations Solutions: Stephen Hooper on the future of connected operations"},"content":{"rendered":"

Autodesk\u2019s strategy is to converge design, make, and operate across a continuous lifecycle. To help bring this strategy to life, the company has announced<\/a> Autodesk Operations Solutions (AOS), which brings together the company\u2019s operations capabilities under a unified strategy. <\/span>To help strengthen this effort, Autodesk has also entered<\/a> into a definitive agreement to acquire MaintainX<\/a>, a leading computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) solution.  <\/span>While the transaction remains subject to regulatory reviews and other closing conditions, Autodesk\u2019s focus is clear: helping customers connect workflows, capture real-world performance, and improve outcomes across the lifecycle.  <\/span>We spoke with Stephen Hooper, senior vice president of AOS, about why operations is a strategic priority and what it takes to make that vision real. <\/p>\n

ADSK: Steve, what is AOS and why is this the right moment to focus more directly on operations?<\/h3>\n

SH<\/strong>: AOS brings together the company\u2019s operations capabilities\u2013digital twins, operational planning and execution, and performance analysis\u2013in one organization and within a unified platform.  <\/span>For many years, different phases of the lifecycle have been managed separately. In practice, however, they\u2019re deeply connected. Decisions made early on have a direct impact on performance over time, and what\u2019s learned in operations should inform future decisions.  <\/span>Our focus is to strengthen that connection and build an organization that supports it over time, making the operational phase a more central part of how the platform works overall.  <\/span>As for timing, it\u2019s no surprise that with the rise of AI, there\u2019s a broad shift toward more data-driven ways of operating. Organizations need better visibility into performance and workflows that are less fragmented and more aligned with how work actually gets done. <\/p>\n

ADSK: You often talk about \u201cclosing the loop\u201d across the lifecycle. What does that mean in practical terms, and why has it been difficult for industries to achieve?<\/h3>\n

SH<\/strong>: Closing the loop means connecting what was intended with what was created with how it performs over time. And it\u2019s that last piece that is critical.  <\/span>Today, that connection is often incomplete. Information is spread across different systems, and it doesn’t always flow in a way that supports learning and improvement.  <\/span>Part of the challenge is the nature of operations. It takes place in real-world environments that are dynamic and often unpredictable. The systems used there have historically been siloed, point solutions, designed to solve specific problems.  <\/span>And working with siloed data and point solutions can only get you so far. As our experience in both the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) and design and manufacturing (D&M) industries has shown us: when data flows seamlessly across all phases, you can achieve breakthrough productivity gains. <\/p>\n

ADSK: What stood out to you about MaintainX as you evaluated this space?<\/h3>\n

SH<\/strong>: What stood out most is its position within operational workflows.  <\/span>As a leading solution in the CMMS space, MaintainX is embedded in day-to-day operational execution. It supports planning, execution, and tracking, while capturing real-time information about how operations are performing.  <\/span>This gives direct visibility into what’s really happening, not just what was intended.  <\/span>It also brings together a layer of operational data that\u2019s been difficult to access and connect across the lifecycle. That aligns strongly with our AOS vision, and it\u2019s a big part of what made MaintainX stand out as a strong addition to what we\u2019re building with AOS. <\/p>\n

ADSK: How does that operational data change what\u2019s possible, particularly when it comes to AI and more advanced insights?<\/h3>\n

SH<\/strong>: AI depends on the quality and completeness of the data behind it.  <\/span>Operational data provides the context that\u2019s often missing. It shows how assets perform and how work gets done in real environments.  <\/span>When that data is connected across the lifecycle, you can identify patterns, surface insights more quickly, and make more informed decisions.  <\/span>It\u2019s not just about having more data. It\u2019s about enabling better decisions and actions in the moment.  <\/span>Our focus is on making AI practical and actionable by grounding it in real-world data and integrating it into the workflows where work happens. <\/p>\n

ADSK: Looking ahead, as AOS evolves, what does success look like for you and your customers?<\/h3>\n

SH<\/strong>: Success is a more connected lifecycle experience. For customers, that means better visibility into performance, more efficient workflows, and the ability to make informed decisions more quickly.  <\/span>It also means that operational insights are used to improve how operations are planned, designed, and managed over time, creating a continuous cycle of improvement rather than a series of disconnected steps.  <\/span>From my perspective, success is building an organization that can consistently deliver that value at scale.<\/p>\n

Interested in learning more about AOS, the proposed acquisition of MaintainX, and Autodesk\u2019s vision for connected operations?<\/h3>\n