What we are actually are a KPO, a knowledge process outsourcing company, based in Hyderabad - India, providing HVAC design consulting to Air-conditioning firms in the Middle Eastern region. Previously, what used to happen is that each company would hire an entire team of engineers + support staff, now they just outsource it. Which suits us both fine.. We use SOLIDWORKS / ANSYS MEP - -for Modelling & Analysis and FloTHERM / Siemens NX Advanced Flow for Dynamic Analysis.. Actually the Dynamic analysis part is the most imp. one - which among other things is to ensure that there are no hot-pockets in the zone.
There are many small one-shop Aircon retailers purporting to be Aircon firms, ( actually their registered name reveals it all.. "some xyz Aircon Establishment".. Mo-assessa in arabic means establishment, shirkat means company ), they used to just stock Air-conditioners, and offer thumb-rule rough cooling solutions before.. Now the laws have gotten more strict, so they hire a bare-bone engineer or two & outsource their design requirements.. Even so the lay-man has gotten used to the fact that he can walk into any small aircon "Firm" with a copy of his architectural plan DWG file & walk out with an HVAC quotation..
The more discerning customer understand that HVAC design is a process and contact Engineering consultants & even they sometimes outsource some complex / urgent jobworks & demand quick service..
Anyway it's a Bigger-dog-eat-smaller-dog-&-no-place-for-the-cat market..
Now How long does simultaneous ' DWG import / Heat load analysis / Equipment selection / Static Assembly / Dynamic Equipment & Flow Analysis ' take for a waiting customer being regaled with Shai/ Gahva in the lounge ?? Even for a two storey small villa..
If we don't do it, there are plenty of other KPOs willing / praying to take up the slack..