In this exclusive SoftwareSuggest interview, we speak with Mr. Matthew Desmond, who leads the construction-software division at Hexagon through its AGTEK portfolio. With nearly two decades of global experience across construction and mining technology, he has played a key role in making advanced solutions accessible to everyday construction professionals.
In this conversation, we explore his leadership journey, AGTEK’s product philosophy, and how AGTEK is shaping the future of digital construction. He also shares insights into innovation, workforce empowerment, and the evolving role of technology in building more efficient and sustainable infrastructure.
A warm welcome from SoftwareSuggest, Mr. Matthew Desmond. To begin, could you elaborate on the core motivation behind your decision to join Hexagon and lead its construction-software division (AGTEK)? What fundamental purpose continues to guide your leadership today?
I have been lucky enough to work for Hexagon for almost 20 years across Switzerland, Australia, and the USA. All my roles have been focused on democratizing technology for the Construction and Mining industries to make better and faster decisions for workers, as close to the problem as possible, whether that be a foreman, machine operator, or an estimator.
Leading AGTEK has extended this with the company mantra of “dirt simple solutions.” We focus on creating solutions that the construction generalist can use quickly to help win more work and complete it profitably. This fits perfectly with my belief that we need to empower more people on the construction site and that technology should not be made for specialists.
The guiding principle behind my leadership is simple: empower contractors with tools that deliver measurable productivity and profitability. Every decision we make, whether it’s product development, partnerships, or customer engagement, centers on creating practical solutions that reduce complexity and improve outcomes on the job site. Internally, this empowerment is also important to make sure everyone at AGTEK can make an impact in the industry.
Since taking on this leadership role, how has your strategic vision for Hexagon’s construction and heavy-equipment software portfolio evolved? Additionally, what key priorities and market forces are shaping your direction moving forward?
When I stepped into this role, the vision was clear to continue to build on a successful business that had great solutions and served the market with exceptional support. We have since modernized AGTEK’s offerings and integrated them into Hexagon’s broader ecosystem, leveraging numerous technologies along the way.
Over time, that vision has evolved to encompass mobile and cloud-based workflows, drones, subscription models, and an increasing reliance on Artificial Intelligence, while adopting an open architecture mindset. Our service, support, and training content have been elevated and continue to be a cornerstone to make sure customers get the most out of our offerings.
Our current priorities include further embedding AI-driven insights, enabling real-time collaboration, supporting contractors in navigating labor shortages, and increasing regulatory challenges while maintaining simplicity and reliability in our solutions.
From your perspective, what distinguishes Hexagon’s construction and geospatial technology solutions in today’s competitive landscape? How has your stewardship further reinforced these differentiators and strengthened Hexagon’s market position?
Hexagon’s strength lies in its ability to combine precision measurement with actionable intelligence, and AGTEK puts a simplicity spin on this for the construction generalist. We aim to deliver integrated workflows that increase speed while providing accuracy and insights to make better decisions.
Under my leadership, we’ve reinforced these differentiators by investing in technology, enhancing user experience, and building partnerships that extend our reach. The result is a portfolio that not only improves accuracy but also drives efficiency and sustainability across the entire construction lifecycle.
Could you outline the business model and go-to-market approach for Hexagon’s construction management products under AGTEK?
AGTEK operates on a hybrid model that includes both perpetual licenses and a variety of subscription options of core software and add-on modules, giving customers flexibility to choose what fits their business. To further the flexibility of usage, our solutions are offered over sharable network keys which can be time-shared across multiple users.
Our go-to-market strategy is built on direct engagement with contractors, supported by strong training programs and great support from real-world experienced construction professionals. We have AGTEK University, one-on-one web training, hands-on classes, and advanced seminar courses. We are also scaling internationally, ensuring that our solutions are accessible to contractors in diverse markets.
What have been the most significant obstacles, technical, operational, or market-driven, that you have encountered while scaling Hexagon’s construction-technology offerings?
Scaling digital solutions in construction is not without its challenges. Transitioning from legacy systems to modern platforms required significant investment and change management for us to be able to meet our customers’ needs.
The competitive landscape is evolving rapidly, and leveraging new technology as it becomes available is always a challenge but also a great opportunity. We’ve overcome these obstacles by accelerating development cycles, prioritizing customer feedback, and ensuring that our platforms remain intuitive and reliable. Our focus has always been on delivering value, while keeping it simple and not just developing technology for technology’s sake.
What major milestones or successes has Hexagon achieved recently under your leadership, particularly in advancing digital-construction and infrastructure solutions?
Under my leadership, AGTEK has achieved several notable milestones. We’ve significantly grown the business and brought on far more new customers than ever before while also expanding the problems we solve for our existing customers.
We have significantly changed how we deliver training to upskill the next generation and built a one-stop shop for AGTEK knowledge called the AGTEK Community, which can help answer almost any challenge. We have extended a great team of knowledgeable construction-focused individuals aligned in helping build things better. There is a lot more to come, so watch this space.
How do you define and measure success for Hexagon in the context of construction software and heavy-industry digitalisation?
For us, success is measured in outcomes both for our customers and for Hexagon. New customers joining us and the continual expansion of our user base are the end result, but this comes from solving customer challenges, and that is what we are focused on.
Beyond numbers, success means enabling contractors to complete projects faster, safer, more sustainably, and more profitably. If our technology helps a contractor reduce waste, improve margins, and deliver quality infrastructure, then we’ve achieved our mission.
How do you approach building and nurturing the organizational culture and team dynamics at Hexagon to support rapid innovation and delivery in a niche sector?
Innovation thrives in a culture of trust and accountability. At AGTEK, we emphasize transparency, collaboration, and speed. Decision-making is decentralized, allowing teams to act quickly and adapt to market needs. We also invest in professional development and cross-functional collaboration, ensuring that our people are equipped to deliver cutting-edge solutions in a fast-moving industry.
Looking ahead, what are your long-term ambitions for Hexagon in the next 3–5 years, especially in light of evolving trends such as automation, digital twin, and sustainability in construction?
Looking ahead, our ambition is to lead the digital transformation of construction globally. Over the next 3 to 5 years, we will focus on automation and AI to streamlining inefficiencies in workflow and provide greater insights by highlighting value engineering opportunities.
We are well on the way to faster and more frequent digital twins of the construction site, leveraging drones and laser scanning technology, and we are focused on minimizing waste, enabling contractors to become more profitable, with the benefit of also becoming more sustainable. Our goal is to make Agtek and Hexagon the trusted partner for contractors navigating this transformation, providing tools that are both innovative and practical.
What advice would you offer to entrepreneurs or emerging leaders aiming to build or scale a technology-driven company in the construction or geospatial sector today?
My advice is simple: start with the problem, not the technology. Understand the pain points of your customers and build solutions that deliver real value. Second, listen carefully as technology alone doesn’t win markets; trust does, and that goes both ways. Build trust with your customers and trust in what they are telling you. Finally, embrace continuous learning. The pace of change in construction tech is relentless, and staying ahead requires curiosity, adaptability, and resilience.
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