Published: February 12, 2008

Autodesk Enhances Geospatial Software Solutions for Utilities, Telecommunications and Government

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- At its World Press Days event, Autodesk, Inc. (Nasdaq: ADSK) today announced the latest versions of its geospatial software solutions, which provide users in utility and telecommunications organizations and government agencies with a powerful, affordable and flexible geospatial platform. Enhancements in AutoCAD Map 3D 2009, Autodesk MapGuide Enterprise 2009 and AutoCAD Raster Design 2009 software applications build on the solutions' fundamental properties of open data access and interoperability with other design, GIS and IT systems. In addition, the new products offer an enhanced, intuitive user environment and new tools to help organizations quickly capitalize on their staff's expertise with AutoCAD software and with existing spatial data.

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"Global infrastructure is falling farther behind the needs of emerging and developed nations, and the organizations and agencies that must address the issue are grappling with a shortage of experienced workers," said Lisa Campbell, vice president, Autodesk Geospatial. "Autodesk geospatial solutions combine design and geospatial information without requiring difficult customization, so that users can make fast, insightful decisions and improve engineering standards -- and ultimately, accelerate project completion."

With its 2009 geospatial solutions, Autodesk is expanding on two key principles that address customers' needs: an open, flexible and interoperable geospatial platform, and tools that are easy to learn and use. The latest enhancements build on an open architecture that preserves data integrity and helps ensure that vital design and spatial asset information moves in and out of systems easily. The software applications and their open application programming interfaces serve as the basis for solutions purpose-built for utility companies by Autodesk and third-party software developers.

Geospatial Platform Is Even Easier to Use

As part of its commitment to interoperability and flexibility, Autodesk has continued to take steps to help customers make the most of their hardware and software investments. AutoCAD Map 3D 2009 software reflects that effort: The software has been validated with Citrix Presentation Server software through the Citrix Ready program, offering customers more deployment options. Customers can take advantage of AutoCAD Map 3D software and the Citrix application delivery environment's support for consolidated delivery and single-point management, in pursuit of efficient, cost-effective design and spatial data solutions.

Other significant new functionality in AutoCAD Map 3D 2009 enhances the user environment and builds on Feature Data Object or FDO technology, a central component of the Autodesk geospatial platform that allows customers to work with the data format they prefer and helps ensure consistent access to data regardless of source or location.

    -- Automatic installation of AutoCAD 2009 software -- Installation of
       AutoCAD Map 3D 2009 software automatically installs AutoCAD 2009
       software, so customers can take advantage of proven, reliable,
       industry-leading software (see related press release, "Autodesk
       Introduces Productivity Boosts to AutoCAD Software," Feb. 12, 2008).
    -- Powerful user interface enhancements -- The new Expression Builder
       provides a consolidated user interface for all functions, including
       query and math functions from FDO data sources.
    -- Faster data creation and editing -- Key editing and attribute creation
       tasks have been simplified and improved with the addition of standard
       AutoCAD commands for geospatial data accessed through FDO technology.
       New split and merge rules enable easy editing of polygon objects.
    -- Cleaner, more informative maps and plans -- Labeling and annotation
       updates enhance designs, maps and plans that use data accessed through
       FDO technology.

Tools Extend Value of Scanned Data

AutoCAD Raster Design 2009 software plays a part in more efficient spatially enabled design, as well. The application extends the power of AutoCAD software and AutoCAD-based applications to make the most of scanned drawings, maps, aerial photos, satellite imagery and digital elevation models. AutoCAD Raster Design 2009 works with Autodesk geospatial solutions and other AutoCAD 2009 software-based applications, and includes a new ribbon-style interface for quicker, visual access to commands that helps improve user productivity.

Web Mapping Platform Features Innovation from Open Source Community

Autodesk MapGuide Enterprise software provides a powerful mapping platform for delivering geospatial information quickly, easily and cost-effectively via the Web. Based on MapGuide Open Source, Autodesk MapGuide Enterprise couples the innovation of a broad community of developers with quality assurance and support characteristic of a proprietary application.

The latest release incorporates Flexible Web Layouts, based on the recent contribution of Fusion technology to the MapGuide Open Source community by DM Solutions Group. Flexible Web Layout technology helps speed development of Web mapping applications created with Autodesk MapGuide Enterprise 2009 and with MapGuide Open Source 2.0 (recently released at http://www.osgeo.org/mapguide). With Flexible Web Layouts, Web designers and software developers do not need specific geospatial application development expertise to create Web mapping applications.

Autodesk MapGuide Studio 2009 software, the authoring environment within Autodesk MapGuide Enterprise software, also supports Flexible Web Layouts and makes it easy for developers to switch between a set of design templates and click-and-drag application functionality options.

Support for Efficient, Cost-Effective Engineering Services

"We are a long-time user of Autodesk geospatial software, and Autodesk solutions help us improve our business processes by leveraging engineering design information to better manage our assets," said Greg Braswell, water/wastewater information manager of theSan Francisco Department of Public Works. "Autodesk products allow us to integrate our asset management and GIS with our engineering, design and construction teams; improve our workflow and data accuracy while saving money; and get the right information to the right people at the right time."

Availability

AutoCAD Map 3D 2009, the Autodesk MapGuide 2009 family of products and AutoCAD Raster Design software are scheduled to be available in the spring. Product availability will vary by country. Details and purchasing options will be accessible starting March 25, 2008, at http://www.autodesk.com/purchaseoptions. Information and selected content from Autodesk World Press Days may be found at http://www.worldpressdays08.com.

About Autodesk

Autodesk, Inc. is the world leader in 2D and 3D design software for the manufacturing, building and construction, and media and entertainment markets. Since its introduction of AutoCAD software in 1982, Autodesk has developed the broadest portfolio of state-of-the-art digital prototyping solutions to help customers experience their ideas before they are real. Fortune 1000 companies rely on Autodesk for the tools to visualize, simulate and analyze real-world performance early in the design process to save time and money, enhance quality and foster innovation. For additional information about Autodesk, visit http://www.autodesk.com.

Autodesk, AutoCAD and Autodesk MapGuide are registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., in the USA and/or other countries. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective holders. Autodesk reserves the right to alter product offerings and specifications at any time without notice, and is not responsible for typographical or graphical errors that may appear in this document.

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    Contact: Brett Smith, 415-547-2405            Toni Cole, 202-270-6160
    Email:   brett.smith@autodesk.com             toni.cole@edelman.com

SOURCE Autodesk, Inc.

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