Autodesk Enters Electronic Publishing Business; First Software Company to Offer Intelligent Digital Content for Technical Professionals.

SAN RAFAEL, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 6, 1995--Autodesk, Inc., the world's fifth-largest PC software company, today became the first major software company to publish intelligent digital content for technical professionals.

The new business unit, called Autodesk Data Publishing, has affiliated with 17 of North America's largest, ready-made parts manufacturers -- including Boston Gear, Cooper Industries, Jergens, Parker Hannifin, Square D, Thomson, and Timken -- to publish the world's first single-source, interactive, CD-ROM database of their key product lines.

Technical professionals, such as engineers and designers, rely on digital information more than any other industry. Collectively, their companies annually purchase nearly $500 billion worth of ready-made parts (e.g., motors, power supplies, enclosures) and materials (e.g., plastics, composites, metals) and an additional $5 billion worth of computer-aided design (CAD) software to create everything from bicycles and VCRs to copy machines and automobiles. For most designers and engineers, having access to digital information is essential before a product can be designed and reach the market. Autodesk Data Publishing will focus on publishing information that is most critical in the design process.

Autodesk is the world leader in design software and AutoCAD(R) is the most commonly used software for technical applications. For the first time, users can save time by searching electronically in a single source for ready-made parts from multiple manufacturers and then "pick-and-place" precisely dimensioned drawings right into the design, rather than looking for parts in various catalogs and redrawing them. Together, manufacturers and divisions in the first title represent nearly $8 billion in revenues worldwide.

"Designers can expect to increase productivity and accuracy by as much as twenty percent," said James D'Arezzo, Autodesk's vice president of the Data Management Market Group. "Autodesk Data Publishing also brings buyers and sellers closer together by providing a new, more direct way for ready-made parts manufacturers to reach their customers." Autodesk Data Publishing is a part of the company's Data Management Market Group, which focuses on developing tools for accessing and managing data.

Benefits for Users and Manufacturers

Today, designers and engineers lose critical time bringing products to market because information on parts or materials either does not exist in an electronic format or is available only from multiple, often dissimilar sources. A typical designer can spend costly time manually searching through 10 to 20 manufacturers' catalogs to find the right parts and an additional 16 to 20 hours per month redrawing that part for the final product design. With Autodesk Data Publishing's single-source approach, customers can expect to save significant time in finding the right parts and creating designs.

For manufacturers and other data suppliers, Autodesk Data Publishing provides direct access to a prequalified installed base of more than 2.5 million Autodesk customers, an extensive distribution network, and Autodesk's expertise in software development. The unit is working with additional content providers and plans to expand its libraries into other markets, including architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC).

The Products

Autodesk Data Publishing will distribute information in an affordable, interactive, and easy-to-use CD-ROM format. Semi-annual updates will ensure users have the most comprehensive, current, and accurate information. With fast access times and extensive storage capabilities, CD-ROMs today offer the best format for distributing digital content. The first titles are PartSpec(TM) and MaterialSpec(TM), an interactive manufacturers' parts database and a comprehensive materials selection tool, respectively. Both titles are expected to ship in April 1995 for MS-DOS(R) and Microsoft(R) Windows(TM ) environments at a special introductory price of US$249 for a one-year subscription. (See the "Autodesk Data Publishing Introduces Mechanical Library" news release for additional details.)

Autodesk is the world's leading supplier of design software and the fifth-largest PC software company. The company develops, markets, and supports a family of design automation and professional multimedia software, and component technologies for use on personal computers and workstations. A global company since its founding in 1982, Autodesk markets products in 115 countries and 18 languages. Autodesk shares are traded on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol ACAD. For more information, please call 415-507-5000 or type GO ADESK on CompuServe( R). -0-

NOTE TO EDITORS: Autodesk, the Autodesk logo, and AutoCAD are registered trademarks, and PartSpec and MaterialSpec are trademarks, of Autodesk, Inc. Microsoft and MS-DOS are registered trademarks and Windows is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation. CompuServe is a registered trademark of H&R Block. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective holders.

CONTACT: Autodesk Inc.

Andrew Mackles, 415/507-6535

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