Autodesk Goes Global with Launch of Subscription Program for European Customers; Innovative Software Delivery Program Accessible via Localized Point A Customer Sites.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

SAN RAFAEL, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 5, 2002

Autodesk, Inc., (Nasdaq:ADSK) the world's leading design and digital content creation company, today announced the European launch of the Autodesk Subscription Program, a software delivery model that offers customers a convenient way to stay up-to-date on the latest Autodesk technology. The program, which debuted in the United States and Canada in August 2001, is today available throughout Europe, offering a complete customer solution that boosts functionality and increases productivity by simplifying the upgrade process and minimizing disruptions.

The Autodesk Subscription Program is accessed and managed through the Autodesk Point A web site (http://pointa.autodesk.com), a personal access point to a multitude of Autodesk products, services and information on the Internet. The Point A site, available in North America since 2000, recently expanded with the launch of local language sites (in French, Italian, German, Spanish, Japanese, Korean, and Simplified and Traditional Chinese) to provide customers' access to the advantages of the Subscription Program.

"The Internet is ideally suited for the delivery of software products, and we've extended that inherent Internet capability to enable our customers to increase productivity faster and further than ever before," said Jeff Drust, vice president of E-Business at Autodesk. "The Subscription Program is a direct response to our customers' need for a simple, convenient and streamlined way to keep their software up-to-date and supported."

For an annual fee, the yearly maintenance program is an alternative approach to most major product upgrades, providing licensed users with incremental, feature-enhancing Autodesk extensions that boost functionality for AutoCAD-based products and simplify the upgrade process. Subscribers acquire new product releases and download incremental extensions as they become available, without the individual purchase, implementation, and training required for full product upgrades. For new products, like Autodesk Inventor, the program provides a rapid cycle of new releases with rich new content, as it becomes available.

Subscription members have control over when they extend or update their software features. All software enhancements available during a subscription period are included with the user's subscription. The program also provides downloadable e-Learning courses(a) and optional direct online support ((a) e-Courses are currently available in English and imperial measurement only).

The Autodesk Point A web site allows subscribers to view their subscription account online, at their convenience. Point A provides secure access to subscriber-only products and design content, and offers reports with helpful account information, such as coverage reports, products available through subscription, and contract expiration dates. The site also offers product tips and tutorials, online training and support, and local industry links.

"With the Autodesk Subscription Program, we always have the latest tools at our disposal," said Clay Christopher, P.E., corporate technology director, W&H Pacific, an engineering and surveying firm in Portland, Oregon. "By getting software enhancements in smaller pieces, we have the opportunity to learn and deploy the new features much faster than in the past. We can also still choose to wait for the full release and deploy it at our convenience."

Availability

The Autodesk Subscription Program will continue rolling out in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Israel, Turkey, and Africa this spring and will begin launching in Asia Pacific and Latin America later this year. For further information about the Autodesk Subscription Program, visit www.autodesk.com/subscription.

About Autodesk

Founded in 1982, Autodesk, Inc. is the world's leading design and digital media creation, management, and distribution company. The company serves a diverse portfolio of markets, including building design, geographic information systems, manufacturing, digital media, and wireless data services. By delivering tools that foster innovation and creativity, Autodesk helps customers throughout the value chain leverage digital design data to work better, faster and smarter. Autodesk is one of the largest global software companies with annual revenues of $936 million. For more information about the company, see www.autodesk.com.

Note to Editors: Autodesk, AutoCAD, and Autodesk Inventor are either 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.