Autodesk brings powerful GIS software to the PC; Autodesk World Breaks Barriers To Geographic Data Integration.

SAN RAFAEL, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 24, 1997--Today at the AM/FM International Conference and Exhibition in Nashville Tenn., Autodesk Inc. announced Autodesk World, innovative GIS software that tackles the problem of geographic data integration head on, and transforms GIS into a more sensible tool for businesses and organizations.

Autodesk World, as a Microsoft Windows/Office 97 certified product, integrates CAD, GIS and database technology into a single, non-proprietary environment. Autodesk World gives customers the ability to perform the traditional GIS tasks of creating, editing, analyzing, and presenting geographic data in a powerful, flexible Microsoft Office interface. Designed as a cornerstone in the Autodesk family of mapping and GIS products, Autodesk World provides users robust GIS technology, whether they are creating simple thematic maps, or analyzing gigabytes of spatial data.

Autodesk World will be used by any organization that relies on geographic or related data for their operations including utilities, telecommunications, government, natural resources, oil and gas, transportation and general business operations in most other companies. Many of these organizations have investments in GIS technology or geographic data and have been unable to share that information across a number of departments.

"Autodesk World will bring GIS out of the back rooms of companies and into everyday operations," said Joe Astroth, vice president of the Autodesk GIS market group. "Legacy GIS technology has never been simple, but Autodesk World breaks this barrier_not only by being easier-to-use, but by slashing the time it takes to actually implement and benefit from our technology."

Bringing GIS Down To Earth

While the power of GIS analysis has been touted as a way to streamline operations, few businesses have benefited. This is because legacy GIS industry solutions meant high-cost UNIX workstations, or PC applications too large and cumbersome for today's Microsoft environment. Autodesk World was built specifically for Windows-based desktop computers, making it a faster, less expensive GIS solution. Many organizations are standardizing on the Microsoft operating systems. As a Windows product, Autodesk World takes advantage of tools like linking and embedding, OLE Automation, standard interface conventions, and COM-based development environments. Daratech Vice President Bruce Jenkins notes, "The rapid migration of workstation functionality to the PC at a fraction of the cost is revolutionizing the GIS industry. Autodesk World standardizes and simplifies GIS and it is customers who stand to benefit."

Seamless Data Access and Integration

Continuing Autodesk's GIS focus on data integration, Autodesk World lets users work with geographic-based data from any source, whether it is in a competitive file format or the Autodesk standard .DWG, without conversion. Autodesk World uses Autodesk's .DWG as a native file format, providing immediate access to the millions of digital maps that have been created in AutoCAD. World users have the power and the flexibility to access, analyze, edit and save data in a variety of formats, including ArcInfo Coverage, ArcView SHP, MapInfo MIF/MID, Atlas BNA and Microstation DGN -- without conversion and without loss of data accuracy. The open architecture of the software also offers developers the ability to add any other file format.

Autodesk World integrates CAD and GIS into a single environment, breaking the long-standing barrier between the two technologies. CAD and GIS files can be opened in World simultaneously, and the user can easily perform analysis between the two data-types. For the first time, users have an interface that makes accessing and integrating various forms of data (geographic, CAD, DBMS, raster, spreadsheet, bitmaps, objects) straightforward and consistent.

Standard Component Technology

Autodesk World leverages common standards that users are already familiar with like .DWG, Microsoft Office, Microsoft Access and Visual Basic for Applications (VBA). World ships with an OLE automation application programming interface (API), giving developers the power to customize GIS applications easily. In addition, Autodesk World includes the Microsoft Jet engine (the core technology in Microsoft Access) as its internal database and Seagate Crystal Reports as the reporting package in the product. With World you get GIS functionality that complements the existing technology investments within an organization.

"Autodesk's decision to build on Microsoft's component technology merges the power of GIS with the standards of office computing," said Michael Rawding, Microsoft director of industry sales and marketing. "Leveraging common standards, such as Microsoft Office and VBA, greatly enhances the ability of developers to create customized applications."

Ideal Platform for Third Party Developers

Vertical applications and customized interfaces developed on top of current GIS software require knowledge of proprietary languages. In contrast, Autodesk World is an open and flexible platform for corporate and third-party application developers, with VBA in the box, as well as a full OLE automation API. This open API lets developers use any standard programming language including C++, Delphi and Visual C as well as the standard VBA.

Autodesk World will be available in May in International English, with a suggested retail price in the United States of US$1,995. Prices may vary according to region. Contact your local dealer for further information.

The matters discussed in this news release contain forward looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. These include the timely development and acceptance of the new products discussed, the impact of competitive products and pricing, and the other risks detailed from time to time in Autodesk's SEC reports, including the report on Form 10-Q filed in December, 1996.

About Autodesk

Autodesk is the world's leading supplier of PC design software and PC multimedia tools. The company's 2D and 3D products, geographic information systems, and data management tools are used in many industries for mapping, architectural design, mechanical design, film and video production, video/game development and Web content development. Its Kinetix division is the leader in PC-based 3D modeling and animation software, providing a full range of products for digital media and design professionals. The fourth largest PC software company in the world, Autodesk has three million customers in over 140 countries. Autodesk products are sold through Autodesk Systems Centers, Dealers and Distributors worldwide. For more information on GIS at Autodesk, please call 415-507-5000, or visit the World Wide Web site at http://www.autodesk.com/gis, or type GO ADESK on CompuServe. Kinetix can be reached by calling 800-879-4233 or through its World Wide Web site at http://www.ktx.com. Autodesk shares are traded on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol ADSK.

The matters discussed in this news release contain forward looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. These include the timely development and acceptance of the new products discussed, the impact of competitive products and pricing, and the other risks detailed from time to time in Autodesk's SEC reports, including the report on Form 10-Q filed in December, 1996. -0-

Note to Editors: The Autodesk logo is registered and Autodesk World is a trademark of Autodesk. Microsoft, Windows, and Visual Basic are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries. All other trademark belong to their respective companies.

CONTACT: Autodesk Inc.

Kathy Tom Engle, 415/507-6794

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