Autodesk offers AutoCAD software subscriptions to education; membership program helps schools develop leading edge design curriculums.

SAN RAFAEL, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 23, 1995--Establishing an entirely new method to distribute its design software, Autodesk today announced the inception of its Autodesk Preferred Education Partner Program for colleges, universities and school districts.

Membership in the program lets schools acquire Autodesk products at unprecedented volume rates through a campus-wide subscription. Schools with drafting, technology, architecture, engineering and related design programs can now use the latest releases of Autodesk's flagship AutoCAD design software in their classrooms and labs at a very affordable annual fee.

Autodesk Preferred Education Partners receive Autodesk software and a variety of technical support, curriculum and training benefits by paying an annual membership fee based upon the number of units of software licensed. As an example, under a three year agreement a college may install up to 100 licenses of AutoCAD and four complementary Autodesk design software products contained on one set of CD-ROM disks for as little as $250 annually per computer.

Autodesk will also collaborate with schools to extend software and support benefits to all involved departments or schools in an educational system. A comprehensive membership package can be developed for each participating school site, maximizing the funds and hardware available.

Previously, schools could acquire Autodesk products only by purchasing stand-alone software packages for each computer in the classroom.

Autodesk's software is currently chosen by most U.S. colleges, universities, vocational-technical design industry -- and the most popular design software used in architectural and design firms that have automated their design functions. Most design firms today require that new hires be proficient in the use of AutoCAD software and that professional designers continually update their skill levels as technology advances.

In addition to affordable software, Autodesk Preferred Education Partners will always have ready access to current Autodesk technology. Since members can receive their software subscription in multiple releases and platforms, schools can make the best use of their existing hardware.

Budgeting is simplified and more predictable because automatic, semi-annual software upgrades are included in the annual membership fee. Campus administrators can better manage and track their Autodesk software, inventory, updates and upgrades.

"Schools have been asking Autodesk to provide a better, more cost effective way to acquire Autodesk software and to stay current with the latest technology," said Jim Purcell, Autodesk's Director of Education. "They don't want to comprise their design programs. Faculty and administration need more than software; they need support and services that help them do what they do best, educate students."

The first products to be offered to the members of the Autodesk Preferred Education Partner Program are under a Design and Drafting campus-wide subscription and will include the following products:

-- AutoCAD Releases 12 and 13 -- industry-standard 3D design automation software

-- AutoCAD Designer 1.1 and 1.2 -- parametric, feature-based solid modeling software

-- AutoVision 1.0 and 2.0 -- rendering and animation software

-- AutoCAD LT 2.0 -- 2D design software

-- AutoCAD LT Symbols Libraries -- for architectural, electrical and mechanical fields

Multimedia and Mechanical Design software campus-wide subscriptions will be available in early 1996.

Robert Krawczyk of the Illinois Institute of Technology stated, "We are honored to be the first institution to sign a Preferred Educational Partner Program membership with Autodesk. This agreement supplies enough copies of AutoCAD to our educational program so that each student can have unlimited access to PCs with this most advanced level of software. AutoCAD brings our graduates to the leading edge of software technology and positions them to bring this knowledge directly into the architectural design profession."

As part of their annual membership fee, schools that participate in the Autodesk Preferred Education Partner Program will also receive the following benefits and resources at no extra charge:

-- Automatic, semi-annual updates to software under the subscription, including new releases and platforms, ensure that schools are teaching the latest Autodesk software versions on the appropriate hardware.

-- Two representatives from the Partner campus receive telephone technical support with direct access to Autodesk's Product Support Representatives.

-- Special rates on additional campus-wide subscriptions for the Partner school can mean even greater savings.

-- Special support and resources are provided for Partner faculty representatives through the VIP Faculty Club. Members receive technical and academic white papers written by experts in design and education, a bi-monthly newsletter and free or special offers on Autodesk software. Reduced rates on customized training workshops and seminars presented by Autodesk are also available to member schools.

Autodesk Preferred Education Partner memberships are currently available to educational institutions in the U.S. directly from Autodesk Region Managers for Education or phone [phone]. Enrollment for members outside of the United States is planned for next year.

The Autodesk Preferred Education Partner Program is the latest offering from Autodesk's Education Department, which is dedicated to providing the software and services that prepare individuals for careers in design. Recognizing that educator and student needs are different from those of commercial users, Autodesk offers special packages and prices to educational institutions, faculty and students, and trains users through its network of over 800 Autodesk Training Centers worldwide.

Autodesk is the world's leading supplier of computer-aided design automation software and the fourth-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, type GO ADESK on CompuServe, or log in with a World Wide Web browser at http://www.autodesk.com. -0-

Note to Editors: Autodesk, the Autodesk logo, and AutoCAD are registered trademarks and AutoVision is a trademark of Autodesk, Inc. All other brand names, product names or trademarks belong to their respective holders.

CONTACT: Autodesk

Barbara J. Brown, 415/507-6093