Autodesk ships Autodesk WorkCenter.

SAN RAFAEL, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 9, 1995--Autodesk, Inc. today announced worldwide shipping of Autodesk WorkCenter(TM), a customizable, Windows-based technical document and workflow management system for the entire design team.

Praised by industry consultants(a) at its introduction last fall, Autodesk WorkCenter beta users report that Autodesk WorkCenter will set a new standard in the market.

"Autodesk WorkCenter will set a new standard in the document management and workflow markets. It is a very affordable and capable system, powerful, flexible, and easy-to-use. It is a must for companies looking to improve the handling of their paper, CAD, and support information," said David Wilson, principal, The OASys Group, a document management consulting firm in Windham, N.H.

Autodesk WorkCenter helps users track projects more easily, communicate information more effectively, and better manage the flow of information. It lets AutoCAD(R) users and other design team members view more than 100 different types of documents and access and manage all types of documents including text, spreadsheets, graphics and database files, as well as AutoCAD drawings.

"We prefer to work with Autodesk because it is the market leader in CAD systems. We haven't found a drawing management system that compares to Autodesk WorkCenter in its Windows-compatibility, user interface and integration with AutoCAD," said Bill O'Malley, Director of Information Systems, Hammel Green and Abrahamson, a nationally known architectural and interior design firm in Minneapolis, MN. "We expect that Autodesk will lead the way in PC-based drawing management solutions for the CAD market."

Industry consultants agree with beta customers' impressions. "Autodesk WorkCenter has features to serve all different types of users. Very slick technology and interface. Autodesk has a unique opportunity to make significant inroads into the document and workflow management market," said Martin van der Roest, president, The van der Roest Group, Orange, Calif. -0- (a) Charles Foundyller , president and founder of DARATECH, Inc. praised the product as an "11 on a scale of one to ten".

Autodesk WorkCenter helps users with enhanced file organization and access, revision management, workflow automation, document security and viewing/redlining. It lets users track information throughout a document's entire life cycle. To help streamline the design process and enhance communication between design team members, Autodesk WorkCenter provides powerful workflow automation features, such as document routing, electronic notification and approvals to ensure that everyone involved in a design project is part of the same automated system.

An easy-to-use electronic file cabinet ensures source documents are protected from simultaneous revisions, overwriting and unintended deletion, as well as from unauthorized access. In addition, SmartViews is an innovative feature that lets all users organize the same documents in any way they wish. Autodesk WorkCenter is integrated with AutoCAD software and is also compatible with AutoCAD(R) LT.

"Autodesk WorkCenter is not only a drawing management tool for the AutoCAD designer, it goes far beyond to help the entire design team manage all electronic documents. Autodesk WorkCenter provides improved communication among disciplines and workgroups," said Dr. Stanley Port, an information management consultant based in Surrey in the United Kingdom.

Autodesk WorkCenter lets users customize document management models with two "personality templates" that provide industry-specific look and feel, terminology and workflow automation for architects, engineers and construction users (AEC) or customized for mechanical designers and engineers (MCAD). Autodesk WorkCenter features an application programming interface, which is currently being used by more than 50 independent software developers (ISV). Three developers have already announced add-on utilities. I3, Raleigh, N.C., has shipped its Legend product line; Expert Graphics, Atlanta, Ga., introduced ViewCenter; and Byers CADnet, Atlanta, GA, has announced Plot Manager.

Autodesk WorkCenter was developed by Autodesk Data Management Products Group, developer of Autodesk Data Extension (ADE) and AutoCAD VQ. Autodesk has traditionally produced tools for the creation of electronic design graphics and animation. Autodesk WorkCenter, ADE and AutoCAD VQ provide AutoCAD and non-AutoCAD users with powerful easy-to-use tools for managing these and other documents.

Autodesk WorkCenter operates as a client/server application on Novell Netware networks. Other network configurations, including Windows NT, are planned for release in 1995.

Availability and Pricing

The International English version of Autodesk WorkCenter is shipping worldwide and began shipping in North America in December. Localized versions of Autodesk WorkCenter for Germany and France are scheduled to ship mid-year 1995.

Autodesk WorkCenter for Netware configurations is priced in the U.S. at US$695 (MSRP) per concurrent user with a minimum purchase of five copies. Pricing for other versions will be announced later in the year. All products will be available through specially authorized Autodesk Dealers.

To locate an Authorized Dealer or for more information, call Autodesk at 800/964-6432 or fax to 415/507-5148. Outside the United States or Canada, fax to 415/507-6118 (Latin America), 415/507-6117(Asia/Pacific) or 41-22-788-21-44 (Europe). Pricing for students, faculty and educational institutions varies.

Autodesk is the world's leading supplier of design automation software and the fifth largest PC software company in the world. 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 415/332-2344 or type GO ADESK on CompuServe(R). -0- Note to Editors: Autodesk, the Autodesk logo and AutoCAD are registered trademarks, and Autodesk WorkCenter is a trademark, 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 and trademarks belong to their respective holders.

CONTACT: Copithorne & Bellows

Megan Manning, 415/975-2217