Autodesk ships innovative net-based mapping technology; software offers complete access to geographic databases through a Web browser.

SAN RAFAEL, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 8, 1996--MapGuide is a new Web-based GIS technology from Autodesk, that lets corporate customers and developers use the Internet and business Intranets to deploy geographic information systems (GIS) that support live updates of maps and data.

This technology, which can be seen at http://www.mapguide.com, provides a client/server framework to use true GIS technology through an easy-to-use Web browser interface. It is suitable for a wide range of users -- from GIS professionals to the casual computer user.

MapGuide is the first software product that lets business and government organizations use the Internet to access and query digital maps. Users can display and analyze geographic data for applications that include tracking customers, allocating resources, and managing facilities or infrastructure. Until now the Internet has not been suitable for GIS because most Web-based geographic information systems can only output static bitmaps that cannot be dynamically updated over the Internet.

Kathey Hale, an analyst at Dataquest, said, "Map-generating sites are becoming ubiquitous on the Internet Autodesk's announcement raises the bar for the entire GIS industry. In much the same way that Netscape challenges Microsoft's control over desktops with its Web-based user interface, Autodesk is positioning itself to remake access to existing spatial information, turning it into a series of point-and-click experiences."

Users have already begun to deploy MapGuide. For example the City of Kansas City, Mo., currently is using MapGuide to publish detailed street and parcel maps combined with utilities and crime statistics information to neighborhood residents and community associations.

And, the Canadian Department of Fisheries and Oceans is using MapGuide to publish detailed coastline, river, and stream maps and fish habitat information about the West Coast fishery that has been collected over a multi-year period. The information will be accessible by both regional offices and the public.

With its dynamic map layers, MapGuide users can zoom in on items of interest and the map automatically displays more detailed information matching the scale of view. Users can select an object on the map by clicking on it or using a spatial selection technique, such as radius or polygon. That selection links to a MapGuide Server containing multiple layers of vector-based maps, with access to multiple databases. They can then view requested information in reports, or view any defined information within the selected region. Double-clicking on a URL link attached to map objects enables MapGuide to simultaneously display other maps, documents, images and web sites.

Unlike most widely-used GIS technology, MapGuide does not require extensive training, installation or local storage of massive digital files. Instead, MapGuide uses the Netscape Navigator Plug-in API to connect users to a live client/server system. This system opens the technology to new users just discovering the use of geographic data, such as corporations who need to share data about their operations either internally or with customers, commercial web page developers who want to create services for businesses and consumers, and casual users who use maps and data. As a result, virtually anyone with Internet access can quickly and easily access and query detailed maps, and interactively view the data associated with them.

The MapGuide family includes three software elements: MapGuide, a Netscape Navigator Plug-in for accessing information; MapGuide Author, an authoring product which uses menu commands to set up and customize the data to be accessed; and MapGuide Server to send Vector-based maps and data to the user's desktop.

Target industries include oil and gas companies, utilities, environmental management firms, and telecommunications companies, as well as government agencies. Many of these organizations have investments in GIS technology, and want to make information more widely accessible to their employees and their customers, without requiring new users to learn a full GIS program.

Pricing and Availability

In the United States, the MapGuide Server has a suggested retail price of $19,500, the MapGuide Author has a suggested retail price of $695, and MapGuide has a suggested retail price of $39. International pricing is still being determined. Evaluation copies of all products are available at http://www.mapguide.com. The matters discussed in this new 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 size of the market for MapGuide technology, 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 September 1996.

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. The fourth largest PC software company in the world, Autodesk has three million customers in nearly 130 countries. Autodesk mapping and GIS products are available through authorized Autodesk Mapping Dealers, Distributors and Autodesk Mapping Infrastructure Systems Centers worldwide. For more information on Autodesk, please call 415/507-5000, type GO ADESK on CompuServe, or visit its World Wide Web site at http://www.autodesk.com. Kinetix can be reached by calling 800/879-4233 or through its World Wide Web site at http://www.ktx.com. -0-

NOTE TO EDITORS: Autodesk, the Autodesk logo, and AutoCAD are registered trademarks of Autodesk Inc. MapGuide is a trademark of Autodesk Inc. Netscape, Netscape Communications and Netscape Navigator are trademarks of Netscape Communications Corp. CompuServe is a registered trademark of H & R Block. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective holders.

CONTACT: Autodesk

Kathy Tom Engle, 415/507-6794

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