Autodesk Design Review to Offer Project Teams Direct Access to ThomasNet's Content of Industrial Products and Services

SAN RAFAEL, Calif. and NEW YORK, Dec. 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Autodesk, Inc. (Nasdaq: ADSK) and ThomasNet (formerly known as Thomas Register) today announced the two companies have entered into a strategic partnership. Autodesk will extend its Autodesk Design Review software to include on-demand access to ThomasNet's in-depth product and service information. The partnership is helping to redefine the design process by introducing a more efficient approach to collaboration, connecting specification and procurement decisions to core design processes.

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Autodesk will integrate contextual search capabilities into upcoming versions of its Autodesk Design Review software, the company's advanced DWF- based review and collaboration tool for extended product design and project teams. Autodesk Design Review users -- including engineers, purchasing agents, service technicians and others accessing design and manufacturing information - will be able to search ThomasNet's content directly from the design using Autodesk Design Review. The software can access the rich metadata present in the published design model, as well as any part characteristics contained in the design, to connect the user with relevant content in ThomasNet's catalog of industrial products and services. For example, designers using Autodesk Inventor can publish rich 3D models as DWF information containing extensive detail about parts' characteristics; share that information securely throughout the supply chain; and permit extended team members to easily access critical design information for better-informed decisions that ultimately impact product quality, time to market and profitability.

"By partnering with ThomasNet, Autodesk is making 3D design information even more valuable to our joint customers," said Amar Hanspal, vice president, Autodesk Collaboration Solutions. "By enabling search within Autodesk Design Review software, we're connecting design to the procurement process and empowering our users to find the right supplier, with the right part at the right time, saving time and increasing efficiency."

According to Erik Mikisch, vice president, business development at ThomasNet, "For purchasing professionals and engineers it's all about streamlining the design process." Mikisch added, "Through this partnership with Autodesk, a wider audience of users can collaborate electronically by reviewing their product designs, initiating searches, and including the results in the design mark-up with suggestions and alternatives. We expect this to greatly improve the overall efficiency of the process and quality of the product."

About Autodesk

Autodesk, Inc. is a Fortune 1000 company, wholly focused on ensuring that great ideas are turned into reality. With seven million users, Autodesk is the world's leading software and services company for the manufacturing, infrastructure, building, media and entertainment, and wireless data services fields. Autodesk's solutions help customers create, manage and share their data and digital assets more effectively. As a result, customers turn ideas into competitive advantage, become more productive, streamline project efficiency and maximize profits.

Founded in 1982, Autodesk is headquartered in San Rafael, California. For additional information about Autodesk, please visit http://www.autodesk.com/ . Autodesk and DWF 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.

About ThomasNet(SM)

ThomasNet ( http://www.ThomasNet.com ) helps industrial sellers reach the most qualified industrial buyers online and convert them into customers. ThomasNet.com is the Internet's leading vertical destination site for buyers of industrial products and services. With over 2 million visitors each month, ThomasNet.com is where decision-makers from companies of all sizes, Fortune 500 companies, the government and the military go to find suppliers and detailed product/service information.

Using best practices in industrial website development, ThomasNet creates websites for industrial companies that increase sales with searchable online catalogs, e-commerce capabilities, and downloadable CAD drawings. ThomasNet is part of Thomas Industrial Network, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Thomas Publishing Company, LLC.

NOTE: Autodesk and DWF are 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. Autodesk reserves the right to alter product offerings and specifications at any time without notice, and is not responsible for typographical or graphical errors that may appear in this document.

Contact:


Marie Domingo for Autodesk
(415) 547-2487
marie.domingo@autodesk.com


Sandra Kaplan for ThomasNet
(212) 601-8416
sandra.kaplan@porternovelli.com

SOURCE Autodesk, Inc. 12/18/2006


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