SAN RAFAEL, Calif., Oct 20, 2003 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Autodesk, Inc. (Nasdaq: ADSK), the world's leading design and digital content creation company, today announced the availability of the Autodesk(R) Buzzsaw(R) 5 API Toolkit to enable developers to remotely access the Buzzsaw servers and create customized applications for customers using Autodesk Buzzsaw, the popular collaboration and project management service. Access for customizing the Buzzsaw service can be achieved through Web-based Distributed Authoring and Versioning (webDAV), the international standard web-authoring collaboration protocol used by development groups for customizing business applications. With more than 600 customers, many of them standardizing their business project collaboration needs with Buzzsaw, opens another avenue for developers to partner with Autodesk customers.

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With this announcement, Autodesk joins leading technology companies including Microsoft, Oracle, Adobe, Novell and Sun Microsystems in supporting WebDAV as a standard technology through the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) standards process. The adoption of WebDAV by Autodesk, allows developers and IT managers to easily customize Buzzsaw for customers in a collaborative, working environment. The API toolkit allows web development teams to use the remote Buzzsaw web server as if it were a local file server to develop, edit, and manage a project.

"Autodesk's support for internet standard protocols reinforces its commitment to offering industry collaboration and project management solutions that can be customized according to the needs of each customer," said Amar Hanspal, senior director of Autodesk Collaboration Services. "WebDAV support for the Buzzsaw service helps customers maximize its value, by enabling the creation of new applications and tailoring existing ones."

Buzzsaw API Toolkit For Easy Third-Party Customization

Autodesk developed the API so that third-party developers and information technology managers in large organizations can offer specialized customization to Autodesk Buzzsaw customers. By connecting to the Autodesk Buzzsaw servers using WebDAV or the Buzzsaw COM client API, developers can enable other add-on programs to access, edit, and manage files or documents on Buzzsaw. The Autodesk API toolkit helps developers customize applications for the Buzzsaw service by enabling them to upload, download, copy, move, and delete files or folders. Using Visual Basic or C++, programmers (developers) can use the toolkit to build new applications or customize existing ones that already integrate with Buzzsaw.

The API mirrors the functions and resources found in Autodesk(R) ProjectPoint(R), a flexible technology platform that provides an easy-to-use, scalable backend infrastructure coupling leading technologies with Autodesk custom development. This robust technology infrastructure is provides security and the flexibility for continual adjustments and improvements to meet market demands. All applications working on the ProjectPoint platform use Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) technology to communicate sensitive files and information over the Internet. Files created or stored in the Buzzsaw API are saved to a Component Object Model (COM.) Since COM meets Microsoft specifications; developers can in turn use any programming language that supports COM including C++, C#, Visual Basic, and ASP pages.

The Buzzsaw API is provided to Buzzsaw customers at no additional charge. For 3rd party developers, there is a license fee, additional information can be found on the Buzzsaw product site at www.autodesk.com/buzzsaw.

About Autodesk

Founded in 1982, Autodesk, Inc. is the world's leading design software and digital content company. Autodesk offers solutions for professionals in building design, geographic information systems, manufacturing, digital media, and wireless data services. By delivering progressive products and services, Autodesk helps customers create, manage, use and maximize the value of their digital data throughout the lifecycle of their projects. For more information about the company, see www.autodesk.com. For information about the Buzzsaw service, visit the product site at www.autodesk.com/buzzsaw.

NOTE: Autodesk and Buzzsaw 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.

CONTACT: Gabrielle Friedly of Autodesk, +1-415-356-0741, or gabrielle.friedly@autodesk.com.

SOURCE Autodesk, Inc.

Gabrielle Friedly of Autodesk, +1-415-356-0741, or
gabrielle.friedly@autodesk.com
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