WAYLAND, Mass., Sep 19, 2002 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- The Open GIS Consortium, Inc. (OGC) announced today that Autodesk, Inc. (Nasdaq: ADSK) has become the first Principal Plus level OGC member. Autodesk's decision to participate at this new level underscores its commitment to geospatial interoperability, the GIS (Geographic Information Systems) industry, and the OGC. Autodesk has been an OGC member since 1994 and has been involved in several of its programs, including the recent OGC Web Services Initiative.

Principal Plus members take a more active role in shaping the direction of the Consortium's technology specification activities and in encouraging the use and acceptance of OpenGIS(R) specifications worldwide. In addition to the responsibilities of Principal Members, Principal Plus members dedicate resources directly to OGC programs. Autodesk has committed resources in support of OGC's Critical Infrastructure Protection Initiative (CIPI), a new approach to helping organizations publish, discover, access, exchange, and maintain vital geospatial information and online geoprocessing services required to support local and national safety.

"Autodesk GIS and the OpenGIS Consortium share the same vision about the industry: delivering spatial information anytime, anywhere independently of the platform," said Pierre Lemire, CTO of Autodesk's GIS Solutions Division. "We are looking forward to the benefits of becoming the first OGC Principal Plus member and playing a leading role in the Critical Infrastructure and Protection Initiative to support security."

David Schell, OGC president, comments, "We are very pleased that Autodesk is increasing its leadership role in OGC programs. The company's decision to dedicate resources to OGC's CIPI will help accelerate our progress toward greater geospatial interoperability in support of local, national and international cooperation concerning critical infrastructure protection issues."

For more information on the new Principal Plus OGC membership, please visit http://www.opengis.org/info/mLevels.htm. For more information on CIPI please visit http://www.opengis.org/pressrm/summaries/20020101.TS.CIPI.htm.

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.

OGC is an international industry consortium of more than 230 companies, government agencies and universities participating in a consensus process to develop publicly available geoprocessing specifications. OpenGIS(R) Specifications support interoperable solutions that "geo-enable" the Web and mainstream IT, and empower technology developers to make complex spatial information and services accessible and useful with all kinds of applications. Visit the OGC website at www.opengis.org.

CONTACT:          Open GIS Consortium, Inc.
                  Mark E. Reichardt, +1-301-840-1361
                  mreichardt@opengis.org
                  or
                  Autodesk, Inc.
                  Eric Sutphin, +1-415-507-8390
                  eric.sutphin@autodesk.com

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