Companies Deliver Retail Construction Solutions to Seven-Eleven Stores Across Japan and Into China

SAN RAFAEL, Calif., Aug. 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Autodesk, Inc. (Nasdaq: ADSK) and Maeda Corporation, a leading construction and civil engineering company based in Japan, today announced the expansion of their alliance to develop and deliver retail construction solutions to the Asia-Pacific region. The partnership enables Maeda to deliver facilities and asset management services to retailers such as Seven-Eleven, which has worked with Maeda to deploy the Autodesk Buzzsaw collaborative project management solution to manage and share information for 10,000 store locations across Japan. As part of the expanded relationship, Autodesk and Maeda are working with Seven-Eleven Japan to extend use of Buzzsaw as it expands into China.

"We needed a project management solution that could help us gain efficiencies across the design, build and operate processes, and Autodesk Buzzsaw has far exceeded our expectations. Buzzsaw offers the scalability, multi-language functionality and ease of use required for projects ranging from single retail outlet renovations to design, construction and maintenance projects across the Asia-Pacific region," commented Hirotaka Otake, general manager, Retail Business Department, Maeda.

Using Buzzsaw, Seven-Eleven has enhanced collaboration across its supply chain and continues to realize new operational efficiencies. Initially Seven-Eleven used Buzzsaw for collaborative design management, helping them more effectively share information with architectural offices across Japan and reduce the time it takes to open a retail outlet. Today, Seven-Eleven is using Buzzsaw to manage and track the progress of a construction project that will convert their store communication infrastructure from copper to fiber optics. One of the more valuable features that Buzzsaw provides to Maeda and Seven-Eleven is the ability to upload and review site photographs taken with mobile phones. This capability enables Maeda and Seven-Eleven to monitor progress and verify that work has been completed.

Since 2001, Maeda's Retail Business Department has offered "Naoshiya Matabee," a facilities management service for retail, residential and commercial construction markets. Buzzsaw has been an essential tool in enabling the "Naoshiya Matabee" service to meet the operational needs for facilities management of Seven-Eleven outlets and other companies across Japan. Buzzsaw enables Maeda to streamline their service delivery processes to more effectively manage and share building asset information with clients and partners. The new expanded relationship with Autodesk enables Maeda to develop and provide services that meet the needs of their customers at every stage in a building's lifecycle. From the early planning stages of a project through the retirement of an asset, Maeda uses Buzzsaw to centrally manage all of the information required to build and maintain their customer's assets including permits, schedules, estimates, budgets, inspection reports, and design and construction documents.

"Our customers and partners are becoming more involved in all aspects of the building lifecycle -- plan, build, operate -- and we are committed to delivering solutions that address every phase of that lifecycle. Maeda is an important Buzzsaw partner and as their needs for lifecycle management evolve, we work with them to provide a solution that meets their needs and their customers' needs," said Amar Hanspal, vice president of Autodesk Collaboration Services.

About Maeda Corporation

Maeda was established in Japan in 1919. Since then, it has progressed to become one of Japan's leading building and civil engineering contractors. Maeda has a well-earned reputation for completing contracts with high-quality work and technical standards within short construction periods at very competitive prices. For more information on Maeda, please visit: http://www.maeda.co.jp/english/outline_e.html .

About Autodesk

Autodesk, Inc. is wholly focused on ensuring that great ideas are turned into reality. With six million users, Autodesk is the world's leading software and services company for the building, manufacturing, infrastructure, digital media 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 by becoming more productive, streamlining project efficiency and maximizing profits. Founded in 1982, Autodesk is headquartered in San Rafael, California. For additional information about Autodesk, please visit www.autodesk.com.

NOTE: Autodesk and Buzzsaw are registered 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: Jennifer Giles of Autodesk, +1-415-547-2458, or Jennifer.giles@autodesk.com.

SOURCE
Autodesk, Inc.
08/30/2005
Web site: http://www.autodesk.com