SAN RAFAEL, Calif., Oct 25, 2004 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Autodesk Inc. (Nasdaq: ADSK), the world's leading design software and digital content company, today announced Autodesk(R) Crisis Command 2 software, enhanced to provide even greater capabilities for emergency managers. With Autodesk Crisis Command 2, emergency managers and first responders can combine geographic information solutions (GIS) together with computer aided design (CAD) technology for accurate information for management of day-to-day operations. This allows emergency professionals to create, manage and share critical spatial information, assignments and resources for efficient multi-agency coordination and immediate response.

A key component of the Autodesk Emergency Response Solution, Autodesk Crisis Command 2 builds on Autodesk MapGuide(R) software, enabling customers to develop, manage, and distribute GIS and design applications on the Internet. This capability expands access to mission-critical geospatial and digital design data, so that emergency managers and first responders make well-informed decisions throughout the stages of the emergency response process lifecycle. Enhanced management capabilities allow agencies to track man-hours and assignments for post-incident analysis, as well as enabling efficient incident monitoring.

"The more we can take advantage of existing insights and context for incidents, the better and faster we can respond," said Tom Horness, senior GIS and CAD specialist for the City of Sheboygan, Wisconsin. "We anticipate Autodesk Crisis Command 2 will streamline tasks involved in sharing and managing information about a type of event or sites that are prone to frequent emergencies. This solution will improve our quality of service and over the long term, reveal opportunities to operate far more cost-effectively, and help justify future endeavors."

According to Chris Bradshaw, vice president of Autodesk's Infrastructure Solutions Division, "Responding agencies and municipalities are building up their day-to-day infrastructure with sophisticated technology to combine location, design and engineering data such as city maps, floor plans and resource locations. Autodesk Crisis Command 2 provides tools for emergency managers for every-day events."

Tools for More Informed Decisions

With Autodesk Crisis Command 2 users can be more confident in the outcome of decisions made using new tools for tasks including sharing site and resource information, managing data for incidents in progress, and performing recovery analysis. Key features and benefits of Autodesk Crisis Command 2 include:

-- Incident reporting and notification -- Enhancements allow users to better track events, record incident history and automatically alert appropriate emergency managers for efficient event response and management, and insightful post-incident analysis.

-- Situational and spatial awareness -- Tools for critical asset tracking and buffer creation allow users to generate reports on map features within a selected location for situational and spatial awareness and analysis.

-- Planning and locating resources -- Landmark information, planning and drawing tools allow users to better visualize resources, mark up and share information for pre-planning emergency preparedness.

-- Improved management and security -- Work order, time reporting and administrative tools ensure emergency managers can secure access to information, manage and track assigned tasks, and understand time spent and personnel costs.

Availability

Autodesk Crisis Command 2 and the Autodesk Emergency Response Solution are available in the United States. (Autodesk MapGuide is available worldwide.) For more details, please go to www.autodesk.com/er.

The Autodesk Emergency Response Solution

The Autodesk Emergency Response Solution consists of interoperable Autodesk technologies and services, including Autodesk MapGuide Web mapping software to manage and distribute information about an incident to anyone who needs it; Autodesk Crisis Command 2; and Autodesk(R) Mobile Command software to provide both tactical and strategic capabilities including functionality for fire attack pre-planning, fire flow/bomb blast analysis, sniper/counter sniper capabilities, dynamic 3D visualization, and command and control. , Autodesk also uses its Autodesk(R) Pre-Plan Command software to create and edit maps and drawings, and help non-technical users quickly transform architectural drawings and floor plans into ready-to-use tactical and fire attack pre-plans that can track casualties with up-to-date information during an incident.

Autodesk Consulting Adds Value to Software Investment

The solution is supported by Autodesk Consulting, which offers services that can help streamline business processes and help customers get the best possible return on their investment in Autodesk technology. For more information about Autodesk Consulting, including integrated consulting and training, see www.autodesk.com/consulting.

About Autodesk

Autodesk is the world's leading design software and digital content company, offering customers progressive business solutions through powerful technology products and services. Autodesk helps customers in the building, manufacturing, infrastructure, digital media, and wireless data services fields increase the value of their digital design data and improve efficiencies across their entire project lifecycle management processes. For more information about the company, see www.autodesk.com.

NOTE: Autodesk and Autodesk MapGuide 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: Kirsten Davidson
415-547-2475
EMAIL: Kirsten.Davidson@autodesk.com

SOURCE Autodesk, Inc.

Kirsten Davidson of Autodesk, Inc., +1-415-547-2475, or Kirsten.Davidson@autodesk.com

http://www.autodesk.com