Sales Configuration Tool Speeds Generation of Custom Designs and Accurate Price Quotes

SAN RAFAEL, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mar. 15, 2012-- Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADSK) introduced a new release of Autodesk Inventor Engineer-to-Order software that can be deployed over the web, providing access to real-time, 3D visualization and pricing information for customized product configurations. Manufacturers can more accurately predict the actual cost of a completed design, generate more precise proposals and reduce overall lead time for product delivery.

Autodesk Inventor Engineer-to-Order automates the order and bid process right at the point of sale by providing easy-to-use tools for capturing business and engineering rules. The new browser-based access is powered by Autodesk Inventor Engineer-to-Order Server, as well as new templates and modules that can significantly reduce the time it takes to develop and maintain Engineer-to-Order applications. This new capability makes it easier for sales teams to do on-the-fly analysis of one-off custom designs from virtually any location, without having the software locally installed.

Swedish press manufacturer, AP&T, develops and sells hydraulic presses and complete production lines for the manufacturing industry. Using a modular-based system, AP&T can help provide automotive, indoor climate and domestic appliances customers with simple updates for existing equipment or complete customized production solutions. "We see enormous opportunities with Autodesk Inventor Engineer-to-Order as it’s helped us speed up product development and reduce time required for routine design and engineering tasks. The cost estimate errors in predicting key components decreased from 10% to just 1%," says Mikael Karlsson, project manager, AP&T “Being able to develop five times faster doesn’t seem impossible when we are meeting our targets.”

Unlike many other configuration tools, Autodesk Inventor Engineer-to-Order integrates with Autodesk Inventor software and AutoCAD software — providing a straightforward path to creating and maintaining a single digital model in a multidisciplinary engineering environment.

Streamlining Product Configuration, Optimizing Resources

Using the application, sales teams can help set customer expectations, capture crucial requirements and accurately predict margins — all before a proposal is submitted. When the time comes to submit a complete proposal, it can be automatically generated, complete with customer requirements, price quotations and drawings.

“The underlying challenges faced by manufacturers of configurable products are very similar across industries,” said Robert “Buzz” Kross, senior vice president, Design Lifecycle and Simulation Product Group at Autodesk. “Whether they’re making conveyor belts, water boilers or cabinets and furniture, manufacturers can produce custom designs in less time — and with better results — by using Autodesk Inventor Engineer-to-Order.”

To learn more about how Autodesk Inventor Engineer-to-Order can simplify product configuration and quote generation, view the online, interactive samples at http://etosamples.autodesk.com/.

About AP&T

AP&T designs, manufactures and markets automation, presses, tools and complete production lines for the sheet metal and tube forming industry. For additional information about AP&T, visit: www.aptgroup.com.

About Autodesk

Autodesk, Inc., is a leader in 3D design, engineering and entertainment software. Customers across the manufacturing, architecture, building, construction, and media and entertainment industries — including the last 17 Academy Award winners for Best Visual Effects — use Autodesk software to design, visualize and simulate their ideas. Since its introduction of AutoCAD software in 1982, Autodesk continues to develop the broadest portfolio of state-of-the-art software for global markets. For additional information about Autodesk, visit www.autodesk.com.

Autodesk, AutoCAD, Autodesk Inventor and Inventor are registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., and/or its subsidiaries and/or affiliates in the USA and/or other countries. Academy Award is a registered trademark of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. All other brand names, product names or trademarks belong to their respective holders. Autodesk reserves the right to alter product and services offerings, and specifications and pricing at any time without notice, and is not responsible for typographical or graphical errors that may appear in this document.

© 2012 Autodesk, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Source: Autodesk, Inc.

Autodesk, Inc.
Jennifer Gentrup, 415-547-2435
jennifer.gentrup@autodesk.com