SAN RAFAEL, Calif. and SEOUL, Sep 17, 2002 (BUSINESS WIRE) --

Local Language Version of the Buzzsaw Project Management Solution Captures Increasing Share of the $50 Billion Korean Building Market

Autodesk, Inc. (Nasdaq:ADSK), the world's leading design software and digital content company, today announced that it has entered into an agreement with Constnet to market and sell Autodesk Buzzsaw project collaboration services in Korea. Constnet, a Korean-based technology and service company that offers web-based business services to the Korean building market, originally launched a Korean-language version of Buzzsaw in January 2001. Since then, the company has built an important client base of approximately 40 customers, including well-known contractors such as Daelim, Lotte, Ssangyong, Byucksan and Hanil, and design firms such as Junglim, Shinhan and Kunwon.

"With the Korean construction market poised for strong growth we are optimistic that Autodesk's Web-based collaboration services will continue to make inroads among owner/developers, contractor and design firms," said B.J. Kim, chief executive officer of Constnet. "Our Buzzsaw customers have realized significant gains in team productivity as well as savings in delivery and copying costs. By gaining the ability to work more efficiently, Autodesk Buzzsaw users have a real edge in today's construction business environment."

Constnet has established an office in Seoul for Buzzsaw sales, training and support. In addition, Constnet has broadened its professional consulting offerings to include Web-based project collaboration. With its enhanced service capabilities Constnet can better implement systems and technologies that provide its clients with a competitive advantage in the challenging Korean construction business.

"This agreement with Constnet furthers Autodesk's strategy to expand our Web-based collaboration offerings around the globe," said Chris Bradshaw, vice president of Autodesk Building Collaboration Services. "The introduction of a local Buzzsaw language version in Korea, coupled with the introduction in Japan earlier this year, has firmly established Buzzsaw in the East Asian market. As construction professionals overseas become more familiar with the benefits of online project management we are confident that Buzzsaw will continue to enjoy strong growth."

    Growing Korean Building Market

After enduring a significant downturn during the Asian recession of the late 1990s, the Korean construction market began to recover in 2001 and is expected to continue growing at steady rate over the next three years. In recent publications the Construction & Economy Research Institute of Korea and The Construction Association of Korea forecast that construction spending, which totaled US $50 billion in 2001, will grow to more than US $90 billion in 2005. This growth is being spurred by a boom in housing construction -- especially in the multi-unit apartment sector -- and rapid growth in overseas work for Korean-based companies.

Existing and prospective customers can learn more about the Korean language version of Buzzsaw by contacting Constnet in Seoul at 02-415-9160 or sales@buzzsawkorea.com. Companies can also visit the product site at www.constnet.co.kr or www.buzzsawkorea.com.

    Autodesk Buzzsaw for Building Life Cycle Management

Launched in the U.S. in 1999, Autodesk Buzzsaw is an online project collaboration service that connects building project team members. The service allows teams to view and mark up drawings through Autodesk proprietary technology, Volo View and store and share information in one, secure location. This enables owners, developers, architects, engineers, and contractors to save time and increase profitability throughout the entire design, construction, and building management process.

    About Constnet

Constnet, a Korean-based technology and service company offers web-based business services including project management, IT consulting, and networking facilities to the Korean building market. The company aims to serve building industry professionals worldwide who are working in collaboration with Korean companies or wish to utilize Korean construction resources.

    About Autodesk

Founded in 1982, Autodesk, Inc., is the world's leading design and digital media creation, management, and distribution company. The company serves a diverse portfolio of markets, including building design, geographic information systems, manufacturing, digital media, and wireless data services. By delivering tools that foster innovation and creativity, Autodesk helps customers throughout the value chain leverage digital design data to work better, faster, and smarter. For more information about the company, see www.autodesk.com. For information about the Buzzsaw service, visit the product site at www.autodesk.com/collaborate.

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:          Autodesk, Inc.
                  Gabrielle Friedly, 415/356-0741
                  gabrielle.friedly@autodesk.com

URL:              http://www.businesswire.com
Today's News On The Net - Business Wire's full file on the Internet
with Hyperlinks to your home page.

Copyright (C) 2002 Business Wire.  All rights reserved.